Enjoy!
Scarlett hadn't gotten very much sleep the night before, she was up tossing and turning, thinking about Rhett and how well he could read her. She wasn't counting on him being witness to her conquest, or even in Atlanta for that matter. He had slipped her mind when she made her plan, and now that he was back in the picture, she had to think about her goal with respect to it's changed likeliness.
On one hand, knowing some one close to Tom could prove to be very beneficial, but on the other hand, it was Rhett. Scarlett no longer had the cloak of a new impression on her side, and she knew that Rhett would be keeping a close eye on her.
In the end, by the time she awoke in the morning, she knew what she would do. She would go through with the original plan, Rhett be damned. She would simply have to make herself so irresistible that it would counteract anything Rhett might say against her.
With a determined gleam in her eye, Scarlett wrung for a maid to come help her get ready. She had a couple of errands to run before dinner and she had already wasted a lot of time by sleeping so late.
Scarlett got back just in time to take a bath, dry her hair, and get ready. While she was in town, she had an old friend do some alterations on another one of the dresses she found, while she went to Mr. Kennedy's store for some perfume. She'd decided against rouge, reasoning that the Wirthingtons were upper class people and she had to look respectable. When she went back to pick the dress up she was ecstatic. It looked just like new, and so fashionable. It was of a creamy white velvet with a ruffled scooped neckline and tiny cap sleeves.
When her maid put it on her, after her bath, Scarlett stood before the mirror assessing her image. Her skin was still pale, but the cream color set it of like ivory, all the while enhancing her thin frame. Her hair was done up, with loose tendrils caressing her neck. She wore no jewelry, except for the diamond earrings that she brought with her from Tara should the opportunity arise to sell them. Scarlett approved of this image and settled her green shawl over her shoulders, ready to leave.
When she was let into the door of the Wirthington's mansion she gasped in awe at the splendor. The 20 foot high ceiling of the entryway was so elegant, and Scarlett noticed the way the balcony had two stairways leading down to meet each other, creating symmetry. After she greeted Tom and his parents, she started to comment on the design, but the words caught in her throat as she focused on the man sitting on a sofa in the sitting room that she was being led to.
Tom noticed her hesitation and offered her an explanation.
"Miss O'Hara, after learning that you and Captain Butler were acquaintances I felt it would be nice to invite him for supper as well, I hope you don't mind?" He gave her a doubtful look.
Scarlett glanced at Rhett to see the amused look on his face and then looked back at Tom.
"Oh of course not, I'm happy to see the Captain here, it simply surprised me." She turned towards Rhett. "Captain Butler, it's nice to see you again, I trust that you're well?"she said in a simpering tone.
"Oh yes, quite well, my dear Mrs Ha- oh, My apologies, Miss O'Hara." he finished with a smirk on his face.
Scarlett's eyes shot warning daggers at him, providing means for a perfectly awkward situation. Luckily the butler entered right at that moment to announce that dinner was being served. Everyone sat in their places quietly while the food was brought out. Finally Tom broke the silence.
"Miss O'Hara, have you come to a decision yet regarding your stay in Atlanta? Please tell me you'll stay, it would make my year."
Scarlett lowered her lashes and initiated a ladylike pause, already knowing her answer. Rhett took the opportunity to put in another scathing remark. "Why yes Miss O'Hara, please say yes, I'm quite sure that our community has been missing a lady such as yourself." Her eyes darted towards him 'Why can he always insult one while making it seem like a compliment.' she thought.
"As a matter of fact,"she said, looking back at Tom, "I have decided to stay in Atlanta, at least for the time being. It's just so lovely here and I love how busy it is."
With that Tom's face lit up with happiness and the awkwardness was gone. Rhett, knowing that he was quickly losing his battle, sat in silence thinking of a different plan to get Scarlett all to himself. As the dinner wore on, Tom and Scarlett got even closer, Tom, of course, thinking that this was her true nature, and it grew late.
By the end of the dinner, Scarlett was sure that her plan was well on it's way. Tom was looking at her like he thought she was absolutely perfect. His parents were lovely people and Scarlett was sure that she would have no trouble getting them on her side, if they were not already. She was so content that it startled her when Rhett spoke, for she had nearly forgotten about him throughout the course of the meal.
"Miss O'Hara, I feel as though it is my duty to offer you a ride home as you have no mode of transportation yourself." Rhett said this with an emotionless voice as if he were distracted.
Scarlett had presumed that the Wirthingtons would offer her a ride, but now she cursed herself for not bringing the carriage when Rhett offered the ride instead. Of course she could not decline, as much as she wanted to. He had been very quiet the whole evening, and Scarlett was grateful, but she didn't want to have to confront him. He was very quiet still, as they made their goodbyes, and he avoided her eyes until they were in the carriage, starting to move away from the house.
Please Review! It's seriously what keeps me going. When you guys don't review, I don't feel like writing.
