Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction; all characters belong to the late, great Margaret Mitchell and her heirs.


Atlanta, Georgia, 1875

Chapter 2:

The whiskey beat within Rhett's head like a club as the Reverend spoke in solemn tones, first to the throng of breath-holding onlookers, then to the bride, India Wilkes, and then to her groom, who peered over at Rhett with a knowing smirk on his face.

Kinnicutt Martin. Rhett's own cousin and boyhood best friend, who had lost a leg in the war. While the injury itself had been a product of foolhardy blockade-running rather than any actual battle, the result of the leg being crushed shipboard under the weight of an escaped barrel of cargo…no one was the wiser. For all intensive purposes, Kinnicutt Martin was hero, one to be worshiped and glorified on the Alter of the Lost Cause—and now he was marrying a respectable girl, one who had lost a beau in the conflict…and one for whom Rhett would not have given a sliver of hope insofar as finding a man, least of all so vigorous of one as his cousin.

India was washed up, in Rhett's opinion, her lashless grey eyes reminiscent of her brother Ashley's. A broken, hapless bird, capable only of letting out loud cries of protest and pain now that she had been rendered flightless. But to look at her now…According to Kinnicutt, the hardened spinster had trembled with passion beneath him as she had sacrificed her cherished innocence. She had vowed to love him in a thousand ways, and the former blockade-runner had returned her love in kind. Pair of damned fools.

It was, for Rhett Butler, ignominy of the highest order, that he had to stand as a groomsman at India Wilkes' wedding. Instinct told him to run, and quickly.

His gaze flickered for a moment over the crowded church, the faces of the onlookers wielded together, featureless. Music from the organ drifted toward him, as did the soft murmurings of the assembled guests. There were no friends among them, not now, not without the gentle guidance of Miss Melly…urging them to be kind to him. Kindness. Her last words to Scarlett. Be kind to Captain Butler, he loves you so.

So Scarlett had shown up, after all. Perhaps India had relented in her refusal, or perhaps Ashley had finally grown a spine. She was seated next to him, after all. "Bitch," he muttered under his breath as he gazed straight into the emerald depths of her eyes, hoping that she was skilled at reading lips.

He returned his attention to his cousin, who had just finished reciting his marital vows, to love, honor, cherish, comfort, etc…Rhett blinked sleepily, their conversation the night before still weighing heavily upon his mind.

"There's still time to back out," Rhett said teasingly. "You have the heart of a flipping saint, Kin, for taking India Wilkes on."

"And you the luck of the damned Rhett, for all your folly," Kin bantered good-naturedly, taking another sip of port from his glass. "You're drinking whiskey now? Jesus Christ, Rhett, I want you sober tomorrow!"

Rhett smirked. "I don't need to be sober, just sufficiently competent."

"And you'll be that?"

"My word of honor."

"You're full of shit. And you're broke, as I understand it…"

"What the hell?"

"You lost a lot of money in the Union Pacific scandal…I'm not sure how much you've lost, but I know that it had to be substantial. You're a smart man, Rhett, but how long can you play with those sharks in Washington? Keeping up with them these days'll only lead to perdition, my friend."

"Stick to your newfound domesticity, if you please, Kin. Else you'll try my patience."

"I'm worried about you, Rhett"

"Well don't!"

"I think that you've come back to town to curb your wife's spending, am I right?"

"If you've breathed a word of this to India"

"God's blood, she's a damned woman, Rhett. You're family."

"If you so much as"

"I won't. But about Scarlett"

"The bitch."

"Yes, the bitch," Kinnicutt appeased him, "India has told me all about her…really, all of Atlanta is willing to share tell of her exploits. But I've not seen one for myself. She spends money like mad, that's certain, but as far as her penchant for cheating on her husbands goes, I only see her in the company of men sparingly."

"What about Ashley?"

"India's brother? She sees him rarely, and only in public."

"I'm going to divorce her, Kin. Before she realizes mysituation."

"Why not just tell her you're broke?"

"Go to Hell."

"I mean it. She's your wife, isn't she?"

"I need a divorce. And if you care about me as you claim, you'll procure one for me."

"I'm a lawyer, Rhett, not a goddamned miracle worker. You would have to have hard proof of adultery, not just a he-said, she-said type of thing…"

"If only Ashley still held charms for her…"

"From what I understand, her heart remains firmly invested in you, Rhett."

"That's not helpful. If only Ashley could be bought…"

"He couldn't be. Even when his mills were failing, he wouldn't accept my money"

Rhett slammed his head around. "The mills were doing well, last I heard. Remarkably well."

"He had an investor from New York, I believe."

"Un-fucking-believable. Scarlett."

"You don't mean that she"

"I most certainly do. Those mills are as dear to her as her children, and while she wouldn't necessarily shed a tear if her children starved, she'd be mighty aggrieved if the fruits of her labor ran aground. But to use my money to bail out Ashleyagain…"

"Rhett, sit down before you fall down," Kin put out one hand to catch his cousin's arm, offering his support. He sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Well, if you hang round long enough, you just might catch them togetherbut not in a compromising position, I'd guess. Scarlett's been mighty good, as far as I know…"

"Bitch." Rhett said again as he quaffed the last of his whiskey and plunked the empty glass aside. "I'll destroy her. And Ashley Wilkes too, if it comes to that."

Frustration darkened Kin's face. "Damn you, Rhett. Don't do this. I know you're still hurting"

"I don't want to hear it."

"You're still in love with her."

"If you," Rhett said darkly, "bring up Scarlett O'Hara again, I will sock you from here to Clayton County."

Kin raised an eyebrow. "Her home, I take it? Face it, Rhett, she's not going to be leaving your thoughts anytime soon. If you're bound and determined to divorce her before she becomes aware of your situation, you'd best do it quickly…"

Rhett closed his eyes again, the heat of the room had made him sweat profusely—and he suspected Scarlett's presence had not made it any better. His tailored wool suit was stuck to his skin and he was nauseated as he met her eyes once more. Her raven hair was covered in a lacy hat and her plunging décolletage revealed voluptuous breasts, only barely covered by her flimsy shawl. And yet—she was as damned desirable as she had been the day of the barbeque at Twelve Oaks, a carefree, spirited belle.

His eyes flickered again at the bride, not drably dressed as usual, tall and thin like her brother, her voice clear and resonant as she began to repeat the vows.

The Reverend's words floated over Rhett, something about if anyone present knew a reason as to why these two should not be joined, and then an invitation for that person to speak now…

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, but maintained her demure expression. Rhett heaved a sigh, the alcohol doing its work on him as he stood stagnant in the heat, wishing for the affair to be over with as quickly as possible.

"I do." A voice from the back of the church rang throughout the congregation. There was a gasp from the bride, then a silence that rung resoundingly throughout the room. Rhett himself was frozen in shock, then noticed that India's face was as pale as flour, her fingers slacking in their grip of Kin's hands.

Another burst of gasps, twitters of shock intermingled with nervous speculation as again the voice rang out, "I do."

Rhett glanced over at Scarlett, who had stepped back as if she expected to be struck by lightning, then back at India Wilkes, who had fallen at Kin's feet in a dead faint.