Kindness of Strangers

Chapter 4

Never in her whole life had Isabella gone out with a man unchaperoned. In a sense, it was thrilling and new to her, she never got to be risky with anything. But ever since going to Atlanta and meeting Scarlett again, Isabella found herself changing, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. If her mother ever found out about Isabella befriending Scarlett O'hara, and then go galavanting around with Rhett Butler through the streets of Charleston, she'd surely either have a heart attack, or disown her. Her mother knew everyone's business, so the chances of her hearing about it was very high.

"What in the world are you thinking about so hard?"

She blinked and shook her head "Oh, nothing."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I wish you would."

"If you insist Miss. Madison." Rhett smirked. "But if I were to take a guess... you very much indeed worry about your reputation. Don't look at me like that, I don't blame you."

Isabella blushed fiercely "Are you sure your business man doesn't need you anymore?"

"Trying to get rid of me now? Well, I'm not leaving till you get yourself into some better attire. You're being judged on that as we speak."

"Do you wish for me to die from embarrassment!" she exasperated avoiding his eyes.

"It would be quite an amusing sight. You're a silly woman, that's all I can make out of you."

"Silly!" Isabella glared at him.

"Yes, yes, quite silly. For one, you followed me to the train station. You talked big and flirted on the train, but now that we're here you're about as timid as a mouse! You're quite deceiving."

"Don't say that." she gasped nervously. "I was thinking of my mother, that's all."

"Your mother?" he mused. "Say, what's she like?"

"I don't see why I should tell you! I wish you'd stop teasing me so..."

Rhett laughed heartily at that. Ignoring Isabella's plea, he took her arm and led her into the dress shop where they were greeted by the head seamstress. "Why Rhett Butler! I haven't seen you around Charleston in years! Who's your lady friend?"

Isabella raised her brow at the women's tone, she thought her a hussy! She hardly looked it, still it was rather embarrassing.

"She just so happens to be a cousin of mine, Katharine. Can't you tell?" Rhett smiled.

Katharine peered at the pair for a few seconds before laughing "Why yes! You share the same devilish ebony eyes."

Rhett laughed with the middle-aged woman, but Isabella stood erect and insulted. Saying her eyes were devilish was hardly a compliment, the woman must be blind to believe she and Rhett were related. But she wouldn't speak out against it.

"Never mind all that, what can I help you with?" Katharine asked, her cheeks still red from laughing.

"My cousin just needs a new dress, as you can see this one is pretty run down."

"Yes... what did you do dearie? Brawl with a pack of wolves!"

Isabella clenched her jaw at the sound of Katharine's laughter. She hardly saw what was so funny, cause Katharine's jokes were lamer than her Pa's old work horse. "I was thinking about a red day dress. That won't be too complicated for you, will it?" she asked cooly.

"Hardly a challenge Miss. If you'll come right this way for measurements, I should have it ready for pick up in just a few days."

"I figured out something else about you."

"And what's that Captain Butler?"

"You don't favor Katharine Weaver."

"Is she a friend of yours?" Isabella asked with her lips pursed in irritation.

Rhett smirked back, "Not really."

"Then I don't care." She looked around the street and slowed down. "I ought to get going."

"And just where are you going?"

"Home."

Rhett crossed his arms in question.

"You don't think I came all this way just for you, did you!" Isabella giggled "Oh Rhett, you're a conceded, black hearted varmint!" She started to glide down the street mockingly, waiting for him to speak.

When he didn't she looked over her shoulder to see him still standing in the same place, simply staring at her. She frowned and stopped "What's the matter?"

Her question seemed to snap him out of a daze and Rhett shook off her question quickly "Nothing. I'll... I'll let you get home then."

Isabella could tell he was lying, and she felt bad. Perhaps she had been to playful with him. "I'm sorry if I spoke poorly and offended you in any way. It really was so kind of you to accompany me to the dress shop and keep me company. I'll never forget it."

"I don't need your apology." he said harshly "You did nothing wrong." Rhett looked her over again "Good night Isabella." He walked off in silence, leaving her worried and confused.

Bother Rhett! she thought hastily as she hurried down the street and to her fathers home. He'll be back to see Pa and I'll worry about it then.

She hopped up the few steps to the front door and slipped inside, as it was left unlocked. "Pa?" Isabella called. "It's me Pa! I'm here!"

And then, there he was, although Isabella could hardly recognize the man. His honey gold hair faded to gray, his dark blue eyes seemed tired and sagged. Could this really be the witty, daring man she called Pa? And then she remembered, she hadn't seen Thomas since her twentieth birthday. Why, that was six years ago...

"Why, it's Baby Belle!" the aging man declared pulling Isabella into a hug. "Just look at you, have you been climbing trees again?"

"No Pa, no trees. I hardly caught the train to Charleston is all."

"Well I must say this is a fine surprise. It's been so long. You must tell me everything."

So Isabella did, leaving out Scarlett and Rhett. All that would come later if needed, and although her father wouldn't fret so much about Isabella's new relations, she had no gain in possibly upsetting him. "You must tell me, Pa. How's Mother?"

"Why, don't you know?"

"Know what?"

"Your mother's gone to London for some very important business surrounding your grandfather's Dukedom."

Isabella sat up and frowned "Has grandfather passed?"

"He has. It's all very tricky... I don't quite understand it. But it seems the Dukedom belongs to your mother, or rather me now since your mother was an only child. She had to go over to settle it all out."

"Oh... I wish she'd taken me." Isabella almost added, 'Instead of sending me to Atlanta.' But that would have been cruel, her cousin had passed and Scarlett gave her great hospitality. No, she just wished Mother would have told her.

Thomas shrugged "It can't be helped now. I am just glad you came for a visit, we still have much to catch up on."

Isabella nodded slowly, but she was hardly thinking about reconciling with her father. She flashed a loving smile and took Thomas' hand gingerly "Pa, I wonder if a friend of mine could come and stay with us, just for a little while."

"I suppose, but who is this fine friend of yours? A girl from Atlanta?"

"She's wonderful. The prettiest and kindest woman I've ever met." So she had to lie a little, it was obvious that no matter how generous Scarlett was with Isabella she still had a fiery disposition. Isabella would never get away with such an act towards her mother, but her father didn't know her as well, and much easier to manipulate. Although she hated doing it, it nagged at her conscious.

Thomas smiled "Maybe she can help you catch a husband."

Such a comment was like a slap to the face, and Isabella recoiled sourly "Is that all you think about?" she replied tartly. "Bloody hell, Pa!"

"Isabella Wilkes, how dare you use such expressions towards me. Whoever did you hear it from? Certainly not me..."

"Mother and Nanny. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it. It's just that, well you know I do try. But all the men I meet are either incredibly rude or disgustingly daft!"

He laughed lightly "Alright Baby Belle, alright. We'll worry about that later."

Isabella stood and wiped off the skirt of her dress, then walking over to her fathers desk pulling out writing supplies. "It's late Pa. You better be off to bed. I just have to write a letter is all. If you need anything I'm here."

Thomas nodded and watched his daughter wearily, this wasn't the polite, timid young girl he remembered. And yet it was her, in a sense. "Don't stay up too late Isabella." he advised.

"I won't Pa. I won't." Isabella insisted starting her note to Scarlett. She prayed she wasn't to upset about Isabella's sudden disappearance.