"You're looking real fine this evening" Jock observed under his breath. "Don't" she responded moving quickly away, trying to conceal her discomfort. The look of irritation that swept across her face would have gone unnoticed by the majority present, but she was being watched by someone who knew her all too well even though their emotional connection left much to be desired recently. JR continued to stare as she quickly regained her composure and smiled forcibly at a group of ladies he recognised as long-standing members of the DOA.
Once in the day The Oil Barons' Ball represented the pinnacle of Sue Ellen's social calendar. She relished everything about it, from the choice of evening gown to the beauty preparations to the event itself. She and her husband reigned supreme with admirers and enemies vying for their company, keen to receive the slightest attention or intrigue emanating from them. This time, however, it was different, JR reflected. The occasion was more of an ordeal to her, he could see it in her face, and he couldn't help but feel a degree of empathy as well as protectiveness towards her.
He weaved his way across the room, pausing briefly to shake hands and greet other guests. As he reached her, he took her arm, smiled disingenuously, and excused them from the group that had formed around her on the pretext of wanting to dance. "Darlin?" he asked as they reached the dancefloor. She gazed into his eyes as they began to move together in a much practised and now natural rhythm. "Is everything alright between you and my daddy?" "Of course!" she lied, shaken by the fact that he had seen the exchange between her and her father-in-law. "Are you sure?" he asked suspiciously, drawing her closer, sensing her unease. "Let's just get through this evening without arguing, shall we?" she replied defensively, hoping to deflect his curiosity.
Silence fell between them, punctuated only now and then by a smile or greeting to some of the other couples occupying the floor. Appearances had to be maintained, that they both knew. Sue Ellen's thoughts wandered to what was secretly troubling her, what had happened only days earlier.
Southfork had been surprisingly quiet. Miss Ellie was out shopping; Pam was at The Store; Lucy was in school and JR and Bobby were at the office. Apart from the staff who were busy conducting their daily tasks only she and Jock were at home. Deciding to exercise by taking a swim in the pool she had made her way outdoors. As she slipped off her cover-up and kicked off her sandals, she became aware of him watching her, from a distance, at the table supposedly reading the newspaper. She had seen him do that before, lowering the paper discreetly, looking at her. It had started after Miss Ellie's treatment for cancer when a distance, froideur even, between herself and her husband had become evident. Perhaps she was being bad-minded, she had told herself. Maybe he was just concerned about her safety or trying to detect the signs of a much-wanted pregnancy?
Shaking off her discomfort she entered the pool and began her usual regimen of fifty laps taken at speed. By the time she had finished the exercise had worked its job and emptied her mind of troubles, at least for a while. She wrapped her towel around her and squeezed the excess water from her hair before making to sit down on the lounger.
"Sue Ellen?" Jock called to her. "Would you like some iced tea?" Fearful of annoying him, she turned, nodded, and made her way over to him. "Sit down with me" he demanded, handing her a glass. "It's been a while since we talked, just us, I mean." She smiled shyly attempting not to appear nervous. After seven years of living under the same roof, the man still had the capacity to cause her disquiet and she sensed he was aware of that.
Taking a seat directly across the table from him, she sipped from the glass and remained silent. "So, why no baby yet, Sue Ellen?" he asked bluntly. Taken aback by the directness of his opening, she felt more than a hint of irritation at his deliberate intrusion. "Ask your son" she retorted making her annoyance known. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I mean, I mean, nothing. We are trying, Jock" she countered regretting her previous answer. "Is there something wrong?" he asked, modifying his tone to a less brusque one. "Because, if there is, you can see the finest of doctors, wherever in the world. Miss Ellie and I would support you fully. You do know that don't you?"
She shook her head sadly. "There is nothing wrong with me. I have had all the tests." "Not JR?" he asked, confused. "No, well not that we know anyway." "Has he refused to be medically checked?" She stared down at her feet knowing she had said too much already. "Jock, I can't have this conversation with you. This is mine and JR's private business. He would be very angry with me if he knew. I'm sorry."
He touched her hand, hoping to reassure her, although the softness and warmth of her skin prompted other feelings within him. "I won't tell, I promise." As she looked up once more, startled, he noted a single tear falling down her cheek. He brushed it away gently with his thumb and was gratified as she leaned in to allow him.
"I know that you and JR are having problems" he ventured, suddenly sensing a potential opportunity. She shook her head. "It's nothing, just a rough patch, that's all" she argued, exposed by the reality of her situation and the fact that the entire family knew. "It's his fault and not yours, you do know that don't you?" he responded, prepared to betray his son to get what he wanted. "I'm afraid, Jock." "Of what?" he asked. "Of being childless, of having no insurance against JR throwing me off the ranch one day!"
"What if you could have a child? A Ewing child, just not JR's?" he ventured. "I don't understand?" she replied, perplexed. "I could give you a son. I could make you pregnant in no time flat and, if you play your cards right, the child would be passed off as JR's. That would guarantee your position in this family forever."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "No!" she cried. "That's absurd. More than that, it's positively immoral!" "Think about it, I am serious. JR need never know. Miss Ellie won't know. Everyone wins, Sue Ellen. It makes perfect sense." "What do you get out of it?" she demanded, incredulous. "What do you think? I may be getting older but there is still red blood coursing through these veins. You know the effect you have on men, Sue Ellen. Plus, I get another heir."
She stood. Feeling her heart pounding in her chest she grasped the edge of the table to steady herself. "Tell me when, that's all you need to do" he told her as she turned to walk away.
Tbc