The months Scarlett spent away from Atlanta helped to ease the hurt that had abounded from that awful town, and it gave her time to put all of her old and painful memories behind her. With just her children for company, Scarlett became a new person. Their tender ways and eagerness to forgive her was a blessing and Scarlett was softened. She finally crawled out of her harsh exterior, her armor that she had put up long ago in order to survive the war and everything that was going on around her. But those days were long gone and she had merely forgotten to take off the protective armor that she had worked so hard to build. In the sanctuary of her suite on the coast of Virginia, Scarlett became the lady that her mother would have wanted her to be, the lady that had always been within her, waiting for the right time to emerge.
But yet, something was missing. Scarlett needed the company of a man, but not just any man. She wanted the company of Rhett. Scarlett had met a great many people at the hotel, but as their stays were brief, she had to adopt the habit of making friends and saying goodbye soon after. She met a nice younger man by the name of Freddie Saks, and he reminded her so much of Charles. He was a dear and the children adored him. He took them to the beach and he even extended his stay by a week, just so that he might be able to spend more time with the family. The truth was, he had fallen in love with Scarlett. He was intrigued by her elegant but gloomy demeanor, and he wondered why she wore nothing but black. She must have lost someone very close to her.
Scarlett had not worn anything but black since Bonnie's death and Rhett's departure. She found that it protected her and helped her, and it symbolized her great love for the two people that she had lost. This was one piece of armor that she was not yet willing to take off.
When Freddie had overstayed his visit by a month, he asked Scarlett if she would consider marrying him. He had noticed the ring on her left ring-finger, but because she wore black and she traveled alone, he assumed her to be a widow. "The children need a father," he had said, "and I would be more than happy to take on that responsibility. I love you, Scarlett. You have to know that by now."
Tears filled her eyes as she laid her cool hand on his cheek. "Dear, sweet Freddie, you have done a very noble thing. But I can't marry you, first and fore-most because I am still legally bound; second, because you don't know what you would be getting yourself into; and thirdly, because I still love my husband, very much, even though he doesn't know it."
His face fell, and he took her hand into his own and kissed it gently. "Then forgive my forwardness, lady; and your husband must have been a fool for leaving you." He then stood, took off his hat, gave a polite bow, and appropriately withdrew. Freddie departed that evening.
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Rhett tiredly mounted the steps to his house on Peachtree Street, not even noticing that it seemed deserted. Pushing open the door, darkness met his eyes. All the curtains were drawn and not one candle was lit. Fearing a disaster he called out frantically, "Scarlett? Scarlett!" Running up the stairs to her chamber, he flung open the door. The room was very tidy. Her bed had been made, all of the papers on her writing desk were in order and put away, but her closet was empty. She was not here, and by the appearance of the house and her room, it looked as if she planned to be absent for quite a while indeed.
Suddenly panic overtook him. She had sent him no letter and she had left no indication of where she was going. He had always known where she was, even if she did not know where he had gone. The ace was no longer in his hand. Wandering around the house he saw that everything was in complete order, even the kitchens had been cleaned and everything had been put away. She must have dismissed the servants. Where the hell could she have gone? But he suddenly thought of one person who would know where she was. If she was leaving there was one person that she would share her bussiness with. No, she hadn't really changed. She would have told Ashley.
Rhett fought the urge to bound up the stairs of the small house of Ashley Wilkes, and it took all of the control inside of him to knock civilly upon the door. His request was quickly answered by India, who made no attempt whatsoever to conceal the open look of disgust on her face. But because his figure was tall and imposing, India backed away from the door and admitted him. "What might I do for you, Mr. Butler?" Her voice was cold.
"I was hoping to have speech with Mr. Wilkes. Is he at home?"
"I am afraid not. He has gone down to the lumber mill to attend to some business and he will not be back for a while."
"Then I apologize for my intrusion." He tipped his hat and then was gone. Damn! he silently cursed to himself. The longer he waited for his information, the more edgy he became and he had to fight hard for his control. But why should I care, he asked himself as he mounted the carraige. I am the one who walked out on her after all, leaving her alone and miserable. A sharp pang of guilt and nasua swept through him.
Yes, you left her there, even when she was begging you to stay, pouring out her heart and soul, laying it at your feet, and what did you do? You stepped on them and you did it with a grin on your face; and you watched her as you saw her dreams come crashing down when her face fell and the fire of the fight left her eyes. Now what do I see when I look into her eyes: darkness, misery, pain, not even one remnent of the Scarlett that used to be. My beautiful, strong woman is gone, vanished forever, crushed by the heel of my boot in my anger.
And for the first time in a long while, Rhett Butler, leader of the blockade and cold-hearted scoundrel, burried his head in his hands and fought back tears of remorse and deep sadness.
