Chapter 26
Ellen's letter, folded up and pressed carefully, found its new home in the white waistcoat pocket of Rhett Butler. The frantic emotions of the writer, calling if not begging for the return of her exiled lover tugged at Rhett's heartstrings. It moved him simply because this was the kind of fiery passion he was hoping to find in Scarlett when she finally fell in love with him. The urgency, the despair, the hasty promises - anything to keep from being apart- He had waited for these emotions for so many years. And upon reading the letter, he formed a vastly different picture of Scarlett's mother - the real Ellen O'Hara, so glaringly different from the image that Scarlett seemed to worship.
Rhett stirred from his thoughts and found Scarlett seated across the cane table, her mouth in an angry pout.
"Rhett, if you are planning to go off gallivanting on your own, you could at least have the courtesy to tell me so. I had made arrangements for three house calls and I had to make them all by myself." Scarlett angrily stirred the sugar cubes in her coffee cup as she basked in the warmth of the morning sun. The Butlers were seated in the flowery verandah of the Savannah Hotel, just finishing their breakfast in a leisurely pace.
"So, how did you like reacquainting with your mother's relatives?"
"It was awful and terribly boring." replied Scarlett, mournfully. "If it weren't for their respectability, I would forget all about them."
"How are their fortunes holding up after the trials of the war?"
"Quite well, apparently. I was surprised."
Rhett smiled and grew thoughtful.
"And where are you planning on going today?" asked Scarlett, with an arched eyebrow.
"Nowhere madam, I would follow you to the ends of the earth-"
Scarlett had to grin at this jovial reply but her eyes peered curiously and rather shrewdly at Rhett. She could sense a new lightness in his being and wondered what it meant. Then her features clouded. "It must mean something awful" she concluded sourly. "I have done a thing to put him in a good mood. So, it must mean that he is upto something - something probably vile and upsetting-"
The day of the Remembrance Ball had finally arrived. A single social event in honor of the brave souls lost during the Southern resistance. The hall was huge and lit with thousands of candles and gas lamps. It was nearly full when the music began to play. Scarlett swayed absently as she waited for Rhett by the tall glass windows. Her lovely gown of green and deep purple with a fashionable neck-line, set off her diamond necklace to perfection. Scarlett had piled her hair high above her head from where her black locks descended in lovely curls. Jeff spotted her at once in the crowd. But before he could walk up and bow to her, Rosemary caught his eye and beckoned him with a stern gaze. Bowing from where he was, Jeff reluctantly joined his fiancé who looked rather drab in comparison to Scarlett Butler's magnificent, youthful form.
Scarlett stamped her foot impatiently. She opened the window and walked across the large oval balcony. Leaning from the curving marble, she caught Rhett in deep conversation with an elderly lady, rather fluttery and silly looking, an Aunt perhaps. Scarlett did not know her but she decided to walk up to them and drag Rhett inside. At this rate, they may miss all the dances!
Just as she approached them, Scarlett laughed out loud. Her voice merrily pealed across the wide park. "Rhett?! Rhett, is that you? I've been looking for you everywhere and here you are , deep in conversation without even sparing me an introduction-"
"Scarlett, this is my father's younger sister - Aunt Celia Bennett."
Aunt Celia took Scarlett's hand in both of hers and squeezed them warmly. "You have a lovely wife, Rhett. I am so glad to meet you, my dear. Rhett had told me several things about you-"
"Oh, I hope they are good things" laughed Scarlett,infectiously.
"Why certainly-" Aunt Celia put a palm on Rhett's cheek and caressed him affectionately. Her wrinkled eyes snapped in amusement and a white lock shook out of her hair bun. "But I must be on my way. I am too old to stay so late at balls and parties-"
"I will see you to the coach" replied Rhett, guiding his Aunt through the crowd of coaches and coachmen. When he returned, he quietly picked up Scarlett's arm and led her up the steps to the hall.
A slow waltz was struck up and the lovely strains set Scarlett swaying once again. "Rhett, I know you said you didn't care to dance but-"
Rhett bowed solemnly and said, "Madam, would you like to join me in this beautiful waltz?"
Scarlett's face softened at once. Her anxiety vanished and as if stepping into a dream, she allowed Rhett to lead her to the dance floor. They began to dance.
No other couple danced as fine as Scarlett and Rhett. Scarlett felt the gaze of several Charlestonians and a thrill of pleasure shot up her spine. Her eyes shyly met Rhett's and she looked a little surprised to find him staring back at her. "How do I look?" she asked, her eyelids fluttering.
"Stunning" replied Rhett, shortly.
"Rhett, do you remember the first time we danced?" asked Scarlett, eagerly. "You looked every bit like a dandy and I in my mourning dress.. and you paid one fifty dollars in gold for my hand- Such a large such to dance with a simple country girl like me-"
"Yes, that was a lot of money, wasn't it?" grinned Rhett at the memory.
"And we danced so well. And you paid a compliment to my eyes.. you said-"
"Scarlett, let us not keep quoting the past" said Rhett, still smiling. "We are here now and we are dancing. Let us enjoy this moment.. for what it is-"
Scarlett smiled back. She knew Rhett was right. She could hardly believe her ears when he said that she looked stunning. There was no sarcasm, no contempt. Still, she felt very worried. She was happy after a long time and she was afraid that this was only a fleeting happiness.