A/N: Thanks again to NaomiBlue. This chapter definitely feels much more-on track to me. I hope you like it and please leave me some reviews!
CHAPTER SIX:
"Captain Butler, it was kind of you to come on such short notice." India Wilkes said, looking up at Rhett. Scarlet saw her lifeless eyes flicker and wished she could gauge them out. She was wearing her new green dress, which Rhett had complimented, and a virulent smile.
"I couldn't pass up an event for such an important cause, Miss Wilkes." He kissed her hand and Scarlett was disgusted to see India blush.
"I suppose not, sir. Why don't you and Scarlett go right on in and have some refreshments?" India's smile was very false when her eyes turned to Scarlett. Although she had backtracked on her accusation of wrongdoing between Ashley and Scarlett, the damage had been done, and Scarlett did not forgive easily. Scarlett's gaze was frosty as she nodded at India and turned sharply away. Rhett followed his wife with a low chuckle.
"Holding grudges is unattractive, Scarlett." He murmured to her.
"Well, it's just lucky I'm not trying to attract anybody." She snapped back in a low voice.
"I can't believe that. Flirting is your favourite past-time."
"I'm already married. And I have no interest in attracting my husband."
"Well…" He said, but he didn't appear able to think of a jaunty response. "A glass of wine, Scarlett?" He offered.
"Yes, please." She accepted. The wine was sweet and she hoped the alcohol would take the edge off her bad mood before anyone else spotted it written all over her face.
They stood around the edge of the room. People were still arriving and greeting each other, and many looks were flying their way. Rhett basked in it, as he'd always basked in controversy; like a hippo in a mud bath. Scarlett shifted her skirts around and tried to remember Wade and Ella's faces. They would be happy their step-father had returned because they loved their Uncle Rhett.
Rhett watched Scarlett's eyes move around the room, and the hungry look had momentarily gone from them. It seemed strongest when her gaze was on him. Should he read into that? Because as much as she despaired of his indecent understanding of her mind, Rhett could really only guess what was going through her head these days. They'd spent so much time apart…
"You could look more enthusiastic." He nudged her in the ribs. Scarlett glared at him before hitching a smile onto her face, forcing herself to dimple pleasantly. "There. Now if you keep that up we should be able to survive the night without too many suspicions."
"I'll raise my own if I catch you flirting with India again." Scarlett whispered. He raised his eyebrows.
"Why do you care who I flirt with?" He wanted to know.
"Because- because it is indecent. You caused these difficulties by leaving, the least you can do is act decently." She answered, wondering if this was anywhere close to the truth. Scarlett didn't really know what the truth even was anymore.
"I see." He slid an unwelcome arm around her waist and bent to whisper in her ear. "You're not jealous of that old maid, then?"
"Of course not." Scarlett answered, offended.
"Well, then I promise to shower you and only you with my attention tonight."
"I'd rather you went to Halifax!"
"I would rather be in Halifax."
"I can walk home. I don't need to get in any carriages with you, Rhett Butler." Scarlett's cheeks were pink with determination.
"You cannot walk anywhere, Scarlett, because you are drunk." He laughed.
"I am not drunk, I am completely sober, and I don't want to drive with you."
"You are making a scene of yourself. Scarlett, we are going to the same place. And, you are definitely drunk. You're not going anywhere on your own at this time of night. Now get into the carriage and stop arguing." He spoke to her as if she was a child, which just made her more insolent. She folded her arms across her chest and glared up at him stubbornly. Rhett huffed. "Well, if you are going to make this difficult, I can match you for it." And he easily lifted her slender form up and into the carriage with one arm, climbing in behind her, and telling a shocked Pork to drive.
"You are a cad, a devious varmint, and I want you out of my house tomorrow morning, or I shall-"
"Throw me out physically, like Mamie Bart?" Rhett smiled.
"Don't make fun of me."
"I won't be going anywhere, because unfortunately, I own that monstrosity of a house. And I have an entitlement to see my step-children." He added with satisfaction.
"You may see the children, then you must leave." She retorted.
"I won't be gotten rid of that easily, Scarlett. I will be staying as long as I consider myself… comfortable." She went quiet after that, and he noticed her head beginning to droop. He prodded her to be more alert as they pulled up in front of the house. "Come on, get out." He took her hand and pulled. She looked at him crossly.
"I will get out by myself."
"Fine." He stepped out and held open the door. Scarlett climbed out with absolutely no grace after him and staggered towards the house. Pork took the carriage and horses round the back towards the stables, and Rhett followed Scarlett inside. She had already managed to reach the top of the stairs by the time he caught up and she almost fell against her bedroom door, pushing it open. He caught her before she fell face-first, and she barely noticed his hands on her waist, steadying her. She collapsed onto her bed, fully clothed, and was almost asleep, despite her corset digging into her ribs painfully.
Rhett hovered beside the door, watching her squirm from the pain, before he relented. He stepped in, closed the door and turned her over. She didn't resist because she was so tired and intoxicated. He unlaced her and then undid her corset, removed her shimmy too, and put them on the chair in the corner. She rolled onto her back, naked but for her knickers. Her eyes closed sleepily and Rhett looked down at her bare breasts, the way their curves undulated inwards beneath to her small waist, then out to her hips; a perfect hourglass, not the figure of a woman who'd borne three children. He could still see she was beautiful, and that attraction was still there, would always be there. He knew this from the women he'd been with since he'd walked out on her a year ago. But that was a locked door that had to remain locked, for his own good. He left her room honourably and retired to his own, lying awake for hours in spite of his exhaustion.