Kindness of Strangers

Chapter 2

Her outlook on life was one of pure modesty and pleasantness, often ignorant to the real terrors and troubles of life. For this, people tried their best to uphold a rosy facade around her. Isabella was much estranged to unkind people and experiences.

Save India Wilkes.

It was an unusually cool morning about a week after Melanie's burial that Isabella decided to pay a visit to her Wilkes family. She sat quietly in the parlor with a cup of steaming hot tea in her hand. The house was dark and gloomy, Isabella shifted uncomfortably in her seat as India and Pittypat stared at her with unmoving expressions.

"How's Ashley?" she asked softly, breaking the silence.

"As well as he can be."

Pittypat looked as frazzled as ever, and while Isabella knew most of her Aunt's episodes were merely acts to gain attention, she was genuinely concerned for her. "What's a matter Aunt Pitty?"

"Is it true?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been staying with Scarlett!" India spat with obvious disgust "Why, the whole town knows! And it's a disgrace Isabella, an utter disgrace to the family."

"I don't see why. She's a perfectly pleasant woman."

"You're naive, naive like poor Melly was. She pulled the sheep wool over Melanie's eyes, and she'll do the same to you!"

Isabella was pleasant and kind with practically everyone she knew, but India was one woman that always rubbed her the wrong way and brought out her hidden temper. "I think it's mighty wrong for you to say that about Melanie. Besides, you think I care if Scarlett had her eyes on Ashley for years? It was a silly infatuation, that's all. Shame on you India, don't you know she's alone? Her child dying, and her husband just up and leaving her..."

"She got what she deserved."

"If I wasn't half the lady you were India Wilkes, I'd knock your teeth out for saying that about Scarlett. Yes! I hardly know her, but no one deserves that. No one, you hear?" Her voice raised as she stood up threateningly.

Pittypat fluttered her eyelashes worriedly "Oh, oh dear! Girls please... where are my smelling salts?"

Isabella dug them out of a cabinet drawer, sitting next to her aunt, helping her sit up "There, there Aunt Pitty." she said gingerly "I'm sorry for raising my voice, I didn't mean to upset you."

"I think you better go." India said coldly.

"Nonsense. I'm staying right here with Aunt Pittypat. It's obvious I take better care of her than you do."

"Aunt Pittypat doesn't need you or want you! You are not welcome in this house. Get out now or... or I'll send for the police!"

Isabella peered at India sadly and stood on her feet again, grabbing her things and heading towards the door "If anyone here is a fool India, it's most certainly you." She put on her gloves hastily "I expect Ashley to call for me when he's feeling better, I do hope you won't neglect to let me know when the time comes." She smiled mockingly at her cousin "Good day, India." Isabella opened the door and showed her aunt a more pleasant and loving expression "Good day, Aunt Pitty."


"Great balls of fire! India did that to you? Well, it's certainly no surprise. She's so hateful of everyone, it's a surprise steam don't come out her ears like a train whenever she gets the littlest bit upset."

"Bother India. Somethings never change." Isabella muttered as she walked through the market next to Scarlett, with Mammy not far behind. She held a small wicker basket and placed some apples inside. She didn't tell Scarlett she was dismissed because of defending her. She couldn't bear tell Scarlett the nasty things India said, although Scarlett would probably not even care. India was nasty and cruel, Isabella couldn't stand her.

Her eyes scanned the large market. It was loud, crowded, and nearly impossible to get something without having to shove through. Isabella frowned when she looked back and saw Mammy in pain from trying to keep up "How bout you go home with Mammy, Scarlett? I can manage to pick up the last few things myself."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow and glanced back at Mammy, realizing what Isabella was trying to get at. She smiled "Alright. Come along Mammy."

She hurried to gather the last few items on the list that laid at the bottom of her basket, hardly glancing at the people who were staring at her. Just a week ago, no one had any clue who she was, and now she was the talk of Atlanta! A privilege Isabella was hardly familiar with. As a young girl, although pretty, she was often overlooked at ball's and gatherings because of her bland personality. She would dance with a man if asked, but that was it. She never had many friends.

In reality though, Isabella Wilkes possessed great intelligence and wit. Her opinions were strong and unheard of. Her temper was sharp and bold. And she possessed more spirit than she knew she had. From a young age though, Isabella was taught to suppress nearly all of her personality, was shaped and molded into the perfect Southern Belle. Her father Thomas was a business man and hardly ever home, her mother was, well... English.

Charlotte was hard and unmoving, the one who enforced all things a woman should be. The smartest woman Isabella had ever known. Her bedtime stories didn't consist of fairytales, but of rich history from all over the world. Rome, France, England. Isabella would often ask why such things were important since they didn't affect her, Charlotte would just smile and say, "Bella, it's knowing little things like that, that makes you a Lady."

She wanted so much to be a lady, to be like her mother. Something every little girl wanted.

Isabella had lived in Savannah all her life in a big house with her mother, nanny, and occasionally her father. Once a year they would board a ship to England to visit her mother's family, something Isabella always looked forward to. Yes, she loved her mother more than anyone else in the whole world.

"Oh!" Isabella cried as she collided with a tall man, dropping her basket and all of it's contents. "Oh! I'm so sorry... I can be such a klutz..."

The man helped gather the spilled groceries and smiled, tipping his hat "Not a problem Miss, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"You in a hurry?"

"Very much so, I have to catch the next train to Charleston. So, if you'll excuse me?"

"Oh yes, of course. Have a good day, and good luck in Charleston Mr..."

"Butler." he said quickly before disappearing into the crowd.

Isabella held the basket close to her chest with a small smile "Mr. Butler."

She turned back in the direction of the house and pondered about the tall, devilish looking man she had just encountered. He seemed familiar in a way, and the name nagged at her conscience. It wasn't until Isabella was about to open the front door to Scarlett's home that it finally clicked in her mind.

"Captain Butler!"