A/N: The usual disclaimer applies. I do not own GWTW or any of the characters created by Margaret Mitchell. Thanks to skyebugs, again.
Part I - Section 2
Ashley stepped aside so Rhett could enter the shop. The two men eyed each other guardedly for a moment.
"Butler looks well, albeit a little older," Ashley thought. His black hair was shot through with more strands of silver, and the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth appeared a little deeper. His skin was deeply tanned as though he'd spent a great deal of time outdoors. How long had it been since he'd last seen him? Four or five years?
Seeing this man, who meant so much to two of the three most important women in his life, confused Ashley. Butler had wounded Scarlett deeply, and for that he resented the accursed man. Yet, Melanie admired him, considered him to be a fine gentleman, and deeply honorable, even a good friend. However, Melanie hadn't lived to see her adored sister-in-law so thoroughly dishonored by him. For a brief instant, and perhaps the millionth time, Ashley pondered the chain of events that led to Melanie's death. But this time he carried it a step further, wondering, had she lived, would Rhett Butler still have divorced Scarlett? This powerful surge of feelings receded as quickly as it had come upon him, followed by the sense of impending disaster. Scarlett was somewhere in Savannah.
Ashley regained his composure. He would let nothing dampen his high spirits today, not even Rhett Butler.
"Why Captain Butler, what a surprise to see you here! What brings you to Savannah?"
"Yes, it's quite a surprise running into you as well," Rhett said wryly. He gestured to the youth following him. "This is my nephew, Alexander Butler. Alex, this is Mr. Ashley Wilkes of Atlanta."
"It's a pleasure to meet you young man." Ashley extended his hand to Alexander.
"Likewise, sir," the youth replied, holding Ashley's hand in a tight grip, while vigorously pumping his arm.
"Alex and I are here to visit my sister," Rhett remarked as he moved toward the counter.
As Rhett turned to place his order with the tobacconist, Ashley sidled up to the counter next to him. He wanted to probe a little more, and find out where Butler was staying. It seemed to him the most amazing of coincidences that, on the weekend when much of the extended Wilkes-Hamilton clan descended on Savannah, Rhett Butler should unexpectedly appear.
Rhett's young companion began to babble excitedly. "Uncle Rhett and I sailed here on his yacht. He's got the finest yacht in Charleston, in the whole south! Why he won the… "
Rhett fixed a gimlet eye on his nephew.
"Oh, sorry, Uncle Rhett," the boy said sheepishly.
The curious tobacconist jerked his head toward Rhett and Alexander. "Wedding guests?" he asked Ashley.
"No. An… ah, an old friend."
Rhett looked at Ashley with an inquisitive quirk of his eyebrow. "Wedding?"
The tobacconist spoke up before Ashley could. "Mr. Wilkes here is getting married tomorrow night."
Rhett coolly appraised Ashley. "Indeed?"
Ashley glanced up at the clock, and realized he had just wasted nearly ten minutes. If he tarried he would be late to meet Evangeline.
"Come with me, Captain Butler. I'm on my way to meet my fiancée now. I'd be honored to introduce you to her."
It never crossed Ashley's mind to consider that his anticipation of disaster might have been prescient.
ooIIoo
As they walked the few blocks from the tobacconist's shop to the tearoom, Ashley was voluble in his praise of his bride-to-be, yet never once identified her by name. Rhett thought this odd, but then Wilkes was, overall, a little odd. Rhett marveled that he let himself be led around by the nose by the besotted Ashley Wilkes, but rationalized that it was his great respect for Melanie Wilkes, and a deep curiosity to see the woman who was about to become the second Mrs. Wilkes that motivated him. Happenstance had brought Rhett and Ashley together. Perhaps there was some advantage to be gained from this meeting.
They arrived at the tearoom at five minutes past three. Ashley plowed through the room in haste, as he led Rhett and Alexander toward a secluded alcove at the far end of the sedate establishment, to a table pointed out by a member of the serving staff. Through the archway, Rhett could see a handsome middle-aged woman with dark hair and piercing eyes. He recognized Marie-Ange Desormeaux, the doctor's widow his sister had introduced him to last year in an effort to find him a suitable companion. "Such is the price of respectability," he thought ruefully. Every female member of his family knew an eligible unmarried woman she wanted him to meet. They sensed something vulnerable and raw in him and sought suitable female companions as a balm. Mrs. Desormeaux was older than Ashley; surely she wasn't his intended. To her left sat an attractive younger woman who strongly resembled her, presumably her daughter.
Rhett noticed a third woman sitting to the right of Mrs. Desormeaux, but he couldn't see her face, only her hand holding a teacup. A large potted plant created a lush green barrier, which screened the woman from view as the men approached. The fronds of the large palm were spread like a fortuneteller's hands covering her crystal ball, conjuring the future, against a backdrop of cream-colored wallpaper embossed with gold fleurs-de-lis. Upon entering the sheltered space, the fortuneteller's hands parted, revealing Rhett's past. The sight of his ex-wife jarred him. This woman had figured prominently in his sweetest dreams and worst nightmares, had robbed him of his peace of mind, and ended his devil-may-care bachelorhood; he never expected to have to face her again except in the darkest recesses of memory, where fantasy and reality clashed for domination in his mind.
The sharp clatter of fine bone china cup hitting saucer, and a loud gasp of shock broke the tranquility of the scene. Scarlett brought her napkin to her mouth as she began coughing wheezily, apparently choking on her inhaled tea. All looked at her.
Scarlett stifled her cough momentarily, as she and Rhett stared intently at one another. Marie-Ange's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she quickly glanced from Rhett to Scarlett who appeared flushed and rheumy-eyed.
"Scarlett dear, are you alright," Marie-Ange murmured solicitously, reaching out to pat her on the back.
Glaring at Rhett, she choked out her reply. "I'm fine."
"Sadistic bastard!" Rhett silently cursed Ashley. "No wonder he was so eager for me to meet his fiancée." The last thing in the world he wanted was confirmation of his long-held belief that his ex-wife would eventually end up married to Wilkes. He was about to turn heel and leave when he realized Ashley was standing behind the chair of the younger Desormeaux woman, holding her hand.
The sound of Evangeline's voice forced Rhett to stop staring at Scarlett.
"Darling, I've missed you so!" Then she acknowledged Rhett and Alexander. "You've brought friends, how lovely!"
Ashley's face lit up with the unmistakable glow of a man in love. "This is my fiancée, Evangeline Desormeaux. And this is her mother, Mrs. Desormeaux," he said gesturing toward the older woman. "Of course, you know Scarlett," he added in a strangled voice. "Evangeline and her mother are Scarlett's cousins." Scarlett looked like she had swallowed a ramrod, and was now glaring at Ashley.
Rhett murmured the requisite polite greetings to the two Desormeaux women, and nodded stiffly to Scarlett. He observed Evangeline beaming at Ashley. "She's smitten with him," Rhett thought. "This must be killing Scarlett."
Ashley gestured toward the Butler men. "Darling, I'd like you to meet Captain Rhett Butler, an… ah, Scarlett's former… ah, someone we know…, uh…"
Rhett's initial anger melted into amusement as he listened to Ashley's uncomfortable attempt at an introduction. Clearly he hadn't expected Scarlett to be here, so he took the initiative. "I am an old friend of Melanie Wilkes'."
Scarlett coughed again.
"And an associate of Mr. Wilkes as well," he said, respectfully inclining his head toward Ashley. "Formerly married to Scarlett," he added softly, as an afterthought. Rhett then gestured to the slack-jawed youth who was watching this scene unfold in pop-eyed amazement. "This is my nephew, Alexander."
Marie-Ange smiled warmly at Rhett and Alexander. "Captain Butler, I remember meeting you at Rosemary Lockwood's home. How pleasant to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Desormeaux."
"Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are invited to the wedding tomorrow evening. You are most welcome to join us," Evangeline said. "If you are free that is." She nestled her head against Ashley's shoulder, radiant in anticipation of their nuptials, seemingly oblivious to Scarlett's discomfort, having eyes for Ashley alone.
Her spontaneous invitation fell on disinterested ears. Rhett demurred, explaining that he was preparing for a sailing trip to Cuba, when young Alexander piped up.
"Uncle Rhett, you said we weren't leaving for Havana until Wednesday morning at the earliest."
The corners of Rhett's mouth twitched upward in a tight smile that did not reach his eyes. "Indeed, I did say that Alex." He graciously conceded to Miss Desormeaux that it might be possible for him to attend, and thanked her for the invitation before taking his leave and beating a hasty retreat.
As they walked away from the tearoom, Rhett fixed a hard look on his nephew. Alexander squirmed uncomfortably, sensing he had once again incurred his uncle's displeasure.
"Alexander, have you ever heard the expression 'discretion is the better part of valor'?"
Alexander eyed Rhett, and swallowed nervously. "No, sir."
"The next time we are in company, keep your mouth shut unless someone speaks to you first."
"Yes, sir," Alexander mumbled miserably, in acknowledgement of his error.
They walked the rest of the way to Rosemary's house in silence.
ooIIoo
Hours later on Lafayette Square, after members of the Wilkes family who had come to Savannah for the wedding dispersed for the night, Scarlett asked Ashley to come into the library.
The joyous family supper in celebration of the wedding made the years fall away. He was feeling expansive and happy tonight, and smiled the slow drowsy smile of his youth.
"Scarlett, what is it? A secret to tell me?"
Scarlett pulled him into the library and banged the door shut abruptly, piercing Ashley's aura of happiness.
"What I have to say to you is no secret! What in the name of Holy Heaven were you thinking when you brought that… that man to the tearoom?"
"You mean Rhett?"
"Who in the world else would I be talking about?" she thundered. "The boy that was with him?" She didn't wait for an answer. "I have never in my life been so humiliated! How dare you?"
Ashley saw her hand trembling at her side, and for a moment was sure that she was going to slap him.
"Now, Scarlett, I was just as surprised as you were. I had no idea you were going to be there."
"You had no idea I was going to be there," she mocked in imitation of his weak excuse. "Damn it, Ashley! To whom do you owe allegiance? What has that man ever done for you? Or more to the point, look what he did to me! He's a snake!"
"He did save my life once. I owe him respect for that, if nothing else," Ashley said quietly.
Scarlett continued to rant on. Ashley listened patiently, waiting for her anger to cool, at which time he would try to talk to her rationally. It briefly crossed his mind to crack open the liquor cabinet and pour her a tot of brandy in order to get her to relax.
Outside the library door Ella, Wade, Beau, and the two younger Desormeaux sons, Daniel and Paul, listened with bated breath as Scarlett berated Ashley.
"What do you suppose set her off?" Paul asked.
Wade, Ella, and Beau exchanged knowing looks.
"She saw our stepfather this afternoon. She hates him!" Ella proclaimed.
"Uncle Ashley met him downtown, and brought him to meet Evangeline. He didn't know Mother was with her," replied Wade with a shrug.
"She sounds angry as a hornet. Maybe I should try to break it up," suggested Daniel, since he was the oldest member of the assembled group.
"No, she'll only yell at you, too. She'll get tired and stop soon," Ella said.
"I can calm her down," said Beau, smirking. "She never yells at me."
As Beau made a move to open the library door, Marie-Ange, appeared, heading down the wide center hall with an armful of table linens brought from the cedar closet upstairs. She paused when she heard the raised voices, and then saw the young people gathered outside the library door.
"What's going on in there?" she asked.
"Father is catching 'what for' from Aunt Scarlett," replied Beau.
Marie-Ange eyed the group askance, and suggested they occupy themselves elsewhere instead of eavesdropping on the conversations of their elders. She handed the linens to Ella and told her to take them to the dining room, then instructed the boys to find Nate, the butler, and help him rearrange the parlor furniture to accommodate dancing during the wedding reception. After they scuttled away, she entered the library.
"Scarlett, dear, our guests will hear you all the way upstairs. You must calm yourself."
Ashley made a move to leave the two women alone, but Marie-Ange caught his arm as he was about to exit the library.
"Ashley, I do believe you owe Scarlett an apology. You behaved as a fool today, bringing that man to the tearoom! Surely, you understand how you've upset her."
The last thing in the world Ashley wanted on this night was discord. He enjoyed a cordial relationship with his mother-in-law-to-be, and didn't want to compromise it.
He sighed, resignedly. "I can't fight you both. Scarlett, once again, I offer you my sincerest apologies for the error in judgment I made this afternoon. You are as dear to me as a sister, and I would never knowingly offend you in this manner."
Marie-Ange looked at Scarlett who glowered at Ashley. "Apology accepted," Scarlett muttered.
"Good! Now that that is settled, Ashley, why don't you go make sure the boys are helping Nate. They seemed to be at loose ends when I came down."
Marie-Ange gently nudged him toward the door, and once he was gone, she put her arm around Scarlett. "Don't torment Ashley. He meant no harm."
"Oh, fiddle-dee-dee! He may have meant no harm, but harm has been done! Why did you allow Evangeline to invite Rhett to the wedding?"
"It is Evangeline's day. I will support whatever she wants, and she wants to make Ashley happy. She assumed that Ashley only brought Mr. Butler to meet us because he wanted him to attend." Marie-Ange shrugged in the Gallic manner. "What can I say? They were both mistaken, however, we cannot give Rosemary offense. She is a friend."
The older woman led Scarlett to the settee, pulled her down to sit, and spoke to her quietly and soothingly. "You must let the past go. It is the only way you will find peace. So, he will be at the church tomorrow evening for the wedding. We will put our best face on things and be gracious."
Scarlett looked at Marie-Ange, her face creased in anger. It most certainly was not her best face.
"Scarlett, I have taken you into my home and my heart because I loved your dear mother. It grieves me to see you so distressed. Please, think of her, and how she would wish you to face this challenge."
Scarlett's eyes widened in horror at the thought of her mother knowing of her disgrace. "Mother would die if she knew I was divorced!"
"Perhaps. As I once vowed to watch over your mother, now I'm watching over you in her stead. You must behave graciously, and never let anyone know the burden you bear."
"Am I supposed to act like he's just an old friend? You know that's not the truth of it!"
"He's not a devil with horns and a tail! Surely he has a conscience. You'll be polite; you'll encourage him to talk to the children. He'll realize what a cad he's been. He'll leave and know he did wrong. You'll never see him again."
"Oh, if that's what you think, then you don't know Rhett Butler! Conscience, indeed! He's a black-hearted varmint, a skunk! He knew exactly what he was doing! He didn't care one whit! He left me, and Wade and Ella in Atlanta like stinking garbage, and disappeared forever! That wasn't the first time he'd abandoned me, either! He deserves to rot in Halifax!"
"Rosemary Lockwood introduced me to him at her home. He was charming, a delightful dinner companion. Darling, you must focus on what is important. You and your children will not benefit from this anger, no matter what wrong Mr. Butler has done you."
Scarlett shook her head stubbornly.
Marie-Ange stroked her cheek. "Dear Scarlett, you have the wild Irish temperament of your father, and your dear mother's sad refusal to make peace with the past. I know you loved him, and still he left you. That is a cruelty, but life is cruel. Don't let this spoil your enjoyment of the wedding."
ooIIoo
In the cozy parlor of a modest home on Houston Street, adjacent to Washington Square, Rhett Butler was settled in an overstuffed chair, a glass of fine port near at hand, trying to read the newspaper. After scanning the same paragraph for the third time, he realized he still couldn't remember a thing he'd just read. He removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. As he pondered his situation, Rosemary joined him in the parlor having just put her children to bed.
She touched his shoulder briefly, as she moved past the chair her brother occupied. "Tired? It's been a long day for you." She lingered for a moment searching his face. "Alex told me you were down at the dock before dawn supervising the loading of supplies."
"No, I'm fine. It's not as though I actually lifted a crate; I have a crew for that."
Rosemary laughed as she sank into the cushions on the divan. "Well, I'm tired! Peter and Adele wear me out."
Rhett smiled. "The little devils certainly are energetic!"
"Rhett…" Rosemary's expression had changed to a frown of concern. "I've been thinking about this trip to Cuba. After what happened to you and the crew of the Falcon, do you really think this is safe?"
Rhett saw panic in his sister's eyes, probably reflecting her concerns for her children's safety should they encounter stormy weather at sea.
"It's not hurricane season yet. I've made this run to Havana many times, it'll be fine. Besides the Saoirse is a much bigger craft, truly a seaworthy vessel. She did splendidly crossing from Glasgow. I think you'll enjoy the cruise."
"But you almost died!"
"However, I didn't." He paused, and reached over to pat her hand reassuringly. "It will be alright." He took a drink of wine. "Tell me a little more about this wedding tomorrow night."
"Well, Evangeline Desormeaux is marrying a man from Atlanta, named Wilkes. Do you know him?"
"I do. I met him by chance this afternoon on Bay Street, and had the pleasure of meeting the bride."
"Oh! So you're friends?"
"Not exactly. It's a rather complex relationship."
Rosemary frowned. "You're not friends, but he felt compelled to introduce you to Evangeline. I don't understand."
"His first wife was a close friend of mine, and Scarlett's sister-in-law."
"Oh! That is complex!"
"Mrs. Desormeaux' cousin was there as well. Have you met her?"
"Just once. I believe someone said she's from Macon. I don't recall her name, but she's in trade, which is rather scandalous. Of course, Evangeline is a doctor. It seems the women in that family aren't at all conventional! However, Mrs. Desormeaux is just lovely. She's a Robillard you know."
Rhett's eyes lit with interest. "No, I don't believe I was aware of that. When did you meet this cousin?"
"At a piano recital in her home. Mrs. Desormeaux teaches piano lessons. Peter and Adele are students of hers, so they were in the recital. Little Ella Kennedy, her cousin's daughter, was playing as well. We chatted briefly over a glass of punch afterward. "
"You mentioned she's in trade."
"Yes, as it turns out, she bought out her uncles' dry goods store and opened a new concern on Broughton Street called Kennedy's Emporium, after her deceased husband. Some of her O'Hara cousins work with her."
"She was introduced to you?"
"Yes, but I don't recall the name. Maybe O'Hara, but it wasn't Kennedy."
"Butler, perhaps?"
Rosemary laughed. "Silly! I'd remember that! Why all the questions?" A notion dawned on her, and she gave Rhett a knowing smile. "Would you like me to arrange an introduction?"
Rhett laughed at Rosemary's implication, and the irony of the situation. "It's really not necessary. The lady in question and I are intimately acquainted."
Rosemary sat bolt upright, scandalized by her brother's suggestion of impropriety. "Rhett! Surely you haven't…"
"Dear sister, she is my ex-wife."
Rosemary's mouth fell open in shock. "No!" she gasped. "Oh, Rhett, I'm so sorry! I had no idea! Oh, my goodness! Well, there is only one thing to be done about it; we won't go to the wedding! Oh, how could Evangeline put you in such an awkward position?"
"Obviously she didn't know. In fact, I'd go so far as to say Mrs. Desormeaux may not have known. From the sound of your encounter with Scarlett at the recital, I'm fairly certain she doesn't know you are my sister."
"No, I suppose not," Rosemary mused, then shivered in dread. "Oh, how perfectly beastly!"
"Don't fret about it. We'll go; it would be rude not to. I had a great deal of respect for Wilkes' deceased wife. She was a rare woman, a great lady."
"You're sure then?"
"Absolutely. What difference does it make? We'll be sailing off to Havana in a few days. By next week this whole contretemps will be quite forgotten."
ooIIoo
Ashley couldn't sleep. It wasn't nerves exactly, more likely regret. His innocent action, bringing Rhett Butler to meet Evangeline, had backfired spectacularly, and sent reverberations through the whole house on Lafayette Square. Before he left for the evening, he once again asked for Scarlett's understanding. By this time, his sister India, who was also staying with the Desormeaux', had heard the story, and found it wildly amusing, further provoking Scarlett's wrath.
Ashley downed several glasses of sherry as well as a glass of brandy to stave off the tension headache he could feel coming on. He then collected Beau and Wade, who were sharing this room with him, and fled for the hotel. In his inebriated state, he had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Now, at three in the morning, he was awake, and thirsty. He wanted to talk, but Beau and Wade were asleep. The deep, even breathing of his son and his nephew reassured him. Tomorrow evening they would stand with him at the altar. Not wanting to disturb them, he rose quietly from his bed, and went to the window, looking down on Broughton Street while drinking a glass of water. Nothing stirred; there was no movement, no sound, save the faint slapping of halyards on masts, and the snapping of sails, borne on the wind blowing in from the river.
"What would she say?" he wondered.
When Ashley told Beau he intended to marry again, Beau clapped him on the back enthusiastically, and told him he was very happy. To Beau, Evangeline was more like a much older sister than a stepmother. No one could replace his mother.
"Mother would want you to be happy," he told Ashley.
As he eased back into the bed, Ashley hoped Beau was right. He lay awake for awhile before falling into a dreamless sleep.