Chapter 28: Ross Butler
The Butler family was having dinner when Ross appeared for a short visit. Ross Butler, Rhett's brother, was a troubled man and lived drunk. He played, drank and fought a lot and always brought problems to Eleanor Butler. Rhett hadn't a good relationship with him. Rosemary was the only one who had more patience with Ross. He lived alone in a hotel in Charleston, to lead a free life and lawless and don't give satisfactions to family. Mrs. Butler was worried about the uncertain future of her middle son. She was too scared of any time, receive some distressing news about Ross. Was afraid that he could die of both drinking, or die in a bar fight, as also, was afraid he did something very wrong and was arrested and hanged. Ross didn't care about anything. Rosemary got tired of talking to him and advise him to leave that life who carried. Most of the time in which appeared at his mom's house, he was almost drunk. He hadn't brakes on the tongue, and talked nonsenses to the maids of the house, leaving Eleanor red with shame. Rhett came to advise the mother to prohibit the entry of Ross in home, until he improve his behavior, but Eleanor couldn't do it. Ross was her son too, and despite everything, she loved him, as well as loved Rhett and Rosemary.
Liz appeared in the dining room to announce to the family Butler the presence of Ross. Eleanor ordered that another place was put at the table because Ross would dinner with them. Rhett closed the face and hoped that his brother wasn't drunk and inconvenient. Rhett found Ross only once, as soon as he arrived in Charleston, and they spoke very little. When Ross walked into the dining room, his eyes fixed Scarlett. She was a breathtaking sight. He knew that Rhett had returned from Europe and who was with his wife at the home of his mother. Heard rumors that the elder brother's wife was very beautiful. And the curiosity of know her, made Ross show up at the house of Mrs. Butler without being drunk. Ross always had a lot of envy of his elder brother who achieved financial success in life. They treated themselves politely when Ross was not drunk and inconvenient. But, they practically declared that do not like each other at all. Rhett always likened the relationship he had with Ross, with Scarlett's relationship with her sister Suellen. He did not fail to notice the look that Ross released to his wife. This unnerved him inside. No mattered how much he could deny, Rhett always had a violent jealousy of Scarlett.
"Ross, my son! Glad , you can join us for dinner. "said Eleanor giving a kiss on the cheek of her middle son. She was grateful that he wasn't drunk.
"Yes, mom. I came. I heard that my brother came back from Europe and that his wife was here. And I don't know my sister-in-law still "Ross replied hugging his mother, but without taking their eyes of Scarlett.
Scarlett looked at him. Ross was an exact copy of Rhett, but he was thinner and had no mustache. He was about 40 years old, but appeared be older and less manly than Rhett because of the years of constant drunkenness. His gaze passed badness and malice. Scarlett shivered. Something in Ross, didn't inspire confidence. She wasn't very good at reading people, but Ross showed clearly be a disturbed. Rhett looked at Ross and then to Scarlett. He realized that his wife was embarrassed with the look of Ross on top her. So, he decided interfere.
"My dear younger brother, how are you today?" Rhett asked forcing a smile with will to hang him.
"I'm fine. But, I see you're very best as always, Rhett "replied Ross looking cynically to Rhett and then coming back to look for Scarlett." Aren't you going to introduce me your beautiful wife, my dear brother? "
Rhett and Scarlett looked at each other. She was scared and didn't wanted proximity with that man, but Rhett launched a loving look for her, saying with their black eyes that would protect her from any person. Feeling safe, Scarlett stretched out her hand to that Ross could greet her.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Butler. You are very beautiful and my brother is very lucky. " Ross greeted sweetly kissing her hand. " What is your grace? "
"Mrs. Scarlett... Scarlett Butler "she responded politely without taking their eyes of Rhett.
Rhett tried maintain control. He noticed the hungry look , that Ross launched for Scarlett. But, he couldn't have a jealous rage in front of her. Needed maintain composure, or Scarlett would realize that he still felt something for her. Rosemary realized the embarrassing situation and tried attract the attention of Ross.
"Ross, you forgot your little sister?" Rosemary asked.
"Of course not, my dear. Let me fill you with kisses, then! "he laughed and approached Rosemary to greet her, too.
Scarlett held shook hand of Rhett on top the table. Rhett gasped, but held her hand too. Looking for green eyes of his wife, he realized that she was looking by protection. Scarlett wasn't feeling comfortable. Eleanor asked for Ross to sit at the table and her son readily accepted with a smile on the face. Sat in front of Scarlett. That woman sitting in front of him, was a complete combustion. As Ross envied Rhett at that moment. If he had a woman like that in his arms, wouldn't get out of bed never more. Scarlett sought don't look for him, but knew that Ross, between a bite and another that gave on food, raised his eyes to look at her. Scarlett was wearing a nice dress, was presenting the most decent attitude that could present, but Ross noticed a devastating fire in her eyes wild greens. "Rhett should have a good time in bed with that woman", Ross thought to himself. She wasn't a lady those eyes didn't deceive the experienced Ross Butler. She was a prostitute disguised as a wife, the fire in shape of a woman. Rhett was already too old to erase all that fire, and Ross decided who would do this favor for him. Would still have Scarlett in his arms and on his bed. "And by several times", Ross thought amusing. That "Of course not, my dear. Let me fill you with kisses, then! "he laughed and approached Rosemary to greet her, too.
Scarlett strongly shook hands of Rhett on the table. Rhett gasped, but held her hand too. Looking for green eyes of his wife, he realized that she was looking for protection. Scarlett wasn't feeling comfortable. Eleanor asked for Ross to sit at the table and his son readily accepted with a smile on her face. Just sitting in front of Scarlett. That woman sitting in front of him, was a complete combustion. As Ross envied Rhett at that moment. If he had a woman like that in his arms, wouldn't get out of bed anymore. Scarlett sought not to look for him, but knew that Ross, between a mouthful and another that went on food, raised his eyes to look at her. Scarlett was wearing a nice dress, was presenting the most decent attitude that could present, but Ross noticed a devastating fire in your eyes wild greens. "Rhett should have a good time in bed with that woman", Ross thought to himself. She wasn't a lady those eyes not tricking the experienced Ross Butler. Was a whore disguised as a wife, the fire in the shape of a woman. Rhett was already too old to erase all that fire, and Ross decided he would do this favor for him. Would still have Scarlett in his arms and on his bed. "And by several times", Ross thought amusing. That woman in shaped of hurricane, should let his brother prostrate during days and Ross wanted experience that feeling, too.
Scarlett was a brave woman. Killed a deserter yankee in Tara during the war. Faced with no fear Rhett Butler, when they fought without caring for his size and his strength. But, Ross gave her fear. For the first time, Scarlett got scared. She felt threatened with that hungry look on her, a look that showed violence, sadism and perversity. Scarlett was used to seeing the desire and lust in the eyes of the men who coveted her , but the look of Ross was different: not only expressed unbridled desire, but a desire to hurt, hurting someone.
Scarlett didn't knew very well her own husband, but Ross knew very well his own brother. He noted the jealous protector of Rhett on top of Scarlett. And was Rhett who Ross wanted to hurt. Was Rhett who Ross envied with all his force. The life gave to Rhett, money, beauty, admiration of his mother and his sister and a wonderfully beautiful wife. And for him, life gave him remains. Nothing could do Ross happier than stealing his brother's wife, even without loving her, just wanting Scarlett for a fun of a few nights. Rhett loosened Scarlett's hand and realized she was eating very little. He was worried, but didn't say anything. Knew she wasn't comfortable in the presence of Ross and his younger brother was doing everything to tease him, but Rhett had to maintain control for two reasons: he didn't want show to Scarlett who still cared about her and didn't want upset his mother causing a family fight in time for dinner with his younger brother. For the first time, Rhett couldn't accuse Scarlett to have caused that situation. She was dressed decently, was quiet and with her head down, looking at the plate. He knew that his wife wasn't behaving like the Southern Belle at that moment.
Rhett planned a night so joyful in family! Had managed to buy Dunmore Landing back that morning, and wanted to communicate his mother during dinner. Was a surprise, but Ross had just ruin everything and Rhett couldn't concentrate himself on anything else besides the look that Ross was driving to Scarlett.
"Mommy darling, I am considering come spend a few days here at home with you? What do you think? " Ross asked smiling cynically making Eleanor choke with the food.
"Don't even think about it, Ross!" Rhett stopped snarling with rage, looking mortally for the brother. He couldn't take anymore his provocations. " From the moment you enter with your bags inside this House, I go out for the first hotel available and Scarlett will come with me! "
Scarlett lifted her head and looked at her husband surprise with what he said. Rhett was worried with her! He would never allow Ross would live under the same roof as her! So he cared, even though was a little! She sought to disguise the satisfaction that it caused in her heart. Rhett was jealous! Yes, he was afraid to let Ross near her. He held her hand with possessiveness when Ross entered the room. He gave clear signs of jealousy and she don't realized. At that moment, Scarlett started to tremble. If Rhett was jealous her, then he still felt something.
"My dear brother, I didn't know that my presence in this house leave you so bad." Ross replied interrupting the thoughts of Scarlett.
"You're not going to stay here to get drunk and end up with the reputation of our mother!" replied Rhett with a look in his eyes that Scarlett could not decipher. " And if our mother will want you stay, while I'm here, my wife and I will retire . "
Rhett threw the napkin on the table with anger and Eleanor didn't know what to do in that situation. She loved Ross, but would not allow Rhett and Scarlett will away because of him. She was so happy with the two in her house. And the children of Scarlett would pass the Christmas with them too. She was anxious to see the children. She missed of act like a grandmother since the death of Bonnie. And that Christmas would be the first that Rhett and Scarlett would pass without the presence of the deceased daughter.
"Ross, my son, you enjoy living alone and lives in a luxurious hotel near here. You can come visit us whenever you want, since you're not drunk and behave in the presence of his brothers and his sister-in-law. " Eleanor explained fondly for his son.
"I understood, mom. Don't worry, I won't force my constant presence in this house! But, i will come here see you and Rosemary as I have always done. "
Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief. Was better that way. She didn't want any more fights between the her sons. Ross lived in Charleston and had no need to stay at her house. Scarlett realized that Rhett was relieved too. She wanted hold his hand and tell that he didn't need stay with jealous because she was him and only him. She hadn't eyes for any other man. Only Rhett had control of her heart, her mind and her body. But, when looked to the side and saw her husband with an icy look and the face closed, showing a grim expression, Scarlett thought best to keep quiet and pretend who was eating a little.
Later, when Ross was saying goodbye to his mother in doorway, Rhett was smoking a cigar on the porch alone next of them. Scarlett came out the side door and went to meet her husband.
"Rhett?" she called approaching with a brightness in her eyes.
"What's the matter, Scarlett?" he replied making little case.
She looked at the black eyes of the husband as a girl in love. And Rhett was embarrassed realizing the passion that conveyed those emerald eyes.
"I would like to thank ..." she replied smiling.
Rhett took the cigar out of his mouth and asked without understand.
"Thank why ?"
"By your worry with me. Ross was looking at me and I was embarrassed and you did not allowed him to stay here hosted at your mother's house and. .. "
"Stop , Scarlett!" Rhett interrupted furious. "It's not because of you that I don't want Ross here! Little care if he looked at you or not. It's because of the reputation of my mother and my sister! That's what worries me. And only this! "
The gleam of the eyes of Scarlett disappeared and her smile too. Rhett for a moment regretted have used those words so harsh. He knew who was lying, that he was bluffing again, but it was necessary. His heart came to hurt to see the sad look of Scarlett, but he couldn't deliver his feelings on a tray for her. Scarlett would discover that his love for her never ended, and would use that against him.
"I'm sorry I forgot you don't have heart, is a cad and insensitive. Good night! "said Scarlett embarrassed for feel herself trampled again and holding the tears.
"Good night, Scarlett..." Rhett said with sad eyes, but Scarlett didn't notice because she turned and went back into the house without look back. She didn't want cry in front of Rhett. ran to cry in her room.
At that moment, Ross Butler was passing near the porch to follow toward the gate of the property of the Butlers. And without that Rhett and Scarlett realized, he listened to the end of the brief conversation between the two.
"The marriage is not very well. My dear brother treats your lovely wife with such carelessness. And my sister-in-law is so needy! She needs a man like me! I'll return for you, Scarlett and you will beg to go to my bed. " Ross thought with himself, walking by the ornate Garden towards the great gate. He smiled triumphantly and believed who would have Scarlett in his bed easily and quickly
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Note: Ross Butler decided take Scarlett to bed. He won't give up that goal. Wait for the next chapters!
Please forgive my grammar errors. I do the best I can. I'm using google translator and the .com. Sometimes take hours to pass of the Portuguese for the English because those translator aren't perfect. So, i have to run behind the right words. I'd like you meet my ideas regarding the continuation of the book gone with the wind. I appreciate every comment i read here. Thank you.
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Obs: This is the music that inspires me when i am writing the story. I consider the theme of Scarlett and Rhett Butler.
Hard To Say I'm Sorry ( Chicago )
"Everybody needs a little time away. "
I heard her say
"From each other. "
"Even lovers need a holiday
Far away, from each other"
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
Couldn't stand to be kept away
Just for the day
From your body
Wouldn't wanna be swept away
Far away, from the one that I love
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now
I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to
You're gonna be the lucky one
