A/N: Well lookee here – another chapter!
September 1867
"What is it Scarlett, aroon? You look like you've seen a ghost."
The spell was broken as she turned to face the concerned visage of her relative.
"Nothing Colum. I'm well."
"Come now, its growing cold. Let's see if Molly has anything on the stove for us."
She smiled and, taking hold of his arm; beckoned her children and followed Colum to one of the more modest streets of Savannah.
XxX
She had first met Colum in the summer of 1867.
Pierre had been particularly demanding in the past week and she had seized a rare moment of solitude to escape the ostentatious, pink-shaded mansion.
They had made their way to the park and Scarlett had given the nod for her boys to let loose.
They took full advantage, yelling at the top of their little lungs. Little Mari tried her best to keep up but her legs were unsteady, causing her to fall often.
The little girl sobbed. "Mama!"
"Oh Mari. Come here."
Mari held up her arms and Scarlett scooped her up, holding her close. She stood shakily on her feet and narrowly avoided bumping into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sir..."
The man stood firm, his hair blowing in the breeze.
His eyes were the brightest blue and his voice... it was an exact replica for Gerald!
"Pa!"
The man was aghast to find the woman before him burst into tears. He looked around but onlookers were scarce and none were forthcoming.
Two young boys ran over, distressed by their mother's tears. They stared accusingly at him.
It took several seconds for the man to decide that he would take the woman to his relative's house.
XxX
Molly looked up from her mending to see her cousin, Colum enter with a near-hysterical woman, two young boys and a little girl. She vacated her place by the fire and Colum led Scarlett over. Molly placed a warm shawl over her shoulders and placed a glass into her hands.
Scarlett luxuriated in the sensation of brandy flowing down her throat. She leaned back in her chair and let the alcohol warm her bones.
It was only then she realised how much she had missed it.
Her voice was husky as she opened her eyes. "I'm sorry. I thought you...you reminded me of someone who... well he's dead now."
"Well, I'm sorry for that. It's not often I cause such distress to a woman. You took me by surprise."
His eyes danced in a painfully familiar way. She shook her head and stiffened up.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble. I think it's best if we leave now."
The woman stayed her and Scarlett didn't have the strength to fight.
Sometime later, the woman's husband returned to find that a strange woman and her children were cosseted in his warm kitchen.
The young woman reminded him so of a young girl he had known of, oh so long ago.
Talk stopped as he entered. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Not at all, we were just leaving. I'm sorry to be a bother."
"To be sure, you were no bother. If anything it's me who should apologise for upsetting you."
She shook her head but gave a small smile.
"Where are you heading to?"
She gave the name and they all gave a whistle of surprise.
"Surely you don't mean the grand house of Pierre Robillard? I pity anyone who has dealings with him. Oh, sorry I meant no offence..."
"Please don't worry. I am under no illusion as to Pierre Robillard's true nature."
"Then you must be someone of great strength or courage to put up with his hoity-toity ways."
"Not really. I'm just a dutiful Grand-daughter."
A stroke of recognition struck the latecomer. "I knew I recognised you."
Scarlett turned to face him. "Excuse me?"
The smile widened. "You're Gerald O'Hara's girl aren't you?"
She held her breath. "You knew Gerald?"
"Aye, I do for all my sins. I've known him all his life. He is, or was my younger brother."
"Then you're..."
"Andrew O'Hara, ma'am. At your service!"
That remark had heralded the beginning of a grand reunion.
Andrew had called for more brandy and himself and Molly insisted she stay for supper. Their own children were curious as to the identity of the grand lady and were delighted when their Pa announced that she was kin.
The impromptu celebrations continued late into the evening and it was with great reluctance that Scarlett made ready to leave.
Andrew and Colum insisted on escorting her home and the crowd gathered into the small rig that was used for their business dealings.
XxX
Pierre took great satisfaction in waking Scarlett at the crack of dawn, knowing full well that she had not been abed long.
However exhausted she was, she never showed it.
A fact which disappointed Pierre greatly.
She went about her morning duties with a new vigour, before announcing the need to peruse the town. She left the room before he had the chance to blink.
Scarlett's reunion with her O'Hara kin proved bittersweet as by all accounts.
The fact that she wasn't an O'Hara was responsible for most of that unease.
However she chose to ignore that small detail and instead, relish in the fact that there were still decent folk to be found in the Old South.
Kit and Leon also benefitted from the break in their otherwise controlled existence. Their tutor found an increase in their attention spans, of which he took full credit.
Kit and Leon no longer cared. They had enough cousins to provide them with what their benevolent Great-Grandfather regarded as unimportant.
They had their childhood.
Scarlett also found that her business skills were once again sought after.
She had made many visits to the O'Hara store and whilst it was profitable, there were still areas for improvement. Having heard her suggestions for reorganisation, Andrew bestowed on his niece the sole responsibility of that task. She worked tirelessly and even he was pleased with the results. Particularly when they were able to uncover a tea-set that had been hidden in the back. This tea-set was constructed mainly of fine china. It looked pretty enough but neither reckoned much on its value.
It was provident perhaps that Scarlett was in when a certain Gentleman arrived. He was an acquaintance of Pierre Robillard and had been flabbergasted by the find.
The proprietor's asking price was somewhat low but Scarlett saw to it that the end price was fair. Andrew still thought it a ridiculous price to pay but he conceded that he couldn't afford to give the impression that his prices were not relative to the item he was selling.
That night, he decided that Scarlett should have more of an input with the business. She was family after all and family always looked out for each other. Scarlett was immensely grateful and agreed, on the condition that they make a more mutually beneficial arrangement.
"I'll have my lawyer prepare the necessary documents."
And so it was that Henry Hamilton was invited to stay at the house of Monsieur Robillard of Savannah.
XxX
Jerome was at the station to collect their esteemed guest and was surprised to find that the man had brought along another companion.
"Mr Hamilton? My name is Jerome. Monsieur Robillard is waiting for you."
Henry was disappointed that Scarlett had not come to collect them but he wouldn't let it ruin his time here.
They travelled to the ostentatious pink mansion and followed Jerome through the heavy oak doors.
"Monsieur Pierre and Mrs Thornton are in the Library. Can I bring you anything?"
Henry shook his head and followed the servant through to the library. Pierre was reading his paper but Scarlett stood up to greet them.
"Why Mr Hamilton! So good of you to come. I hope your journey wasn't too tiresome?"
Henry stood perplexed. When Scarlett first arrived in Atlanta and he escorted her to social gatherings, they had agreed that Mr Hamilton was too formal and it made him sound like an old man. But why would she address him so? Why was she being so formal?
A dry cough interrupted his wonderings as another voice joined the conversation.
"Hello Aunt Scarlett." The boy ran towards the woman who had been in his family for as long as he could remember. His arms went about her waits and whilst she was startled by the blatant affection, she laid her own hands on his shoulders.
"And you've brought young Wade Hampton! I bet you're eager to see Christophe and Napoleon aren't you?"
Wade and Henry shared a glance. Who were Christophe and Napoleon?
Pierre's voice rose above their banter. "The children are with their tutor until supper. Perhaps Master Hampton should go to the Nursery."
Scarlett's eyes rolled as she clenched her teeth. "Of course, I'm sure you'd like to see Little Mari again wouldn't you?"
Wade nodded, unsure. Seeing his hesitation, Scarlett gave him a warm smile and led him away, leaving Henry to take her vacated chair. Being a man well adept at social situations, he knew that it was best to go along with his host's wishes.
He would ask questions later.
XxX
Henry was distraught to find that not only would his nephew be shut away in the Nursery, but he was also dispatched to the kitchen for supper.
His temper was drawing to boiling point and it wouldn't long before it simmered.
They were in the Library when Jerome announced that dinner was ready.
"Come Mr Hamilton, let us go through. Scarlett, see to the children."
"Grandfather, are you sure you want the children at table. You know how you hate mess and they can be such messy creatures?"
Her voice was low, so as not to offend the children. However, Henry heard and he was disappointed.
XxX
Although they had company, Pierre was as odious as ever. Scarlett had seen to it that they had a veritable banquet for their honoured guest. Henry's mouth watered at the spread before him and found he could not resist reaching for the great Ham before him.
A short kick to his shin faltered his progress and he looked up to find Pierre's sly grin and Scarlett's shake of the head.
Pierre threw his handkerchief on the table and announced, "This is not satisfactory. Take it away."
Wordlessly, the servants began gathering up the food and removing it to the kitchen. Pierre stood and gave a small bow announcing his intention to depart for the night.
As the door slammed behind him, Scarlett's eyes met Henry's.
"I'm sorry you had to see that. I would have thought we'd at least get to try the first course."
"I take it he does that often?" She nodded. "So that's why you banished the children."
She gave a half-smile. "They don't need that disappointment. They suffer enough, living here."
He wanted to press her but by the look on her face he could see it was not the time.
Scarlett sighed, wearily. "Come on Henry; let's get you something to eat."
"But..."
"By now Grandfather will have given his selection to the kitchen and will be enjoying his dinner in the Library. I hope you don't mind but we'll be eating ours in the kitchen."
Upon entering the kitchen, Henry was delighted to find that there was a different scene altogether. One filled with laughter and merriment.
One where plates were stacked high and the children were quite merry.
"Mama, come sit with us."
"Certainly."
By the time the family withdrew for the night, Henry's hunger was satisfied, at least in terms of food. Not his knowledge.
XxX
They were in the garden two days later when Henry was finally able to get his answers.
For the past few days, he had seen how Scarlett was ordered about for dawn til dusk. He wondered how such a woman could withstand such treatment.
Last night, Pierre had broached the subject of Scarlett's business dealings. It had been his upmost pleasure to announce that the playhouses were becoming more popular by the day and that the lumber yard was pulling in plenty of money. Enough to make up for the loss of profit from the store.
Scarlett was appalled. "How can the store be losing money?"
"I'm sorry to say this Scarlett," his host gave a cough and he altered his speech. "I mean Mrs Thornton. It seems that Mr Kennedy, whilst being a perfect Gentleman, is not such a great Merchant. Particularly when it comes to the selling of your more expensive items."
Scarlett didn't need him to continue. She could see it now. Frank Kennedy, the man who couldn't refuse a sob story and the greedy eyes of customers who wanted what they couldn't afford. She cringed inside at the thought of her luxury goods being sold for barely half of their value. Those Yankees and Carpetbaggers must be having a field day!
It was this thought that angered her most.
XxX
"Henry, I want you to see to the acquisition of a new shop. Somewhere away from Kennedy's and Thornton's Emporium. Perhaps on Peachtree Street?"
"I see. What will I tell Mr Kennedy?"
"Tell him that the business is doing well and it's time for expansion. But don't let him get his hands on the shop. Talk to Willy, offer him a pay-rise and make him Manager. Do what you can to make the business profitable."
He nodded his head and watched as she sighed and sunk to the bench.
"Miss Scarlett, I'm going to be frank now. I hope you don't take offense."
She looked up.
"Why are you here? You can't be happy. Come back to Atlanta."
"I can't leave Henry. If I leave, my boys will lose everything their father left them. I don't know how or why but Grandfather has something going on. I've searched that house from top to bottom and I can't find any trace. But I know that he has something to do with Chevalier's disappearance."
"Chevalier? You're father-in-law?"
"The very same. I'm not so smart about legal matters, that's your job but somehow my Grandfather is convinced that he has control over mine and my son's inheritance. I intend to find out how but I need your help."
"Miss Scarlett, I'll do whatever I can to help. The Hamilton's are indebted to you for all you've done for our family."
"Then do what you can Henry." She paused lightly. "There is another matter. My Grandfather has suggested that I leave a will. In light of my father, I think it is a good idea. Poor Pa, he was so very Irish. They're suspicious of Death and will not think about it. Even to help their children. The French are less sentimental. Grandfather wants me to name his as Guardian, should anything happen to me. But I will not leave that man in control of my boys. He'll destroy their spirits and break their hearts."
"Then, if not your Grandfather, who?"
"You."
"Me?"
His uttermost puzzlement warmed her heart. She had given the matter a great deal of thought. Though there were many candidates available: Molly and Andrew for one. She had decided against them for the simple reason that they had enough children to worry about. Suellen and Frank were a definite no. It was the same for Melanie and Ashley. To be sure they would try their best and Melly would certainly prove to be a dedicated surrogate. However, she could not bring herself to imagine Ashley Wilkes as a potential role model for her boys.
He lacked the vigour.
Henry Hamilton had proved himself to be a trustworthy custodian, managing her affairs to her standards. Not only that but he had no personal attachment to anyone outside his family and thus, would be able to provide her children with the care they deserved. Of course, raising Little Mari would be a difficult task but she would think of that tomorrow.
"I cannot think of anyone better suited, Henry. You care for my boys, I know it. And you've proved yourself trustworthy in assisting with my business dealings. But if you don't feel comfortable then..."
He stayed her. "Miss Scarlett, I would be honoured to be left Guardian to Kit, Leon and Little Mari. But surely, your Grandfather will not give this up so easily?"
"Indeed he will not. That is where the deception comes in. We need to persuade him that he will have sole control of my children. We'll play to his ego. That way, he won't ask to look at the Will."
Henry nodded, amazed once more by her sound logic.
XxX
The whole family were gathered for the evening. Cigars and brandy had been dispensed and Pierre found himself in a very content mood.
Everything was going as he had planned.
"Mr Hamilton, it has been a pleasure meeting you. I am satisfied that you will take care of Mrs Thornton's interests."
Henry held back the thought of Pierre's pompous and patronizing manner. Instead he smiled and hastened. "Of course Monsieur Robillard. Your patronage is of my highest priority."
Scarlett held back the snort by covering it up with a cough.
"Why Scarlett, I fail to see why you persist in drinking that wine when you lack the palette for it."
She held her breath and smiled, thinking of the day when she would be rid of her Grandfather's tyranny.
Permanently.
