Chapter II
Scarlett sat perched underneath a magnificent oak, basking in the relief from the heat in provided. In front of her all of Clayton County feasted on the magnificent delicacies, generously provided by the Wilkes Family. They were indeed a wealthy family, of course, no wealthier than herself or the Butlers, but the only child they could boast was the stern faced Ashley. Sure, as a child, she had taken a mild liking to him, but in truth it had paled in comparison to her devotion to a particular black haired boy. Ashley had only ever cared for his books and his education, and Scarlett much preferred frolicking through the countryside, violating as many social norms as she could, with her ever constant partner.
It was this bad influence, who now sat diligently at her feet, laughed at how engrossed she seemed in the scene in front of her. Rhett himself was not one for social events, or certainly not ones among such respectable members of society. But he found himself completely unable to refuse the chance to see his pet, the marvelous and widely admired Scarlett O'Hara. To be sure, she was the most beautiful belle within the surrounding counties, but that paled in comparison to her ability to ensnare men in her web of charm. Yes, Scarlett could have any man she wanted, all she had to do was bat those emerald green eyes and grin those deep red lips.
Rhett believed himself to be a sensible man, he had received a highly esteemed education despite his many expulsions and ensuing transfers. He had made a respectable fortune, especially for his young age, and his prospects look great indeed. He didn't kid himself however, on the fact of his gentility, for he had long since known that he was no gentlemen. While he had managed to salvage his familiar relations and at least had good connections there, his exploits with the drinking and gambling population of the south was widely known. The name Rhett Butler was almost always immediately followed by the latest news on the hellbent character's escapades.
But despite all this, he found himself completely enamored with one individual imparticular. When in said person's company, Rhett found himself abstaining from all the immoral activities that were normally so enticing to him. He acted uncharacteristically gentile and courteous, as was seen by the sheer fact of his presence at today's event. He had long ago pledged himself to a solitary life of exciting and pleasurable adventures, but recently he had decided that there was simply no way around it: he was going to have to forsake it all and marry her.
"I assume you've heard of our dear Mr. Ashley Wilkes' engagement to his cousin?" Rhett pried, for he knew that Ashley had once been one of Scarlett's suitors and he did so enjoy antagonizing her.
"Oh that old thing? Good for him, but I should greatly sympathize the poor girl who is forced to put up with him." She shook out her curls, determined to appear as indifferent to her other beaux as possible. If she knew one thing about Rhett it was that he was, above all else, a possessive and fiercely jealous man.
"And what of you Scarlett? What beaux have you promised your heart to on the eve of this great war?" He asked this question with his usual, confident, and greatly sarcastic demeanor, but underneath it all he was desperate for her to tell him that she had made no such guarantees.
"Why Rhett Butler, if I didn't know any better I would think that you were jealous!" She laughed, partly at the oddity of the question and partly at the rare and desperate look in his eyes. "I imagine you've a dozen different girls you've promised to marry scattered across the south."
"You know me, Scarlett, I should never marry except for the most exceptional of women." It was not, in fact, a lie, but he regretted the implications that it entailed.
"Never say never, Rhett Butler, or you may live to regret it." Scarlett was a flirt indeed, and she knew exactly how to wrap him around her fragile little finger.
The noonday sun, having reached its highest peak, showered unforgiving, blazing rays on all those in attendance and, in combination with the large meal, many found themselves drifting off. It was only fitting that the women should retire for siesta, and the men should do what they had been itching to do for hours: discuss the latest news of war. Scarlett had no interest in listening to the frustrating way that the men seemed to be excited at the prospect of war. Why, such a thing would completely disrupt the sequence of balls and picnics, and she would absolutely despise those damned Yankees if they prevented her from keeping with latest fashions.
Rhett, being as intelligent and rational as he was, strongly believed that a war against the north would only bring death and destruction. As soon as the whispers of war began he had decided he would never ally himself with a region so clearly destined to lose. He laughed at the deep pride so many southerners felt because he believed it would be the death of them, to be so devoted to a fatal cause. Nonetheless, he saw the profit he could make should such an event transpire. He was, afterall, a man of many endeavors and many talents. So instead of joining his fellow country men in there frankly irrelevant debates he relocated to the library, hoping to grab a few minutes of shut eye on one of the sofas.
He would have no such luck, for just as he closed his eyes he heard the library doors reopen and close again. Begrudgingly sitting up, he turned his attention to the intruder.
"Why Ms. Katie Scarlett, what would the matrons say lest you be discovered with me in the absence of a chaperone!" His mock horror earned him a much appreciated eyeroll from his oldest companion.
"Oh do hush, Rhett. What they don't know can't hurt them." She then turned and began idly going through the book shelves, which he knew was an act, in all the years he had known her she had never read a single novel.
"So what possessed you to interrupt what was going to be a very good nap?"
"I didn't feel like sleeping and, well, you know me, I just hate the nonsensical gossip of the other girls." Another act, Rhett thought, gossip was like ambrosia to Scarlett, she lived to know all the nitty-gritty details of other people's lives, especially when it was scandalous and taboo.
Taking on a more serious expression, Rhett decided it was high time he broach the subject he had come here today to discuss. "There's a war coming Scarlett. Soon, I should think. This may be one of your last afternoons spent comfortably in the company of so many beaux."
"Oh, shut up!" She exclaimed, such thoughts only upset her and she would not have such a beautiful afternoon spoiled by them. "You know I hate to hear you men go on about it. If your war is so great why does it have to disrupt everything I enjoy."
Before he had even had time to come up with a response, the library door opened once more, and as both spun around quickly they recognized, with horror, the face of none other than Mr. O'Hara himself.
"Now Mr. Butler, I better not have just found you and my daughter, unchaperoned, behind closed doors!" His loud booming voice, although meant jokingly, succeeded in creating a look of horror on both individual's faces. "If I were you this room would best be empty by the time I open my eyes again."
Giggling, for they knew he meant no harm, both Scarlett and Rhett bolted out the door and didn't stop running until they reached the oak tree they had sat at only an hour earlier. Both gasping for breath and laughing madly, they had collapsed, Rhett's arm cushioning Scarlett's ebony curls from the hard ground. Then, in an instance, he was on top of her, crushing his mouth against hers, trying desperately to prove to her something, anything…
"Rhett Butler! Imagine if Pa were to find us know! Imagine if anyone were to find us now!"
"Scarlett you know I see no point in worrying about what the rest of the world thinks of me. Scarlett, what do you think of me?" This time his calm and collected act faltered, for as worldly and cavalier as he was, Rhett Butler rarely opened himself to the possibility of rejection.
"I think you know what I think of you Rhett, you're my best friend and my childhood sweetheart." She paused, enjoying the desperate gleam in his eyes. "And you're the only man my heart has ever truly belonged to." And he was there again, kissing her lips, claiming them as his own. Such words he had never imagined to hear from the flirtatious and highly elusive girl who lay next to him. Between fervent kisses Scarlett managed to ask the only question she had left to ask, "And what, exactly, do you think of me?"
"I think, my dear, that you will make a fine Mrs. Rhett Butler."