Sorry, but this is the longest one yet, so get ready to read….
Mr. Elsing's wake was just another passing day for Scarlett. She was wrapped in her own world, as usual, and had gotten used to the people from her youth passing on. Mr. Elsing was just another person that had tolerated her for Melanie's sake. Another person that never knew or loved her, and yet, there was the same twinge of sadness. She stayed at the Elsing house with the mourners, saying nothing. She was worried about Rhett. She didn't know where he was and feared that seeking out any sort of revenge on Jeb Holbrook was a lost cause. Rhett was always so smart about everything. But there was something off with the whole situation. She wondered if Jeb was a person from their past, very purposely trying to act out some weird sort of revenge scenario. Then she wondered whether she had been reading too many mystery novels.
Ashley was there and he looked old and sad and she felt her usual sentimental fondness for him. Though he had never loved her, he had certainly appreciated her, and certainly meant the kind things he had always said to her. Looking back, it seemed to her he was always trying to lightly tell her that he didn't love her. But he respected her strength and had once called her the bravest person he knew. How she wished he and Melanie were both there. How she wished that Melanie was there to make Rhett feel so guilty that he would return to her. It amazed her how often her thoughts of Rhett changed as if in midstream. How one day she could be happy for him and that they were civil and humorous with each other. Then other days, she felt the sadness, and it was a darkness she could become drenched in. And with no one around, it was easy to just let it envelop her. To stay in bed all day. To stand in the study just looking out the window. Sometimes riding Smokey would make her feel better. Sometimes she would walk the grounds of Tara. Mammy had voiced some concern that she was walking around Tara late at night. And Scarlett found it alarming as well. She didn't know if it was because she wasn't afraid of anything, or because she didn't value her life anymore. And that thought would scare her into walking back to the house.
Cathleen Calvert was there. Scarlett's attempts at rekindling their friendship seemed a lost cause. Cathleen certainly didn't appear to be reflecting on the meaning of life and death. She had befriended India Wilkes and they seemed chattier than ever at the wake. India was inappropriately chipper at the wake. But Scarlett knew from Aunt Pittypat that India and Jeb Holbrook were going to be married, and India was absolutely giddy. In her thirties and finally to be married! She had hidden behind the mask of being a victim of losing her love after the war. Jeb was at least fairly attractive and threw money around, and word around town was that India was like a cowering puppy around him.
Scarlett amazingly found solace with the older women: Mrs. Merriweather, Aunt Pittypat and Maybelle. She enjoyed listening to them talk, as their talk was harmless and had no agenda. It almost numbed her and allowed her to block out everything else. And they were old enough not to question all the silly gifts she had brought them in the year and a half since Mellie died. And even though she saw a little pity in their eyes, for the first time, she didn't mind pity so much. Any emotion that was geared towards her was welcome. And anyone that didn't hate her seemed like an added bonus. She remembered how Aunt Pittypat couldn't refuse Rhett's silly gifts, even though she wanted to banish him from the house after the Belle Watling incident.
Scarlett sat next to Maybelle, and spoke softly with her about Mr. Elsing, as they knew him. When Bonnie had died, and she had gone to Tara to grieve, she remembered suddenly wanting to be closer to these ladies, especially Maybelle, who buried her baby right before Sherman attacked. She felt like an old fool; like somewhere there was a 16-year old just like her that thought of her as some pathetic woman who married the wrong man and then lost him. Her life depressed her and she was losing her gumption, the quality that had remained with her even after Bonnie's death.
The candles remained lit, as everyone sat in the living room, scattered among the couches and tables. Scarlett, in her own distraction, at first had not noticed Ashley's presence, which still surprised her. His gray hair startled her. Rhett's hair had turned somewhat gray, but he had more than a few years on Ashley. She nodded knowingly at him, but they never spoke, except for their brief greetings and salutations. He sat at the table, slumped over. Though he seemed a little better than the first few months after Melanie's death, he was still quite the depressing figure. No wonder Jenny hadn't any interest in him.
Just then, Jonathon Stanton arrived with his cousins, Mrs. Tarleton and the rest of the Tarleton girls. He came in all blonde and sunny, like a breath of fresh air. To see someone so unaffected by tragedy, yet so dignified was about the most pleasant thing that Scarlett could encounter. It was all she could do not to run up to him and give him a hug. But she just turned and smiled, though he saw that her face lit up. All the people at the wake seemed to notice him, and take note of his handsomeness. Jonathon changed the entire energy of the room. India and Cathleen seemed to take an interest in him.
A few minutes later, Will Benteen showed up, and Scarlett was once again happy by a new arrival. She asked him questions about his newborn son, Gerald. Will looked far removed from the poor farmer he had been. Scarlett was pleased that with all the things she had done wrong, approving of Will's marriage to Sue Ellen was one of her better instincts. She remembered arguing about it with Grandma O'Hara. But she knew he was strong and capable and he would be what Sue Ellen needed most of all. And so, there were still things to be happy about it when she thought hard enough.
As usual, Scarlett slowly became surrounded with men, even though it was unintentional this time. Ashley sat next to her at the table like a ghost. And soon, when Cathleen got up from the table to circulate in some sad attempt to be social and flirtatious, Jonathon sat next to her on the other side. Scarlett couldn't help keeping her body swayed more towards Jonathon though.
"You owe me a chess rematch Missy," Jonathon said to Scarlett softly, with a grin on his face.
Oh, to see someone grinning, even at a wake, was exhilarating, Scarlett thought.
The talk turned lighter for awhile and Scarlett was convinced that it was Jonathon's mere presence. Scarlett felt no shame in discussing the fact that she was thinking of selling the mill and opening a children's stores. With Jonathon around, she let her guard down and felt protected enough to openly talk about her business. She wanted to tell Ashley that it would be in honor of Mellie, but decided against it.
India leered at them in the corner of the table.
"I wonder if you will be discussing any of this with Frank's family."
Scarlett felt challenged and didn't miss a beat.
"Oh, I already have, and they are most excited about it. I intend on giving them the lion's share from the sale."
Scarlett was suddenly having fun, waiting for India's remarks and returning one with sweetness and venom, wrapped together.
"Oh Scarlett, do tell us how Rhett is doing. With all of his adventures in New Orleans? Has he returned to Europe?"
The words were bait and Scarlett knew it. Ashley looked as if the cruel words startled him, especially having come from his sister. And Scarlett didn't have the spirit in her to start a fight. What could she fight with India about really? She no longer loved her brother. And India was probably going to marry a horrendously dishonest man. And Scarlett cringed at the thought that people probably thought the same thing about Rhett when she married him.
"Well, this is a bit of a secret, but he is in the process of creating a wing at the university in Bonnie's name."
She said it with such pride, even though she knew Rhett had nothing to do with her dealings with the governor. But it certainly made India seem like an idiot. Everyone at the table smiled cheerfully and exclaimed how wonderful it was that he was able to do such a thing when he had been grief stricken two years before.
Mrs. Merriweather and Aunt Pittypat went on and on for a few minutes complimenting Rhett and how he doted on Bonnie. They said there was never a father so enamored with his own daughter. And never a more beautiful little girl. Scarlett smiled humbly, but was still unnerved by India. She had learned the craft of turning one's insults into her favor. The art of not letting petty words affect her. She would have grinned but it would not have been inappropriate. She was just to play the mother who had lost her child. But India couldn't seem to let it go.
"Oh, well I do hope it was just a misunderstanding with him being in jail yesterday…"
"India!" Ashley yelled.
Jonathon stood upright with a steely glance at India, waiting to see if his defense was needed. The three old ladies looked at India with disgust. But Scarlett remained calm.
"Oh no, please India darling. Never apologize for speaking your mind. And the truth was Rhett was imprisoned yesterday in a great misunderstanding. The governor even had his men come all the way down to rectify the situation. It seems Rhett was mistaken for someone that had been in a drunken bar fight. When I first heard I was so mad at him. But then when I entered the jail facility, I saw him sitting there, completely sober and clearly not having been in a fight. Oh, how we joked about it all... I would have discussed it with all of you, after all, you all are family to me. I just thought that it would be inappropriate."
Scarlett had in some ways, acted herself right through that. Some of them even seemed to believe it. The old ladies gasped when she mentioned drunkenness and going to the prison. Scarlett thought that was all amusing, since she knew they all drank in private.
India would not stop though, playing along with Scarlett as if it was all a game.
Ashley stood up, as if expecting to command more attention than he actually did.
"India. I will not have this go on with you and Scarlett. She has done nothing to you."
The sight of Ashley, so publicly defending Scarlett, made India turn red with anger. And it embarrassed Scarlett a little. Jonathon then got up, also in defense.
She mumbled over her breath, "Always Scarlett, I guess. It's always about Scarlett…"
India seemed to have a certain courage with her now; that she had never had before. It was most definitely due to her impending engagement. But she silenced herself.
"I do apologize," India said without looking at Scarlett.
But Scarlett just excused herself from the table and walked outside. She wasn't sure if she was going to leave. These people and these quarrels were old and full of the past. She paced around the porch, wanting to sit in the rocking bench in the back of the house.
To her surprise, Ashley had walked outside moments later.
"Scarlett… I do apologize…"
"Oh please, Ashley… no need. There's a lot of history there. You look terrible."
He smiled softly.
"Scarlett… where's Rhett?"
"I don't know. I saw him yesterday. He had some business to do and…"
"But why is he not with you? It seems he passes through town on a whim and never seems to…"
She immediately began to defend Rhett.
"Well, I must tell you that business of the university wing is not entirely true. He actually has some other business to contend with…"
She knew what he was getting at, and still, she didn't want someone else questioning what she herself couldn't wrap her head around.
"Is it really because of Bonnie? They say he wasn't right after… and God knows, I understand because if I didn't have Beaux… well, I think I would have died by now."
She just nodded and looked up at the stars.
"Rhett and I… we will work things out."
"You know… when you married Rhett, we were all very concerned. You had a habit, and I never judged you for it. For rushing into things. And we felt that with the trauma of Frank's death especially. And the truth was, Mellie and I liked Rhett. Sure we knew of some of his dalliances, and some of his dealings with the Yankees. But we couldn't help but be loyal to him, because in a pinch, he literally saved our lives countless times. You and him… it seemed fitting when you two were married, that you had been the ones that had gotten Mellie and Beaux out of Atlanta. And a lot of times… Mellie even had to admit… Am I being too forward? In discussing these things…?
"Ashley, if you and I can't speak candidly…"
Ashley smiled a soft smile.
"True I suppose. I was just saying that Mellie knew that people would talk of you getting married so many times and to perhaps the wrong people. And even though she wanted to believe that you loved Charles, I remember her once saying that maybe Charles was a love of youth and infatuation. And that maybe Frank was so kind and generous to you when you needed him, and that in your duress maybe you hadn't considered Sue Ellen's feelings… she would always say that you couldn't help men being so drawn to you. But she felt with Rhett that you and he had been through so much, and showed such strength of character, that you two were most fitting of all… she said you two were equals, like two soldiers in the war…"
Scarlett smiled, as she had heard Melanie use those words. But the guilt returned. Mellie had been foolish enough to believe that she loved Charles. Sometimes she wished she had told Mellie on her deathbed how she had loved Ashley and she would feel less guilty.
"She really said those things? I remember her trying to convince me to wait a little while longer to marry him…"
"Well, she hated to hear people talk…"
Scarlett had no reason anymore to not say what she meant in front of Ashley. Much of her past ulterior motives were no longer there, and now to speak the truth with him was enjoyable. To speak the truth with anyone. She felt everyone around her was always acting out a play, and she wanted to seek out the truth in what was behind the curtains.
"Melanie's become like everything else in my life. Someone I couldn't save. Something I didn't deserve. The children's store I want to open. It came to me while thinking of her. I almost thought to name it Mellie's but I wouldn't be able to bear it… I still feel so guilty when I think of it."
Ashley saw the pain in her eyes that she frequently tried to mask in front of him. But grief seemed to create a magnet straight to Ashley these days. She didn't love him anymore; he had known that for a long time. And there was a relief in seeing it and knowing it and knowing they both knew it. But he felt more aligned with her than ever. He had worried that she would eventually be drawn to him again, with Rhett gone and all. But she hadn't. She had discovered real loss in these past years, and saw life too harshly now to think he could solve any of her problems.
"Scarlett… I hope you don't waste a moment feeling guilty about anything. Mellie and I both knew that you and Rhett were our dearest friends. And the motivation doesn't matter when you save someone's life. Repeatedly. Even in those moments of selfishness, you came through for us. You could have left Mellie in Atlanta you know? You didn't have to bring her and Beaux back. Much of what was between us was always my fault. I left you responsible for Mellie in Atlanta, because I knew of your devotion to me. Not very gentleman-like. And then I lived at Tara long past when I should have…"
Scarlett grabbed his shoulder… to have someone trying to console her, even for things she would always feel guilty of… was a strange relief. And her face suddenly had silent tears streaming down them.
"I can't… I can't let myself even think about those days anymore… the shame. I never had time to feel ashamed and then when she died… I really thought that once I arrived, I could save her. That's how childish I was! I thought that if I wanted someone to live, they would. I always had this silly superstition that my mother died because I wasn't there. Because I had to marry Charles and then plant myself in Atlanta. And when Bonnie died, at first I could blame Rhett, and then I thought if I had just ran after that horse sooner… oh, here I go again…"
Ashley sat her down on the rocking bench, careful to only touch her lightly with his hand. Scarlett looked at him, suddenly puzzled and concerned. His reaching out to her like this made her feel something ominous. And then she realized, that Ashley was desperate enough to want her. To reach out to anything. Maybe it was because she, Rhett, Melanie and Ashley were forever entwined in some sordid way. But there was still no love in his eyes. Still, just vacancy. And she couldn't judge it as weak as she sometimes did, because Scarlett worried that her eyes were becoming vacant. Ashley was set to go to New York soon, and her own weakness made her think for a moment whether it would be so bad to at least have a companion where she didn't have to pretend so much… but she knew by the overwhelming sadness the thought brought her… there was love between Ashley and her, but not husband-and-wife love. Probably just a need for someone familiar. Someone who knew your whole sordid past. Ashley looked away from her, as if he was reading her thoughts along the way. He then got up to walk back into the house, touching her shoulder as he walked past her.
As she rocked back and forth, at last finding some relaxation, and in the silence, she held her head in her hands. She wasn't quite crying or sobbing, but there were soft sighs. She suddenly heard a noise and looked up to see a slender figure walking towards her, and the shadow of a lit cigar. She quickly ran to hug him, making sure he didn't have time to resist.
"Rhett—"
"Scarlett…"
"I'm so happy you came. I feared you were off somewhere…"
"Always off somewhere…"
"I was just trying to tell people that I saw you yesterday and wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it… business and such."
"I hope you told them I was incarcerated."
"No India did. But I defended your honor anyway."
Rhett looked at her sadly.
"How can I get you to not feel compelled to defend me all the time?"
"You can come back to Tara. Oh, sit down with me. It wasn't a defense. It was almost the truth."
They sat down on the bench.
"Our specialty…"
Scarlett's lowered her eyes in frustration.
"See Scarlett. Divorce me. Don't be fooled by the southern gentleman's clothing. I'm a bastard."
"I have tried to divorce you if you can't recall. I wasn't crying because of what you said, you fool! I was just crying out here on the bench, if you don't mind. It is after, all a day of mourning. "
"Not about Mr. Elsing?"
"About life."
"Ahh… I'm afraid that's not my specialty anymore."
Scarlett stared at the sky, rocking on the bench.
"I like you better when you're sick. When you're drunk. I quite enjoy you behind bars, unable to escape from me. But you're a difficult man to love, Rhett Butler. Why are you here, if not trying to gain some semblance of respectability?"
"Truth be told, I was telling you that I was leaving to figure out this Jeb-business. And also, I have come to return the bail money you so generously put forth. As well as the fifteen thousand dollars I believe I owe you…"
Scarlett's eyes suddenly danced with glee, but not entirely because of the money. It was more that Rhett had the audacity to show up at a funeral with fifteen thousand dollars of cash on him. She grinned.
"You really are a… well, it's not ladylike to use the word bastard."
Rhett handed her the money some expensive, green bag that he had purchased for the purpose of holding all the cash. A flash entered her mind of the green bonnet he had brought her from Paris so long ago during the war.
"When the shoe fits… I suppose everyone in there will think it strangely polite of me to show up at Mr. Elsing's wake. Will I be getting stares and glares?"
Scarlett was still smiling.
"Always. I just had some words with India. And the entire room took my side!"
She was bragging to Rhett like a little girl.
"It's too bad I haven't attended many of these social functions. I have some words for India Wilkes myself. She's the worst kind of person because she doesn't have the smarts or courage to get what she wants, and yet she will speak unkindly of those that do… those she is jealous of."
Scarlett practically ignored the compliment that was embedded in that statement. She knew she was better than India Wilkes.
"You'll never believe this. Aunt Pitty told me Jeb and India are to be married. How absurd is that?"
"Absurd. Far from me to question marital motives, but something you said yesterday… that there is more to this than we think… I think that was quite perceptive. There's something going on here and neither of us know what it could be. But I don't like it. And I intend to figure it out."
Scarlett studied him. Rhett marveled to himself how she could be dazzled by a bag of money in one moment, and then somber in the next.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
She folded her arms and almost pouted, but her face was obviously thinking and thinking.
"It doesn't sit well with me. Whatever he's up to, we'll find out eventually. How smart can a man be that is marrying India Wilkes? Maybe he is planning to steal a little money from everyone. Maybe he will never return for fear of running into you…"
"That's a lot of maybes."
There was a sudden sternness in Scarlett.
"Rhett… don't. I have a bad feeling about this."
Rhett thought about the meaning behind her pleas and frowned.
"I can't bear to see you becoming scared and superstitious. You know how I admire your courage. I merely want to find out the motivation behind all this. At first, I thought his attention towards you was maybe that he wanted you. That kind of stupidity I could understand. But this…"
Scarlett kept thinking.
"If you don't know what's coming after you, you can't go seek it out."
"If we don't know what's coming, we can't sit around and wait to find out. Where is your spirit, my darling? It's awfully mysterious and exciting to have a purpose. To have me running around the South, defending what's left of your honor."
This frustrated Scarlett further.
"I can't be strong just because it pleases you to think somehow that I'm off at Tara being courageous with no sense in my head. You men are like women sometimes you're your romantic notions. Sometimes it's stupid not to be afraid of things… and though it may further ruin your memory of me… I have plenty to be scared of."
"Of course you do. It's just... you are brave Scarlett. Takes more than Jeb Holbrook to make you afraid. You're a survivor."
"What exactly am I surviving? You? Sometimes when you say things like that I remember why I used to hate you so much!"
Rhett laughed.
"See, a scared person is rarely funny."
"Remember when you came to me after Frank's death, and I told you I felt guilty and ashamed of myself? That my mother would be rolling in her grave has she known what I had done?"
"Of course…"
"But I can't help being superstitious. I've come to the sad conclusion that all my marriages, all my life… I deserved what came to me. They all died because of me."
Rhett looked at her perplexed. And a little worried.
"Who?"
"Everyone. Starting from Charles and ending with Bonnie and Mellie. It's all because of me. At first, I thought I was just being dramatic and feeling bad for myself. But marrying me is a curse. People I love, people that love me. And so, a divorce isn't much of a threat because it's not going to change me. Or change things. Or save me."
"I don't come around you for all this rehashing…"
"I can't stop Rhett. My mind goes around in circles and it settles on whatever thought makes the most sense… and maybe I can share this with you because you don't live where I live and you don't ask anything of me anymore… but there's this crazy feeling inside me that my life is to sit around and watch bad things happen to other people."
"Well, at least your narcissism is still intact. You do know that a war, and a few other events had to do with it?"
"Oh Rhett, let me ramble…"
"Listen, I'm not being foolish. I have no death wish. I will never let on if I see him that I know anything. In my heart of hearts I suspect that he has gotten himself into some sort of trouble and did something desperate and foolish."
Scarlett looked away from him, unconvinced.
"I used to think you were smart enough and strong enough to always come out on top. And with Bonnie, I knew you would never put yourself in danger… but now, I don't trust you enough to have your wits about you… Let it go. He's not going to bother me anymore. And I will just pretend that I never told you. All will be well. He will marry India and hopefully live far, far away from us… from me. Probably go to New York with Ashley."
"Let's go inside Scarlett."
She suddenly looked at him with some great persistence. She put both her hands on his wrists and almost shook him.
"No. Tell me this fixation with the money isn't some final exit? Tell me you don't plan to seek out Jeb, hurt him somehow, and then leave for Europe or something, never to see or hear from me again…?"
Rhett strugged. Scarlett's intuition was impressive and never far off.
"You really want this marriage…"
Scarlett was going to answer that she just in fact wanted him.
"I've had marriage. Marriage isn't what I want. It's part of the curse. And the deaths."
Rhett smiled again. Scarlett continued.
"You always find me most amusing when I am feeling quite the opposite."
"True. I can't take back the foolishness of marrying you though. Even though, you certainly didn't say yes right away."
"I should have trusted my instincts I guess. I guess I am truly nothing like my mother. Because that doesn't even bother me. The shame of you not living at Tara and people talking behind my back. I don't even think the shame of a divorce would do me in either."
"I am so glad to hear you say that. I do want to settle my affairs before I move to London."
"So I was right."
"Yes."
"Then go now. Forget about Jeb. Forget everything. Leave me here like a distant memory. Like the Old South!"
She was mocking him, or mocking herself. But he laughed. They both started to laugh.
"I can't do that I'm afraid."
"God how I wish I never married you…"
"Doesn't the truth set you free a little?"
"It's just… had I waited. Had you waited till Ashley wasn't a thought in my head, it would have been so different. When you proposed to me, a little voice in my head, knew I was losing something besides Ashley. I lost a friend when I married you. You and I had more fun before we were married. And it seems like that now. Inappropriate to think of your husband or ex-husband as a friend I suppose. But you were quite entertaining during the war…"
"As were you…"
Scarlett continued to ramble and Rhett let her.
"These days I cling to anything familiar. It started when Bonnie died and I was at Tara. And I thought of Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Meade, and how it wouldn't be so bad to listen to their stories of the past. And it was a strange feeling, because I had always hated it so much when people went on and on about their misfortunes. Even Ashley. And suddenly, I understood. I guess the loss. I never understood it before. And now I dare say that I seek them out at parties to talk to? Ridiculous. And now when I see you, it's like Melanie used to say. That we were like old soldiers after the war…"
By this time, Scarlett was so relaxed, starting up at the stars, rambling on, that Rhett didn't want to disturb her. He knew what she was saying. Whenever they saw each other, they couldn't pretend much. They'd have to talk to each other. There was too much between them. And so he listened, fearing he would never be able to go inside and pay his respects.
"Before you showed up here, Ashley came out here to see if I was alright. He's not going to marry Jenny. She's too happy I guess for his tolerance. It sparked a memory of when he finally returned to Tara after the war. We all saw him from the distance and figured it was another soldier there for a handout. When I realized it was him, I ran right for him, and had Mammy not held me back, I would have made his welcoming quite uncomfortable. That's how I am, Rhett. I'll die that way. The reason I wouldn't care if we were divorced is that it wouldn't change anything. I'd still run to you in a crowd. I'd still ask you for help. Or bail you out of jail. Or even find you in Paris or London or wherever. Divorces don't interest me. I lost a friend when I married you. Should have let you be. Maybe the whole Ashley thing taught me nothing. Every time I see you I change my mind about what I want to do. Now I think I would rather have you at Tara, even if it was as far from my bedroom as possible. Or maybe if you promised to just go to London now. Maybe I would trade it all in for a little bit of friendship and loyalty."
Rhett smiled softly. He's left her alone so long that she feels the need to spill her heart out around him. It made him happy and sad and confused and guilty.
"I used to think I was the biggest fool that ever walked the Earth. Everything you've offered me was once how I felt about you. I didn't care who you married or what you needed. I planted myself in your life like a tree. A stubborn old oak. I was never foolish enough to voice it though, so once again, you have more guts than you'll ever know. You know, if you weren't always chasing the wrong men around, you would probably be ruling the world right now?"
"Hardly. I can handle Tara and that's about it…"
"Oh, I think you could rule a small island."
Scarlett sighed and looked up.
"Listen to me. For heaven's sake, don't put yourself in harm's way."
Rhett smiled and got up from the bench.
"Friendship and loyalty? I long for the days when all you wanted from me was 300 dollars."
A little bit of mischief returned to Scarlett's face.
As Rhett walked away, Scarlett yelled after him, "You probably should have taken me up on that deal. That was the fairest deal I ever offered you. And you could've saved quite a bit of money and heartache."
"Worth every penny."
Scarlett blushed and flashed her bright eyes and an even a brighter smirk.
"Rhett you never said why it's so important for you to find Jeb."
"You're reading too much into it. It's just a business transaction."
Rhett unexpectedly walked back towards her and gave her his most gentlemanly kiss on the mouth.
"I don't believe you. Or your kisses."
He began to walk away again, when both he and Scarlett heard yelling. Scarlett scampered ahead of him. She walked back into the Meade home and was very quickly bombarded with India's faced, filled with venom. Ashley was standing before her, trying to quiet her down.
"I will not have any of you defend her anymore. We all know the things she's done. And you all pretend because she showers you with gifts. I won't have it! My own brother! How could you even look at her after… after Mellie's passing."
Ashley was so wounded that he just stood there, infuriating Scarlett. How could he let her use Mellie's name in her petty feud?
"India Wilkes, you best shut your mouth right now! To throw out Mellie's name! You aren't fit to utter her name!"
"You aren't fit for anything, Scarlett O'Hara. Oh yes, O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler. Jeb has told me some of the things you've done. Worse than I ever suspected."
"Jeb Holbrook knows nothing of me. I hardly know the man. Though he is a scoundrel if I ever met one in my life."
"Scoundrel? This from the woman that married Rhett Butler! Where is your scoundrel now? Probably seeking out some other white trash woman to give him a son? It's the only reason he ever stayed with you long enough anyway. His dear Bonnie."
Her words were so shocking and cruel, even for Scarlett. She had egged her on, the day of Melanie's wake. But this time it was so much more personal, with everyone around her. Scarlett's face turned red with fury.
Yet when Rhett slowly stepped forward. India's face went white. Scarlett threw her arm out, sensing that Rhett was about to lunge towards India, but Rhett thrashed right through it. So much so that Scarlett's arm felt pain afterwards.
He walked towards her and Scarlett was sure he would hit her. But he just stood there, as frightening as a bear. Ashley at first didn't even move to protect India, but then he walked towards her and moved her out of Rhett's way and almost forcibly walked her towards the door. The scene had everyone in stunned silence, until Scarlett spoke softly.
"It's alright Rhett. She's just hysterical… It seems that Jeb has gotten himself into some trouble and she is absolutely despondent. Isn't that right, India?"
It was a lie, but it was the only way Scarlett could think of saying at the moment. She had seen Rhett with a look of violence in his eyes, and certainly there were times she was sure he would hit her. And she could see in his mind the fact that if India were a man, she'd be dead right now. It was a threat he had used on her, but there was a raw realty to it now. The illusion of Rhett as a crickety old gentleman. He was a fighter like she was, and that would never change. The crowd started to look away from India, who had no choice but to apologize and leave.
"Yes Scarlett. I do apologize. I was worried. Something happened in New Orleans. And I… was taking it out on you."
Ha! A bluff and I was right. But then she frowned, knowing Rhett would hear that and head back to New Orleans.
"No need again to say anything more."
Cathleen exited promptly with India, noticeably upset that she had to leave.
It took more than a few moments for the aftershock of India's outburst to settle. Rhett looked like a bit of the wind had been knocked out of him. Scarlett paced around, all scattered, because she didn't know what to do. She saw Ashley approach him and take him outside, and longed to eavesdrop.
Outside, on the porch, Ashley approached Rhett cautiously, even though Rhett clearly had no bone to pick with him.
"Rhett, I cannot tell you how ashamed I am. I should never have let her get like that. You and Scarlett are our dearest friends."
He meant he and Melanie's… speaking of her in the present tense. Rhett could never do that with Bonnie.
"Of course. I do hope you know I would never strike your sister."
"I know. But… she is different… she is going to marry that Jeb fella. And I think he has had, I don't know… a poor influence over her. I suppose I should have arranged for her to be married to someone more suitable. But he showers her with attention and gifts and at first, she seemed happy. But now, I don't know… she seems hardened somehow."
It was as Ashley said these words that he recalled saying a similar thing to Scarlett about Rhett. And he felt so ashamed. He felt a connection now to Rhett, since Rhett had lost Bonnie. But he still couldn't understand how he left Scarlett alone now, especially since Mellie's death. Town gossip seemed to insinuate that he came to Tara as he pleased and that Scarlett was undaunted by that. He knew how loyal she could be to those she loved. And though Scarlett always went her own way, he still felt a loyalty to her. Then again, he could feel a kinship with Rhett.
"Ashley, I worry more about India than anyone should worry about me. That rampage she just went on is going to hurt her socially. As is her marriage to Holbrook. She's not like Scarlett. She can't damn her reputation to hell to marry—what was the word— a scoundrel."
"Never would I use that word to describe you. I was just telling Scarlett that for me and Melanie, there were know two better people in our lives. You should have seen us all at Tara after the war. And you should have seen Scarlett when she went to ask you for money. Her sisters and Mellie helping her get dressed. Furiously cutting curtains and sewing them for a dress. Those days after the war were so hard, but there were few moments of joy. Melanie and I thought that Scarlett that day was the bravest thing we ever saw. With a rooster's tail feather in her hair."
Ashley seemed a quite pitiful creature then. Even in his polite, gallant way, he had ended up gushing over Rhett's wife, right in front of him. But he disguised his words enough to make them sound like it was he and Mellie marveling over Scarlett.
"And I was probably not quite the gentleman you two had envisioned?"
"Melanie and I were the only ones who suspected she was going to see you. And we knew that if you had the money, you would have given it to her. I told Mellie that it was doubtful you'd be able to get your hands on it anyway."
Rhett's mind wandered back to the day that Scarlett came to him, offering everything she had and was for three hundred dollars. If he had just let her pretend… or if he had gotten to her before Frank… Scarlett didn't know this, but Rhett's mind had wandered into superstitious territory in the past few years as well.
"They say you know this Jeb Holbrook? Not many people seem to like him."
"Well, I only knew him from some dealings in New Orleans. A bit of a sycophant back then. Maybe marriage will change him from the better. You can tell them I give them my blessing. But if she runs into any trouble with him, let me know. Maybe I could be of some help."
Ashley looked at him in confusion. Like so many times in conversing with Scarlett, Ashley seemed grateful for the loyalty but curious about the motive. When they wandered back inside, Rhett looked for Scarlett, not sure if he was ready to leave. She was quietly accepting a little bit of extra hospitality from Mrs. Tarleton. And Rhett saw the one man he didn't recognize approach Scarlett.
Jonathon, who had stood up during the ordeal, walked up to her with concern in his face.
"Are you alright?"
"Not quite, but I will be okay."
Innocent enough, but it was no time to be comforted by this young man.
"Jonathon, you absolutely must meet my husband, Rhett."
She looked up and around her, sensing Rhett in close proximity.
"Rhett, this is Jonathon Stanton. He's been helping me close up the mill."
Rhett shook his hand eagerly. He didn't see any guilt in the boy's face. But he saw strength, and in earlier glances, he thought he detected that the boy had feelings for his wife. That he wouldn't be slow to act if something should happen to Scarlett's third husband. Join the club, he thought.
People began to calm down a little bit and be extra courteous to Rhett, which he found annoying. But like Scarlett, he knew these people too long to begrudge them. There were actually some noteworthy people there. He and Scarlett had always liked Sue Ellen's husband, Will. He was quite a successful farmer in his own right, and he had turned out to have more character than a lot of other men. He was strong and perceptive and smart when it counted. Rhett spoke with him for a little while. Will eventually spoke of the India escapade with obvious disgust in his eyes. Rhett wanted to get out of there, as India had reminded him and everyone of Bonnie.
Dr. Meade then approached Rhett and asked to speak with him in another room. He was noticeably older than even Rhett remembered, and the thought came to him that every time he went to a wake or a funeral or a wedding or a party, there would be less people he knew at the next one. People were dropping like flies now.
Not to say that Dr. Meade looked feeble or incapable. He was still a practicing doctor, and his years taking care of the soldiers had made him quite irreplaceable as far as his experience. Still, he had a young doctor working with him now named Luke, so he was undoubtedly aware of his own immortality.
"Rhett… I am happy to finally run into you. I wanted to discuss if possible. I'm afraid to overstep my bounds here, but I am quite worried about Scarlett. And God Knows I've tried to talk to her, but she as stubborn as… well, she's stubborn. And she still thinks she's young enough not to worry about her health. But she looks tired. Too tired. And we just want to know if maybe there is something wrong or something she's not telling us. Something she needs help with. Or maybe if you've seen anything you can tell me. Headaches or nausea?"
"Dr. Meade, you are not overstepping your bounds. It does my heart good to know that when I'm not around, she has so many friends watching out for her. But she is not going to have a baby. And though she is tired, it's only because she's happiest at Tara working. Sometimes she forgets that she doesn't have to. And she still goes riding every chance she gets."
Dr. Meade didn't look appeased at all. He looked at Rhett with a little bit of warmth and a little bit of disappointment. He then began to speak quietly as if he was saying blasphemous things.
"You know… after your Bonnie died, she came to me asking about you. If there was something she could do… or I could do… She came asking for medication. But I'm afraid that loss, real loss… There is no cure. I think she knows that now. And I've seen all kinds of medications and alcohols that can numb someone for a time. Only makes it worse in my opinion when you feel the pain again. Scarlett is frightfully brave. You know that of course. She still makes sure we're all doing well and taken care of, even though she doesn't have to. India Wilkes is a fool for making an enemy out of her. I knew her mother well, and her mother was like that too. People think she's like her father, and she is in some ways, but that strength is from Ellen."
Rhett looked at him, returning the compassion. He realized that maybe among this group, he was admired and pitied all at the same time. Just like Scarlett. And it felt about right. He wanted to let Scarlett know that they needed to make a clean break. An official divorce. He left the room and sought her out. They walked outside to his buggy. He couldn't figure out how Scarlett could seem so proud and regal, and yet so vulnerable to him at the same time. He couldn't really shake her. But he did think if he saw her less and less, maybe then she'd be less confused. She did look tired, but resilient nonetheless.
Scarlett broke the silence with, "Long night. Probably wish you could have left the bag at Tara?"
"It doesn't seem appropriate for me to go there."
Oh right, Scarlett thought. She told him that if he went there, she would declare that he belonged to her somehow… she couldn't remember her exact, drunken words.
"If you weren't here tonight, I would have punched India Wilkes twice as hard as the last time. They would have had to ply me off of her."
"Don't waste your punches. She is in far worse condition now…"
"Rhett, what does Jeb Holbrook know about me? What have you told him? I don't have the patience to be mad about it. It's probably true anyway."
She did not speak sadly, in fact, she asked quite calmly, expecting an answer, as they stopped by the buggy.
"But I need to know. I need to know what he can come at me with."
Always ready to fight, Rhett thought…
"Nothing from when we were married. Quite frankly, I never really talked to him. But Jimmy and Charlie used to tease me about the Atlanta girl. They knew of the night I bid for you, and the day you came to the prison…"
"That's what I figured. Well, I could always say that's a lie."
"I assure you that I only spoke of you in a favorable way."
She giggled a little.
"No need. I could only imagine."
"That boy Jonathon seems nice."
Scarlett waited for something smug, but there was a silence instead.
"I mean, he seems like he could handle himself in the mill. How old is he?"
"Oh he's only twenty-four."
"Still… I am not making any gallant statements before you. But if something should happen to me, I would think he would be a suitable fourth husband for you."
The idea that Rhett would say that, and not even be joking, or trying to be cruel… that infuriated Scarlett enough to grind her teeth.
"Rhett, I will tie myself to this buggy if you dare make any such statements. I will travel to every city with you. I will not bow out gracefully and accept your inane entries into my life, just so you could leave me as if you are going to a war, when you are actually seeking out some petty thief!"
Rhett laughed his hearty laugh.
"And Dr. Meade was worried about your health!"
"Oh no, not that again… half the town thinks I'm pregnant all the time, the other half thinks I'm going crazy and the other half is intent to pity me just because I like to fill my days working and riding a horse! "
"That's a lot of halves?" he said sarcastically. "Now listen to me, whatever we decide to do between us, let them speculate. They know very little about us."
"And please tell me why I would ever seek out a fourth husband? I've had three that have driven me to madness…"
"You have a point. I don't think I would ever ask a woman to marry me again. And if she said no, as you did at first, I think it's best to trust a woman's instinct."
Scarlett smiled again, as her mood around Rhett constantly switched back and forth.
"And after all, Jonathon has never been married. He deserves a woman who's never been married. Maybe he and Jenny would make a nice pair."
Rhett hopped in his buggy.
"India might be doing us a favor by marrying Jeb. I won't have to wonder where he is much longer. I think you're right about the fact that he didn't count on you telling me about the money. If you see him, thank him for the favor. And I thought I told you to carry a gun with you at all times?"
"To Mr. Elsing's funeral? Why are you going to New Orleans if Jeb is coming back here?"
"I'm going to talk to Jimmy. If I see Jeb, I'll bring him back here."
"Bring yourself back here, Rhett."
He leaned over to kiss her. But she jerked her head back.
"Enough of your kisses. Ride off like the scoundrel you are."
Rhett smiled. But when he rode away, he was in his usual reverie. Maybe he would just return to Scarlett after New Orleans. It just seemed like it had to be all or nothing with them. He always had a fondness for lost causes.