Episode 78
Episode 78: Early February, 1877
Scene 1 written by Padeena
Scene 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Belleterre, late afternoon. John Henry has just entered a cozy sitting room where Elizabeth sits by the fire, embroidering.
John Henry: Appears somber. Elizabeth?
Elizabeth: Oui, Jean-Henri?
John Henry: Tomorrow is your birthday, darling, and I've failed you.
Elizabeth: What is wrong, mon chèri?
John Henry: I had your gift on order, but it had not arrived yesterday. Mr. Haas said it would likely be on the train in Boise today, so I went. It had not arrived.
Elizabeth: Laughs. And for this you think you have failed me? She rises and gives her husband a kiss. Your love and concern is all the gift I need.
John Henry: Oh, I have brought you a gift. Something I found while waiting in the lobby of the hotel.
Elizabeth appears confused as John Henry reaches just outside the door and leads Alicia inside. Elizabeth is taken be surprise, and stares at the young woman for a long time before repeatedly looking from her husband to Alicia and back again. After a long time, she slowly walks toward Alicia and embraces her, rattling off a litany of French to which Alicia nods, understands, and replies in French.
Elizabeth: Come, ma chèrie. Before the rest of the family discovers you, sit down and tell me... tell me everything! I do not know where to begin!
Alicia allows Elizabeth to lead her to a small sofa and they sit down together. Elizabeth pats Alicia's hand and nods for her to continue. Neither notice as John Henry leaves the room and quietly closes the door. Alicia takes a deep breath and looks into the kind eyes of her Aunt.
Alicia: I came to America to escape Maman's current amore. Having just finished school, I had gone to visit Maman in Venice—that is where she is living now. Signor d'Amato has settled her in a suite of apartments near the center of town not far from his offices. This way, he can visit her without his family knowing about it. I arrived at an... awkward moment and came across them together. d'Amato immediately began yelling at Maman; blaming her for my appearance at just that moment. A few days later, I happened upon him once more. This time, he was with some other men and he did not see me. I stayed as quiet as I could so as not to be noticed when I saw him kill a man. I became afraid and tried to tell Maman, but she laughed it away and even told me it was just part of how they did things in Venice. That night, at dinner, she told him what I saw; he laughed at it as well and told me I must have been mistaken. But, Auntie, I know what I saw. Anyway, I was never comfortable in his presence after that because I caught him watching me closely with his eyes half closed. Maman was too busy with herself and making sure she pleased him to really pay much attention to my fears. Every time I tried to talk to her, she refused to listen, saying I was just being horrid and making it up to cause trouble because I wanted her to spend all her time with me and not with him. My companion, Madame Rue, overheard him talking to some other man one day when she was passing his study. The door was cracked open and she overheard my name. She paused and heard him tell another man that he would have to see about getting rid of me. The next day, while everyone was still abed, I left. I had no place else to go, and thought I would travel to America. In her few letters to me while I was in school, Maman would always happily speak of growing up with you and Uncle Samuel. Having never met you, of course, I had no idea where you were. All I knew was that you had married and moved to America. I found some letters you sent to Maman long ago in one of her drawers. I had no idea where Liberty Creek or Idaho Territory was but I thought someone would be able to tell me when I got here. I also have these.
Alicia opens her reticule and reveals a faded daguerrotype of a young Elizabeth and her siblings. Elizabeth takes it from her with tears in her eyes.
Elizabeth: I was angry when Juliette took this. She told me she lost it. It was made in 1839. Your mother was twelve, I was ten, and Samuel was just four.
Alicia reaches inside her reticule again to bring out an old rosary enclosed in a patch of white velvet.
Alicia: These were the only things Maman ever gave me that I had to lay claim to you.
Elizabeth: Maman's beads! I thought they were lost. She pauses. Alicia, Juliette—your mother—has always been... troubled. I am sure you know some of the circumstances surrounding your birth. I was very angry with Juliette, and I am still to some degree. She sent you off and had nothing to do with your upbringing, then put you in one of those cold boarding schools. I was married at the time... I wanted to take you. Jean Henri wanted to take you. She refused, and she again refused when I wanted you to come here to visit your family. Therefore you must know I am sincere when I say you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish.
Scene 2: Tess and Nick's house, a few days later, afternoon. Nick is working with a horse in the fenced yard beside his stable. A man is approaching down the lane on foot. He is Mexican in appearance, of Spanish descent, and in his mid-thirties.
The man approaches unnoticed by Nick and leans on the fence.
Man: That is a spectacular animal.
Nick: Turns, unstartled. Thank you.
Man: I am looking for Nick Marshall. Have I found him?
Nick: You have. How can I help you? Excuse me if I don't come over just yet. I just managed to get this one to take a saddle and I don't want to stop her just yet.
Man: Take your time. I was told I might find work with you. My name is Gustavo Alvarado. I raise horses myself in Texas.
Nick: Then what on earth brings you up here? It's bloody cold.
Gustavo: Laughs. That it is, and it might deter me. I am considering moving my family to this area.
Nick: I can pay you a dollar a day, might go up if you prove yourself.
Gustavo: Would you consider taking me as a boarder? Even if it is a room in your stable with a stove. I would take less, of course.
Nick: Seventy-five cents for a room in the house, if you do your share of the chores. But my wife will have to agree to that, you being a stranger. She's a good judge of character. She'll be in there now, if you go see her. Warm up and get some coffee.
Gustavo: Thank you, Mr. Marshall.
Nick: Good luck, Señor Alvarado.
Scene 3: Liberty Creek, a short time later. Jack and Cole are walking together on the forested path leading to Madison’s former home.
Jack: Have you heard from her yet?
Cole: He nods. I just received a telegram this morning. She arrived in Paris yesterday. He chuckles. Aunt Vivienne has already taken quite a liking to spoiling her.
Jack: And she is well?
Cole: Gives Jack a sideways glance. Why are you so concerned with my sister’s well-being? I thought you were over with her?
Jack: I am, but a part of me will always care about her.
A twig snaps in the woods, and Cole is immediately alert.
Cole: What was that?
Jack: What?
Cole: Didn’t you you hear it? A twig just snapped in the woods.
Jack: It was probably just some sort of animal.
Cole: No... He trails off, listening. I have had the oddest feeling that I am being watched for the past few days.
Jack: Perhaps it is a secret admirer.
Cole: That is highly unlikely.
Jack: Who else would spy on you?
Cole: Many people. I used to lead a very... complicated life, Jack.
Jack: I understand. I am afraid I must take my leave now. I have to make a house call.
Jack and Cole bid each other farewell, then Jack continues along the path, while Cole peers warily into the shadows of the woods. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees a flash of white and can make out a figure darting into the recesses of the trees. He runs after the figure, shouting for the person to stop. The pursuit doesn’t last long, as Cole easily catches up with the other person, a woman, who is dressed entirely in white.
Cole: Who are you, and why have you been spying on me?
Woman: She speaks softly, not turning around. My dear Cole... It’s been so long.
Cole: Stutters, confused. I-Isabella?
The woman turns to face Cole, and he gasps. The right side of her face is badly scarred.
Isabella: She smiles. It is so good to finally see you again.
Scene 4: The cabin at the hot springs, late the next morning. Grace and Steven have just arrived on horseback, carrying a lunch.
Grace: I feel a little strange being here.
Steven: Oh? I thought you liked it here.
Grace: I do, but it is where Carey and Scotty come for... romantic encounters... when there is a threat Mama will discover them at the house.
Steven: Perhaps we should go elsewhere, lest our being here together be seen as improper.
Grace: It would only be improper if we made it so, and I do not plan to do that.
Steven: If you insist. Shall we go inside? I will start a fire.
Grace: I would much rather sit by a fire outside, if it doesn't bother you. I brought a thick blanket on which to sit.
Steven: Whatever you wish.
Grace spreads the blanket and begins arranging the lunch as Steven collects wood and begins to start a fire.
Grace: Has your school contacted you yet?
Steven lights a match and holds it against the end of a log.
Steven: Yes. Classes are expected to resume in two months. They were unable to find a temporary venue while the fire damage is repaired. We'll make up the time in the summer.
The match burns down to Steven's fingers and barely darkens the wood. He drops it and strikes another, again holding it against the log. Grace watches hopefully.
Grace: How unfortunate to lose your summer vacation.
Steven: Yes, Wesa was gloating a little about that when she returned to her school.
Steven's second match burns to his finger tips and he drops it. Grace smiles a little but hides it.
Grace: Oh, were you unable to find the material for starting the fire? It should have been just beside the hearth. I'll have a look.
Grace enters the cabin and returns with some newspapers and dry twigs. She lays them on the ground between her and Steven and takes the lead by moving the logs aside, then crumbling the papers. Steven catches on and does the same, then they both lay the twigs on top. He lights the paper and places a log on top when the blaze is strong, then sits back and watches it.
Steven: Does not look at Grace, blushes a little. I've never lit a fire before.
Grace: Laughs a little and gives him a comforting pat. That's all right. You were trying. It was quite charming.
Steven: Don't tease me.
Grace: I'm not teasing. No one has ever tried to light a fire for me before. When I was in England, someone had to be called to do it because the young men didn't think to try. Here, everyone just assumed that I could and would do it myself. It's nice to be taken care of in such a manner.
Steven looks up smiling and their eyes meet. They begin to lean toward each other, but Grace smiles, blushes, and looks away.
Steven: You're charming, too.
Grace: Smiles, giggles a little. Don't tease.
Steven: I'm not teasing. Ladies with brains, and who use them, are far more attractive than those with no brains at all. The young ladies I've met up until now would have let us freeze rather than admit to knowing how to do something like start a fire.
Grace: I can speak and read French, Latin, and Greek, too.
Steven: Do you know anything about medicine?
Grace: Laughs. I can deliver cows and horses, breech and otherwise.
Steven: You will have to teach me how before I leave. I'll be the only first year medical student who's gotten his hands dirty.
Grace: That can be arranged. We should have a cow delivering in two weeks. I'll instruct them to inform us both as soon as it starts.
Steven: Thank you. Should I put another log on the fire?
Grace: Best to wait until it's good and hot. You don't want to suffocate it before it has a chance to get going.
Steven: That makes sense.
Steven smiles at Grace, and she at him.
Scene 5: Belleterre, late afternoon. Mr. Patton has just admitted a teenaged boy to the front foyer.
Boy: My father sent me, sir. He said I was to give these two telegrams to Mr. Marshall personally.
Patton: This way, then.
Patton leads the boy down the hall and sends him into John Henry's office.
John Henry: How can I help you, young man? Aren't you Mr. Haas' son?
Boy: Yes, sir.
John Henry: Let's have it then. I can tell by your face it's not good news.
Boy: Two telegrams, sir. They came in within five minutes of each other, but there's no telling when each was first sent. One's from Paris, France. The other's from Mar... Mar-seal?
John Henry: Nods. Marseille.
Boy: Only one of them was sent here, but my father thought... sir, he knows it was wrong, but he thought, considering the news, it might be best to give you both of them.
John Henry: Tell him it will be all right. He reaches into his pocket and gives the boy a few coins before taking the two slips of paper. Thank you.
John Henry watches the boy leave the room before reading the first telegram.
John Henry: Sighs. Damn. He reads the second telegram. Bloody hell!
John Henry collapses into his chair.
Isabella and Cole share more than just a
past Alicia begins to make friends Gustavo Alvarado is in town for more than
just a job
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