Chapter 21
Life continued at an easy pace after that day. Rhett and Scarlett carefully maintained a tightrope walk on their cordial behavior in front of the children. Rhett visited frequently, showering Ella and Wade with gifts. It seemed as if Wade's words had truly struck a chord, and now he was playing the role of the devoted doting father to perfection once again. No one outside of Rhett and Scarlett understood that they weren't happily married.
Scarlett, with Rhett's grateful consent began redecorating the house. The red was too garish, and so with Rhett's input, it all was replaced. The windows were carefully draped so as to let in plenty of light, and carpet. The planning consumed her, and she often neglected the store.
In early February Brent arrived in Atlanta. He was sparkling and full of life and vigor. The air, the land, and the love of his family breathed fresh life into his life. Scarlett was busy poring over ledgers when he arrived on a rainy dismal day. He shook the water from his hair that had become soaked despite the protection that his hat offered.
Scarlett rose from her desk and stared at Brent. His eyes twinkled with merriment. His muscles had grown hard with the labor on the farm. His hands were calloused and roughened from helping his mother with the horses. He looked good and very healthy.
"Scarlett, honey, it's so good to see you." Brent took off his hat and kissed her hand as he grinned broadly and easily.
"Hello, Brent. What brings you out in this awful weather?" Scarlett replied, her usual coquetry when it came to Brent disappearing with a certainty of his purpose.
"Well I couldn't resist coming to Atlanta to see the two prettiest ladies in the world." He grinned a slow lazy grin that tugged at Scarlett's heart strings.
"What are your intentions towards my sister?" she quickly asked.
Brent began to stammer at her boldness. But when he looked into her eyes he decided that the direct approach was the best route at the moment. "Scarlett, seeing as your parents are both gone, I came to you… well I came to ask officially for your sisters hand in marriage." He spoke quickly trying to get the ordeal over with as soon as possible. "Your parents both agreed during the war, but seeing as to the events that we went through I thought that I should ask again."
Scarlett smiled. She knew that this was coming, unless she greatly missed her guess. "Of course Brent." She told him. "Let me send for Careen."
Upon arrival, Careen immediately accepted his offer, and her eyes glowed more fiercely and she sparkled like a diamond. Scarlett left the room for although she was quite pleased for her sister to be so happy, it stung to let go. And it also hurt because she and Rhett were so unhappy, even living at times in the same house. They were cordial, pleasant strangers.
When Rhett heard the news he offered to pay for Careen's wedding. She at first refused, but was quickly won over. Scarlett offered to host the reception and Rhett offered Careen the finest dressmaker in Atlanta to design the dress. And with starry eyes, Careen began planning her wedding.
Rhett and Scarlett coexisted well. They took great care to avoid being alone, but the children didn't see to sense the strain. Careen was too caught up in her dreams to see the misery of her sister. But she did notice that her sister and husband seemed to have little time alone together. And so she tried to convince them to take a trip together. They both adamantly refused, but Careen insisted. And so they journeyed off together for an unknown destination, leaving Wade and Ella in Careen's capable hands.