Disclaimer: I do not own GWTW or its characters. They belong to the wonderful, illustrious Margaret Mitchell, whom I greatly admire not only for her fascinating writing style, but for giving a brutally honest voice and life to the most memorable characters in fictional literature.
This story takes off from the movie after the night Rhett carries her off a flight of stairs into the darkness. It explores an alternate path taken by the headstrong, self-centered heroine of the story, Scarlett O'Hara Butler. Her motivations have always been inspired by selfish desires, but pitted against one, Rhett Butler, whose selfish desire outmatches her own, the playing field becomes an all-out competition of wits, manipulation, seduction and surrender to win the ultimate prize—each other's true love.
I hope you enjoy the story, and feel free to comment on what you liked and didn't.
The Edge of Victory
Musk and Rose Water
After he left her there, in her enormous suite to be tormented by the thought of Divorce, she tried as she might to blot out the absurd proposal by forcing herself to return to sleep, willing their conversation to be nothing more than a bad dream. However, the reality of last night was the dream that kept invading her thoughts, instead. The reminiscent scent of brandy, and of musk, intermingled with rose water lingered in her sheets. The room seemed to be suddenly suffused with it, her mind escaping, unlikely.
A quick surrender came as easily as the assault to her senses. It was utterly heavenly, she thought. Then repudiated those thoughts before she let it run away with her, as far gone and deep within they already were.
There could be more of those, she thought. There could be so much more! Igniting in her a resolve to have claim to it any time she pleased—to Rhett and his passion, the same passion that enslaved him through the long hours of the dark enveloping night.
Could there be more? She asked. The challenge made on herself. Answering to her elevated mood and ego she said,
"I've charmed the men of an entire county! Make that three, to be exact. Rhett is just one man. He will not undermine me with a divorce. A weak threat, at that. No! Rhett will never leave. And he'll be sorry he ever thought of it, once I take care of him. He'll see."
After all Katie Scarlett O'Hara was the true blue belle of Clayton County, the only one left in existence! All deserving of the most arduous, passionate and romantic coquetry by the mere warrant of her perfect charms. There had been no one but Ashley, who was like her, qualified in that area. Patient as she saw herself to be, she started to exhibit how ghastly tired she was of trying to understand her paramour, waiting for nuggets of affection from Ashley, until last night. A most welcomed stranger, was found—of all places—in her bed! Along with a more intriguing mystery to unravel. A man holding the mundane title of husband, held nothing back at all, giving no semblance of an honorable man everyone knew he never was. Yet her heated mind couldn't shake the memory, coursing the nerves of her skin, about the night Rhett spent honoring her body in shameless appreciation, devotion, and dare she think—worship.
As she readied herself, pausing with intervals of trepidation as to why she was moving feverishly, it was a wave of interesting thoughts that moved her efforts forward. First, she was shocked at herself—her uninhibited actions that could put to shame, possibly Belle Watling herself, remembering the surprise in her husband's face. She pulled out a dress from the closet, relishing the memory of Rhett's face doused in extreme drunken amusement. She stared at the bed, it's large and useful posts, the ends of her mouth turning upwards realizing what a thrilling man her husband was. She was out the door in no time, doing as he said—to prepare Bonnie's clothes for the trip.
Rhett was glad Scarlett did not meet him and Bonnie at the door of their house to bid an excruciating farewell. He could make his much needed escape from Atlanta, from her, holding Bonnie's little hand while treading closer to the carriage that waited at the front entrance of their house. He easily lifted Bonnie before alighting, stopping suddenly upon finding company already in the carriage.
"I thought I'd accompany you," Scarlett said, ignoring the scowl on Rhett's face as her next question secured her position. "Would you like that Bonnie?"
"Certainly, Mother!" Bonnie squealed, tumbling into her mother's open arms.
