The Journey to Charleston had been awkward to say the least. To make people less curious about a couple traveling together but who were not together with an infant who was clearly their daughter, Rhett had booked two adjoining suites. It appeared as if one was for Rhett and Scarlett and the other for their daughter which suited Scarlett just fine. She didn't want to deal with gossip yet. She knew she had to preserve her strength for Charleston 'evil' guard.
Every evening Rhett, Scarlett and Cat went to the dining room and had a painfully polite supper. To the rest of the diners they appeared to be a couple very much in love and with a lovely baby too. But as soon as they were behind closed doors, Scarlett would help Rhett tuck Cat into bed and then quietly whisper a goodnight to them both before retiring to her own room. She was lost in her own pain and memories. Scarlett knew when they were in Charleston she would have to watch Rhett play happy husband to Anne, and this was her coping mechanism. Scarlett had started to build walls between them knowing they would be the only things that would protect her.
'Damn you Rhett Butler! I will survive this. No one, not even you will ever destroy me'
Rhett saw what Scarlett was doing and he was powerless to stop her. She was retreating into herself and becoming much like she had been when h had first arrived in Ireland. Rhett felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow. He knew he was losing her a little more each day but he could do nothing to change the circumstances. Once he got to Charleston all he would have to comfort him would be Cat and his memories. He would have to go back to his life that was choking the life out of him with only the occasional visit from his precious daughter and whisky to chase the gloom away. For Rhett knew if he was feeling sad and overwhelmed before, he would be beyond miserable now. And for once Rhett Butler had no ace up his sleeve. He would have to suffer in silence. Suffer because his damned new found sense of honour told him he must.
'Damn you Scarlett! I was right. You are a poison in my blood. A poison I cannot live with, but cannot live without'
This is just a very brief interlude. So you basically know what mindset our fave couple is in when they reach Charleston. The story will continue from next chapter on. But only if I get enough reviews. So Please let me know what you're thinking!