DEFIANCE
Part 2
DISCLAIMER: This is a fanfiction arising from Margaret Mitchell's book 'Gone with the Wind'. No profit whatsoever has been derived from this work.
SCENARIO: Scarlett has told Rhett about the baby. AFTER their discussion in the bedroom about her intensions to consult Mamie Bart and Rhett's resolute rejection of this idea.
He remained mute as he carried her to their room. However, Scarlett could feel the tension in the muscles that held her, his heavy, laboured breathing.
Without a word he carried her to their bedroom and laid her on their bed. He removed her slippers roughly and covered her with the quilt. He crossed the room in long strides and pulled the bellpull. Prissie answered.
All of the anger he was feeling got vented on the unfortunate Prissie "I want to know who let my wife get up out of that bed and I want to know now".
Prissie, terrified by the dangerous undertone in Rhett's voice, replied "Lord Mist' Rhett, we thought she was sleepin' peaceful. Doctor Mead done tole us she had to stay in dat der bed-"
"Shut up. No more excuses or so help me I'll...Go get Dr Barnes- now." And with that, Prissie fled, scampering quickly down the stairs to the front door.
The atmosphere in the room was frosty as Rhett closed the door and, walking to his decanter of bourbon which he always kept in the room, poured himself a large drink. He swallowed it in one gulp and immediately poured himself another.
Looking at him, Scarlett saw the deep lines that wrinkled his brow, his straining, powerful body- unleashed, dangerous. Most of all, she noticed his expression, he looked shell-shocked, as thought all the air had suddenly been knocked from his body.
Scarlett turned her face away, her head pounding. Oh, how awful she felt. Her abdomen area felt like a throbbing band of pain. Her body felt depleted, as though all of its energy reserves had been exhausted. Ignoring the dizziness which again threatened to overcome her, she spoke.
"I don't need Dr Barnes. Dr Meade has already-".
He had crossed the room before she could finish. Hands on her upper arms, he lifted her slightly, raising the top half of her body up off the bed. "My dear, my self-control is teetering on the very brink. Don't push it over the edge".
Scared, Scarlett did not continue. After a moment Rhett released her and, picking up his drink again, walked to the fireplace to gaze broodingly into the fire.
Dr Barnes arrived presently and Rhett responded to his knock at the door. The doctor stepped in hurriedly "Mr Butler" he said in greeting.
Rhett nodded "It's my wife" he said, stepping aside and motioning the doctor towards the bed where Scarlett lay.
"The servants mentioned that you were poorly" the doctor said, walking over to the bed and seating himself in a nearby chair. "What seems to be the trouble-".
Scarlett opened her mouth to speak but found she couldn't.
"She is- was- pregnant" Rhett said.
The doctor stopped, stethoscope in hand, and looked at Mrs and then Mr Buter in turn. Something was definitely off. The tension in the room was almost palpable. Deciding further conversation was unwise, he proceeded to methodically check Scarlett's blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. He gently pulled the bedclothes from Scarlett's body. Scarlett's hands were clutched tightly to her abdomen.
"If you'd allow me Mrs Butler, I need to examine you so that we can get to the bottom of this."
Reluctantly, Scarlett released her hands and moved them up to grasp the pillow beside her head. She bit her lip but could not help crying out as the doctor pushed and prodded her stomach area. In her pain she failed to notice the worry in Rhett's eyes, nor the hand he instinctively offered for her to clutch. The pain was severe and almost unbearable. The doctor moved to her ankles, pulling her legs and nightgown up to conduct a more intimate examination. After a few minutes of this, Scarlett's patience finally gave out and she jerked away, curling up into a foetal position and closing her eyes. Oh, how she wished she could just disappear!
"Please forgive me, Mrs Butler. I realise that that was not pleasant, but regrettably it had to be done".
"Is she going to be alright" she heard Rhett's hoarse voice ask.
"Yes, Mr Butler. She's lost a lot of blood, but she'll be alright".
Scarlett turned around to face them "Then the baby has definitely-..." she could not continue.
"Yes", the doctor said, finality in his voice. "Mr Butler... I take it you know... that this was done intentionally- that it was no accident".
Silence. "Yes" Rhett croaked.
"Mrs Butler, I hope you realise that you are lucky to be alive. So many women are not in your situation. So many well bred women have no idea about the effects-"
"She knew" Rhett said "Didn't you, my pet?". Their eyes locked, and he gave her a look full of angry bitterness. Without waiting for an answer, he turned to the doctor "Thankyou for coming doctor. It is good, at least, to know that my wife's health is safe. I'll see you out."
The door shut behind Rhett and the doctor, and she was thankful for the reprieve. What a nightmarish day. She did not know how she felt about...what she had done. But she knew Rhett would never forget it, much less forgive her for it. Why would he care so about the baby? Rhett had always seemed so self-sufficient. Even after they married, his lifestyle and sense of freedom had always seemed similar to that of a bachelor. Whilst faithful, he did what he liked, when he liked and did not seem restricted by traditional notions of marital life. He had never cared what she thought, or what she did for that matter. She herself had basked in the freedom that marriage to Rhett, the least restrictive of any of her husbands, had offered her. Until a few weeks ago when she had discovered she was pregnant...
It was too complicated. And she was too tired... Eyes dropping she fell into a heavy sleep.
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