Episode 64
Episode 64: Mid-August, 1876
Scenes 1 and 5 written by Heather
Scene 1: Madison Taylor's cabin, morning. Madison lies in the bed of her loft- style bedroom, blissfully sleeping. Robert has just woken up.
Robert slowly slips out from underneath Madison's arm and watches her sleep as he begins to dress. His shirt untucked and half-buttoned, he lightly brushes a strand of hair from Madison's face before silently descending the steep, narrow staircase. He picks up his coat where it has been draped over a chair.
Madison stirs and sits up, holding the covers around her. She wavers, groans, and places her palm on her forehead. She looks to the rumpled covers behind her and gets up, wrapping the sheet around her. She reaches the opening to downstairs just in time to see the front door shut behind Robert. She returns to bed, but is called out of her sleepy daze several minutes later by a loud knock on the door. She slips on her robe, dropping the sheet from underneath after she has closed it up, and heads downstairs to answer the door.
Madison: Groans and covers her ears, squints at the light. Coming!
Madison reaches the bottom of the stairs and opens the door. Her eyes widen with surprise.
Madison: Greta! What are you doing here so early?
Greta: It is nealy ten o'clock, Madison. I would have though you'd be up by now.
Madison: As a matter of fact, you woke me up.
Greta: I am sorry, but we had an appointment, remember?
Madison: We did?
Greta: Yes... She holds up her sewing basket... we did.
Madison: Oh! I completely forgot about that! Please, come in. You may help yourself to anything you like... coffee, bisquits... while I get dressed.
Madison rushes up the steps to her room and closes the door behind her.
Cut to: Madison's sitting room, a short while later. Madison stands on a stool while Greta carefully hems up the skirt she is wearing.
Greta: So... Did you have a busy night last night?
Madison: Why do you ask?
Greta: I was just wondering. You just don't seem like the kind of girl who would sleep late, that is all.
Madison: Yes, I had a very busy night last night.
Greta: And where does Robert Marshall fit into this?
Madison: Stutters.P-pardon me?
Greta: I quite literally ran into him on my way here. Acutally, it was he who ran into me.
Madison: It... She hesitates.... must have been a coincidence. Nothing more.
Greta: Perhaps. Could you hand me some more pins, dear? They're in my basket over there.
Madison: Opens the basket. I haven't heard from my friend Emily in some time.
Greta: Oh? Perhaps she's busy.
Madison: She usually writes me of—
Madison's eyes widen as she grasps something and pulls it out just enough so that she can see what it is. She removes Robert's cravat from the basket and turns back to Greta, who is looking very sternly at Madison, her arms folded across her chest.
Madison: Timid. Where did you get this?
Greta: I found it on the floor after you went upstairs.
Madison: Greta, I... I can explain.
Great: Please do.
Madison: Robert and I... Last night we... What I'm trying to say is...
Greta: You and Robert Marshall had an affair last night.
Madison: Quietly. Yes. We did.
Greta: For your sake, I swear I will tell no one of this. But I do think you should discuss matters with Mr. Marshall. What you two did is highly unacceptable.
Madison: I know. And I plan to speak to him about it as soon as I get the chance.
Greta: Good.
Scene 2: San Francisco, mid-day, a few days later. Georgie sits in a large arm chair in an upstairs sitting room like a wet rag, nervously nibbling the fingernails of one hand while holding an envelope and sheet of paper with another.
Hilda: Appears at the door. Ma'am?
Georgie: Startled back to reality. Oh, I'm sorry. What is it, Hilda?
Hilda: Mr. And Mrs. Marshall have arrived.
Georgie: My, already? She stuffs the paper in the envelope, then slips it into her large skirt pocket. Here now, come help me up.
Georgie reaches the top of the stairs overlooking the foyer just as Louisa is downstairs greeting Tess with a hug. She rests against the railing.
Georgie: My Lord, Tess, you're absolutely huge!
Tess: A lovely greeting, Georgie. One could say the same for you.
Georgie: But I'm due, my dear. Certainly you're more than six months?
Tess: I don't think so. A belated happy anniversary, by the way.
Georgie: Thank you. Nick enters with several bags. Hello, Nick.
Nick: Hello, Georgie. How are you feeling?
Georgie: I've been better.
Tess: Are you coming down here or must I come up there? Or shall we visit like this?
Georgie: You must come up here. You have Nick and Steven to help you. Where have you left my husband?
Tess: He was called away before we reached the door.
Georgie: I should have guessed.
Tess slowly makes her way upstairs, with help from Nick and Steven, and she and Georgie embrace when she reaches the top.
Georgie: Come into my room. I want to lie down. You can put something of mine on until your things arrive.
Tess: They're already here... What have you done?
Georgie: I've only had a few things made.
The two enter Georgie's bedroom and Tess closes the door behind her as Georgie crawls onto the bed.
Tess: Begins to remove her outer clothing. So, how are you really feeling?
Georgie: Groans, sighs. I don't know. I was feeling wonderful just a few days ago. Restless, eager to get out of the house. My grandmother was trying to force me into confinement.
Tess: Where is your grandmother?
Georgie: Napping. The dresses I was wearing a month ago should fit you. They're in the far corner of the closet.
Tess: Disappears inside. And how are you feeling about this upcoming day?
Georgie: The twenty-fifth? I hope I am able to help you celebrate your first wedding anniversary.
Tess: Reappears, dress in hand. You know what I mean.
Georgie: I don't know what to feel, really. A year ago today was the day he kidnapped me. Gabe didn't leave my side all morning, the darling. I'd probably be all right about all of it if only...
Tess: What? If only what?
Georgie: Sighs. I went into my shop the other day with Louisa the other day. She went upstairs and I was left alone at the desk. A man came in. His wife was upstairs finishing her fitting. They were from New York...
Tess: Gasps. And he knew you?
Georgie: In every sense of the word. He didn't place my face at first, but then this morning... Dear God, this came for me in the mail.
Georgie removes the letter from her pocket and hands it to Tess, then lays back on her pillow as Tess reads it.
Tess: Shocked. He's got the nerve to blackmail you?
Georgie: Yes, and he doesn't want money. Dear God, Tess, what am I going to— She groans and squeezes the bed sheets in her fists. I think you'd best wake my grandmother.
Scene 3: Roxbury Manor, England, night. Freddie, Sally, Carey, Grace, and Johnny are seated at supper.
Sally: I must say, Grace, I'm shocked.
Grace: Not completely scandalized, I hope.
Sally: No... a little proud. You were my student, after all.
Freddie: I'm afraid I must ruin your fun, though. We come with fresh instructions from your father.
Grace: Back to the classroom?
Freddie: Back to the farm, as soon as we can pull you away and get you on the boat.
Grace: I was ready to go home anyway. The season if over now, though we missed the end with that mess Belinda caused.
Freddie: Speaking of my darling sister, are you certain that story is accurate, Carey? I wouldn't want to send my father any false reports with him half way around the world.
Carey: She all but admitted her pregnancy to me. The only thing I don't know is the identity of her lover.
Johnny: Yes, well, ladies aren't often made privy to the indelicacies of some of the gossip.
Carey: Shoots him a cold stare. You know who the lover is? Why the hell didn't you say anything before you married your brother off to that bitch, sorry Freddie.
Freddie: Mumbles. It's true.
Johnny: Calm down, Carey, I didn't find out until earlier today. The rumor mill has the man pegged as Lord Denbury.
Grace: Denbury... isn't he the one Uncle Phil wanted Lydia to marry?
Carey: I believe so.
Freddie: A post script to the letter. I'm glad I didn't send it off today.
Sally: Let's change the subject, shall we? Carey, when do you and Johnny plan to marry.
Johnny: Smiles as Carey blushes crimson. Carey's a little shy about the subject. We probably won't for some time.
Carey: I think I might return to Belleterre with Grace. I never had the opportunity to experience it as fully as I'd like to when I was there before... with my mother ever watchful of my deportment.
Johnny: I shall miss you immensely, darling.
Maid: Appears at the door, anxious. Excuse me, sir. An urgent telegram, just arrived. For Mr. Pritchett.
Johnny stands and takes the telegram from the maid. Carey rises to stand beside him, watching fearfully as the expression on his face turns to shock as he reads.
Carey: Not Frank?
Johnny: No, not Frank.
Carey: Well?
Johnny: It's from Scotty, in Marshton... She's still alive, barely, but she's lost a great deal of blood.
Carey: Agitated. For God's sake, who?! What's happened?
Johnny: It's Allie. She's attempted suicide.
Scene 4: Belleterre, afternoon, a short time later. Rilla stands at a kitchen counter helping her mother prepare food. Several other kitchen maids bustle about doing other odd jobs.
Mrs. Anders: Have you considered your plans yet, Rilla?
Rilla: Yes, actually, I have. Nick has asked if I will come live with him and Tess when there house is finished, to help Tess out and eventually be the baby's nanny.
Mrs. Anders: Oh, it will be wonderful to have you close by, darling. And the girls, too. When did this come up?
Rilla: Several days ago. I'm sorry I didn't mention it sooner. Nick was going to ask Tess about it when they're in San Francisco.
Mrs. Anders: So it isn't definite yet?
Rilla: It might as well be. Tess will agree if Nick asks her to. I was out at the hot springs feeling a little sorry for myself. Nick happened by and cheered me up, then offered me the job.
Mrs. Anders: Always such a good boy, that Nick.
Rilla: He saved me from a swarm of bees.
Mrs: Anders: Darling, you're supposed to stay away from bees. You know you're allergic.
Rilla: Yes, and so are the girls. I didn't know they were there until Nick's horse disturbed a bees' nest and he let me ride away with him.
Mrs. Anders: On the same horse? Darling, that's hardly appropriate.
Rilla: There really wasn't much choice, Mama.
Mrs. Anders: No, I suppose not.
Rilla: Oh, I see the girls outside. Do you mind?
Mrs. Anders shakes her head "no" and Rilla walks outside where Hildy and Ada are talking with David Windham.
Hildy: Mama, can Ada and me go with David to the hot springs? I've never seen one before.
Rilla: Do you know the way, David?
David: Yes, ma'am.
Rilla: I suppose it's all right. Be back before supper. The children begin to run off, she calls after them. Be careful!
Scene 5: Meanwhile, in the library, Robert sits at a small table with papers set out in front of him.
Madison: Steps quietly into the room. Robert?
Robert: Smiles. Hello, Madison.
Madison: Shuts the door behind her. We need to talk.
Robert: About what?
Madison: About... the other night.
Robert continues to smile as he walks over to her. When he reaches her, he wraps his arms around her.
Robert: What about it?
Madison: Pushes him away. What we did was wrong, Robert. You and I both know that.
Robert releases her, the smile falling from his face.
Robert: I see.
Robert walks to the side of the room and pours himself a drink.
Robert: So that night meant nothing to you, then?
Madison: I never said that! Look, Robert, that night was... She sighs... it was very special to me. I'm not going to try to deny that. But I am also not going to deny the fact that it was wrong of us to go that far.
Robert: I should have known you would pull this. You say that you love me, and then you suddenly decide to take it all back.
Madison: I never said that I loved you.
Robert: Yes, you did. The night of the ball. When you were in that operating room, you admited to being in love with me.
Madison: Nick... He told you, didn't he!
Robert: Nick doesn't even have a clue about the way you feel about me. I'm the one you confessed your love to.
Madison: Oh, Robert... I...
Robert: Don't even try.
Robert stalks from the room, mumbling an apology to Cole when he bumps into the doorway. Madison turns away from her brother, wiping tears from her eyes.
Cole: What happened in here?
Madison: Nohing. She turns to him and smiles. What brings you here, dear brother?
Cole: I came to tell you the news.
Madison: What news?
Cole: There's been a murder. Someone found a body in the lake.
Cut to: Lake Liberty. Tess and Nick's house, visibly finished on the outside, can be seen across the lake. A crowd has gathered.
Madison and Cole push their way through the mass of murmuring people to the head of the crowd. As Madison breaks through the front row of people, she looks down just as someone pulls a blanket over the body and lets out a blood-curdling scream.
Georgie's baby arrives An emergency arises but Jack is at the lake.
Will he arrive in time? So, who's the body?
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