Episode 75
Episode 75: Mid-December, 1876
Scene 4 written by Heather
Scene 1: The cabin by the hot springs, afternoon. Jack and Carey are locked in a passionate kiss.
Clothes begin to fall, mostly Carey's. Jack's shirt is unbuttoned. Soon Carey is standing in just her white underclothes, all else having been tossed aside. Together they move toward the small layer of furs and blankets in the corner an kneel down. Carey caresses Jack's neck and hair as he begins to unlace her corset, but her mind turns his straight brown hair to a curly red, and it's Scotty's voice she hears whispering her name. She tightly closes her eyes, but the image and the voice remain and she pulls herself from Jack's embrace.
Jack: What's wrong?
Carey: I can't do this is. It's... it's... just wrong.
Jack: Perhaps you're right. We barely know each other. I'm taking advantage.
Carey: No... no, you're wrong. I was taking advantage. I kept imagining you were... Scotty.
Jack sighs and flops back against the wall. Carey whimpers and slumps onto her heels.
Carey: Please don't be angry with me... not too angry. I just... She begins to sob... I don't know what I'm going to do.
Jack: Takes a deep breath, exhales. You're going to fix yourself up, go home, and pretend it didn't happen. Then you're going to write your Scotty a nice long letter. No harm no foul if he doesn't feel the same way. Remember, he was the one to kiss you.
Carey: So you understand?
Jack: Yes.
Carey: Smiles. You will make the right woman very happy one day, Dr. Jackson.
Jack: And your day will come, too, Lady Carey Marshall. I'm going to leave so you can clean yourself up. Would you like me to wait for you?
Carey: No, you can go back. Maybe tell Grace I'm still here.
Jack: I will.
Jack rights his clothes and dons all of his wraps, then his snowshoes. Carey stands, a blanket wrapped around her, to see him to the door. She stands in the open doorway and watches him walk away.
Jack: Turns. Find happiness, Carey. You deserve it.
Jack turns and walks away. Carey cries silently into her hand, just as Scotty comes to the crest of the hill. He pauses for a moment, analyzing the scene. He looks from Carey's face, to her lack of clothes, then to Jack. Furious, he jumps from his horse, slides down the hill, and lunges at Jack just as Carey looks up. He screams several expletives as Jack is thrown to the ground, lands a few punches on Jack's jaw, and is in the process of choking him by the time Carey reaches the scene, barefoot.
Carey: Frantic. Stop! She attempts to push the assailant aside, then looks for a weapon.
Scotty: Get in the hoos, Carey! Ye dinna need to see me kill 'im.
Carey: Stops short. Scotty?
Scotty: Who'd you think I was, woman?
Carey: A robber, now get off of him! Nothing happened.
Scotty lets off some pressure, but still holds Jack firmly on the ground.
Scotty: Voice softens. Dinna be defending the mon 'oo hurt ye, Carey. Now go inside.
Carey: He didn't hurt me, McLeod. I was a willing participant right up until I asked him to stop. And he stopped.
Scotty: Be you tellin' the truth, or lyin' so I won't kill the bastard?
Carey: I'm telling the truth so you won't kill him!
Scotty pauses, then gets off Jack and helps him to his feet.
Scotty: If she's tellin' the truth, I apologize. If I find out she's lying, she willna stop me from killin' you.
Jack looks to Carey, who is sobbing into her hands, then leans closer to Scotty.
Jack: I don't know why I'm telling you this, but she stopped because she kept thinking of you, and I'll be damn mad if you came all this way just to be her friend.
Jack turns and slowly walks up the path on the hill. Scotty turns his attentions to Carey, who has slumped onto the ground.
Scotty: Woman, you'll freeze your arse off like that! Carey doesn't move. Come on, then. He attempts to lift her into his arms, but she half-heartedly slaps away his hands and sobs again. You're forever being difficult, aren't you?
He bends down again and lifts her onto his shoulder in one fluid motion before carrying her inside.
Scene 2: The large family drawing room at Belleterre, a short time later. Much of the family is gathered and in the midst of decorating, the children run and play on the floor.
Marietta: I love Christmas here. I most often wished for a sister during this season. Tess knows the feeling.
Tess: I always wanted a sister, yes. It got rather lonely at times.
Victoria: Well, now you have five of us, not to mention Lydia and Mari. And Mari has you.
Grace: I don't know about sisters... I think brothers have more endearing qualities.
Libbie: Sarcastic. What a lovely sentiment, Gracie, especially with all your sisters in the room. You just have all your brothers securely wrapped around your little finger.
Grace: It's rather comforting knowing one of them would kill for me.
Elizabeth: Grace! That is no way for a lady to be speaking.
Libbie: Oh, Maman, you should know by now that Grace will never be a traditional sort of lady. And, Grace, who needs a brother to protect you when you have a sister who'd put on trousers and do the same thing.
Grace's mouth falls open and she places a hand on her hip. Libbie snickers at her and turns away. Grace casually picks up a bisquit and tosses it, beaning Libbie on the side of her neck.
Elizabeth: Claps her hands. Children, behave yourselves. She gestures to Johnny. We have a guest.
Johnny: I don't mind, madame. I am accustomed to such childish behavior. Carey and Grace behaved this way, at least around me, all the time we were in England.
Grace: Thank you, Johnny.
Elizabeth: Do you not have siblings, Mr. Pritchett? As you said, it was so long ago when we met, I cannot recall.
Johnny: My older brother, Frank.
Victoria: The one who got stuck with dear cousin Belinda, Maman.
Elizabeth: Must you all be forthright and outspoken? He did an honorable thing facing his responsibilities.
Grace: Is that the story you heard here, Mama? It wasn't even his baby. She was already pregnant and the father wouldn't have anything to do with her.
Elizabeth: How would you know such a thing?
Johnny: Interjects. It is true, madame, but hardly a story for such a joyous time.
Julia: Why do you never speak about your brother and sister, Maman?
Elizabeth: I do not? I suppose the occasion never arises for such a discussion.
Libbie: I believe now would be a good time, Maman. I'm rather interested myself.
Elizabeth: If you insist. There is Samuel, who is six years younger than I. His Christian name is Christophe Samuel, and Christopher was named for him. We were always close. I considered him my baby as much as he was my father's. Of course dear Maman died when he was only two years old so he felt very close to me, as well. He married quite young, when he was just twenty-two, to a lovely young woman named Cécile. They were very much in love. He named his first daughter after me, and she is called Lise-Anne. But it was very tragic. Two years later they had another daughter, Celie, but she only lived two days and Cécile died of the fever three days later. Now Samuel is an important diplomat in Algeria and Lise-Anne stays at our estate on the vineyard. I have asked Samuel several times if she could visit here, but he refuses. He is only afraid of losing her, I suppose.
Marietta: We met Lise-Anne on our honeymoon. Lovely girl.
John Henry: Are you not going to mention Juliette, my dear?
Elizabeth looks up to find him standing in the door.
Elizabeth: I was trying not to, Jean Henri.
John Henry: I believe they can handle the scandal.
Elizabeth: Your father has always liked my older sister. Juliette is two years older, but she has always been wild and untamed as the youngest is expected to be. She married a rich man young, but he was old and she did not like him. She had... She looks down at the playing children... shall we say other friends? she found herself with child when she was twenty-nine. She and Gautier were not living together at the time and she had no explanation. We do not know much. She had the child—a girl, I was told—in the country and it was raised there and sent off to school. I do not even know her name. I blame Juliette for getting herself into the mess for she pursued her own friendships, but that poor child is likely suffering for lack of a mother and father. I was married and had several children at the time and would gladly have taken the child as my own, but Juliette... She sighs. I would still gladly take the girl and give her the love she has not received. But this is not a happy story. Can we not sing?
Scene 3: The cabin by the hot springs. Scotty has just released Carey onto the floor by the fire and she looks up at him, more confused than anything.
Carey: What took you so long?
Scotty: That canna be the first question you have for me!
Carey: All right, since when do you have a brogue?
Scotty: I have a brogue when I drink with Scotsmen and when I get passionate. I was passionately angry.
Carey: You almost killed him.
Scotty: He walked away.
Carey: Bleeding!
Scotty: Grace would not say hello either. If you like I'll answer your first question now.
Carey: I was waiting.
Scotty: It took Johnny a week to make me admit I wanted to come after you... a little bit longer for me to talk to your father. Then we missed several ships in several cities by less than an hour. Your father got us on a navy vessel going to Halifax. It made unplanned stops in Ireland and Iceland and Newfoundland. Then we got on a train. It had to stop for two different blizzards. But we got to Boise this morning, acquired two horses, and rode here as fast as we could anyway.
Carey: You spoke with my father?
Scotty: Are you not impressed with the effort I took just to come here?
Carey: I am, but...
Scotty: But what, woman?
Carey: It seems you came all the way here with a special purpose, or you would not have gone to all the trouble.
Scotty: Are you daft?
Carey: Pardon me?
Scotty: I always thought you were intelligent, Carey, but now I'm beginning to think I came all this way for nought.
Carey: I'm not following.
Scotty: Good God! I suppose you felt nothing when I kissed you on the ship. I did, and that is why I spoke to your father, and why I came here, and why I almost killed that man, and even why I'm not going to ask what you were doing with him.
Carey: I kept thinking you would follow me, but it was so long... I gave up. I tried to forget... Jack was... I was stupid.
Scotty: And what would you have done if I had arrived sooner?
Carey: I would have waited for you to tell me why you came.
Scotty: Johnny's right, we are both too stubborn for our own good.
Carey: So you are not going to tell me?
Scotty: Carey, my dear, I have been in love with you since I was seventeen years old.
Carey remains speechless and does not react at all.
Scotty: Did you hear what I said?
Carey nods.
Scotty: Well... what? Shall I call that other fellow back, then?
Carey: Do you want to know why I was so furious about that bet you made with Grace, the one that gave you a night with me if she lost?
Scotty: Sighs. Why?
Carey: Because it forced me to think about something I didn't want to admit I wanted.
Scotty takes a few moments to consider her response, then smiles and looks over at her devilishly.
Carey: Have you figured it out?
Scotty: Nods. Do you know what I just realized?
Carey: What is that?
Scotty: My dear, you're not wearing many clothes. He raises his eyebrows questioningly.
Carey: Yes.
Scotty: Yes what?
Carey: You may collect on your bet.
Scotty: Starts to smile but hides it. I have just told you I have been in love with you for nine years. You have responded that you would like to sleep with me. If it were the other way 'round, you would be dreadfully insulted.
Carey: You are an arrogant man, Gilbert McLeod. She laughs at his reaction to his first name, then shuffles over to him and wraps her arms around his neck. But I love you. I always have but I'm damn glad I don't consider you a brother anymore... yick.
Scotty: Are you finished?
Carey nods. Scotty pulls her closer and they kiss without reservation.
Scene 4: Madison's room, late afternoon. She is seated in a plush chair, silently reading a letter.
There is a knock at the door, and she looks up from her reading.
Madison: Come in.
The door slowly opens, and Robert sticks his head in before entering. He shuts the door behind him as Madison stands up and walks over to him.
Robert: Appears sympathetic, apologetic. Madison, I—
Madison: Cuts him off. Oh, Robert! I have just received the most wonderful news!
Robert: Hesitates, confused. What is it?
Madison: Well, today I got a letter from my aunt in Paris. I wasn't even aware that she was still alive. She and my mother, they were sisters... and they hated each other. A man came between them many years ago, it tore the family apart. But that is besides the point. I have just received this letter from her today. She holds up the letter. Listen. "It is my greatest regret in my life that I shut out your mother, my sister, for so long. It pained me to hear of her death all those years."
She stops reading and looks up at Robert with a girlish smile on her face.
Robert: Speaks quietly. She wants you to go to Paris.
Madison: Yes, isn't that wonderful? I have always wanted to go, but my mother would never take me, for fear of running into her sister, and my father did not like to travel.
Robert: Takes a deep breath. When do you leave?
Madison: Later next week.
Robert: In that case...
He steps toward her and pulls her to him, taking her by surprise as he kisses her. Her initial shock wears off quickly and she wraps her arms around him, returning the kiss.
Scene 5: Belleterre, late afternoon. Nick arrives in the family drawing room as the group continues the decorations.
Nick: Hey, Gracie.
Grace: Hi, Nicky.
Nick: Where's Julia?
Julia: Appears beside him. Right here.
Nick: Ah, good. You two will be especially interested. The stage came in a little while ago.
Grace: Happens every week, Nick.
Nick: If you're going to be sardonic I'll send this Christmas present home.
Grace: You brought me a Christmas present?
Nick: Yes, but you can't keep it. He points to the door. Go look.
Grace and Julia open the door and squeal when they find Louisa standing on the other side. They hug her at the same time, knocking all three back and bumping into Steven, who had been standing in the shadows unseen.
Louisa: Laughs. Are you glad to see me?
Julia: Glad? This is wonderful!
Louisa: Steven has come too. And Papa and Georgie and Randall will be here Christmas Eve. We're all staying with Nick and Tess.
Grace: You will come here often.
Louisa: I promise. She turns to Steven. Stevie, don't be rude. Say hello.
Steven: It is good to see you again, Grace. It has been a long time. He lifts her hand to his mouth and kisses it. And Julia, who's always so quiet. He kisses her hand, too. But it gives you a stunning air of mystery.
Louisa pulls Steven into the room to say hello to Tess. Grace gazes after him as if she's just seen him for the first time. Julia stares in stunned silence, as if he were the first young man she'd ever seen.
Scotty and Carey start off the New Year with
a bang Cole returns to Liberty Creek Julia undergoes a whole new awakening
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