Liberty Creek: Episode 8

Episode 8

Episode 8: Mid-August, 1875

Scene 1: A stagecoach with a team of six horses rushing along a dusty country road, mid-afternoon.

Driver: Calls down Won't be much longer now, folks. No more 'n twenty minutes.

Georgie: Thank God. All I need is a nice warm bath, a clean change of clothes, a good meal, and a soft bed.

Gabe: What? This is not good enough for you?

Georgie is lying with her head and shoulders on Gabe's lap and her legs raised and resting on the wall of the stage. Steven and Louisa are lying in the same position on the opposite seat, with Steven's legs resting on the seat underneath Georgie's.

Georgie: Very funny, darling. I just hope I'm not corrupting your impressionable son's mind with this lengthy view of my legs.

Steven: No more than the lengthy view of my sister's legs.

Louisa: Would you rather we were sweaty and smelly, Stevie? Because we would be if we were sitting up straight with every inch of our bodies covered. At least you and Father can take off your jackets and unbutton your shirts part of the way.

Steven: Just be sure you two right yourselves before we enter town.

Louisa: Are you afraid we'll embarrass you, Stevie?

Steven: Yes, I am. But you must admit, you will not make a good first impression by arriving in town half dressed with your skirts up to your knees.

Georgie: May I remind you, Steven, that you are also half dressed.

Steven: But it is far less scandalous for a man to appear without his shirt in this part of the country than it is for a woman to bare her legs and half her... bosoms.

Georgie: You weren't supposed to be looking at my bosoms, Steven, your father told you that. Give it a rest. It is far too hot today.

Scene 2: A crowded train platform, New York City, afternoon. Christopher and Lydia are standing just outside the train with Captain Elliot and Laura Aimes, Delie has just boarded.

Lydia: Thank you both for everything. You will write?

Laura: Of course, Lydia. It was a pleasure getting to know you, even if we were only able to see each other for a few days.

Captain E: I hope the quarantine didn't make your honeymoon too unpleasant.

Laura: They were already quarantined, Captain Elliot.

Lydia: Thank you for sharing your home with us last night, Cousin.

Captain E: Anything for family. You should be getting on the train now. You'll want to be settled before it starts moving.

Christopher: Come visit us some time. My family would be happy to have you.

Hugs and handshakes were exchanged before Christopher and Lydia boarded the train. They found Delie already settled in the small, private room she was sharing with another young woman before continuing on to their own private room. They made sure their two bags were there before settling themselves on the seats.

Christopher: This worked out perfectly. We'll only have to spend one night in Boise, then we'll be spending the next night at Belleterre.

Lydia: It will be nice to finally sleep in a bed that isn't moving for more than one night. Philip might insist that we stay with him and Libbie, though. Would you mind that?

Christopher: No, not at all. It will give you a better chance to get to know your niece and nephews.

Lydia: I'm glad you feel that way. I wanted to stay with Philip and Libbie.

Christopher: Philip will be glad to have you, but I think he'll be hesitant to allow me under his roof. After all, I did seduce his beloved little sister. I just hope he doesn't hit me when he finds out.

Lydia: He will not hit you.

Scene 3: The stagecoach, going a little slower, with Liberty Creek visible ahead.

Driver: Just about to pull in to town, folks! Georgie: Groggy, pulled out of half-sleep. What?!

Gabe, Steven, and Louisa are startled awake. Gabe mutters an expletive as he turns quickly to retrieve his jacket from the back of the seat. Georgie is nearly thrown to floor, but she is already sitting up. She finishes straightening her own skirt and doing up the top hooks of her bodice, then helps Louisa do the same. When the stage comes to a stop, the four have miraculously made themselves presentable again. A peek out the window reveals Tess standing with Nick and John Henry.

Georgie: You three get out first.

The driver opened the door and helped Louisa step down. Steven followed her, then Gabe. Gabe nods to Tess, then waves off the driver and turns to help Georgie down himself. Tess pays no attention to him and keeps her eyes on Georgie. When Georgie has both feet on solid ground, she finally looks Tess in the eye.

Georgie: My, my. You sure do clean up good.

Tess: You're not looking too bad yourself.

The two take a few steps toward each other and embrace, the taller Georgie lifting Tess onto her toes. Both begin to weep.

Georgie: Speaks into Tess's ear. I am so happy for you.

Tess: Whispers in Georgie's ear. And I am so proud of you. I'm glad you agreed to be my maid of honor.

Georgie: Pulls back a bit Well, that's something I need to talk to you about. It just isn't right for me to be called a maid of anything anymore.

Tess: Nonsense! Don't even think that way!

Georgie: I'm afraid I must. Mr. Marshall and I have fibbed a little bit. We wanted to surprise you. I can no longer be referred to as a maid Georgie steps back and finds her way into Gabe's arms because I am now a matron.

Tess: Disbelieving. No!

Georgie: Smiles, nods, and extends her hand to introduce herself. Mrs. Gabriel Hewitt, a pleasure to meet you. I would like you to meet my husband, Dr. Hewitt.

Gabe: Shakes Tess's hand. Gabe.

Georgie: And my two ghastly step-children, Steven and Louisa.

Louisa: Shakes Tess's hand. Stevie's the ghastly one.

Steven: Do not be fooled by Wesa. This is an act.

Tess: Laughs. It's nice to meet you all. I'd like you all to meet my fiancé, Nick Marshall, and his father, John Henry.

Georgie: It's nice to finally meet you, Nick. Tess has told me so much about you. I knew you would be marrying sooner or later. Georgie turns to John Henry and does a slight curtsy. Lord John, thank you for inviting us into your home. And for taking care of Tess.

John Henry: First of all, you mustn't call me Lord John.

Georgie: It is your title, isn't it? The son of a duke, yet not the heir?

John Henry: Yes, but I only let people use it when I'm England because it is too hard to get people not to.

Georgie: That's what Tess said, but I wasn't going to let all that training and two years in that dreadful finishing school go to waste. What would you like me to call you?

John Henry: John Henry would be fine, from all of you. I don't like any of that Mr. Marshall business. As for inviting you and your family here, it was only natural. Tess is like a daughter to me now. I should thank you for... He looks to Steven and Louisa. keeping her company on her way here.

Georgie: It's all right, John Henry. They all know about my past, and why Tess really came here. Georgie looks to Nick, smiles, then leans a little closer to John Henry and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear. Your son is more handsome than Tess described.

John Henry: How would you know? You haven't seen my handsome sons yet.

Nick: He's kidding, of course. I am by far the most handsome of my brothers. Tess agrees with me, don't you, Tess?

Tess: I don't know, if Will weren't already married with a little baby I might have gone after him. And I have yet to meet Christopher.

John Henry: We should be getting back. I'm sure Georgie and her family are eager to freshen up after their long trip.

Scene 4: A Belleterre bedroom, early evening. Louisa, wearing just her underclothes, is just arising from a nap. Her hair is damp and braided.

She dons a simple dress and eats two of the biscuits that have been left on a tray in her room. She takes an apple and heads downstairs, soon finding herself in the inner courtyard. She is soon joined by Tess.

Tess: Did you have a nice rest?

Louisa: Yes, thank you. Where is everyone?

Tess: Most have discovered that the wine cellar is both clean and cool. They had cots moved down there and they're either napping or resting. Would you like to go for walk? I could take you to the stables.

Louisa: That would be nice.

Tess took Louisa by the arm and led her out into the open yard. They had nearly reached the stables when Louisa stopped and looked out on the open field.

Louisa: Who is that?

Tess: Looks, then laughs. That's Grace, Nick's youngest sister. She's unconventional, as you can see, but it adds to her charm. You'll like her.

They watch Grace approach. Her long dark hair is flowing free behind her as she races across the field on her horse. When she reaches Tess and Louisa, she jumps off the horse and introduces herself to Louisa before Tess can say a thing. Tess explains who Louisa is, then cautiously leaves her with Grace and returns to the house. Grace leads her horse and Louisa into the stables.

Grace: Removes her horse's saddle. Do you ride?

Louisa: Occasionally, but I usually just walk. Do you often ride like that?

Grace: Sure, all the time. It's fun.

Louisa: Do you often wear trousers?

Grace: Brushing down the horse Most of the time. I only wear skirts for church, weddings, and funerals. Sometimes for birthdays.

Louisa: And your parents don't mind?

Grace: That's hard to say. I think they would prefer I wear skirts, but I know how to act like a lady when I'm supposed to so they don't fuss much.

Louisa: My father would have a fit if I wore trousers. Or rode a horse like that.

Grace: You just have to do it wear he can't see you. Do you know how to jump horses?

Louisa: I've never tried.

Grace: I'll teach you. We can go riding tomorrow. I'll get you a split skirt and you can ride a real saddle.

Louisa: Daddy wouldn't let me ride a horse astride.

Grace: You don't have to until we're out of sight of the house. She finishes the grooming and puts the things away. Would you like to see my horse?

Louisa: This isn't your horse?

Grace: I'm the only one who rides her, but she doesn't belong to me. One of Nick's horses, one of his Thoroughbreds, foaled early in the morning on the fourth of July. He gave me the foal. I'm going to train her.

Louisa: What did you name her?

Grace: Dixie Queen. I call her Dixie.

Louisa: Georgie will like that. She's from the south.

Grace: Then she probably won't like Nick's horse, Dixie's father. Nick named him after General Sherman. I named her Dixie to be spiteful.

Louisa: As they reach the stall. Oh, she's a darling!

Grace: She retrieves some sugar cubes and hands some to Louisa. Hold one in your hand like this... she demonstrates... and hold it out to her. She will come to you.

Grace keeps Dixie's mother occupied as Louisa feeds and pets the foal, who has instantly taken a liking to her. Both girls are unaware that they are being observed by a half-hidden Jed Smith.

Scene 5: The trail in the woods leading to Tess's cabin, night. Gabe and Georgie are riding on a horse together, with Jed Smith on a horse some distance ahead of them.

Gabe: It was nice of Tess to move out of her cabin so quickly just so we could have some privacy.

Georgie: Not paying any attention, whispering. I don't like him.

Gabe: Who?

Georgie: Points. Him. There's something about him. Something eerie, or sinister.

Gabe: He's just shy around women, that's all. He was nice enough to offer to lead us here. He didn't have to. He isn't getting paid.

Georgie: But he made such an effort to hide himself from me, and he never even told us his name.

Gabe: Like I said, he's shy around women. As for his name, I hardly think a formal introduction was necessary. He saw that. Besides, my dear, he is not a member of the Marshall family. You will not have to spend any time with him at all.

Georgie: I suppose you're right. They break through the trees into the clearing. Oh, what a darling little cabin! It's just as Tess described it.

Gabe gets down from the horse first, then helps his wife. They go into the cabin together, then Gabe leaves and heads for the barn.

Gabe: I'm grateful to you, sir. Many thanks. He shakes Jed's hand, slipping him two dollar coins.

Jed: Thank you, Dr. Hewitt. I'll be finished up here in just a minute. You git back to yer wife, now. Shouldn't never keep a woman like that waitin' for long. Do' know why you'd want to.

Gabe: That's my wife you're talking about, mister.

Jed: I know, and you're a lucky man.

Gabe ponders the man's comment for a moment, then turns and returns to the cabin. He finds the front room empty, and the bedroom door closed. He knocks.

Gabe: Georgie?

Georgie: Softly. Don't come in, not yet.

Gabe: Are you all right?

Georgie: Sniffles. Yes... No. Damn, I... I can't do this.

Gabe: Slowly opens the door, finds Georgie wearing a long white nightgown while sitting curled up in a rocking chair. We do not have to do anything. I'll even sleep on the floor if you want.

Georgie: Don't be ridiculous, I am not a prude. I'm just... nervous.

Gabe: You are? He sits on the foot of the bed, across from Georgie/ Darling, you have no idea how nervous I am.

Georgie: Why would you be nervous?

Gabe: I've only even been with one woman in my life.

Georgie: Am I to understand that you have not been with a woman since your wife died?

Gabe: I wouldn't lie. I never found the right lady till now.

Georgie: You never even went to a whore house?

Gabe: Friends tried to convince me to, but I never liked the idea. Most likely would not know her real name, would never see her again. That is not what I wanted. I believe in marriage.

Georgie: Sniffles, wrings her hands. I wanted to. Believe in marriage, I mean. I tried not to look at them, pretend they weren't there. I'd just lie there, close my eyes, and think about something else until he left. I tried to think about what my life would be like if the War hadn't started. I'd've married, had children. I would've married anyway, but my sweetheart was killed early on. Sometimes I'd think of the fun I'd have watching Pa play with my little babies. Sometimes I'd get lucky and the men'd decide to plaster me with beer and whiskey. Then I didn't feel much, and didn't remember much the next day. I never let them kiss me, not on the mouth. I'm afraid that... that I'll start thinking about what it used to be like and I won't be able to think about you.

Gabe: Well... we'll just have to go about it differently. If at any time you're reminded of... someone else, we can stop.

Georgie: Could we just, maybe, sit and talk? Just for a little while.

Gabe: Of course, but come sit with me.

Gabe moves further back on the bed, sitting cross-legged, and pats the spot beside him. Georgie hesitates, then moves to join him. Outside, as there voices are muffled and drowned out by chirping crickets, a lone figure settles in at the bedroom window.