Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Margaret Mitchell and MGM Studios.
Chapter 14
Rhett's point of view
We spent two weeks at Tara, and then we returned to Atlanta. However, we only stayed for a couple of days before setting out again. This time for Charleston. Before leaving I had a meeting with the constructor who built our house, and we finalized the last details. I expected our house to be ready by the time we returned. The house that I envisioned for us was quite simple, in fact. It had two stories: on the first floor were the parlor, the dining room, the kitchen and a study for both of us. Of course, I didn't forget about the porch as well as a back yard. And the second floor contained the bedroom, guest rooms and a library that I planned on filling with a wide range of books. I took special care of designing our bedroom. After all, that will be probably the room we spend most of our time in. I wanted quite a big walk-in closet that could hold both of our clothes. Well, the truth is, Scarlett has more things than I have. The most important feature of the room will be the bed. That's the only furniture that I ordered to be custom made, and I hoped she would appreciate my efforts. It was truly king sized. I will let Scarlett decorate and choose the furniture for the other rooms according her own taste. I wanted her to feel at home in our future house.
I was waiting in the front room for my lovely wife to finally emerge. She sure took her time to get ready this morning! And she didn't even let me help her, instead she asked for the maid. Admittedly, her behavior made me curious.
When she stepped into the room everything clicked. She was truly a vision! She was wearing a very flattering light emerald colored day dress that had intricate flower pattern all over and accentuated her tiny waist. Her hair was made up in a single chignon that left her delicate neck bare.
"So what do you think?" She asked and twirled around which made her skirt flare.
I smiled at her, and then put my cigar out and slowly walked up to her. Without warning I captured her pretty red lips with mine in a passionate kiss.
"I think, my pet," I replied breathlessly "that you are the most beautiful woman on the planet."
"Good." She said equally breathlessly.
I wound my arms around her waist and pulled slightly back to look at her. "What brought this on?" I asked as I let my eyes roam over her body again. I could barely keep my eyes off of her on the best of days, but today she was absolutely captivating. Especially in that color as it emphasized the emerald of her eyes.
She flashed me a little dimpled smile. "Well, you said it yourself; in Charleston everybody will be overly curious about the new Mrs. Butler. And I wouldn't want to disappoint."
I laughed heartily at her smart reply. "So you dressed to impress."
"You could say that." She said in good humor.
"I hope you know that it is completely unnecessary." I couldn't help telling her this. "I couldn't care less about the gossip, you know that."
"I know." She said and placed a sweet kiss on my lips. "But it's fun." She pulled away grinning.
We had been on the train for about half an hour when I felt Scarlett's head on my shoulder. I looked over at her with a smile on my face. She dozed off again. Every time we went somewhere by train she always fell asleep. It must be the rocking motion. But it didn't bother me in the least as it gave me the perfect opportunity to look at her without her knowing it. As I took in the peaceful expression on her lovely face my mind wondered back to our time at Tara. We had our first married quarrel. It wasn't that serious; it was rather a simple case of our quick and hot temper. However, fortunately, we could make up relatively quickly. The love we felt for each other helping the process along. But God! When I saw her spurring that damn horse on like there was no tomorrow I thought I would lose my mind with worry. But, of course, she was right again and nothing happened. Well, nothing bad. As I had spent a lovely afternoon in the company of my passionate wife!
When we neared the city I gently brushed my fingers across Scarlett's soft cheeks in order to wake her. Without opening her eyes she leaned into my touch. I chuckled at her antics.
"Time to wake up, my pet." I whispered into her ear and I placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Hmm…" She just hummed, and made no move to wake.
I tried a different tactic. "I thought you wanted to impress the whole town, but you can't do that if I have to carry you to the carriage."
She opened one eye and attempted to glare at me. "That would impress them, too."
"Yes." I agreed with a smile. "But not the way you truly want."
With a deep sigh she sat up and started to fix her hair and smoothed her skirt. She covered her mouth with her hand when she yawned and then stretched out like a cat. I watched her in amusement: I was well accustomed her ritual of waking up fully. By the time the train stopped she was wide awake and more beautiful than ever. I kissed her quickly and stood up.
"What was that for?" She asked with a smile.
"Because I can." I teased, and then pretended to be hurt when she swatted my chest.
Predictably my mother was waiting for us at the station and I could see how excited she was even from a distance. I intertwined my fingers with Scarlett's and guided her towards my mother. When we were close enough she grabbed my wife's hand and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, my dear! You are absolutely beautiful!" She cried. Scarlett looked at me over her shoulder and we exchanged amused looks.
"And what about me, mother?" I asked in a teasing tone. "Don't I get a warm welcome? I'm your son, your own fleshed and blood."
Scarlett giggled at my theatrics while my mother simply huffed. "You never change, do you?" She said, but hugged me all the same.
"I was hoping that you would improve his manners." She said to Scarlett.
"Impossible!" Scarlett said with resignation and both of them started to laugh. Even though they were joking at my expense I couldn't help but join in their mirth. It warmed my heart to see how my family truly cared about the most important person in my life. My wife.
As I helped the ladies into the waiting carriage, it didn't escape my notice how curiously people were watching us. They weren't even trying to hide their blatant staring. I just knew that the rumors would spread like wild fire throughout the town: the young Mrs. Butler has arrived.
Scarlett and my mother chattered happily all the way to the house. I joined in occasionally, but I enjoyed more just looking at the two of them together getting on so well. After our arrival they disappeared upstairs to arrange the luggage and our accommodation. I stayed behind in the parlor and lit a cigar. After just a couple of minutes the bell signaled the arrival of a guest. I chuckled lightly as I had a good guess who it could be.
"Rhett!" My sister burst into the parlor enthusiastically. "Where did you leave your wife?"
"Well, good morning to you, too." I said, and then mock frowned at her. "It seems that my own family prefers my wife to me."
She was about to reply in kind, but the arrival of Scarlett and mother distracted her. After the necessary greetings were exchanged Scarlett sat down next to me and intertwined our fingers, but she continued her conversation with Rosemary.
Our visit in my hometown turned out to be a busy one. As we had arrived in the middle of the season and this fact combined with the close attention my wife gained we were invited to every gathering and every picnic. I guess the old gossips in town were willing to overlook my ill reputation just to be able to take a closer look at the woman who was fool enough to marry the likes of me. It had been a long time since I had so much fun! They all seemed to think that my young wife was a naïve little fool whom I could corrupt and lead on. My, were they surprised! My Scarlett certainly was in her element, and managed to wrap the ladies around her fingers. Soon I noticed that said ladies changed their attitudes toward me as well. Whereas before and during the war the old matrons guarded their daughters like watchdogs and unmarried women looked at me with suspicion and a little fear, now they all thought what a charming gentleman I was. It was like during the war when I fooled the people in Atlanta with the exception that this time Scarlett participated in my little game.
There was a lady present who paid particular attention to me. I dimly remembered her from my blockading days: Eliza certainly was a pretty sight, but she lacked the spark and life I so admired in Scarlett. During the war she seemed to be under the impression that I was interested in courting her while I was merely trying to build some bridges in the society of Charleston. Once her attention was flattering – especially while Scarlett was still too cold – but now her attention was bothersome. However, on the other hand I wouldn't mind to see whether Scarlett was the jealous type or not.
During one of the many picnics we were invited to I was stuck in the company of Eliza. The people present broke into little groups and thanks to my mother's insistence to help her with some of the baskets I was left behind with her and Miss Eliza while my wife wandered off with Rosemary and her husband.
"Oh, Captain Butler!" Miss Eliza gushed. "It's such a fine day for our picnic. Don't you think?"
I murmured some reply, but my mind was focused elsewhere. My wandering gaze suddenly met Scarlett's and she lifted a curious and questioning eyebrow at me and my companion. I decided at that moment that I was fed up with all this polite and prim nonsense and if I want to be with my wife than I damn sure will be with her. So I excused myself and determinedly strode over to Scarlett. And I spent the rest of the morning in her pleasant company.
That night I was lounging on the settee in our room smoking a cigar while Scarlett sat in front of the vanity table going about her nighty routine. She was wearing a simple white nightgown that only reached to her knees. We were idly chatting about the picnic when our eyes met in the mirror.
"Dare I hope that you are jealous?" I asked with a grin.
She laughed carelessly. "Sorry to disappoint, but no. I'm not." She stood up and stepped closer to me. "Do you want to know why?" At my nod she lowered herself on my lap in a straddling position and continued. "Because all day I felt your eyes on me, even when you were in the company of the other ladies. I can always tell when you look at me, I feel your eyes on me. They burn me with passion and love." She kissed me passionately. "Besides," she breathed once we pulled apart "you made the decision to marry me and not them. So there is no point as you are struck with me."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." I replied huskily before crushing my lips to hers. I grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against my body. Her moan at the contact was my undoing and I practically devoured her mouth and neck. I secured her arms and legs around me, and then stood up to take my so willing wife to our bed…
While I enjoyed our time in Charleston: spending some quality time with my little sister and mother, but I also craved some alone time with Scarlett. We spent all day in the company of others and we were truly alone only in our bed at night. Not that I complained about that part! But I still missed those memories of our honeymoon when we were alone together, that sense of isolation like we are the only two people on the planet. When I could manage some free time just for the two of us it was usually Scarlett herself who sabotaged my plans. Not intentionally, of course. But she often chose my mother's company instead of mine and on some level I could empathize. She had confessed once that the relationship with her own mother was troubled so I could understand her wish to be in the company such a warm and loving person as my mother was. I knew that Scarlett missed her parents; after all, she was still so young. She was a very strong woman, but I was privileged to know her softer, more vulnerable side.
If she wasn't with my mother than she was out shopping or doing God knows what with my sister, like this afternoon. So I was left in the company of Rosemary's husband who was an old friend, but when one craves the company of his wife a friend just can't be enough. I was roused from my thoughts by the sounds in the foyer. Before I could enjoy the fact that they finally came home, my sister's worried voice alerted me that something was amiss.
"Are you sure you are alright, Scarlett?" I heard my sister ask. In a flash I was up and I rushed to the foyer to see them. Was it her health again?
Scarlett looked pale and shaken like she had seen a ghost. When her eyes met mine I saw nothing than sheer terror in those remarkable eyes. She shook her head, and then excused herself and left me wondering what the hell had happened. I didn't immediately rush after her as I needed to find out what caused her distress.
I turned to my sister and asked. "What the hell happened?"
"I have no idea. We were just strolling down the street and she suddenly paled and I felt her tense up. She mumbled something about feeling alright just wanting to get home so we came." Rosemary explained just as confused as I was. While she was talking we returned to the parlor.
"I don't understand." I mused aloud, and then suddenly an idea occurred to me. "Have you seen any soldiers nearby?"
My sister looked surprised at first, but then I saw realization dawn on her face. "Yes, they were walking towards us, I think."
I sighed in relief as now I at least had an inkling of what was the matter with my wife.
"Do you think they frightened her?" My sister asked.
"Probably." I answered deep in thought. "I know that she has some problems with them, but I have never seen her react so strongly."
"Well, it was a rather large group of soldiers." Rosemary added. "Maybe something had happened to her during the war while she was at home."
"I don't know. She never said anything, and to the best of my knowledge the Yankees had left Tara by the time Scarlett arrived." I answered with a frowned.
"Well, there is only one way to find out." Rosemary said while nodding her head toward the direction of the stairs where my wife fled.
With a heavy heart I started to climb the stairs not knowing what awaited me. I found Scarlett sitting on the bed staring absentmindedly in front of herself. She seemed a million miles away from the present. I tried to call her name, but she didn't react so I went to her and placed my hand on her shoulder. What happened next shook me to my very soul! Scarlett let out a small shriek in terror and rushed to the corner where she broke down in sobs. I watched this in open-mouthed shock! I felt at a loss to what to do: she didn't respond to my calling and touching her proved disastrous. I sat down in the seat that she vacated mere seconds ago. I ran my hands through my hair trying to come up with a solution when I heard a gentle knock on my door.
"Rhett? Scarlett?" It was my mother.
I let her in and told her what had happened. I noticed that Scarlett's sobs quieted when she heard my mother's voice. She walked up to my wife and crouched down to be with eye level with her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. To my surprise Scarlett threw her arms around my mother and continued to cry in her embrace. My mother shot me a look that said I should leave them alone, and although begrudgingly I did as she wished. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to come up with some sort of explanation to Scarlett's strange behavior. I knew without a doubt that it was to do with the Yankees and I was sure that they did something to her. But what that something was eluded me. Worse and worse scenarios played out in my head which only made me more frustrated and angry.
I shot up from my seat when my mother entered the parlor. Rosemary and John left earlier, but my sister made me promise to send a message if I knew anything.
"How is she? Can I go to her?" I asked my mother worriedly.
She sighed deeply. "She exhausted herself with all the crying and she fell asleep."
I sat down with a slump as I felt drained as well. "Did she say anything to you?"
"No, she just cried." My mother replied quietly.
The next couple of days were tense and frustrating. My stubborn wife refused to say anything about the incident and tried to pretend that it never happened. And that, of course, led to a big fight to erupt between us. It had been the third day that we haven't spoken to each other and I hated every minute of it, but I wasn't giving up. I had a right to know.
I was sitting in the library, by the desk, nursing a glass of brandy late at night when I heard a hesitant knock on the door. I knew that only one person was awake beside me as neither Scarlett nor I slept too much these days.
"Come in, Scarlett!" I called out with a sigh.
She walked in quietly. She was wearing a red wrapper that I bought her in New Orleans as it brought back nice memories. I couldn't help, but smile again at that image of her on Miss Pittypat's porch.
She walked towards me and stopped right in front of me. She reached for my glass and drained its content in one go. I wasn't surprised at her action as she had told me about her drinking after her father's death. What did surprise me was the fact that she climbed in my lap like she usually did during our honeymoon.
"Is this alright?" She asked quietly when she got comfortable.
"Sure, my pet." I said with a tight-lipped smile.
She sighed and laid her head on my chest. "I hate fighting with you, Rhett." She murmured.
"I hate fighting, too." I said while caressing her silky hair. "But in this case I can't budge. I need to know the truth, Scarlett."
"I know, it's just…" She trailed off with a sigh. "It's hard for me talk about."
I wound my arms around her small frame in a gesture of reassurance. "You know you can tell me anything."
She tightened her arms around me and she finally started to talk. "One day, during the war a Yankee deserter surprised me. Only Melly was in the house with me, but she was still very weak." She paused a little while closing her eyes as the memory flashed through her mind. And I started to get anxious as I had a sneaking suspicion of where this was going. But Scarlett bravely went on. "I knew that he was up for no good and I started looking for a gun, but… but I was too late… I found myself face to face with him and I had no way of protecting myself…" At this point her crying made her unable to continue her tale. I tried to comfort her as best I could while my heart thumped loudly in my chest in fear. If that man laid one finger on her…
It took a couple of minutes for Scarlett to calm down enough to finish her tale. "… and then he hit me and he wanted to… ra-rape me…" While listening to her I was seething with anger both at that bastard and myself. I should never have left her alone! I knew that he didn't succeed in his plan as I knew that I was the first man to ever touch Scarlett, but I sensed that the rest of the story was what bothered her the most.
"I managed to grab the pistol… and I fired it without thinking." She took a deep breathe. "And I killed him. I killed a man, Rhett."
"Oh, sweetheart." I buried my head into her neck. "I can't tell you how glad I'm that you killed that bastard. That was the right thing to do." She sighed in relief at my words. It seemed that she really needed to hear these words from me. Now, of course, her reaction to the soldiers made perfect sense. It must have been a great shock to her! She almost got raped and then she killed a man although it was in self-defense.
Scarlett buried her face into my chest and cried, but this time in relief. This painful memory was locked up in her mind and heart for too long. She really needed to let it all out, and I was more than happy to be there for her. When she finally calmed down we remained silent, and just enjoyed our tight embrace.
"Did you truly mean it?" Scarlett asked quietly. "That it was the right thing to do. I mean it was murder."
I lifted her face to look at me and cupped her tear-stained cheeks in my hands. "Look at me, sweetheart. I can't tell you how proud of you I am. You were so strong and brave. And it didn't count as a murder as it was in self-defense. I didn't even dare think what would have happened if you didn't have that gun." I closed my eyes as I shuddered at the mere thought of that. "I love you."
I didn't give her a chance to reply as I crushed my lips to her. This kiss wasn't about passion or lust, but rather about reassurance and my deepest love. I loved this strong and yet still vulnerable woman with every fiber of my body.
"I love you, too." She said breathlessly when we pulled apart. "And I'm so sorry for not telling you earlier. I just thought…"
"Shh." I interrupted her apology. "You don't have to apologize. I understand how hard it must have been for you to tell me this." I paused and after brief consideration I added. "Scarlett, you shouldn't keep things like this to yourself. It will just eat at you. I'm always here for you to tell me truly anything, be that good or bad. There is nothing that can make me love you any less. Believe me!" I was acutely aware of the fact that opening up was very hard for Scarlett as she considered these kinds of thing as weakness. I knew her better than anyone else, but still she didn't completely let down her guards even with me.
"I believe you, and I promise to try to be more open with you." She replied and I saw the sincerity in her emerald eyes. She leaned closer and gave me a sweet kiss.
Quite unexpectedly, I gathered her up in my arms and she squeaked in surprise. "It is entirely too late, my pet. It's time for bed."
I carried her up the stairs to our bedroom and I held her the whole night that we finally slept through peacefully.
In the next days we gradually reconnected both emotionally and physically. Fortunately, our teasing and loving relationship was back to normal. This whole experience made it all the more deep and strong. One day we were invited to a ball that I didn't really want to attend.
"Do you really want to attend this?" I asked Scarlett with the invitation in my hand.
"Well, Rosemary said that it was an honor to be invited." She answered matter-of-factly.
"That's not what I asked." I reminded her.
She sighed. "As a matter of fact, I would like to go. It was so long ago that we last danced."
Her reply made me smile. "So you only want to go to dance with me?"
"Of course." She smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Then consider your dance card full." I warned her playfully, and my reward was the sound of her pealing laughter.
I was waiting in the parlor with my mother for Scarlett. She spent the whole afternoon with my sister looking for the perfect dress. Even though the whole town was awed by her beauty she never gave up on her initial plan of impressing them all. I left her at that because the end result was always a fine reward in itself. I liked that Rosemary and my wife got on so well, and I was even willing to overlook that fact that my sweet sister was telling Scarlett all about my embarrassing childhood adventures. Like the time when I was around nine years old, and I was immensely proud of myself for being able to fool my mother and mammy and I managed to eat a whole pie without them detecting me. What I didn't calculate in my brilliant plan was the fact that the same day my parents gave a dinner party and I had to sit through a four course menu. Saying I was sick that night is a major understatement. Scarlett was quite fond of this story!
My mother's quiet gasp interrupted my thoughts and I looked up to see what made her so surprised. I watched in open-mouthed wonder as Scarlett walked toward me. She was wearing a sapphire blue off-the-shoulder dress that had black lace trimming at the end of the skirt and the sleeves. Her long hair was made up in an intricate chignon and it was adorned by little ornaments that I recognized as belonging to my mother. She also wore a pair of diamond earring and necklace sett that I bought her in New Orleans. She looked absolutely beautiful! And the way she smiled at me and her eyes sparkled with excitement I truly wished that we were alone in the parlor.
"So what do you think?" She asked with a dimpled smile.
I chuckled at her obvious attempt at fishing for compliments. "I think, my dear, that you look beyond beautiful this evening."
My mother hurried out to the carriage and I offered my hand for Scarlett. Admittedly, I was still a little under her intoxicating influence.
"I'm glad you like my dress." She whispered into my ear in a seductive voice. "I know you aren't very fond of the idea of this ball so I wanted to make it worth your while to attend."
Sweet Jesus! If she continued in that manner, there won't be any ball to attend as I would whisk her away into our bedroom to have my wicked way with this captivating siren.
"Just don't forget that all your dances belong to me." I whispered back in a slightly possessive tone.
Thankfully my mother went home earlier so I was left alone in the carriage with Scarlett. The ball turned out to be quite enjoyable although I had spent every minute of it my wife's company. Our behavior was rude, but I didn't give a damn. I missed these moments. When we set out Scarlett let out a very unladylike yawn not even trying to cover it with her hand.
"I hope you are not too tired, my pet." I said as I leaned closer to her. Before she could say anything I started kissing her neck. "Because I still have plans for you." When my eyes met hers they were darkened in desire. I noticed her shiver at my tone and I felt a surge of satisfaction. I absolutely loved how passionately and enthusiastically she responded to me. I always knew that the martial relations between me and Scarlett would be fun, but I never in a million years dared hope that it would be like this. Scarlett not only reciprocated my ardent passions, but she was able to take me by surprise on occasion with her creativity. I never had to restrain myself with her, I could always let lose my pent up desires.
When we arrived to my mother's house without further ado I lifted Scarlett up into my arms and carried her to our bedroom. All the way she was teasing me by nibbling at every part of my neck that she could reach. However, once in the room she relinquished all the control to me and I lavished her with all the love and lust I felt for her…
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