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Rhett made it to the ship with only seconds to spare. He situated his things in a suite in first class and prepared to look for the children.
He roamed around decks and through dining rooms but there was no sign of them at first.
He was not worried because they had a long journey in front of them, he was sure to run into them if they were one the ship.
Unfortunately for him but lucky for Scarlett, the children or Prissy would not be seen that day, or that week or any week while on the ship. They were kept under lock and key, however too busy to realize that they were missing out on seeing Rhett.
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Scarlett was anxious to know when her children were coming. She was also feeling a little anxiety about sending for the children's mammy along with them. However she soon quieted her fears by remembering the reasons she sent for Prissy along with the children. It would have been improper to send the children on the train from Atlanta to Charleston without a suitable escort. Wade was too young to do the looking after alone. In addition to that, however, she considered Prissy. Prissy had always dreamed about going to a foreign country. This was the perfect opportunity...besides; the children would be more comfortable with someone they knew as things changed around them. Having someone that they were comfortable with would help them immensely adjust to their new surroundings. Scarlett did not fear too much about anyone recognizing them once they were on the ship because they would all be undergoing tutelage, so they would not be roaming around getting into trouble.
Scarlett just wished she would receive word already...
One morning while Marcos and Scarlett were having their walk through the gardens they were approached by Evelien.
"Milady, this just arrived for you." She said "I knew it would make you happy so I wanted to bring it myself."
Scarlett received a wire from Stephen saying that they were on their way.
"What is it?" Marcos asked.
"My children are on their way." She said with a smile.
"Wade and Ella; how marvelous!" He said.
"I know! I can't wait. Want to do some shopping with me?"
"You know I'd love to." He replied.
Scarlett was so excited; she went on a shopping frenzy for her children. She had all kinds of things brought to the estate to choose from and bought whatever things she thought would amuse her children. From books to two separate pianofortes for her children. She had been wrestling the idea for months whether or not to get them ponies. At length she decided to go ahead and get them. They would just have to learn to ride, while always being supervised. She realized that being in society means going on hunts when they were older, and it would not due for the children of the Duchesse of Berri to have children were not educated on how to hunt.
When she started to search for ponies for the children, she decided to find herself horses as well. This spurred a hobby of horse shopping.
Scarlett was also getting excited because she only had four more months of mourning. It was too soon to start party planning, but after her children settled in she was planning a welcome party for them. This would be the children's first taste of society. She realized they would not have social obligations for years, but it was important for them to learn how to behave and to speak, as well as practice dancing with multiple partners.
She was also excited to have her children with her because they would be able to spend Christmas together. She was planning on being so busy with them, that she would not notice missing the season of parties because of being in mourning, but it would be a wonderful time for bonding.
The children with their new brother and sister and with their mother...
One afternoon after choosing toys for Ella, Marcos came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea.
"Darling, I have something to tell you."
"What?" Scarlett said putting down the doll she was holding.
Marcos took Scarlett's hands, "I was dreading saying this, but I have to go back to London soon."
"Oh no! When do you have to leave?"
"This week...in three days actually." He said dropping his gaze from hers.
She snatched one of her hands from his grasp and hit him on the shoulder without much force "and you are only telling me this now?"
"I know, my darling, I am sorry. But let me make it up to you."
She just looked at him waiting for him to continue.
"Well?" She said.
"My darling, I would love to invite you and your children to my estate in London."
"Really?" She said quite surprised.
"I would also love for you to meet my mother." He said.
"I would be honored."
"What I am asking, is will you come with me to London."
Scarlet was speechless.
He pulled her close to him and held her. He spoke into her hair and ear,
"You could come with me now, and we can go meet the children in England instead of here in France. I'll see to everything, just say yes." He said with pleading in his voice.
He moved her away to look at her, and he repeated quietly "please, just say yes..."
She looked at him deep into his eyes before replying.
"Yes." She said simply.
"Yes, I will come with you."
He picked her up and spun in a circle then put her down and kissed her, she kissed him back, but not with her whole heart. She no longer had a whole heart...
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Rhett was disappointed that he did not find the children on the boat with in the three weeks to the trip to Europe. He could not figure why they would have been on a trip to Charleston and not be on the boat.
He decided to send a wire back to his mother and ask her to keep an eye out and her ears open. Perhaps check with the aunts again.
He decided to disembark in France, get his bearings, settle in and start his seemingly impossible search.
While Rhett was on the boat, he wrote letters to the all the contacts that Rosemary had given, him explaining his search; when he got off in France, he planned on sending them.
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The ship arrived in Liverpool and Scarlett and Marcos went to meet them. Scarlett waited in the carriage at first. When it was time to disembark the crew had orders to have the children of the Duchesse d'Berri disembark first with their entourage without disturbance from the other passengers. It was quite a procession. People were gathered on the decks and held behind a red rope. There were all kinds of whispers about what was going on, since there were about 40 people with them between the cooks, the servants, the tutors, the seamstresses, and the valets sent to help with the things that needed carrying. The children went out first dressed in their mourning garb. Wade wore a black suit, and Ella wore a black dress with a light veil over her face, and they were accompanied by Stephen.
Rhett had heard of the commotion and decided to stay away from it, but watch from an upper deck. He could see in the distance the carriages that was with the entourage and saw a particular one that had two foot men outside of the door; then he observed the door of the carriage open. However he was too far away and the door was in the way of him seeing who got out.
Scarlett put her hand out and received help out of the carriage and saw her children approaching. Ella broke out in a run toward her mother and Wade picked up his pace, but did not run.
Out of the carriage followed Marcos. He stood by Scarlett with his an arm around her waist.
She wore black and her face lightly veiled as well, as was the custom for mourning.
Rhett saw the children heading for the carriage and all of their people putting their things in their carriages.
He smiled to himself thinking one day that will be me with my family, if I can ever find them...
Ella hugged her mother and Wade did likewise.
"Darlings, how I have missed you, I have so much to tell you. First I would like you to meet Marcos." Scarlett said.
Marcos kneeled down and introduced himself to Ella.
"Hello there young lady."
"Who are you?" She asked.
"I am your mommy's friend. My name is Marcos. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too." She said and curtsied like she was taught.
He stood up and then introduced himself to Wade, and Wade shook his hand while a little suspicious.
Rhett looked on then turned from the scene he beheld in the distance and went inside. He stopped short, and thought, could that possibly have been Wade and Ella?
No, there would be no reason for such a procession for them. No matter how high and mighty Scarlett thought herself, even that was beyond her. He looked back not seeing them anymore, only seeing the massive line of carriages start to leave and other passengers starting to head down the plank onto the pier.
He couldn't help but wonder, but decided to not worry about it. He went to go ready his things. The next stop was France in a few hours...
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You didn't think I would make it that easy did you?!
(Evil laughter fills the air!)
Love you guys, hang
on!... its just getting good!! LOL! (The next chapter is ready for you too...But I need to hear your voices!! Shall we throw poor Rhett a bone???)