Authors Note: Sorry for the delay guys. I got busy and didn't have much time to write and I didn't want this chapter to seem hurried.
Chapter 10 – The Christmas Waltz
December 20, 1874
As Scarlett hooked her necklace she smiled at her image in the mirror. For the first time in recent memory she felt alive and excited. Happiness spread through her as she thought of dancing with Rhett and being free from worry for the evening. The vase of flowers on the stand in front of her window caught her eye. Rhett had brought them to her that morning and he had even given Ella a small bouquet of her own. Curiosity overwhelmed her as she recalled how he had whispered something in her daughter's ear that had her beaming all day. She was dying to know what he had said but she hadn't allowed herself to ask. These past few days had been smooth and comfortable and Scarlett felt herself relaxed and content. Her husband seemed to be making an effort at being more considerate to her feelings and she greatly appreciated it. He was also being more attentive to Wade and Ella, she was glad that he was giving them his time and affection but she couldn't help but wonder if she had made things worse by asking him home for the holiday. The children would take up their old attachment to him and then he'd leave once more and they would be hurt again…she would be hurt again. The old familiar sadness welled up and she hurried to quell the feeling. She wanted to be happy tonight. She was tired of the depression that had been her constant companion. She could worry about Rhett's inevitable departure tomorrow. Tonight she was going to dance and feel pretty and enjoy whatever time she had with her husband…for the New Year would soon be upon her and her time would be up. She took a final glance in the mirror and then left her room.
Rhett was at the bottom of the stairs looking at his pocket watch for the tenth time. He was about to call her name when he glanced up at the stairs just in time to see her begin her descent. His breath caught in his throat and his thoughts came to a halt.
"Beautiful," he uttered softly as his eyes roamed over her. The gown he had bought for her was a dark green velvet polonaise that opened over a white satin underskirt with fitted sleeves. The sides of her hair were swept back elegantly and held with silver combs that allowed long black curls to tumble down her back. The diamond teardrop earrings and necklace that he had given her on their first anniversary sparkled in the light. She smiled shyly under his scrutiny as she stepped off the bottom step.
"Do I look alright?" she asked.
My dear you couldn't look any lovelier," he answered as he took her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
She smiled, "You look pretty handsome yourself, Rhett Butler," she told him as she admired his appearance in his black suit and white dress shirt.
"I always do," he answered a mischievous glint in his eyes.
She smacked his arm playfully as he held out her wraps, "I must have married the most conceited man in the world."
"But you've enjoyed it," he answered as they moved to the door.
"I wouldn't say I've enjoyed it much," she replied.
He offered her his arm and led her out to their awaiting carriage. The air was cold and small snowflakes floated in the air. As they settled into the carriage she turned to the window and gazed out at the night sky.
"Do you think it will really snow this year Rhett?" she asked.
People in town had been talking about snow ever since the temperature dropped and snow flurries had made their appearance a few days before. The children had never seen snow and were anxiously waiting to see if it would really happen. Their excitement had rubbed off on her and she found herself hoping right along with them.
"If it stays as cold as it has been then I'd say it's a possibility that those flurries could turn into something more."
"It would be special to have snow for Christmas," she replied.
"I agree but I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you."
"But you just said it could happen!" she exclaimed.
Rhett laughed, "Yes it could happen but we both know that Atlanta rarely gets snow."
"Well it's about time it did," she answered as she returned to gaze to the window.
"I hate to tell you this, Scarlett, but you have no say in the matter."
"That doesn't mean I can't hope," she told him.
"You can hope all you like and I certainly hope you are granted your wish for I'd hate to spend Christmas with three disappointed people."
"I'm sure the gifts will ease any disappointment for Wade and Ella."
"And you? Will gifts ease your disappointment?"
"It depends," she replied a sparkle in her eyes.
"Depends on what?"
"On what you're giving me," she told him.
"Who said I was going to get you anything?" he asked trying to remain serious.
"You know you are."
"I don't know any such thing and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."
"You're just being mean," she pouted reminding him of the young belle he had met years before.
He put his hand to his chest and gasped in mock offense, "I've never been mean a day in my life."
Scarlett laughed, "And I'm Queen Victoria."
Rhett inclined his head to her, "I'm afraid, your majesty, that you have me confused with one of your other husbands."
"No; I'm pretty sure I'm thinking of the right one. Number three is the cad."
"Ah yes I am lucky number three. You know Scarlett they say the third time is the charm," he told her with a wink.
"Whoever said that was a liar," she answered a giggle escaping her lips.
"Does that mean you're interviewing prospective candidates to be number four?" he asked playfully.
"God no!" she cried. "The last thing I need is another husband."
Rhett chuckled, "That's probably true; you do seem to have trouble with husbands my dear."
"Especially this last one," she replied as the carriage pulled up in front of the hotel.
"Yes but my devilish good looks and considerable bank account have more than made up for it."
She smiled as he helped her down from the carriage, "I wouldn't say it has made up for it but it does help."
He roared with laughter causing other couples on the sidewalk to turn and stare at them.
"You've never been one to shy away from the truth have you, Scarlett."
She tilted her head up to look at him as they entered the building ,"It's your fault Rhett, you always said you wouldn't put up with me lying."
"You always have to use my words against me don't you pet," he told her as he lead her towards the ballroom.
"Any chance I get," she told him smugly.
He grinned at her and squeezed her hand that lay in the crook of his arm.
"How pretty," Scarlett exclaimed as they stepped into the room.
The National Hotel had turned their ballroom into a beautiful Christmas paradise. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees sat in various areas of the room, their bright colorful ornaments shining in the light of hundreds of candles. Fresh garlands and wreaths had been hung giving the air a festive scent. The tables were draped in red cloths with centerpieces of white winter roses adorning them. The orchestra was warming up and Scarlett began to feel excited for the first time in years. Rhett escorted her to their table and she couldn't stop gazing at the sights and sounds around her. Rhett's quiet laugh snapped her attention back to him.
"What are you laughing at now?" she asked.
"You, you look like a little girl who's just been turned loose in the candy shop."
"Oh hush, Rhett," she replied as she watched the couples filling the room.
Rhett leaned in close to her, "Look, your good friend Maybelle Picard has arrived."
"Great," she said sarcastically. "I can already see where this night will be going."
"Don't worry my pet I'll protect you, although I doubt you need it. You can hold your own against anyone in this room and if it gets to bad you can always demonstrate where Wade gets his fighting skills from."
"That's not funny, Rhett."
"Then why are you smiling?"
"Because I have this terrible habit of smiling at cads."
"You wound me my dear."
She smirked and decided to throw some more of his words at him, "Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?"
Surprise flicked across his face, "I would let you but I don't want to ruin your reputation," he said slyly.
"You're right you've already done enough damage in that area."
"Don't worry about the other people in this room, Scarlett. I brought you here to enjoy yourself."
"I know," she replied her eyes following Maybelle across the room.
"Isn't that the most hideous dress you've ever seen?" she asked with a discreet nod in her adversary's direction.
Rhett dropped the cigar he had been taking from his pocket. "That's the spirit my dear, get them before they get you."
"You told me to enjoy myself."
"So I did," he answered laughing; "And yes that gown is atrocious but she doesn't have the luxury of a husband with good taste to pick her clothes for her."
"I do love my gown, Rhett, thank you."
"No need to thank me, seeing you in it is thanks enough."
The music began to play and it only took one subtle pleading look from Scarlett to have him sweeping her onto the dance floor. The eyes of Atlanta were upon them but Rhett kept Scarlett's attention diverted from it. He lost count of the number of dances that had gone by when he finally persuaded her to return to the table for a break. Rhett signaled the waiter who sat two glasses of champagne before them. Scarlett stared at the glass as though it would bite her if she reached for it.
"Something wrong?" he asked as he took a sip from his own glass.
"You know I quit, Rhett."
"It's one glass, Scarlett, not the whole bottle."
"I know but I won't want to stop at one."
"Are you ever going to tell me what made you stop?"
Her face flushed with shame, "I don't want to talk about this now, Rhett! I'm having a good time please don't ruin it."
"Fair enough," he conceded.
He watched as a dark mood passed over her face as she stared at the glass. Before he could comment she seemed to have shaken it away and her smile was back in place and she was asking for another dance. He consented and followed her back to the dance floor. The conversation could wait he decided. Upsetting her evening wasn't something he wanted. There seemed to be an aura of peace around her as he whirled her around the dance floor. Rhett was happy to see her face void of tension for the first time since he had been home. She kept her eyes focused on him or on some invisible point behind him as if she were taking every effort to keep unhappiness at bay. He saw something that made him chuckle and he lowered his head to whisper in her ear.
"Mrs. Merriwether has her nose so high in the air that I'm surprised she's able to dance. If she's not careful she'll trip and throw herself into one of those Christmas trees you like so well."
Scarlett laughed merrily, "I know it's terrible to say but I wouldn't mind seeing that happen."
"I'm sure you're not the only who feels that way my pet, and I admit I would also find it very humorous myself," he replied. "I can just see her now sprawled out in the center of a Christmas tree that plaid gown over her head."
Scarlett laughed loudly drawing attention to them once again.
"Honestly, Scarlett, I just can't take you anywhere without you making a spectacle of yourself," he told her with a laugh.
"It's your fault Rhett; you're the one who keeps whispering things in my ear."
"I only do it to entertain you my dear, and admit it you are very entertained by the things I tell you."
"I never said I wasn't," she answered.
"Then you have no reason to complain," he told her mischievously.
Scarlett allowed herself to scan the room quickly. "Mrs. Meade is looking at us like we have lost our minds," she told him.
"I don't doubt that she thinks that, in fact she's probably convinced herself of it. If she'd only ask my opinion on the subject I'd tell her that we are the only sane ones here and that it's herself and her group who are somewhat unbalanced."
Scarlett lowered her head to his chest briefly to smother her giggles. "You're bad Rhett."
"I try to be whenever the occasion calls for it."
She flashed him a grin and returned her attention to the music. When the last waltz had been played they lingered in the ballroom until the crowd had thinned. As he plucked a few roses from the centerpiece he noticed Scarlett's champagne glass on the table. It was left untouched. She hadn't even indulged in a single sip. He found himself proud of her will power but said nothing figuring it better to act as if he hadn't noticed. As they exited the hotel Scarlett was surprised to find that the flurries of early evening had turned into a light steady snowfall.
"There's your snow, Scarlett," Rhett told her as he helped her into the carriage.
Scarlett was in awe of the light dusting of snow on the streets and trees. When they arrived home she stood on the porch enthralled as her eyes lingered on the beautiful scene before her. It seemed as if the world had gone still. The glittering white snow mixed with moonlight that had broken through the clouds and gave Atlanta a luminous glow.
"Isn't it lovely, Rhett?" she asked keeping her voice low as if she were afraid to break the silence of the dreamlike world around them.
He had been to busy studying the beauty of his wife to be captivated by the winter weather that she was engrossed in.
"Yes," he replied softly never taking his eyes off her.
Glancing in his direction she realized that his eyes had been and still were trained on her. She blushed slightly as a small smile played on her lips.
"I had a nice time tonight, Rhett," she whispered.
"So did I," he answered quietly.
"We should…" she began to say but trailed off as she realized it would do no good to finish the sentence. Time was running out for their marriage rather she liked it or not.
Rhett knew what she had been about to say and a feeling of guilt and remorse filled him. The sadness had returned to her eyes and it was like a knife through his gut.
"I should check on the children," she said quickly trying to change the subject. "Maybe I should wake them for a moment to see the snow."
She knew she was babbling but couldn't seem to help it as she turned and moved toward the door. As her hand fell on the door knob Rhett's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Not so fast, Mrs. Butler."
She turned to face him, "What is it Rhett?"
"You're standing under the mistletoe, my dear," he informed her.
She looked up at the doorframe and saw a sprig of mistletoe hanging down.
"How did that get there?" she asked confusion evident on her face.
"I can't imagine," he answered slyly.
"Aren't you the sly one," she replied as he closed the distance between them. He stood before her placing his hands on her small waist and looked down into her upturned face.
"Was there anything in that deal of yours that prohibited us from kissing under the mistletoe?"
"No," she told him the word sounding more like a breath than an answer.
"Good," he told her as he lowered his head and captured her lips with his own.
It was the kiss that Scarlett had been craving, long, passionate and tender all at once. When he pulled away from her she moved to bring her mouth back into contact with his but his words about the deal echoed in her ears and the terms she had set filtered into her mind in time to stop her as she raised slightly on her toes.
Rhett regretted mentioning that damn deal as she pulled back and he was able to see her dilemma flash clearly across her face. It was a problem he could solve for her and he did so by kissing her again. By the time their second kiss ended her arms were around his neck and she was breathless.
"Maybe we should go inside," she whispered her heart beating loudly in her ears.
"Why?" he asked, "The mistletoe is out here."
"I know but someone might see us."
He chuckled softly, "Yes that would be scandalous if Scarlett O'Hara Butler were to be seen kissing her husband on the front porch late at night."
"Don't make fun of me, Rhett."
"I'm not darling; I'm simply enjoying your company."
"You are not; you're making fun of me."
He saw an argument brewing and quickly claimed her lips again wiping away her thoughts. Maybe they should go inside he thought to himself as he kissed her, for there was much more he could do to her inside than out here. Thoughts of helping her out of her velvet gown entered his mind and he suddenly came back to his senses. He pulled away from her abruptly halting the stirrings of desire he felt. He couldn't do this right now, not when he was still unsure of what the future held for them.
"You should go and check on the children, Scarlett," he told her as he swung the door open for her.
"Rhett," she uttered, puzzled at the way his demeanor had suddenly changed.
"Goodnight, Scarlett," he told her as he stepped inside the house and moved in the direction of the library.
"Goodnight," she whispered feeling the cold air slap across her heated cheeks.
She gave a last glance at the snow falling and the mistletoe over head before she moved inside and closed the door. She moved slowly up the stairs and looked in on her children. She was envious of the peaceful looks on their slumbering faces. She had a small taste of peace tonight and it had crashed down around her. Entering her room she moved to the chair by the window and sat down.
The weight on her shoulders returned and tension crept up her neck like an old friend and she found herself regretting that she hadn't had that glass of champagne after all. She pulled back the curtain and sighed deeply, the sight of snow falling at night would always serve as reminder now of the night Rhett had kissed her during their last Christmas together. An ache settled in her chest as she sat in the loneliness of her bedroom. It was an ache she was sure she'd feel every Christmas she spent without Rhett. She allowed a tear to slip down her cheek; her night of happiness was over.