Thank you so much for everyone who took the time to review my little mini-marathon of posting. I am so happy that there are still readers interested after so much time (since I last posted but as well since this story first began). I haven't had the opportunity to respond, but hope to get around to it soon.
Here is the latest chapter. Originally, I had intended to post it with the other chapters in the "mini-marathon" but I wasn't satisfied with it so I took a few days to digest it and tweak it. Unfortunately, because it was really meant to be posted with the others, it is also a little on the short side. I hope to make it up when I post the chapter after this one.
Also, I don't own these characters nor is any harm intended by this work of fiction. Please don't sue me for enjoying this little hobby. SS.
Chapter Twenty-Four.
Rhett found himself awkwardly seated on a jury-rigged cot that was nearly the same height as the bed that held Scarlett. He had been furious when he found out that his friends had let Scarlett work herself night and day at his side. That they hadn't even taken the time to ascertain the extent of her own injuries, assuming that their severity hadn't increased much since she hadn't been complaining. He likely would have come to blows with them both if he had been able to stand. It was James who had finally been able to reach through his anger so he could see reason.
'Would you have had us strap her to a bed in a room on her own while we continued to make sure that you made it to see the next day?'
He conceded then that he couldn't imagine what he would have done, had he been in their shoes. He wouldn't have ever been in their shoes. The relief and happiness that had lit up in her eyes when he had finally managed to open his had warmed his heart more than he had ever thought possible. Even the knowledge that she had worked so hard to make him well brought him a small measure of happiness in spite of the worry it brought along with it.
When he had finally opened his eyes and saw her sitting next to him, he had been so relieved that she hadn't been shot that he didn't take further note of her appearance. Then she smiled and cried at the same time and nearly threw herself into his bed. She had risen up and caressed his forehead and his rattled brain was sure there had been love shining in her eyes.
But there had been something in the interaction between her and the doctor. A note of concern on his features that seemed almost more prevalent than when speaking to him. His hazy mind had slowly noticed the shocking pallor to her skin, the paleness of her lips, the black smudges beneath her eyes. She was thin. In the five days that he had been unconscious, she had possibly lost more weight than any that she might have gained in the week leading up to their confrontation.
Their confrontation. James had filled in all the blanks for him while William had taken care of Scarlett. She had probably saved his life. Throwing herself on Kennedy so that the bullet had lodged in his thigh instead of something much more vital. James had glanced out the parlour window as the four of them had gathered on the street and recognized exactly who had stood across from Rhett and Scarlett. James had been racing out his front door and up the walk just as the first shot had been fired. He had been running up the street when the second shot sounded and Kennedy had fallen. It had been James' quick reaction that had saved him as well, keeping the life-saving blood in his body where it belonged.
Samuel had taken care of Wade while Scarlett had worked tirelessly with William and Ophelia. James had helped with the boy's care as much as he could despite having been kept fairly occupied with keeping the police at bay. Officer Stanley had arrived at the Miller home on more than one occasion, looking to arrest the newly widowed Kennedy. James had asserted the story that Rhett had run by him the morning before he had left for Atlanta. He had also managed to discreetly contact Rhett's lawyer to let him know that the papers Rhett had requested were now needed much more urgently. A telegram from his lawyer had arrived just that morning and the document they needed to support their story should be arriving in a few weeks' time.
The Butler family had been checked out of the Planter's hotel and their belongings were moved into the guest rooms at James' home. The arrival of the young boy's toys and books had made it much easier for Samuel to keep Wade occupied while Scarlett had worried over Rhett. Even with the distractions, the boy had held Rhett fiercely when finally brought to his room. Rhett had to admit that he had held onto him rather tightly, as well. They had sat together in his bed and he had listened while the boy made up words to a story while paging through a book. Listened despite the throbbing of his leg, the pounding of his head and the churning of his stomach with his worry for Scarlett.
Finally, William had returned to his bedside. Scarlett was asleep – he had dosed her with laudanum so that she would. She had roused from her faint when William had carried her from the room, crying out in pain when she did. Rhett had been able to hear her cries down the hall until they gradually seemed to fade away. He suspected that they hadn't ended but rather, had just lessened in their volume with the diminished capacity of her lungs. The struggle with Kennedy had reinjured her ribs. It had littered her body with countless more bruises as well although he had yet to be given the chance to examine her for himself.
She had lost the baby.
William wasn't certain what exactly had caused the loss. The struggle. Her previous injuries. Her tireless vigil at Rhett's side. Likely all of it. Or perhaps, none of it. Perhaps, from the beginning, the pregnancy just hadn't been meant to be. Rhett took in the man's explanation but still felt the measure of blame fall squarely upon his shoulders. He had promised to protect her. To keep her safe. In the end, he had done none of it. In the end, she had been the one saving him.
She was going to recover, of that William was certain. Whether she would be able to have any future children, he was less so. It mattered little to Rhett whether she could bear him any future heirs. He was saddened more by this loss. The baby may not have been his, but it had been. From the moment they had known of its existence, he had considered it to be his own. The baby had been a challenge in their circumstances but he had imagined that the day it arrived would have been a happy one. Another of Scarlett's children for him to love and care for and he would have loved this baby as much as he did Wade.
He wasn't certain that she knew of her loss yet. She had been in and out of consciousness for hours now, but awareness hadn't seemed yet to fill her eyes. He had been laying at her side longer. The cot, he was sure, was not as comfortable as her bed, but he didn't want to jostle her or cause her any undue pain. It had been a hard-won compromise that the men had agreed to after his threats of crawling to her room were deemed not empty after all. His attempt to actually leave the bed had aided in driving home his point. It had also resulted in another changing of his bandage but the stitches had held and so here he lay. Awkwardly angled on the small bed so his hand could stretch out and hold hers. A small connection when his body ached to hold hers.
The door opened from the opposite side of the room and William's assistant, Ophelia, entered the room. She moved to Scarlett's side of the bed and placed the back of her hand on Scarlett's forehead. She moved it to her cheek. Rhett was certain there was no fever present, feeling the cool dry skin of her arm pressed against his.
"She's going to be just fine," she assured. "But I think you will both sleep more peacefully if you lie beside her."
"No, it's alright. I don't want to cause her any pain."
"Trust me, mister Butler, she will be fine. The feel of your arms around her will give her so much more strength than any jostling or pain would draw."
"If you're certain," he responded.
"She hasn't been resting soundly thus far," she reasoned in reply.
"Ophelia, you are a smart woman. William is lucky to have you."
The woman left and quickly returned with Samuel in tow. Soon, James' butler had easily shifted Scarlett over slightly in her bed. He then moved to Rhett's side but Rhett held up a cautioning hand.
"Hold on, Samuel. I'll not have you carrying me like a child. I'm quite capable of shifting my upper body over. If you could just support my leg and follow as I move."
Rhett braced and then quickly shuffled himself over until he was lying just a few inches away from Scarlett. He exhaled forcefully, silently conceding that the slight shift of location had been more difficult than he had anticipated. He laid back and closed his eyes for a moment. He opened them to find Ophelia's dark eyes staring intently at his face. Glancing around, he noticed that Samuel had already left the room.
"I'm alright," he grunted and then cleared his throat.
"A little laudanum would help you sleep better."
"I'll sleep better without it."
Inwardly, he shuddered at the mention of the strong drug. He had been stabbed during a bar fight when he had first been ejected from his father's house. The barmaid had looked after him and had bandaged the wound reasonably well, but the pain had seemed unbearable at the time. Unbearable that is, until she had secured some laudanum to chase it away. The terrors that had replaced the pain while under the influence of that powerful medication had had him wishing for the pain's swift return. He had avoided the drug ever since.
"A little whisky to dull the edge will be more than sufficient. I don't take well to morphine," he explained further and then added: "I really would prefer if Scarlett could avoid too much of it as well."
"I will let Doctor Madison know your wishes when he returns in the morning. I know that for now, his priority is for missus Butler to rest as comfortably as she can so her body may heal."
"And yet, here I am," Rhett grinned.
"Or rather, hence, there you are," she countered and Rhett felt his grin grow a little wider. "I'll be right back with a tot of whisky for you."
She left and Rhett turned his focus to the sleeping occupant of the bed he now shared. He slid his arm through the slight arch of her neck against the pillow. He wrapped the other arm across her shoulders and moved her slowly until she was close enough that he could hold her without applying too much pressure.
How quickly Ophelia had returned with his promised drink, he would never know. He had fallen asleep within minutes of having Scarlett safely ensconced in his arms.
AN: Thank you for taking the time to lead this latest addition to our story. Thoughts, advice, wishes and criticisms are all welcomed forms of feedback. SS.