Kindness of Strangers
Chapter 21
"Is it true Emmie?" Beau asked curiously, sitting on the ground under the large oak tree in front of the house next to her.
Emmie held a small picnic basket on her lap and ate a small sandwhich happily before turning her head to look at him, "Whatever are you talking about?"
"Did you threaten Margaret Templeton? She is my cousin you know."
The young girl's eyes widened and she gulped her food down quickly, "Is she really? Why I had no idea... if you must know Beau I did. She deserved it though, she must be crazy if she thinks she can insult Mother as she pleases- and me not bat my eye about it!"
Beau laughed heartily, "I do think Aunt Scarlett can defend herself from silly insults that come out of a fifteen year olds mouth. You should not worry about such things."
"Are you telling me Beau not to speak out against injustice done to me and my family? Why, I'd stick up for any of them! You and Uncle Ashley as well!"
"Protecting your family's honor?" he smirked.
Emmie glared at him, "You wouldn't do the same for me?"
"Of course I would Emmie. Now don't get all sour on me, I'll tell you a secret."
"A secret!" Emmie gasped getting up on her knees and tugging on Beau's jacket excitedly, "A secret, who by!"
"My secret you silly thing." Beau chuckled lowering his voice, "I'm going to marry her, few years come."
Emmie pulled away and stared in confusion, "Marry... marry who?"
"Margaret."
The girl thought Beau to be pulling her leg and burst into squeals of laughter. "Good gracious! If that isn't the most absurd thing I've ever heard! How could you try to decieve me so?"
Beau tilted his head and frowned not finding it silly at all, "Emmie. I'm not joking. I'm going to marry Margaret in a few years."
She blinked in surprise and froze completely, no he was not lying. Not with that look on his face, and sincerity dripping from his words."But... but she's your cousin!" she cried scandalized by the thought.
"It's just the way things are done in my family, I have to marry her."
"No you don't! Not if you don't want to! Oh Beau don't do it! Margaret is horrid and hates me so! Why, this is the worst secret I've ever heard in my whole life!" Emmie leaped up from her spot and roughly smoothed out her dress, "I shall hate you for the rest of my life Beau Wilkes if you marry that mealy-mouthed brat! I'll hate you!"
"Emmie!" Beau scolded standing as well and grabbing her small shoulder firmly to keep her from thrashing in anger, "Don't say things you don't mean! You may regret them some day."
Tears sprung to her eyes and she screamed, "I do mean them! I do! I do! Let me go! Turn me loose! I don't want to see you ever again!"
"Go then." Beau snapped releasing Emmie from his grasp. He watched the skirts of her dress fly from behind her as she tore out of the garden. Beau knew Emmie did not mean the things she said and figured she would return soon enough, forgetting the whole thing.
Emmie's words did in fact hold little truth, but she would never forget the betrayal she felt from Beau. She had never felt any romantic feelings for the older boy, but she was repulsed by the thought of him marrying Margaret. She refused to let it happen. Emmie would never be able to visit Beau again if Margaret were his wife. She would never have picnics, or tea, or fun little games with Beau again. She would loose the only friend she had ever known since early childhood.
She was too young at her twelve years of age to realize however, she loved Beau a great deal. And that she would be displeased by anyone being his wife except herself. If Emmie was not Beau's wife she would loose him forever, since sharing the handsome young man was simply out of the question.
Such things flew over Emmie's young and ignorant mind, and she came running home with tear stained cheeks. Scarlett stared at her bewildered and confused, further shocked when Emmie flew into her arms for comfort. "I do hope you're not crying over anything too silly." Scarlett said flatly.
"My life is ruined!" Emmie sobbed, "And it's all his fault!"
"Who?" Scarlett asked with a peak of interest. She took Emmie gently by the shoulders and pushed her a few steps back. "What are you talking about?"
Emmie sniffled loudly and wiped at her face before answering, "Beau just told me he is going to marry Margaret. It's absolutely disgraceful! How could he do this to me, how could he?"
Scarlett's eyes widened, she had never seen Beau as the type of boy to follow the Wilkes tradition of marrying cousins to one another. She didn't see Ashley ever persuading him either. It had to be India's doing, it was just like her to stubbornly stick to old family customs. "Why does that make you sad, you should be happy for Beau." Scarlett baited the young child, wanting to see if Emmie loved Beau foolishly like she had foolishly loved Ashley. If this was the case, Scarlett was ready to take immediate action in correcting that.
She and Emmie were very similar, but Emmie was young and unexposed to the evils of the world. She had the chance to not make the mistakes Scarlett had made, and Scarlett wanted to make sure Emmie took full advantage of this.
"I'm not happy for him Mother. I'm furious at him! Margaret hates me and I hate her, when they are married I'll never see Beau ever again!"
"I'm sure Beau would never allow such a thing to happen. He is a very kind young man, with much sense."
Emmie scoffed hatefully, "If Beau had any sense- he wouldn't be marrying Margaret!"
"But then who is he to marry?" Scarlett asked smartly, "He is twenty-two years old."
"I think he shall never marry at all." Emmie replied, "It isn't so bad for a man not to marry."
"Oh, so you still plan to marry when you are old enough? That hardly seems fair." Scarlett mused with a disappointed look.
Emmie frowned back and cocked her head to the side, "I don't want to be an old maid my whole life!"
Scarlett laughed, "You little hypocrite." How funny it sounded to Scarlett, calling someone else a hypocrite, when all these years Rhett insisted she was one herself. "While I too think it is absurd for Beau to marry Margaret, he will. And your life will go on hardly disturbed. Try not to condemn Beau for things that may possibly be out of his control."
Emmie remained adamant no matter what advice Scarlett conjured for her, and this frustrated Scarlett immensely. After all, things always seemed to spiral out of control when Rhett was not present. While it was obvious Emmie had grown to favor Scarlett over the years, Rhett still humored all of her misgivings, so Emmie was apt to be sweet and agreeable with him.
Scarlett could see however that Emmie did love Beau in her own silly way, and this bothered her more than anything.
Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know an artist on Deviantart by the name of moonchildinthesky has drawn a very lovely picture of toddler Emmie for me of which I have posted a link at the bottom of my profile for. It is gorgeous so feel free to take a look at it! Thanks for reading and reviewing this story as well- your support is greatly appreciated!