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Beta-edited by Lawdymissscarlett
A/N: I know I haven't updated since a long time ago, and I'm sorry. I was working hard for my thesis submission then my Portfolio. Then I searched around for internships. It's at time like these I curse the day I decided to be an architect. I really wish I could stop everything and just sit about lazily and read. Oh Ashley, I understand your dream!
I still haven't received a reply for my internship applications, father has arranged with a friend of his so that I will get an internship but it will be unpaid (Oh the horror!) Pray for me people for I like Scarlett, love my money.
Thank you reviewers for your wonderful reviews. And Once again I'm thanking Lawdymisscarlett who has been a great help to me.
Before we begin the parallel universe concept has been used in many stories usually Sci-Fi and fantasy. I seriously don't know about the physics behind it (I was very interested but quantum physics goes over my head.) But we aren't dealing with physics; it's more like some magic that took away Rhett from his universe.
Recap: Rhett woke up with a start, sweating. He was back on the train to Charleston, in his compartment. He looked around to see his bags and suitcase. They were still there, he sighed. Then his eyes fell on to something that was on the floor. He picked it up to see the same voodoo doll he had seen in his dream with a lock of brown hair.
Chapter 10: In Charleston
He arrived in Charleston, still shaken. All throughout the journey Rhett had wondered about his dream, trying to make some sense. Every time he tried to dismiss it, the voodoo doll with a lock of brown hair wouldn't let him. He was worried about Wade, the boy he loved as if his own. Surely by some twist of fate Scarlett would marry Charles Hamilton and have Wade. Just like despite his veneer of respectability he was able to participate in the gold rush and filibustering.
Rhett just couldn't bear the thought that he wouldn't be able to see little Wade Hampton again. He kept the doll with him despite wanting to chuck it away many times.
In a way, returning to Charleston did him good. He busied himself with preparation for the blockade running. He would sometimes come close to forgetting about everything so engrossed was he in his work. But during his free time things would come back and haunt him.
Eleanor Butler saw her usually self-assured son was suffering. The lady was observant and much attuned to her son's moods. But she knew asking him about it wouldn't help, so she tried in her own way to comfort him. She would visit him with some home-made cake or pudding, then chatter on about trivial matters.
In these times Rhett would thank god that he still had mother and Rosemary with him. He wondered how he had been able to live without them for all these years, back then. Rhett still avoided his father and brother. But with his little sister Rosemary their relationship had developed. In the past, he wasn't really a part of Rosemary's growing years, something he regretted. He was able to rectify it this time.
Rose was an endearing child and a sensible adult. Rhett shared all his secrets, but one, with her. She knew of the Gold Rush in California, how he had robbed others of their share. At that time Rosemary was a little girl, she had listened to her brother with rapt attention and was in awe.
Next he told her the tale of William Walker, and how Rhett and his friends had financed his enterprise, supplied him with arms and then extracted profits from the new Republic of Nicaragua. She had giggled much when Rhett told her how he deserted Mr Walker once his defeat was inevitable.
Rosemary practically grew up listening to her brother's gambling escapades. To her Rhett's life seem so wonderful. He was like the heroes of her novels, his adventures so larger than life. She never realised or cared that Rhett wasn't a righteous man, that he was a villain. Righteous men like father and Ross were boring.
She was excited to see him again, and wanted to know of his next adventure. She didn't notice Rhett was anxious, but that wasn't her fault, for Rhett made sure not to show his baby sister any of that.
R&S
Scarlett was depressed. A week after Ashley's and Melanie's wedding Charles left to join Colonel Wade Hampton, and two weeks later the Troop departed, leaving the whole County bereft. There were no balls or barbeques anymore, the County become devoid of any entertainment or social life. They went calling sometimes, and other women call at Tara but that was it. Everyone from Jonesboro, Fayetteville and Lovejoy who was young and attractive had left with the Troop. Only the older men, the cripples and the women were left, and they spent their time knitting and sewing, growing more cotton and corn, raising more hogs and sheep and cows for the army.
On top of boredom was her ever growing worry about the outcome of the war and a queer desire of wanting to see Mr Butler once again – as if he could somehow right the wrongs. Fear and anxiety ate her so Scarlett grew listless every day. Ellen fearing for Scarlett's health, summoned Dr Fontaine. He prescribed a tonic of sulphur, molasses and herbs but it didn't seem to work.
Scarlett lay on her bed morosely and refused to get up for supper. It was this refusal of food that worried Ellen and Mammy more than anything else. Mammy brought up tempting trays.
Dr Fontaine was called again.
"A change of scene will be the best thing in the world for her," said the doctor, only too anxious to be rid of an unsatisfactory patient.
Scarlett's trunks were packed. She was going to Savannah, Ellen said. However Scarlett wished to go to Charleston instead. Ellen didn't mind. She was a bit surprised thought for Scarlett never liked Charleston. None the less she wrote letters to her sister Pauline and Eulalie and prepared for Scarlett's departure.
Gerald wanted to accompany his daughter, for he wanted to hear about the Fort Sumter first hand. But there was a lot of work at the plantation. It was without an overseer ever since Jonas Wilkerson was dismissed. So he would escort her to Pauline's and come back to Tara by the very next train.
Another matter was which slaves would go with her. After a lot of deliberation it was decided that Prissy was to accompany Scarlett as her lady's maid. Tina or Rosa would have been preferable but they couldn't be spared. The work on plantation was too much to spare them.
All this fuss over her sister made Suellen quite upset, she whined and begged their mother that she wanted to go too until Ellen agreed. Scarlett was obviously not happy with the idea of her whiney, nosey sister accompanying her, especially when she was planning her 'investment'.
On the eve of her departure, Scarlett sat down in her mother's office with writing material. On Ellen's insistence she was going to write to Charles, telling him about her visit to her Aunts in Charleston. This would be her first reply to his many letters. Charles believing them to be engaged wrote a letter ever week. There were four shy, ecstatic, loving letters in which he told her of his hopes and aspirations. Scarlett didn't really care one whit for Charles; his letters though soothed her vanity.
R&S
The O'Hara's arrived in Charleston. They went to Aunt Pauline's faraway rice plantation and were greeted by her and Uncle Carey in their frigid formal manner. Suellen who always wanted approval from the genteel folks, more proud of her Robillard kin than her Irish ancestors did not notice this. Gerald and Scarlett on the other hand felt this.
Gerald was interested in hearing about the Fort Sumter so he ignored the less than warm welcome and set to asking Uncle Carey about it. Mr Carey Hastings, like all well bread men thought discussing the war was crass; he preferred discussing books and poems: Mr Bulwer-Lytton being his favourite. However he obliged his brother-in-law this time knowing that the little Irish upstart would be leaving soon.
The girls were left under the care of Aunt Pauline. She ordered her servants to draw baths for them and after they were clean she served lunch. It was a simple meal of rice, chicken and gravy. Afterwards the girls were sent to nap. The tired girls slept with ease and it was only in the evening they woke. Meanwhile Pauline read Ellen's letter again.
Ellen had only mentioned Scarlett coming; it seemed that Suellen's visit was a last moment addition to the plan. Of her nieces Pauline liked Careen the best. Careen more like Ellen, in looks she favoured the Robillards and her nature was quiet and gentle just like her mother. And perhaps like Ellen, she has romantic notions, thought Pauline darkly. Between Scarlett and Suellen it was difficult to choose. Scarlett was definitely the prettier of the two, her face a becoming blend of her mother's delicate coastal aristocratic looks and her father's hard Irish ones. In terms of learning they both were equal, i.e. equally ignorant about the classics and poor in Latin and Greek. Suellen seemed to have better manners, but Scarlett could be very charming when it suited her. Suellen and Scarlett were equally accomplished; Suellen was better at embroidery and painting but Scarlett could sing and dance better.
But Scarlett was a touch masculine. Perhaps it was because she was the oldest child and the O'Hara treated her as the son he never had. But no, even when Scarlett was a little girl her playmates were boys, her games where rough and boyish, no playing with dolls instead she preferred climbing trees.
Even now at sixteen, when she was engaged to be married and belle of three counties Scarlett lacked feminine grace, she was too direct and had barely any female friends. Suellen on the other hand was whiney, gossip loving tattle-tale, indirect and manipulative. All these negative attributes were definitely feminine.
Aunt Pauline decided in the end that Scarlett was a lost case, for all her charm and accomplishments. She was lucky to be engaged to one of the Hamilton's, who was from an old and known family. Suellen on the other hand could do better if she was improved. If her manners were polished, her accomplishments enhanced and sense enforced, Suellen would do very well in Charleston society. And Aunt Pauline was willing to do just that.
R&S
Scarlett woke up from her nap before Suellen. She looked at her sister's sleeping form with loathing. Why did her tattle tale of a sister come with her too! Suellen would have been happier at home, waiting for Frank and his commissary troop, thought Scarlett with distaste. Now she would simply make her task more difficult.
With one more look at her sleeping form Scarlett tiptoed to her bag, she retrieved a rosewood box from there. Rhett Butler had given her two months' time; six weeks have passed since then. She opened the rosewood box and smiled, it contained all the money she could get. She saved money she got from her father on her engagement, sold some jewellery at Jonesboro and now had a quite a lot.
She hastily shut the box as Suellen rose.
"Reading letter from Charles again," exclaimed Suellen, "that's not like you."
Scarlett gave her a nasty scowl, which she returned. On the inside she was relieved that she also kept the letters from Charles in the box too. Then she turned to Prissy who was snoozing on floor to wake her up.
"We need to get dressed," she ordered.
"I'm getting dressed first," said Suellen.
"No you are not," said Scarlett, "Prissy is my lady's maid."
"But Ma said to share, when we left."
"Well Ma isn't here, is she?"
"I'm going to tell Auntie," bellowed Suellen clearly agitated.
Just then Aunt Pauline entered with her maid.
"Miss Susan Elinor O'Hara, this is no way to behave," she scolded.
"But Auntie, Scarlett started it," Suellen protested.
"A lady does not tattle tale," said Aunt Pauline firmly, then she directed her maid to dress Suellen up.
R&S
The dinner went splendidly. Plantation life was so dreary, with all the plantations to far apart, it was nice to have company, even if it was O'Hara and his daughters. Aunt Pauline noted Suellen's table manners and she found them satisfactory. Ellen would have seen to that, she thought afterwards.
After dinner there was the customary separation of ladies and gentlemen, something that Scarlett found old fashioned but was still practiced in Charleston. The men folk talked of the war. The women on the other hand talked more of fashion and balls.
"Aunt Pauline," began Scarlett, "Which is the closest plantation to this?"
"The Gibbs's but that is about 20 miles away."
"So we cannot go calling," whined Suellen.
"No whining," Aunt Pauline scolded.
The sexes were reunited and coffee was served. There was some more discussion on the war, something the ladies found boring. Finally everyone retired, Scarlett and Suellen to the guest room and Mr O'Hara to the Settee in the parlour. He had to depart first thing in the morning.
R&S
In the morning, Scarlett woke up before anyone to bid his father goodbye. The parting upset both father and daughter. They would miss each other, both knew but neither would admit it.
"Well Puss, take care of ye self," said Gerald, "I'll be giving it to you 100 dolars, for you and for your sister."
"Oh thank you Pa," said Scarlett startled at her windfall.
"And don't be too hard on Suellen, Missy," added Gerald, "she is your sister."
With this final instruction, Gerald departed to Tara.
R&S
The next few days were hellish for both Scarlett and Suellen.
Scarlett learned that life on the plantation was so isolated, nobody came calling. How was she to give her money to the Butler man? The deadline was drawing nearer and nearer, each passing day making her more irritable and anxious. She hated the plantation, the live oaks with their waving curtains of gray moss gave Scarlett the creeps and always brought to her mind Gerald's stories of Irish ghosts roaming in shimmering gray mists. She missed Tara, its red road down the hill leading to the river and the red fields with springing green cotton, with everything bright and sunny and no misty marshes.
Suellen meanwhile suffered too because her aunt had started her lessons without her knowing. She was bewildered the first day when Aunt Pauline kept a stringent watch on her manners. She would correct her and scold her for the slightest breach of decorum. In the evening she was asked to sing. Suellen had no singing voice, something Aunt Pauline soon realised so she insisted that Suellen was to practice on the piano. She even asked one of the slaves who was proficient to guide her when using the instrument.
The next day she got Suellen books from Uncle Carey's library in Latin and Greek. She promised she would bring her the classics next. Poor Suellen who was worse than Scarlett at studies at the academy absolutely hated it. What was worse was Scarlett was left to her devices; Aunt Pauline did not bother her. Suellen who was used to being the less favourite child thought that their Aunt was deliberately picking on her. This in turn caused her to be catty and spiteful to Scarlett. They were fighting most of the time, petty squabbles on dresses and hairclips and how and by whom should Prissy be employed. They were usually started by Suellen but ended when Aunt Pauline intervened or Scarlett boxed her ears.
Aunt Pauline tried her level best to separate the sisters, something Scarlett assisted her in, for she had no desire to be with Suellen, however Suellen seemed to seek her. Suellen wasn't very fond of her sister but she thought that if she was beside Scarlett her manners would look better by contrast and perhaps Aunt Pauline would like to take Scarlett under her wing instead.
By day three Aunt Pauline realised it was impossible to separate the sisters while they remained under the same roof. But it was imperative to do so all the same, if Suellen was to improve. Scarlett tended to bring out the worst in her sister. Yes Scarlett had to go.
She was shipped off on the fourth day to Aunt Eulalie. Eulalie lived hidden behind a high-walled garden in a great house on the Battery in Charleston. Since she lived in the city (and not near the city, in some far off plantation in the middle of nowhere.) There was more social life here than at Aunt Pauline's. Scarlett was ecstatic about leaving Aunt Pauline, the dull old plantation and catty Suellen. But it didn't last for long.
On the fifth day many callers were received by Aunt Eulalie but Scarlett did not like them, with their airs and their traditions and their emphasis on family. She knew very well they all thought she was a child of a mésalliance. Scarlett felt her blood boil every time they came. She felt as if Aunt Eulalie was apologising for her.
Her sixth day in Charleston was a little better. Early in the morning she got a letter from Charles Hamilton. Apart from his usual odes to his love for her, Charles mentioned how Hamptons Legion was going to be mustered in a week or so. Then they will set out for Virginia. Scarlett didn't care much about Charles but the past week was so hellish that a letter from Charles had seemed a pleasant diversion indeed.
In the afternoon Aunt Eulalie informed Scarlett that they would go calling. Scarlett was reluctant but she changed her mind when she heard that they were calling on a 'Mrs Rhett Butler.'
A/N: 2790 words
It was a difficult chapter to write but I enjoyed writing it. If I haven't replied to the reviews I'm sorry, it's been so long I'm a bit muddled. But reviews are appreciated I read them. I miss them, especially when I see people favouring or following the story without a review.
Oh and I believe a review said my title confuses them, as it is similar to 'A second Chance'. While I think I published this before, I'm ready to change the name: please forward appropriate suggestion.
Happy reading and loads of love
xxx