REVISED March 31, 2019
I've been an avid fan fic reader for several years and finally decided to write my own. Reviews are always welcome. I don't own GWTW etc etc
Chapter 1
Rhett sat smoking a cigar and looking out from the window in his hotel room. "It's going to be another humid night" he thought to himself. He took puff of his cigar as he felt a pair of arms wrap about him. Rhett leaned back into his lover's arms. "Leaving me so soon my pet?" "We're having guest for dinner, I have to get dressed. I'll be back tomorrow." Rhett turned around to face her, "until tomorrow then" he lowered his head and gently placed his lips over hers.
Scarlett walked into her home and was immediately met by Mammy "Mis' Scarlett were ave yous been? you know we expectin' your Aunt Pitty and Miss Melly" . Scarlett removed her wrapper and handed it to Mammy as she walked towards the stairs. "I was at the mill Mammy, now let me be. I'm going to my room to dress." "If you was at the mill, why aint Mista Ashley with you?" "He had some business to attend to" Scarlett said as she reached the top of the stairs "I'll call for you when I need help dressing" with that Scarlett turned the corner and went into her room.
When Scarlett entered her bedroom she walked over to the bed and laid down. "oh how I hate his house" she thought as she began to replay the events of the afternoon. After going over the books at the mill she had informed Ashley that she felt a headache coming on and wanted to go home and rest before dinner.
Scarlett then did what she had become so accustom to. She enter though the back door of the Atlanta Hotel and snuck up the stairs to Rhett's room. Being careful not to be seen she took a key from her bag, unlocked the door and slipped inside. "Rhett?" she said as she set her bag down on a nearby table. Rhett walked out of the bedroom and crossed to her "you're late" "I had trouble getting away" Scarlett wrapped her arms around Rhett's neck, she leaned in and kissed him. "I've missed you". Rhett chucked and said "even though I'm a no good cad?" "Rhett! You know I didn't mean those things I said to you yesterday. You can be impossible sometimes." Scarlett leaned in to kiss Rhett again but he stopped her. "If I'm so impossible why did you come to me?" "Rhett, you know why" "I've forgotten, tell me again" Scarlett looked down and said "because I..." looking back up and meeting Rhett's gaze "I...love you." Rhett kissed her roughly then said "and I love you".
A knock at the door brought Scarlett back to reality. She looked over and replied "come in" slowly Mammy opened the door and said "are you ready to get dress now?" Scarlett smiled and stretched out "yes Mammy, I think I'll wear that blue dress with the white lace in the front. Mammy walked over to the closet as Scarlett stood up and started to unbutton her dress. "This the one you been wantin' to wear?" "Yes Mammy that's the one." Mammy walked over to Scarlett but stopped half way "Mis Scarlett where are your strays? I know I don' laced you up this morning". Scarlett froze as she remembered that she decided to forgo having Rhett lace her up. He always hated when she wore a corset. He never understood why she would want to make her waist any smaller when it was already perfect. "You must be mistaken Mammy" "no, I aint', I've been watchin' you and I knows you up to somethin' no good." "I don't know what you mean, Mammy" Scarlett said got herself a corset from her dresser. Mammy put the dress on the bed then walked over to Scarlett, took the corset and started to lace her. "Mis Scarlett I know ya since you were in diapers and I know when ya up to somethin'. If you know whats good for ya you would start behaving like a lady and think bout your reputation." "I could do without a reputation" Scarlett said smirking, Mammy pulled the laces on her corset tighter as she grumbled to herself.
"Scarlett our guests have arrived" Ashley said as he knocked on the bedroom door, "I'll be down in a minute" Scarlett replied. She never could understand why Ashley insisted on having Aunt Pitty, Melanie and India over for dinner each week. "I just hope Aunt Pitty doesn't have one of her silly fainting spells" Scarlett said to herself as he exited her room.
"Scarlett, you look lovely" Melanie said and she approached Scarlett, "so do you Melly, is that a new dress?" Melanie smiled as she hugged Scarlett "yes, it was finished only yesterday" "India, Aunt Pitty it's so good to see you again" Scarlett said. India looked coldly at Scarlett and replied "Scarlett". Scarlett gave India the sweetest smile knowing that it would only make her angrier. Scarlett walked towards Aunt Pitty who was seated on the settee next to Ashley. "How was your trip to Savannah Aunt Pitty?"
"As good as can be expected with so many Yankee's around. I was so frightened I hardly left my Suzie's home. When I think of all those Yankee's walking around it makes me feel faint" Aunt Pitty started to fan herself. "Well we can't have you fainting on us now can we? Let's go to the dining room, shall we?" Ashley said as he helped Aunt Pitty up from the settee. "Yes that's a splendid idea, you can fill me in on all the gossip from Savannah. Did you see my Aunts while you were there?" Scarlett said as she entered the dining room.
"I did see your Aunt's at church but I didn't spend that much time with them. They looked well, your Aunt Pauline said she wanted to go to Tara for a spell in the summer." "Oh that wouldn't that be lovely Scarlett, it's been so long since your Aunt's have visited Tara" "It has been, since before the war" Scarlett replied as Pork came in with a tray of food and begin to serve everyone.
Once dinner was over everyone sat in the parlor talking. Scarlett was sitting next to Ashley, she kept trying to pretend she was interested in the conversation. The whole time her mind was on Rhett. Even though she had seen him that afternoon she had missed him terribly. Every moment she spent with Ashley made her feel like she was drowning. "How did my life become like this" Scarlett thought. "I'm leading two completely different lives, I just can't stand to be with Ashley any longer. But I can't leave him and disgrace my family. What would my mother think of me if she knew what I was doing?" Scarlett sighed and looked down at her hands.
"Scarlett darling, are you alright?" Melanie said awaking Scarlett from her thoughts. Scarlett lifted her head and looked at Melanie "oh yes, I'm fine Melly. I just feel a slight headache coming on that's all, I must have been out in the sun long today" "oh you poor thing, it's getting late we should go so you can rest" Melanie got up and went to the hallway, India and Aunt Pitty followed. Aunt Pitty took her wrapper from Melanie and said "Scarlett why don't you come for tea tomorrow afternoon" "that would be lovely thank you" "Thank you for such a lovely evening Ashley and Scarlett, I look forward to our dinners every week" "As do I" Ashley said as he showed them out.
"Prissy!" Scarlett shouted "yes em?" Prissy said as she came down the hallway. "I need you to help me undress" Ashley turned towards Scarlett and said "I can help you" Scarlett noticed that unmistakable look in his eye, he always looked at her this way after he had seen Melanie. 'How different things would of been if he had married Melanie' "no, Prissy can help me. Besides I have a headache coming on." Scarlett turned and went up the stairs.
Later that night Scarlett lay in bed when she heard a knock. "Come in" she said as she sat up. Ashley entered and walked towards the bed. "Scarlett how long are you planning on banishing me from our room for? As my wife you have certain duties that you must attend to." Scarlett knew she couldn't keep Ashley at bay forever, she had asked him for separate rooms shortly after her and Rhett's first time together. That was almost a year ago. "I told you, I don't want children." Ashley got quiet and said "there are ways around that" "I don't know what you mean and I don't want to know Ashley, we shouldn't be talking about this, it isn't proper" Ashley turned away from Scarlett and headed towards the door, he stopped and turned towards Scarlett "you know I can divorce you for this" "do what you have to do, I won't change my mind" Scarlett lay back down in bed and turned onto her side "goodnight Ashley"
Chapter 2
"Rhett, I can't seem to find the other side" Scarlett said as she lifted her head up from under the bed. "I don't see why you threw them in the first place, there was a perfectly good vase sitting next to them." Rhett laughed as Scarlett got up from the floor "Don't tempt me." Scarlett walked up to Rhett and put her arms around him. Rhett couldn't help but smile; he pulled her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. "I'll get you a new pair" "no need my pet, I'm sure I'll find it hidden somewhere".
As Christmas began to approach everyone in Atlanta were busy getting ready for the holidays and the upcoming ball. "Melly what do you think of this one?" Scarlett said as she looked at a pair of gold cuff links. "It's lovely Scarlett, I'm sure Ashley will adore them." "Yes, I think he will" Scarlett couldn't tell Melly the real reason for her wanting to purchase a pair of cuff links.
Scarlett and Melly walked out onto the busy streets of Atlanta. "Have you decided on your gift for Aunt Pitty Melly? "I think so, I was going to embroider some new handkerchiefs for her. She has been using the same ones for years. Oh Scarlett look there's Captain Butler." Melly walked quickly towards Rhett "Captain Butler!" Rhett turned to look in their direction, he smiled as soon as he saw Scarlett. "Miss Hamilton, Mrs. Wilkes this is a pleasant surprise. I see you two have been shopping. Getting ready for the holidays I assume?" "Yes" Scarlett said barely above a whisper, they rarely saw each other outside of Rhett's suite. This chance meeting made Scarlett's heart flutter and her pulse quicken. "Will you be visiting Charleston for Christmas Captain Butler?" "Not this year Miss Hamilton, I have business matters here in Atlanta and I won't be able to get away" "Oh that's a shame" "perhaps we'll see you at the ball then?" Scarlett said, "only if you would give me the pleasure of a dance" "of course Captain Butler, if I remember correctly you are quite a fine dancer" "only when the mood strikes me Mrs. Wilkes. I must be off. It was so good to see you Miss Hamilton and Mrs. Wilkes" "goodbye Captain Butler" Melanie said she and Scarlett walked down the street to Aunt Pitty's.
Chapter 3
"I got you something" Scarlett said from as she rushed over to Rhett with a smile on her face.
"Oh?" Rhett said as he took another sip of his drink, he set it down on the table next to him.
"Close your eyes, don't look" Scarlett said as she sat on Rhett's lap.
Scarlett couldn't help but giggle, she felt like she was 16 again when Rhett was around. She kissed Rhett on the cheek, then said "open your eyes". Rhett did and looked down at the box Scarlett was holding.
"I saw this and I knew I had to get it for you. I was going to wait and give it to you for Christmas but since you were so disagreeable yesterday I thought this might cheer you up."
Rhett took the box from her and opened it up to reveal the gold cuff links she had bought days before. "They are lovely Scarlett thank you".
"You really like them?" Scarlett put her arms around Rhett and smiled at him "I love them" Scarlett leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Now will you tell me what was bothering you yesterday?" Scarlett said as she pulled away from Rhett.
Rhett looked at Scarlett and sighed, he knew he would have to tell her sooner or later. He thought that he might be able to prolong saying anything till after the holidays but Scarlett was better at reading him then he cared to admit. When their relationship first started he tried to hide his emotions. He loved her, he had for years but she belonged to another man and that thought drove him mad. But when she was with him alone in his hotel room, he could pretend that she was his wife and that thought comforted him.
"I wanted to wait to tell you, but since you seem intent on dragging it out of me. I suspect I may have a cheat working for me. I received a telegram from my accountant informing me of some discrepancies in the books for one of my ships."
"What will you do?" Scarlett said as she rested her head on Rhett's shoulder.
"I'm leaving for Charleston on Sunday morning." Scarlett's head shot up "ohh, how long will you be gone"
"I don't really know," "I don't know what I'll do without you." She lifted her head off of his shoulder and sniffled as she tried to hold back tears. "My dear, you must of know this was a possibility. I haven't gone away in nearly a year." "I did, I just didn't want to think about it. Rhett, I...the thought of us being apart is unbearable. I need you; the only thing that keeps me that house is knowing that I'll see you."
Rhett took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She took it and blew her nose. "What if I asked you to come with me, would you?" Rhett put his arm around Scarlett and pulled her close to him. "Run away with you? You know I can't do that, my family would disown me"
"Then what would you have me do? Stay here in Atlanta waiting for you to sneak into my hotel room while my business is in shambles."
"Well, no..." "Now you see my dear we are at odds, I'll only be gone for a little while. I'll come back to Atlanta as soon as I can"
"Are you still planning on going to the ball tomorrow?"
"Only if I can steal you away for a dance or two." Rhett kissed her and lead her to the bedroom.
Chapter 4
Scarlett looked at herself in the mirror; she decided to wear the blue velvet dress that she had made when she was visiting her Aunts in Savannah. She knew that the neckline was bordering on being indecent but she didn't care. She dabbed some perfume on and smiled 'perfect' she thought.
Ashley and Scarlett walked into the hall arm in arm. "Oh it's so beautiful in here" Scarlett said as she looked around. "Melanie and the committee have out done themselves this year" The room was decorated with garland and ribbon, there were table placed around the room with candles and flowers. A large buffet table was at the back of the room. Men were standing in circles talking while groups of women giggled to each other.
"Look there's Melanie now" Scarlett said as went towards. "Hello Melly" Scarlett said as she hugged her. "Scarlett, Ashley you two look lovely." "I was just telling Ashley that you and the committee outdid yourself this year. Everything looks so beautiful."
"It did come out lively didn't it? Everyone is here tonight. Fanny Elsing, her husband, that new family the Lowes, even Dr. Mead's son decided to come. You know how he dislikes parties." Melanie said.
"Remember the first ball after the war? He sat by himself the whole night and refused to dance with anyone, even his own mother." Scarlett laughed as she remembered him sitting alone all night reading.
"He's just shy, he reminds me a bit of myself when I was his age" Ashley said. "If you would excuse me ladies I'm off to find Frank Kennedy, we have some business to discuss" Ashley walked away from them and over to where Frank was standing.
"Mrs. Meriwether made that punch that you like so much Scarlett. Come let's have some"
Rhett walked into the hall, he didn't really want to go but he had promised Scarlett. True be told he wasn't looking forward to spending the night pretending that he wasn't jealous of Ashley. His blood would boil every time he thought about Ashley touching Scarlett. Scarlett was his and his alone, regardless of what the church says. He had only been in the hall a few moments when he spotted Scarlett and Melanie. Scarlett looked breathtaking, he was use to her beauty but tonight she looked different. She was glowing in her velvet. Her hair was down but the sides were pinned up. She looked so at ease, so relaxed. As Rhett approached them he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and kiss her.
"Ms. Hamilton, a pleasure to see you again" Rhett said as he took Melanie's hand and kissed it. He reached for Scarlett's, looked her in the eyes and smiled. "Mrs. Wilkes, you're looking very lovely this evening" Scarlett looked at Rhett and was transfixed. She couldn't remember a time when he looked handsomer. Her heart was fluttering and she couldn't stop herself from blushing at his touch. "Captain Butler" Scarlett said as she lowered her head in an attempt to hid her rosy cheeks, this didn't go unnoticed.
Rhett leaned towards Scarlett and whispered "dipping into Mrs. Merriweather's punch again I see. If I remember correctly you enjoyed it quite a bit at the last ball". "Yes I did, a little too much." Scarlett said as she smiled up at him. _
"Captain Butler has arrived" Frank Kennedy said "I must remember to ask him about where he got his new horse. A stallion, an exquisite animal."
Ashley looked at Rhett, he couldn't help but notice how he was looking at his wife. But what was even more troubling was that Scarlett seemed mesmerized by him. "If you will excuse me Mr. Kennedy, I should attend to my wife." "Yes of course" Frank said.
"Good evening Mr. Wilkes" Rhett said when he saw Ashley come up to them. Scarlett eyes were still on Rhett when Ashley touched her arm. "Captain Butler" Ashley replied "darling care to dance?" Scarlett turned her head to Ashley and said "yes, thank you." Ashley took her glass and placed it on the table then led her to the dance floor.
Rhett continued to watch them for a moment. "They are a lovely couple, aren't they?" Melanie said "Care to dance Ms. Hamilton?" "Of course Captain Butler"
"I got him from a breeder just outside of Jonesborough." Rhett said as he took a puff of his cigar. "Mrs. Kennedy has her eyes set on getting another horse. Perhaps you can get me in contact with your breeder" Frank said she he took a sip of his drink. "I'll send Mr. Burke a telegram in the morning."
Rhett finally saw his chance to dance with Scarlett. He was starting to get frustrated, every time he would look for her she would be dancing with someone else. Finally he noticed her talking with Melanie and Cathleen Calvert. He went up to them and said "care to dance Mrs. Wilkes" Scarlett turned around and looked at Rhett "I'd be delighted to Captain Butler."
"You look very handsome" Scarlett said as she and Rhett danced. "So do you my darling, absolutely stunning".
"I didn't like you dancing with all those other men." Scarlett looked at him and smiled "Well I wasn't so fond of you dancing with all those women" Rhett pulled Scarlett a little closer to him, knowing that doing so might cause even more unwanted attention but he didn't care. He loved Scarlett, he wanted to enjoy the feel of her in his arms. Lord knows he had spent many nights trying to escape his feelings but he would be damned if he did that tonight.
One dance turned into two which turned in them dancing together for well over an hour. This didn't go unnoticed. Melanie and Honey were talking to Aunt Pitty when India rushed up to them and said "look at them, making a spectacle of themselves, in front of my brother and all of Atlanta"
Melanie, Honey and Aunt Pitty followed India's gaze. Melanie stood silently watching the two, her eyes went to Rhett's sleeve. Immediately she noticed the cuff links that Rhett wore. She looked at Rhett's face and then Scarlett's "oh my" Melanie said as she held her hand to her mouth.
Chapter 5
"Well you made quite the spectacle of yourself tonight Scarlett" Ashley said during the carriage ride home. Scarlett looked over at him and sighed "what are you talking about?"
"Dancing all night with Captain Butler, you know what people say about him" Ashley shifted in his set. "I know he may be a friend of yours but I don't want you to see him anymore, I forbid it."
"You forbid it? Ashley you know I Melanie and I owe him our lives. He help use escape from Atlanta during the war."
"The way you were dancing, it was practically indecent. Everyone at the ball was staring at the two of you. You know what they are saying don't you?"
The carriage stopped, Ashley stepped out and he put his hand out for Scarlett but she ignored it. She stepped out of the carriage and walked to the front door. They entered their house, Scarlett placed her wrapper on a side table.
"You know how people talk Scarlett, for your own safety stay away from him. He is no longer welcome in this house"
Scarlett was half way up the stairs but stopped and turned to look at Ashley. "I love him"
"What?"
Scarlett sat down on the step and said "I love him, I'm his mistress"
Ashley couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He seduced you Scarlett, it's not your fault. I'm sure you weren't the first and you won't be the last"
Scarlett shook her head and said "No, I wanted to. I was so unhappy Ashley and Rhett made me feel alive again...He loves me."
"How long has this been going on" Ashley spoke in a whisper, his voice cracking.
"Almost a year, I'm sorry Ashley" Scarlett stood up
"How could you do this, and with a man like Rhett Butler."
"We are so different you and I. I thought that we could be happy together, I thought we were happy. I was so glad that you had come back from the war. I wanted to make your life as comfortable as I could. Slowly I started to realize that I couldn't. I couldn't become the wife that you wanted." Scarlett was trying to hold back tears when she said "Rhett and I are the same. I wanted to be his mistress, he never forced me. I went to him. I did Ashley. He saw me in town one day and he offered to walk me home. I invited him in for tea. I'm, I'm so sorry Ashley" "In my house, Scarlett how could you do such a thing?" "I'm sorry Ashley" Scarlett couldn't hold her tears back any longer. She got back up and went to her room.
When Scarlett got to her room, she closed the door and clasped onto her bed crying. She didn't mean to tell Ashley, she just then she heard the door open, she looked over and say that Mammy had come in.
"Mis' Scarlett, I've come to unlace you. What's the matter child?"
"Mammy, I've disgraced Ma and Pa."
"What are ya talkin' bout?" Mammy said as she sat next to Scarlett.
"I've been with another man." Scarlett sat up sniffling.
"Wit' Captin' Butler"
Scarlett nodded her head and said "how did you know?"
"I done seen the way you two look at each other. I know it's wrong what you've been doin'. But he has been good for ya"
"I don't know what to do Mammy, I can't stay here with Ashley anymore not after what I've done. I can't be with Rhett without disgracing my family. What would Ma and Pa think if they could see me now?" Scarlett threw herself on the bed once more and started crying.
"Now sit up Mis' Scarlett and stop yo cryin', what ya needs is a good night's rest. Here let me unlace ya" Mammy helped Scarlett up and started to undress her.
"Thank you Mammy" Scarlett said between sniffles
Please review, your comments are greatly appreciated.
