New chapter guys sorry I didn't post this earlier I am not sure this came out how I planned. I may revise this chapter. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 12
The blue Empire Flame mahogany sofa Scarlett found herself sitting in was rather worn from years of use. Scarlett found herself enjoying the way it molded to her back. It reminded her of the sofa in her mother's room. She found herself involuntarily closing her eyes and relaxing.
The room was not very big, with light blue colored wallpaper and high vaulted ceilings. Two large sofas sat kitty-corner to each other. In between was a pine coffee table with a cream colored doily and little porcelain cat knick-knacks on either side. In the very middle of the table was an intricate bronze vase filled with sweet yellow roses, its smell permeating the room. The walls held several paintings, mostly of the ocean. Above the fireplace was a rounded mirror with small-carved scrollwork laden around the sides. Millie, the Kane's maid, served them fresh mint juleps, with a sprig of mint garnishing the glass.
"Isn't this drink divine? I dare say that Millie makes it better than any other person I've met." Mrs. Kane began, hoping to start a conversation as she took a sip.
"It is rather nice." Scarlett politely replied, lifting the glass back up to her lips.
"So, Scarlett. What very peculiar name. Though I think it suits you. You are new to these parts, what bring you to Savannah?"
Scarlett knew at some point that she would have to reveal her past. The real question lay in how much was she was willing to tell and how honest she had to be. Benjamin's mother seemed harmless, though a little forward. She could answer the questions; just not make every detail known.
"I'm originally from Clayton County but for the past several years I have made Atlanta my home. I have not been to visit in while and seemed as though I should reacquaint with my family here in Savannah.
"I see, and who might your relatives be?" Mrs. Kane asked, lightly brushing back a lock of hair from her sweaty forehead.
"Well my sister is a nun in the convict, but my grandfather lives here. You probably know Pierre Robillard." Mrs. Kane choked on her drink, coughing as she tried to clear her throat.
"Pierre Robillard is your grandfather?" she replied leaning forward in her chair.
Scarlett looked toward Benjamin to see if it was ok to proceed. He had one brow raised and he shrugged his shoulders as if to say he had no idea where she was going with her outburst.
"Yes," she shyly replied, unsure if it was a trick question.
"I can definitely see where you get your looks from. You are the spitting image of your grandmother, god rest her soul. No wonder why my son is so enamored with you."
From behind her, she heard Benjamin clear his throat. Scarlett found this amusing. It was rather nice to know that she had some affect on him.
Mrs. Kane seemed to be a central line to all the gossip in town. It didn't bother her at all to share whatever she knew. I made her smile. It was a comforting feeling and maybe this woman would accept her for who she was and maybe she wouldn't have to put up false pretenses.
Scarlett blushed deeply at Mrs. Kane's remark. She would be lying to herself if she didn't like the idea that Benjamin fancied her. Although she was used to the attention from other men, Benjamin seemed sincere and as before she had marital obligations, she now found herself without a husband. The idea of another handsome man liking her was not unappealing.
"Did you know my grandmother?" Scarlett asked eagerly.
"Know her…" she scoffed, "your grandmother is practically a legend around these parts. Though I would like to be honest when I say that certain members of this family do hold a long lasting grudge." The room was silent and Scarlett moved forward in her chair as if hanging on the next word. "You see my dear, it so happens that my mother was once engaged to your grandfather. They had been promised for a year and were coming up fast on the wedding date when who do you suppose came to visit her cousins? Pierre claims it was love at first sight, but my mother believes other wise. She has never faltered from her vow of silence, but from what I hear from others was that there was something about your grandmother tricking Pierre into the marriage." The woman smiled and moved onto the chair beside her. In a whispered tone she leaned forward and said, "A word to the wise. If you ever meet my mother, which I'm sure you will, never disclose that you are indeed his granddaughter. If you knew my mother you would understand. I've heard that before she was rejected that she was a lot more sociable and pleasant." Scarlett looked at her with confusion.
"Are you saying that if she met me knowing who I was related to that she would immediately dislike me?" Mrs Kane sighed and nodded her head slowly.
"When your mother was born and your grandfather bought that grand house of his, my mother, Elizabeth, did everything she could to turn the town against her. I think her jealousy of his happiness was far greater than the idea of being civil. I'm ashamed to say that she did several things that I'm not proud to talk about."
If Scarlett's interest was only mildly peaked before, now it was full on raging. Her eyes widened in realization that some type of scandal had happened and that more than one person was reluctant to talk about it. Not only was it something life altering, it was something that had affected her directly.
"Mrs Kane, do go on. I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
Sighing, Mrs. Kane's gaze focused on the flower on the needlepoint in her lap, outlining one leaf only to pick out the stitches in frustration and start again. "Scarlett dear, it's not really my place to say. And please call me Beatrice. After all, if things go as well they have been, you could well one day be family." A large smile brimmed her slender lips as she patted Scarlett's folded hands softly as if giving her and Benjamin her blessing. Scarlett heard Benjamin sigh. It was as if he wasn't surprised at all by her banter. "Don't you think my son is quite the catch?" She asked forwardly as she beckoned for her son to come closer. He unfolded his arms and strolled leisurely before them. The chair creaked loudly as he reclined his body and arms the length of the settee. He shifted one of the cushions so that it was placed comfortably behind his head and closed his eyes. Scarlett watched in delight as Beatrice got up from beside her, walked from across the room and stopped in front of him. Mockingly, she asked her son if he was comfortable. He grinned a ruthless knowing grin and shifted again as if he knew this would only irritate her more.
"Benjamin!" She warned, her voice rising with each syllable of his name. He slowly opened one eye as if to mock her and then proceeded to move one leg at a time off in a leisurely pace. His low rumbled laugh did not help the situation. He seemed as though he enjoyed teasing her. As agitated as it made his mother she also sensed that this was a normal interaction between the two. Scarlett had never experienced a mother-son relationship that was so informal. It seemed as though they were equals and although he did respect his mother, it was obvious that he playfully went along with her suggestions to amuse her.
"If you could see your face right now you would laugh along with me." He playfully replied as she straightened the cushions back how they were suppose to be. "You remind me of Aunt Helen the day her dog ran off with her freshly baked peach pie." His laughter grew louder as he recalled the events. "She had taken two hours to make that pie perfect for Uncle Herald's birthday. It took her a good ten minutes of chasing him in the woods, and even ran through the prickly bushes to reclaim what he had taken. The only thing she really came back with was a fresh case of poison oak. The pie was not anyway near it's original glory."
Beatrice's scowl was wiped off her face as she listened to her son. "Don't forget the part where your uncle had to remove all the thorns from several embarrassing places. I think it took her several days to sit comfortably." They laughed wildly together and suddenly Scarlett felt like she was an outsider looking in. But she enjoyed being as if a fly on the wall. She liked that they were themselves, that they didn't act differently because they had company. They were real and genuine and she regarded them with admiration.
"I can still hear her howling as he gently plucked each one out. I don't think he's going to ever let her live that one down." Beatrice chuckled.
"I don't blame him, if you ever did anything that memorable I'd make sure that that story was passed on from generation to generation." His mother threw her a knowing look and leaned in closer.
"I'm sure I've got some interesting stories that I could possibly enlighten your lovely friend." His gaze turned towards Scarlett. "When Benjamin was a little boy there was this little girl who lived fairly close."
"Mother, is this story really necessary?" He interrupted as he placed his hand over his eyes and shook his head. He leaned back on the couch and slowly shook his head. "This truly is going to be a long eye opening day." He paused shifting his hands from his face and smirked at Scarlett. "Hopefully by the end of this you will still want to remain friends with me. I'm not as innocent as I portray," he teased winking at her.
"Why I do declare, Mr. Kane, if it's that scandalous I'm not so sure I can be seen with you, or for that matter, my poor ears should not be witness to such un lady like accounts. I did not bring my smelling salts and fainting here would be ill mannered to say the least." Scarlett couldn't help but lay on the southern charm. He had made it too easy for her. His mother was not privy to her background. She did not know that the man she had once married had a deep history in this very house or was her son's best friend. It would be all too easy to add his mother to her short list of allies. She needed those more now then ever.
"I am sure we could find some smelling salts if we needed them," he said in jest. "Though I don't think you are really the type to faint. You seem like a strong woman to me." Scarlett slowly sipped on her drink.
"Stop pestering her Benjamin, we don't want to chase her away. After all it's not like your beaus are lined up at the door." This banter made her laugh. "To continue with my story, after I was so rudely interrupted." Benjamin suppressed a smile but it did nothing to hide the amusement in his eyes. "Her name was Charlotte if I recall. She was a darling young thing, very pretty. She had the curliest blonde hair you could imagine. She used to follow Ben around like a puppy dog. If Ben went fishing, she went fishing. If he climbed a tree, she would try to beat him to the top. I remember him coming home one day in a fired hurry and rushing up to his room. I knocked on his door for several moments and found him laying face down on his bed. He was all red faced and had puffy little eyes. Oh Scarlett if you had seen him that day your heart would have broken. He was covered in mud and had a dark swollen black eye and scrapes all across his knees and forearms. His little lip quivered as he tried so hard to hide his true feelings. I blame his father really for saying that boys can't cry. I daresay he was just a young thing. If he was hurt he should be able to cry."
"Mother your rambling again." Benjamin pointed out.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I tend to do that, now lets see, where was I?" Beatrice picked up her needle, the green thread getting tangled. She focused her attention on it, pausing momentarily as if gathering her thoughts. "After he had calmed down some he told me he tripped on his shoes and fell face first onto the ground. Now Scarlett, knowing my son, do you think he could pull the wool over my eyes?" She slowly shook her head in agreement.
"Don't let my mother convince you that I had no courage. Believe me I had a lot for my age. It was more along the line that I didn't want to reveal who had actually hurt me."
"I think I can see where this is going." Scarlett replied with assurance.
"Can you?" Ben questioned, "At the time it completely caught me off guard. I was thirteen at the time. Don't give me that look Scarlett, despite what you think this time it wasn't my fault."
"Ben, how long have you known Scarlett?" Beatrice watched a quiet exchange happen between the two young people in the room. It was as if both were deciding on who should answer.
"A few months I'd say. Not too terribly long." He shrugged then moved slightly in his chair to readjust his position.
"Strange, if I had never met the likes of either of you I'd swear you'd have known each other for years."
The room grew silent. A kind of awkward hush took hold of the room. A soft breeze blew through an open window, rustling the curtains as it caressed the back of her neck.
With a timid voice, Scarlett broke the silence. Her voice growing in strength the more she spoke. "Did Charlotte give you that black eye?" Benjamin looked up from the glass he had suddenly found interesting.
"Yes," he began slowly as he recalled vividly in his mind just exactly what happened. "It was in the summer if I recall correctly. The sun was overhead beating down on us with a heavy hand, draining the energy out of us the longer we were under it. Rhett and I had secured a summer job hauling hay to my grandfather's farm. He was getting up there in age and figured he would take advantage of our strength, actually I think he really wanted to use it as a way to build our strength. At the time we were not as well filled out as we are now." Ben winked which made her giggle. "We had been working for several hours when Charlotte showed up. You can guess how excited I was to see her. It really was growing rather irritating. Rhett had thought that if we somehow got a job that she couldn't interfere. We were so wrong. The second she showed up Rhett started taunting her for wearing the same color as I was. She had done that for a while, you know, color coordinating with everything I wore. It almost made me want to pretend like I didn't know her. She was so overly nice that you just wanted to tell her to go away but you couldn't because that would have hurt her feelings. Up until that day I had been the very epitome of a gentleman to her. Some people assumed we were courting when she knew we were not. I'm sure she was the one fabricating all the stories about us. At the time I had an infatuation with girl named Mary. Mary was at the height of the social latter and for some reason I felt as if I had to make her mine. About and hour later Mary came strolling by in her parents buggy on the way to town. Of course I was shy at the time and did my best to make conversation as she rode by. At that same moment Charlotte took my hand and leaned in and kissed my very distracted face. I was so shocked. What was I to do? The girl who had been on my thoughts night and day just saw Charlotte stake her claim. I managed somehow to hold my tongue as I watched in awed silence as she rode off past our location. I was so embarrassed and upset that I immediately turned on her and told her how mad I was. Sadly for her I did not hold back very much and before long she lashed back at me with one swift fist." Scarlett's eyes grew wide in shock. "Blood poured from my nose as I heard a crack. This small "helpless" girl had broken my nose and I would from then on never live down the nick name I acquired that day."
"What did they call you?" Scarlett couldn't help but inquire as she looked up at him through long lashes. Benjamin's smile widened to fill his whole face.
"No," he slowly replied drawing out his words as if he knew he had he in the palm of his hand. "I don't think I will tell you." He watched in amusement as her lips clinched together in frustration.
"I promise I won't laugh." She pleaded trying a different approach.
"That is not the part I'm worried about. Once I tell you, you are bound to use it. As much as I would like to think it doesn't bother me, there is a small part of me that cringes when I hear it."
"You are a man of mysteries Mr. Kane." He smiled at formal use of his name. It was almost satisfying knowing he could get her so riled up and yet he couldn't deny the stir in his chest when she pouted her lip. She was a very beautiful woman; that much came without saying. Having her as a friend could be dangerous. He had already betrayed his best friend once and he felt miserable about it. He knew that if anything ever progressed between him and Scarlett all hope of rectifying the past would be lost. He had come too far to let a little feeling of attraction come in the way.
"I can not tell you everything because then I would have no way of keeping my audience in suspense. You would have no reason to keep me around. I would be the enigma you had solved and where would all the fun be then?"
"Benjamin you are such a tease. Just tell the poor girl." Beatrice scolded softly as she resumed her needlepoint.
"If you do not tell me I will just ask Rhett."
"You know Rhett?" Beatrice interrupted as they had now captured her full attention.
"Yes," she responded casually. "We have known each other for many years. I know he would get a lot of pleasure out of telling me all that I would like to know." She lifted her chin in confidence that she had the upper hand.
"I don't know that I believe that. He would most likely get angry that you would inquire so intently about one of his enemies. I haven't no doubt that by now you have given him the envelope I gave you. Knowing him I bet he has already warned you to keep a safe distance from me."
"Scarlett," Beatrice questioned trying to understand what was going on. "I'm confused. Is Rhett courting you?" Scarlett laughed at the thought. If she only knew the half of it she would probably laugh at the whole situation. The irony of Ben and her becoming friends was something she never expected.
"No," Scarlett smirked, "Quite the opposite actually. I think he sees me as more of a sister."
"You care for him don't you?" She inquired scrutinizing Scarlett from afar. "It's very evident. He was more than just a friend to you." Tears welled in her eyes and she turned her head as to not show it. It was too fresh, to personal a subject. She hadn't seen this coming.
"There, there," Beatrice consoled her, her hand rubbing Scarlett's back. "You won't be the first or the last woman whose heart has been broken by that man. He's so terribly handsome but he comes through like Sherman sometimes, not caring whose heart he's stomped on in the process. It pains me to say this because he is like a son to me, but I fear he will grow old and lonely. Actually I saw him several weeks ago in Savannah. He was with his son and daughter. Between you and I," she leaned in whispering, "I didn't even know he had gotten married or had children. But I had not seen or heard from him in years, well since he and Ben had a falling out. He has never seemed as the settling down type. He was with his children and he looked happy. Rumor has it that he divorced his wife. Poor thing. She will never be received. Divorce is unheard of! I have a close friend who still resides in Charleston and she told me that she couldn't ever recall him bringing her there to meet anyone. Don't you find it peculiar that he wouldn't take his bride home to meet his family? They say she was beautiful with dark flowing raven hair."
"Mother, you have been to your sewing circles again I can tell. Every time you do, you come home with more useless knowledge than you know what to do with." Scarlett looked relieved and silently sent him a thank you. "Come now Scarlett, I hadn't realized how late it had become and you were telling me you had plans this after noon at the theatre." Scarlett turned towards Beatrice and quietly thanked her for her hospitality.
"You are such a breath of fresh air, just what this stuffy town needs. You are always welcome here. Benjamin, take care of her. Make sure she comes back to visit."
Benjamin ushered her out the door and, silently, they walked towards the street, the crunching of rocks under their feet and the wind in the trees their only music.
"She is a bit much," he stated feeling sad that she was upset. "But she means well."
"She doesn't know my standing with Rhett, how could she. I don't hold that against her. She is very forward, but at the same time she is sincere."
They continued down the shady road, Scarlett gathering her skirts as they walked. Each person lost in thought, the silence comfortable. A large gust of wind blew several strands of Scarlett's hair from her twisted chignon and blew playfully around her face. Ben could no longer stand the silence. He stopped abruptly, taking hold of her upper arm gently as her turned her to him.
"I'm sorry. I never should have let her ask you such leading questions."
"Benjamin you don't have to do this," she interrupted brushing his hand away.
"I want to. I don't want to lose you as friend because my mother brought up a sore subject. There are lots of things I would love to say about Rhett to ruin his character because what I think he did to you was wrong. Unfortunately for you, you don't need any more ammunition. He has given you more than you need to hate him for the rest of your life."
"But I do not hate him, Benjamin. That is the problem. I wish I did, but I do not. I wish he would disappear off the face of the earth just so that I could move on and forget the way he hurt me. Is that too much to ask? I came here to make a new start without constant reminders of him. No sooner do I do that and he reappears in my life. Great balls of fire, and I let him take my children because I know they need him. What about what I need? What about me? I just want to feel normal again. I just don't want to feel ostracized when the town finds out who I really am. I don't want to be the lonely woman pushed aside because her husband left her. For years I paraded around town pretending to be someone I am not. I just want to be happy. I want to wake up one morning and not cry because things aren't what they used to be." She paused as she realized something. "I never understood what Rhett meant that day he left me." She looked at the ground, kicking a small rock. It bounced several feet then came to a halt. Benjamin continued to study her while quietly letting her vent. "He said he wanted peace. It never dawned on me that he felt as trapped as I do now. When looking back at ones mistakes, it is so much easier to find who or what is to blame. What do I do now? For so many years Rhett was my corner stone. When he left he knocked out my foundation." Ben stood in front of her, tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear.
"This may sound strange and it may not be what you are expecting to hear Scarlett, but you need to live each day and make that day happy. It's callus of me to tell you that the pain will go away and to forget all that you had. I will not tell you that. I am a firm believer that we make our lives as happy as we want them to be. Look at me Scarlett," he said lifting her chin. "Do you want happiness?" She nodded feeling foolish that she had just opened her heart up to someone she knew very little about.
"Of course I do." She answered honestly.
"Then go out there and make what you want happen. Get a hobby and divulge your thoughts and passion into something that is going to make you feel good in the end. You have been unhappy for far too long," he teased "the last thing you need is worry lines on that beautiful face of yours." She blushed knowing he was trying to cheer her up. It was working, and he was right. She needed to find her own happiness and focus on that. It was ok to hold onto the memories but not let them overpower her actions.
"Well then, we best get to work. I have a lot of things to do before the day is over."
"I knew you'd see it my way, most women do." He answered playfully. Scarlett rolled her eyes.
Thanks for reading guys let me know what you think!
