Summary:  A two-day what-happened-before, what-happened-in-between, and what-happened-later for the first season episode “The Last Trophy”.
Rating:  G  (1,135 words)

Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 8 *

The Last Trophy?

Ben Cartwright read through the much-postmarked letter once again, frowning at the imprecise itinerary outlined in it. At least his English friends were expecting to be met at Carson City, rather than Placerville or San Francisco. Although Lord Marion probably would still be talking of Eagle Station–“such a quaint American-styled placename,” as he’d written in the letter. Ben hoped someone in California would explain the change of names to his future guests–having them be taken somewhere other than the western Utah Territory would be a disaster. As for exactly when they would need to be met, that could only be a matter of conjecture. Even the Panama steamer’s arrival in port could be days later–or earlier–than the printed schedule; how long it would take the mail wagon to cross the Sierras depended on weather, the mood of the resident Indians, and a host of other possible obstacles or problems. With luck, the new telegraph line between San Francisco and Carson City might be operating by later in the year, if the Placerville Humboldt Company’s prospectus could be believed. If so, news that Lord and Lady Dunsford had reached San Francisco had a good chance of reaching the Ponderosa in time for someone to get to Carson City before they did. Better send a letter now to be held in San Francisco for their arrival, with the clearest explanations and instructions Ben could manage–better yet, send the letter to his agent there, who could be trusted to know the latest state of telegraphs, mail service, and stagecoaches, and would be conveniently on hand when the steamer docked.

Lord Dunsford had gone on safari to Africa, and to India, Ben knew. He wondered if those journeys involved anything near the complexity of travelling to this isolated fold of the Utah Territory….

All the same, he looked forward to seeing his affable chum again. They’d had some rousing times in New Orleans all those years ago, and if Ben had anything to do with it, they’d have a few more right here soon enough. A pity it couldn’t have come earlier, perhaps; he’d always thought Marie would have enjoyed meeting Marion, but of course there was Lady Dunsford to consider. Easy-going Marion had always been, but Ben would have never expected his friend to bring her out until he had a home fit for the reception of an English lady.

Come to think of it, he knew almost nothing about Marion’s bride. News of the wedding had reached the Ponderosa just before Marie’s sudden death, and two or three more of the newly fashionable English Christmas cards had accumulated by the time Ben could resume their correspondence. Christmas cards had remained their major form of contact after that, with Marion’s commentary being amusing but brief until last year’s card, with its bold announcement–” ‘Happy New Year’ indeed–this is the one when we’ll finally make our visit!” And not long after, Marion had sent the letter which Ben had just received–though why on Earth would a letter mailed in London also be postmarked from Christmas Island? No wonder it had taken so long to arrive. Thank the Lord that Marion knew well enough how much time to allow for the vagaries of postal services.

~*~*~

“It wasn’t the boy’s fault,” Lord Dunsford insisted, his voice heavy with shame. “Beatrice wants…she wants to make me angry, I’m afraid.”

Ben gave a non-committal snort of annoyance. This wasn’t the first time Adam had frozen in place when confronted with a lady’s unwanted attentions. Perhaps it had something to do with how one of his earliest loves had been shot dead in his arms. Adam had been, perhaps, less than thoroughly serious about his courtship of Sue Ellen Terry, but after its tragic conclusion Adam seemed unable to show his discomfort when other women forced their affections on him–seemed unable to do anything at all, at least momentarily. Coming onto the terrace earlier that evening, Ben had seen the wide-eyed panic in Adam’s eyes–as, thank heavens, evidently Lord Dunsford had. Nevertheless, he didn’t expect such behavior from his eldest son, even if he could almost understand it. Most people in Marion’s position wouldn’t be so forebearing. Adam needed to get over this.

He realized that the Englishman had gone on talking–something about his need to rise early in the morning, earlier than his wife. Somehow Ben doubted he’d be able to manage that. Lady Beatrice seemed every bit as willful as ever Marie had been, and far more inclined to make trouble. Before they left on their cougar hunt, he would have to drop a word in Adam’s ear.

Next morning, Adam took his father’s pithy comments in wooden silence as they worked together to saddle the horses, until Ben ended, “All that matters is that you give Lord Dunsford a decent day’s sport. You know where that lion was sighted?”

“I’m bringing Whitey along. He saw the beast.”

Ben nodded approval.

“This ‘good day’s sport,’ Pa…” For a moment, Adam seemed to hesitate, then plunged on, “Does it seem to you Lord Dunsford isn’t very happy about it?”

“The way his wife was nagging him, why would he be? Get him out away from her and I’m sure he’ll enjoy himself.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Adam said quietly.

Looking over his son’s shoulder, Ben saw Lady Beatrice coming down the front steps, dressed in what she no doubt regarded as a practical lady’s safari costume. Once again, Ben was reminded of Marie, but he only said, “Do your best, son. I trust you.”

Adam’s troubled look eased slightly. “Thank you, Pa.”

In all fairness, Lady Beatrice caused only the briefest of delays once she had carried her point about joining the men. Ben reminded himself that she had been on other big-game hunts, and presumably had conducted herself appropriately; that she had been charming throughout dinner to Hop Sing as well as the whole family, save briefly when Lord Dunsford seemed inclined to play down his own marksmanship.

Surely it was not improper for a wife to speak proudly of her husband’s skills–more proudly, even, than he did?

Except that Marion had winced every time. Adam had a point, even if his own conduct hadn’t made things any easier. This won’t end well, Ben thought with a cold twist in his gut as he watched the procession move off.

Link to the conclusion of The Last Trophy?

Prompt for the 8th: “But he will not bring her out until he has a home fit for the reception of an English lady.”
Character for the 8th: Ben

Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 9.1- Muscle Tough – McFair_58