As always, thank you all for your support and reviews. I love you all and wish you the best!
I don't know if I've said it, but the story will go for at least 40 chapters. So when a certain event will happen (soon, very soon), you'll wait before t being tempted (at least I hope) to murder me 😉
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Chapter 23
It was after a first encounter with Richard, taking her by surprise when she was on her way to the orphanage, that Scarlett realized maybe it was not so good anymore to wander all alone in the streets. She fumed over herself for not asking Patrick, but then the Scottish giant had seemed so engrossed in helping Ella disentangling a ball of yarn that she had not dared to disturb such an endearing picture. Pork had been sent on an errand, and at that time, she felt safe enough despite Rhett's absence. He had left a note though this time, telling them he'd be available the whole afternoon, and knowing him, she knew he must have prepared something.
Thus, she had wandered with a dreamy smile on her face and had not seen the wolf until he wiggled his tail before her, a proud expression on his face.
He asked for some of her time, an eager and mean light in his eyes, and then proceeded to show her written testimonies against Rhett, and she had been flabbergasted by his own confidence and foolishness, almost forgetting the role she played with him. But she remembered soon enough. She flirted and flattered…
… And the names on the documents stayed on her mind, as if she had carved them on stone.
He attracted her on an abandoned alley, and she put her hand on her reticule, holding tight on the paper-knife she had hidden.
He stole a kiss, and she tried to look through the pockets of his jacket, but there was no sign of the paper-knife he had shown her earlier. She wanted to shout, outraged and disgusted. Yet, she smiled sweetly when he stopped, visibly smug. He must have thought that I had held onto him through the whims of passions, she thought. That damn peacock.
Then he went his way. And she went hers.
The orphanage was still in a disastrous shape, and she hesitated at first on giving the money from the auction, wondering if it would be used in a good way.
Yet, when she saw some of the nuns taking care of the children, she doubted. They were not all so terrible. Some seemed to really care. Even the Mother Superior, who looked down on her, but was quickly called away to calm one of the children that had climbed on a wardrobe and did not know how to go down.
These were things she had not seen the first times, when too engrossed with the hunger in their eyes, she had been more focused on going away. Or when, with Wade, she wanted to be the one saving the day. She looked at the scene closely, then decided to help. And this time, when the child was finally down, the Mother Superior's eyes grew softer.
They were people who tried to survive, but who were taking a wrong way to do so. And she knew that all too clear.
Thus why the idea of creating another orphanage was even more important.
She silently gave the money to the veiled woman, and she felt a newfound respect growing between them. At least a hint of it.
Rhett had told her the world was not truly black and white. Evil and good. Only people trying to live with the means they had been given. Failing. Succeeding. Building themselves from that. Some were weak and stayed weak. Some grew to become strong. Some were strong and became weak. And now she believed it too.
She went to the store and supervised Hugh, Charlie and Ryan's works for a moment, before going to her office. Her gaze stopped at the abandoned chest, and she counted the money she had put in there.
How silly of her to have thought of it! Why, Rhett was still here, and he would stay. She would have no use for that. Not to mention it was quite a big sum of money!
After a moment of indecision, she decided to take it home.
But as she was on the corner of the street, looking for her buggy on that surprisingly busy day, she ran into someone and let it fall.
She managed to retrieve her balance quickly, and excused herself mechanically, but her cheeks burned from the embarrassment.
Her eyes focused first on the basket that the person was holding, containing a pretty bottle of Champagne with a blue seal. She tried to remember where she could have seen the coat of arms that adorned it, for it seemed very familiar. Yet, she was disturbed on her musing by a rough, uncultured voice that filled her with instant anger.
"You're blocking the way."
The sight of Belle Watling biting her lip, looking down on her was too much for her to bear that she could not help but attack. Scarlett huffed and squared her shoulders, ready for battle.
"I've seen you don't contend yourself with entertaining wandering husbands and scoundrels, these days."
The woman dared to smirk.
"You've angered the wron' persons, Ma'm. You only get what you deserve."
"Persons that seem to have a dubious interest in children, from what I've understood."
A sharp light of guilt came to the Madam's eyes, but it soon disappeared, replaced with bitterness and wrath.
"You know nothing. Just like you dunno your own husband... You now, Rhett is a man that loves pleasure and diversity. You'll not be able to keep him long. He'll come wandering again. Just like another you like very much does."
A moment of doubt came to Scarlett, for this statement was close to her own worries. Yet, she remembered the events of yesterday. She remembered his love, his tenderness, despite his secrecy, and the sparks between them, and it gave her strength and faith.
She was so focused on Rhett, that she did not even hear the last part. And even if she had, she would not have really thought much of it at the time. A slow malicious smile came to her face. She held her head high and answered accordingly.
"It seemed it hasn't worked for you. I'll be able to keep up, thanks for your concerns. Whatever I lack, I'm sure he will be able to teach me."
She felt satisfied seeing that woman's face falling, and the skin turning white then red. It was petty, maybe (at least, she knew Melly would have softly reprimanded her, as much as she'd be flustered by the bold insinuations that made her blush herself by thinking of it), but it felt right, and she had to refrain the smile from coming to her face.
Belle Watling huffed, then willfully pushed her out of her way. There, the scorn appeared on Scarlett's face.
No, she would never be like such a woman, she thought. Never. She may have made mistakes, killed and degraded herself in her ignorance and fears, but now she was on the mend, making her own way. Never again would she allow such things to happen again. She had learned the lesson.
Yet, in her own reflection, she could not help but remember the regret that seemed to be in the Madam's eyes when she talked of the children.
She shook her head. It was useless to think of such things. Rhett was waiting.
She took up her fallen chest and went home. She put it in the study, then joined happily her husband, her children, and their little guests for the meal, letting their chatter amuse her and fill her with tenderness. She followed them to the porch, where tea and coffee had been brought up. And other beverages, she noticed, as Rhett opened a bottle of whiskey and suggested brandy to her. Sitting next to him, she watched the children playing, Wade having taken his velocipede to ride it a little, making taunting circles around Ella who had brought up her dolls to play, Caroline by her side silently taking those she handed her.
Rhett softly encouraged Billy to join, but he turned away, blushing, and asked to go to his chambers.
Seeing the scene, Scarlett remembered the puppy that Wade had had, a gift from her that she had sent during the honeymoon. Yet, the dog had not survived the trip to Marietta, sadly. At that time, she had not paid attention to it, focused on other things. But now, she remembered how it would jump on him eagerly when Wade used such a thing.
Had he cried when it died? She did not remember.
"I think I've found a house," She heard Rhett say. "For that little orphanage of yours."
"Oh?" She blinked. "Of ours, you mean. I seem to remember you very much agreed on this scheme."
His eyes glinted pleasantly.
"How would you want it to be called?" He asked, a little smile on his lips. "The Scarlett O'Hara Orphanage, as a proof of your tenacious will and conceit?"
"I'd sooner call it the Rhett Butler, that'd be more fitting," She teased, before pondering on it. "My first thought had been on naming her after Bonnie…"
He squeezed her hand in comfort. "You want to call it in her memory?"
"No. I thought about it. But I don't think it would be quite right," She sighed. "Bonnie was a happy child, though she had lived in an unhappy time. She had us, and we loved her, though our manners to show it were different. And she knew it. I know she knew it. These children… they have lost their parents. They need a benefactor. And when I think of who would be a better fit…"
The answer was obvious, and she felt strength saying it.
"… Melanie Wilkes. Yes, that's how it should be. I know she would have wanted to do so. And this is certainly the least I can do to honor her memory. Well… I and you, for I know how much you respected her."
He looked at her closely, and seeing that she was being honest, he nodded with approval.
"And she was an orphan as well," He added softly.
Her slanted eyes widened.
"Oh, I had forgotten!"
"It's easy to forget what was rarely brought up in times of wars and losses."
She shook her head, almost angry with herself.
"But I married her brother!"
"For all the care you had for him and your young age, I don't think you wanted to know him very much, so why do you care? No, Scarlett. No need to pull your hair for such things, when all of them are dead now. Better focus on the living. The children that are going to be housed."
She took his hand in both hers, and squeezed it.
"And that will live under the shadow of Melanie."
He looked at her intently, and she leaned in, hypnotized. He opened his mouth, and Scarlett could see what he was about to say was crucial. But then Ella pulled his shaft.
"Uncle Rhett… You had promised us a game of hide and seek!"
Her husband blinked, as if he had forgotten it, then laughed at it. The hand slipped from Scarlett's.
"Alright, little Ella. But I still have another thing to say to your mother."
"It can wait," Scarlett replied cheekily as she raised. "After all, I'll be playing too."
His eyebrows raised in surprise and she smiled widely.
She took the full glass from him and drank from it. With that came the bottle, with remnants of blue wax, pretty and promising.
"That was my drink," He remarked on, amused.
"I'm the one that has to do the waiting. I'm the one that deserves it. If you want it that much, you'll have to find me quicker."
She winked at him while he laughed and followed the children while they hid. It reminded her of when she was little, when her own father was the one counting and seeking, and the thrill of it was even now much greater for now it was Rhett that would look for her. He would be the one trying to find her, trying to coax her to come to him.
And when he'd find her…
She shook her head, the blush coming to her ears. No, that wouldn't do, with the children nearby. And yet…
No. She must not think of such a thing. She had to find a good hiding place. She would not make the task easy for him, and she knew he did not expect her to. He'd be even disappointed if she did!
For a time, she looked and looked, and wondered irritably why there were so many flowers in the garden, and not enough trees. But then she had remembered she had been the one to order it. That, and the big sculptures that filled it, to fulfill the romantic vision she had had of what a French garden could be.
But then she found a little pond, lovely with a heavy willow tree quietly letting his branches fall on the dancing water. It was simple, yet with a wild touch. She did not remember ordering that part, but still it pleased her. It made her remember of her story, somehow. She had her hiding spot.
She settled behind the willow tree and waited. Yet, somehow, the roots were too coarse for her, and she let herself slip on the comfier bed of grass and flowers.
She took another sip, trying to calm the heavy beatings of her heart. But it seemed to worsen. The excitation was so much for her to bear, that even the taste of it seemed strange.
She closed her eyes, hazy, the tip of her fingers tickling, before becoming numb. On her tongue was a bitter taste she wanted to get rid of.
She let the darkness fall around her.
…
On the other side of the property, Rhett was waiting, ready to pounce.
Sighing over the theft of this new bottle that had been sent to him, certainly by one of his associates, he tapped his fingers, before taking his own flask of whiskey.
No one could ever reproach him of being impatient. Yet, this chase was one he could not wait to take part in.
He had his own fear to vanquish before they could finally be happy, he knew that. These fears tended to be triggered easily, and it sometimes like he was waiting for it, wondering how long happiness could last. This had been what he had realized yesterday, when, full of jealousy, he had pushed her to sell that ring. That cursed ring.
He knew it was petty since the very beginning. It was for him the proof and the consequence of her superficiality, and each time he had doubted himself, he could think of it and turned it as her fault. Of course, it was her fault, she could not even recognize glitter from gold, fake stone from a true emerald! Oh, the reassuring thing, to think that he was not the one being wrong! There, he had control, and could think he was in the right to do what he did. In the right to punish her more and more, until she understood.
And now, he understood. And the picture was terrible for him. For all of her faults, he realized he was also the one that had made his own nightmare and now it was difficult to turn it entirely into a dream.
This was what she had made him realize, when she took him to his words, and still managed to forgive him for that. Instead of another tantrum that would have amused him and persuaded him he was right, she had confronted him, and still assured him of her love.
Whatever that old Olsen had told him. Whatever scheme she had had, she had given it up. Or at least would soon. He needed to trust she would.
He needed to trust she loved him, and only him.
The irony of the scheme was not lost on him, though.
He had to find a way to mend it. And not to become the unworthy and petty husband, ruminating about past offenses, of a remarkable woman.
Encouraging her to learn had been difficult for him. It was helping her to improve, to the risk that she became his equal, or even superior to him and lost interest. The fear was maybe irrational, and surprising when he had always felt confident about himself. He had been a terrific blockade runner, fearless and shrewd. He was attractive, and knew how to charm, whether men or women. Short-sightedness had never been his fault, quite the contrary, and he prided himself in that.
And yet, with her, it had never seemed to be enough. She always managed to surprise him, even when she was doing what he thought she would. For on these moments, he wanted nothing else than for her to do something else.
Not to mention he realized with horror that with time and age, his mind was not as elastic as it was before. Not that his intellectual abilities were impaired, of course not! But he found it harder to change and move on, especially with Bonnie's death that had for a long time frozen his feelings.
The orphanage would be a way to show they could work together. A way to build up their trusts in one another, like it should have been. Show her that when they were united, they could be unstoppable. They had spent so many times divided, that the few moments were they were one were difficult to retrieve. But she had made him want to fight again, and she would see what kind of husband she had married.
His clock ticked and he smirked. The time was up.
He found Ella and Caroline first, hidden not very subtly behind a shrub that was barely larger than them. Ella squealed in glee, but the other let out a scream, then ran back to the house.
He sighed, still a little troubled by the sight of that dark-haired girl with blue eyes.
That girl had seen too many things, he could sense it. She was quiet, but certainly even wilder than the other boy. They were like two little animals, and it would take more time to properly tame them, he knew.
But they would not be the ones to do so, he reflected. Not if the orphanage worked.
He took Ella's hand and cheered her up, before looking for Wade.
The boy was harder to find. He was smart, and certainly used to hiding. It took some time, and he was surprised not to find his wife first, unsubtle as she could be. But then, it was even better like that.
They found Wade under the thick bushes of roses, and the sight of him was almost laughable, with his clothes a bit torn by the thorns, and the petals stuck on his hair. Certainly, his mother would not be pleased. But then it felt good to see that the boy had played the game and loosen up a little.
He gathered them and eyed them in conspiration.
"Now, will you let me find your mother alone, children? I want to surprise her, and I believe it would be easier to be on my own for that."
"But…" Ella pouted.
Wade looked at him a moment, then seemed to understand. He smiled at his little sister and put his arm around her.
"Come Ella. If we come, she'd hear you, and that wouldn't be a surprise."
"Oh." Ella's head lowered in disappointment.
Fondly, Rhett smiled at them.
"Go back to the house, I'm sure Prissy will have put the cakes on the table."
There, she brightened.
"Yes! Cake, cake, cake!"
She chanted it as she went away with Wade, who now seemed more than a little embarrassed by it.
Laughing, he turned away. This had been better than he thought, and he could not wait to see where that vixen could have hidden herself.
The obvious parts had been explored. Now was left his pond, and it surprised him she even remarked it. Yet, it was a part where he had taken Bonnie many times and delighted in her laughter and plays. He had told her stories there, enjoyed the way she patted at the water while he leaned on the tree.
He touched the bark of it, smiling at the memory, before rounding it. There, the smile widened, and his breath was taken away.
Surrounded with flowers, her lustrous dark hair spread on the grass, Scarlett looked very much like the Ophelia of Millais, peaceful, beautiful in her innocence. Her lips were half opened, as if sleep had taken her by surprise after the kiss of a lover. Yet, this painting was an unconventional one, with the presence of the half-emptied glass in her hand, and the bottle on the other. Maybe that's what made it even more endearing.
He thought he would be happy to spend the rest of his life looking at her.
But then, a better happiness was in the making, and he couldn't wait to begin it.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," He whispered to her tenderly, stroking her cheek, before stealing a kiss from these lips.
Yet, she was cold and unmoving. Dread came to his heart.
"Scarlett? Wake up, darling…" He said more forcefully, shaking her lightly, then harder.
Her eyes opened in half, filled with pain.
"Rhett? … I… my throat…"
He sniffed the glass and cursed.
"Pork!" He called, trying to control the urgency from his tone. "Call Doctor Meade. And tell Prissy to take the children to the nursery. NOW!"
He took her into his arms, whispering urgently to her. She looked at him without seeing, and as time passed, he felt she was about to close her eyes. Which wasn't right. He couldn't let her do that!
He led her to her chambers and lay her on the bed, not thinking that maybe he could have laid her on a nearer place.
He paused, surprisingly undecided.
Seeing her now, in that bed, he was tempted to run, to flee all these feelings that came to him, contradictory and fearsome. It made him remember once again of her days of ailment after the miscarriage, when he had been miserably waiting for an answer, for her call. Before running away from the fear of it all. He could not bear seeing her like that. It was a pain akin to one shot at his lung, the wound reaching little by little his heart.
And yet, he could not bear the thought of her suffering without being able to do anything to help her. Not anymore. He would not wait for her call, this time.
He stayed firmly at her side, his eyes not leaving her.
"Scarlett! Open your eyes, darling, fight!" He shouted, shaking her little frame to make her come back. "Come on!"
She shook her head.
"Hot… Sleepy…"
"No, don't you dare sleep on me, you little harpy!" He snarled. "Talk to me…. Stay with me… Anything!"
"Rhett?... No, he's not there…"
"It's me, it's Rhett… " He squeezed her hand hard, scowling. " Of course, I'm there, you foolish woman! How can you doubt it?"
"Where… is it?" She shook her head, agitated. "It hurts…"
"Where what? Scarlett, talk to me!"
"What?... I can't…"
"Of course, you can, darling, don't be so melodramatic!"
She seemed to scowl. A hint of consciousness came to her eyes.
"You are… a cad."
"Yes, I am… Now continue…" But as he saw she was drifting again, he tried to find another subject. And surprisingly, this came to his mouth: "The tale! Tell me what happens in your tale!"
She blinked at him, dumbfounded.
"My tale?"
"Yes, yes. Solene, where is she going?"
"She…"
"Yes, continue. What is she doing?"
"She's hot. And lost… She's looking for…"
"What is she looking for?"
"A shelter… from the sun…"
"Yes, it's hot, you said that. So, that shelter?"
"I don't know…"
"Damn you if you don't know! Tell me she's going to be fine!"
"She… Rhett…"
"Scarlett?!"
"There's a fire… in the shelter…" She uttered with difficulty, her eyes feverish and distressed. "The children… We need to send them away."
"Send them away?"
"They're not safe here… The fire… No one is safe, here… Please, Rhett…" She gripped his cloth, looking at him despairingly. "Send them to Tara. Yes, to Tara, they will be safe… With Mammy…" Then, she paused, distracted. "No, it's Esther… She is called Esther… That's how I should call her…"
"Damn it, Scarlett, you always have the knack to focus on irrelevant details!"
At least it showed she was better than he thought.
"And the boy… needs protection… He has seen…"
"What, dear?" He asked, before shaking his head. "By God, I don't give a damn! Get well, damn you!"
But she did not seem to have heard him.
"You'll make sure of it, Rhett?"
"Anything, Scarlett… God, just rest and get well, honey... Please… Don't you leave us that way."
Don't leave me… He wanted to say.
"I love you."
Now that was too much!
"No 'I love you'! Not now! Foolish woman, stop acting as if you are going to die!"
"Don't leave me!"
"I won't. I promise. But you have to promise the same. Promise me, Scarlett!"
"The fire… Where to go…? Rhett…"
"Damn you, Scarlett, there's no fire but the one in your veins! Promise me!"
"… yes."
"Mr. Butler?"
He jumped, ready to berate the one who dared disturbing him. To an outsider, he seemed like the devil himself, imposing and fearsome, his eyes glinting dangerously, his face dark and ominous.
He did not recognize Doctor Meade at first, but when he did, it calmed him, as much as his wife's light grip on him, sign she was still here with him.
The man, if he seemed to be afraid for one moment, recovered. He had certainly already been confronted with that kind of situation, and he had learned with time that his role as a doctor helped not being impressed a long time by such behavior. He looked at Rhett pointedly, hoping the shaking of his hand did not show. He tried to hold onto the glass and the bottle that the servant had shown him.
"I'll need to be alone with my patient."
Alone? Alone?
Rhett raised softly, looking at Scarlett, who just closed his eyes. His fists clenched, unclenched. Then he pushed them to his pockets and went away without a glance, swiftly as if he was running away.
He waited for a time, eager for every sound coming from that room. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, the doctor opened the door and turned to him. The eyes of the old man were severe on him.
"Did you give her the draught today?"
Taken aback, he retreated.
"What? No. No, of course."
The doctor did not seem to believe it. He sniffed once again the glass, before putting it back with a sigh.
"I've seen this before. I told you. When heavily dosed, the medicine has worrying effects."
"Are you accusing me?"
"I'm pointing out facts. It's fortunate she had been given some before. It could have been worse. Her body got used to it. She's not in danger."
"Oh, thank God."
His shoulders fell in relief.
"Nevertheless, she needs to rest. It seems she hasn't been sleeping properly these days, and it weakened her body a bit."
Rhett nodded numbly. Of course. And with her nightmares, it must certainly not have helped.
But as always, she would be alright. She had to be.
This thought put him at ease, but it did not divert him from another fact: someone was after him, hated him so much that they did not care if others would be involved in this. He knew his wife's enemies. He knew what could make them stop. Yet, this one was new, and with means he did not recognize.
And now he was in for the kill. This had only been his first attempt. The other may be more dangerous. The matter was becoming more and more urgent. They needed to go. At least until he could find a solution.
"Thank you, Doctor Meade, for coming so swiftly," He said, seeing the man was still there.
Doctor Meade nodded, still eyeing him suspiciously. Yet he still went away, and Rhett, after a time considering what to do, called Pork.
"We'll need to pack the mistress' things for Tuesday. And the children's too."
"You goin', master?"
"Yes, Pork. We'll be traveling for a time," He answered briskly. "Do it discreetly, Pork. This will be a surprise."
He then went to the children and dismissed that Scottish man Scarlett had hired, still uneasy with his presence. He played with them, affecting nothing queer had happened, other than their mother might have caught a cold. In the same way, he brought them to the dinner table, and assured himself it would be served to Scarlett too, and with generous portions.
Damn, if she did not eat it all, he would force it to her mouth!
But when he came to the door, he had the satisfaction to see that Prissy had gone from it with an empty trail.
It was generally a good sign. She had recovered.
He knocked, then entered at her request.
His eyes quickly found her, sitting on her bed with her hair flowing down her shoulders like an untied silky scarf. She was still very pale, but the colors had returned to her, from the entrancing green emerald of her eyes to the luscious red of her lips. She had changed into a thin nightgown, that was barely hiding the delicious swell of her chest.
But most importantly, she had the glow of life still clinging to her.
"Scarlett…" He said, almost breathless at the sight of her, before regaining his composure. "You made us worried."
"Did I?" Her eyes were twinkling. "Were you so very much…?"
"Almost," He bit back a smile at her attempt.
Oh, curse his pretending not to love her anymore. It had no sense anyway, and now he could see it had been more of a defense for himself than a true protection for her. He was going to say everything to her. When she finally dropped her act too.
Swiftly, he went to her side, his steps light and gracious as those of a panther. He felt akin to the feline anyhow, which was fitting with such a wife. Her eyebrow went up at that gesture.
"You have something to tell me. I feel it, you're eyeing at me like that again."
"Like what again?"
"Oh, you know," She tapped her fingers, irritated, and a frown adorned her features, before it softened and she leaned towards him. "Oh, please, Rhett, say it. I'm exhausted and dying of curiosity!"
"No, you're not dying," And there, the chuckle was a little forced. He paused, considering her one last time, before shooting the first arrow. "But you're right. I have something to tell you. After the ball, I will have to leave. I can't stay any longer. I'm sure you knew that already."
She froze. Nodded.
"Alright," She said, as if she was taking it lightly. Yet, it failed miserably. "Yes, you've told me. Paris, isn't it? Or Venice? Alright. Alright. Will you bring me a gift?"
He shook his head, almost amused. She was going to make it harder for him, wasn't she?
"I expect I will not have to."
Another falter. Soon would be the breaking point.
"I'll send to you the story by letters then. At least if you don't figure it out before."
He was tempted to chuckle.
"You won't have to."
She was going to ask him. He knew that. He was waiting for it. He could see her reflecting on her options, could almost see the mechanisms of her mind working quickly until it clicked.
"Rhett…"
"Yes, Scarlett?"
"If I ask you something crazy, would you agree?"
"Ask and we'll see."
He refrained from a smile of triumph.
Her hand clenched at her side, crumpling the sheets. Her eyes raised to meet his, and it was like she was about to enter a battlefield, from the heady flame that danced in them.
"You want to go? Alright, I won't stop you. But you have to give me something." Her eyes were fierce and determined as she stared at him. "Let's pretend."
Rhett froze, taken aback. Not to mention the word offended him.
"Pretend?"
What was there to pretend? Their life was already pretending not to care when they did, and now hours after she played the agonizing woman, now she asked him that?
The vixen, she had almost made him worry!
"Two days," She continued decidedly. "I ask you of two days of what could have been. Two days of understanding, without suspicion. How you would have wanted us to be. You'll bring me to the ball on Monday, and you will stay and dance with me. And then you can go wherever you want to go," She raised her head proudly, her eyes daring. "You owe me fun, Rhett Butler. This is a debt you need to pay."
"Fun?" He repeated. "Yes, fun. Alright, then. Fun, there will be."
His mouth went down as he tried to hide the disappointment he felt. But still, she cocked her head, as if confused. His eyes down, his finger idly caressing her hip. He felt her shiver under his touch, and he was tempted to laugh, his eyes glinting. He smirked.
Oh, pretend, then? Like that? He thought about it, then smiled. He could turn it into his advantage. He would make her see it was more than pretending. She'd be caught up in her own game. By Monday, she'll have him under her skin, as much as he had her under his. She'll be the one to ask him to take her with him.
She was a wild card, indeed. But he knew he could make that card become his greatest ally. Yet, she needed to be the one to take the initiative. His beloved Scarlett was never more convinced and irresistible when she thought she was the one making the decision and pushing people to do her bidding.
When she would ask him to take her and the children with him, he would accept graciously. It would give her a sense of power, but then he would be the one to hold it. A situation that would satisfy them both.
But then, there was another satisfaction he wanted to get, with the temporary crush of his hopes, and all the fears of the day. His finger went up, lifting a little her nightgown. He saw her biting her lip, her pupils growing as she stared at him.
"Can't we grant each other… one little celebration of life to seal it?"
There, the green emeralds burned brightly with indignation.
"I was the one whose life had been endangered, not you. I should be the one to demand it."
"Semantics, my dear. And you were not in danger," He retorted as he kissed her passionately.
Oh, thank God, yes. Thank her glorious, stubborn body clinging to life and adapting like a hungry dog would to a bone, he thought with relief as he pressed her against him, the tips of her breasts delightfully hard on his chest. Her hands raised from his shoulders to his hair, urging him as she opened her mouth to him, inviting him. He felt himself hardening as she arched herself against him, like a cat under the caress of his master.
Could he make her purr? Oh, he certainly wanted that.
He tasted the skin down her mouth, the fierce little chin, and the agonizingly sweet curve of the throat where he could feel her pulse, and it was sweet and spicy, a delicacy he delighted on without feeling satiated.
He bit her lightly on the neck, soothing it with his tongue, and sucked, making his mark on the white skin. She was his, just as he was hers, and nothing would take her from him, not even death. He wanted to believe it, no, needed. She was the most real thing in his life now, the one thing he wanted to fight for, her and the children, and he wanted to bind them to him, so that they would never be apart again.
She moaned loudly against him, and he thought he would be driven mad by it.
"Mamaaaa!"
He cursed, his hold on Scarlett still tight.
Hadn't he told one of the servants to look after them? Damn them.
Quick steps were heard, then a surprising pausing in front of the door. And finally a tiny knock on the door.
Scarlett began to push him away.
"Rhett! Get up!"
"No."
"Get up, you rascal!" She hissed. "You're crushing me."
"You didn't seem to mind, moments ago."
"Oooh!"
There, her attempts were a little more forceful.
He chuckled. "Alright, don't ruffle your fur, my darling. I'm getting up. For now."
He observed her with amusement.
She cleared her throat.
"You can enter, Ella."
The door opened carefully, showing the little girl who was lowering her head as if chastened, yet with eyes that raised toward her mother. Then, when he gestured her to come, she hurried up and jumped on the bed. He was about to berate her, worried it might upset Scarlett, but he had the surprise to hear her giggle.
"I heard your cry, mama," Ella said, a worried frown marking her little forehead. "Were you hurt?"
A smile was drawn on her lips.
"Yes, I was, dear Ella. I believe I've been attacked by a panther."
Rhett cocked an eyebrow up, amused.
"Oh, poor mama, she had bitten you in the neck too…" He guffawed, undisturbed by Scarlett's glare and attack of the elbow. "That was really a panther? Where is she?"
"You scared her away, my brave girl," She said tenderly, before her eyes twinkled with mischief. "Or maybe she's in me!"
"Does that mean you're going to eat me?" Ella blinked, as if a little unsure by her mother's antics.
"Very much so!"
That said, she jumped on the girl who cried in delight as she was tickled to tears by her mother.
"Stop, mama!" Ella giggled. "You're… not a panther!"
"Mother?"
Scarlett stopped, her eyes opening wide. Then she smiled largely.
"Come, Wade," She said as she opened her arms to him.
Rhett was amazed to see the two children coming so confidently to their mother's embrace, as much as her offering of it.
How far they had come, all of them. A surge of pride and love came to him. And yet, this change had not happened because of him. Somehow, this gave another flavor to it, pleasant yet a bit lonely. It ticked a bit his ego, but then he knew it was better like that.
It was his family. Here lay his heart. And he would do anything for them.
"Oh, come, Uncle Rhett!" Wade protested. "Don't stay on your own like that!"
He laughed, then joined them, his arms long enough to gather them. This was how it was meant to be, he thought. Finally.
"I like it when we're all like that," Ella cooed, a pleased smile on her face.
Scarlett's eyes opened and crossed his.
"I like it too," She whispered softly.
There, the embrace ended, but the proximity stayed, Wade sitting on his mother's left side. Ella was settled between her legs, and Scarlett combed her curly hair in an absent-minded way.
"Were you so very worried?"
"Oh, yes, I was! And Wade cried a lot!"
There, said boy raised in outrage.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"It's alright to cry," Their mother said softly, before a teasing flame came to her eyes as they met his. "After all, I think your Uncle Rhett did too…"
Rhett chuckled.
"This, my dear, is a drop of sweat. Taking care of you is a tiresome sport."
She stuck out her tongue at him.
"Oh, fiddle-dee-dee! I've never seen you sick…"
"… and you won't see me like that…"
"… but I'm sure you are an even worse patient than I!"
"Yes, you're right. You actually are quite a lovely patient," He said as he caressed her cheek, and she leaned to his touch, appeased.
In front of them, Wade cleared his throat, snickering while Ella was blushing.
He composed himself, though the sight of his wife blushing over such a little thing threatened to break his resolve not to laugh.
"So, what did you do while your mother was amusing herself playing sick?"
If she scowled at his jest, he saw that she quickly understood why he did this. Which did not stop her from cheekily pushing him.
Wade frowned at this, but then, he could see it was all treated in a good-natured way, and said nothing. It somehow made him smile. Rhett did not take much time to ponder on it, other than the fact it was generally reassuring for a child to see their parents visibly getting along, for with his arm around Scarlett's waist, he pushed her against him, and she nuzzled on his chest.
Ella took it by the word and laughed.
"Oh, mama, that was wrong of you to do so!" She said, before pondering. "Caroline was really nice. And Billy gave me a flower to comfort me."
"Did he now?" He cocked his eyebrow up, amused.
He felt the slight sting of her hand on his thigh as Scarlett chided him.
"Oh, fiddle-dee-dee, Rhett!"
He shrugged, the smile not leaving his face.
"Will you bring flowers for mama too?"
"I don't know. Does your mama need comforting?"
"Of course not!" She scoffed, crossing her arms, though a smile crept to her lips. "Though I wouldn't refuse flowers."
He laughed.
"Of course, you wouldn't."
In the room, the clock rang, the piercing sound startling them. At their side, Ella's eyes widened and lightened up.
"Oh…"
"What is it, Ella?"
"It's time for the story!" She turned towards her mother, her little mouth pouting in such a way he could see the similarity. "Will you tell it tonight, mama?"
"Of course, sweetheart!"
Rhett looked at Scarlett, unsure. She still needed rest, despite her words.
"Don't look at me like that, Rhett!" She scolded lightly. "I'm no agonizing woman. I'm much better!"
"I'll bring Caroline and Billy!" Ella cried, before pausing with the others' baffled eyes on her. "What? It'd be unfair if they were left out!"
She came back with the two children, urging them to hurry, while Wade looked at them with an amused smile. Caroline looked at the boy questioningly. He seemed a bit ill-at-ease by such a role of reassurance, but still, he nodded.
Rhett observed them fondly, though he could see Scarlett was still wondering if it was truly fitting to have invited them here.
Of course it wasn't fitting. And yet, now they were here. He did not quite know himself what to do with them for the moment, except that he knew that Scarlett had insisted on the boy in particular. Why, he thought he had guessed it to some extent. But there would be a need for some enlightenment later.
Caroline and Billy settled silently at the foot of the bed, little silhouettes almost unnoticeable with the enormity of the dark wood filled with carvings.
He saw her clearing her throat before beginning.
To be fair, Rhett did not listen to every one of her words. No, he was too much focused on the way her body moved, filled with life. He thought she rambled a little about the pain of running haphazardly, visibly quite affected by the way he was playing with her hair, and he took a devious pleasure at troubling her so for such little things. Soon, the lock joined others, and he tucked it carefully in a braid. She scowled at him, but he looked at her innocently.
"… And there, she found the formidable pirate Robert!"
"I knew she would find him again!" Wade reacted.
"Where was he?" Ella asked.
"He was in a prison," Scarlett replied, a cheeky glance on his direction. "See, children, he had been a very bad boy in this new adventure of his, and now he had been caught by his enemies who wanted him to pay."
Oh, she was really going to replay their time there, wasn't she?
"And certainly a very heavy ransom," He commented, waggling his brows. "But I'm surprised, my dear."
"What about?"
"You've said nowhere that your heroine needed money. And nowhere in your tale you said she was one to accept people back freely like that."
She straightened and put her fists on her hips.
"I've said she loved him. But then if he's decided to be a cad, maybe she should try to steal some from him."
"But isn't stealing bad?"
Caroline had intervened, and blushed as they looked at her in surprise. Rhett then could see the effect of the education of the nuns in her. All the rules she had learned, but that did not register completely on her behavior.
"It is," He said softly. "But then sometimes people have no choice. Stealing is better than staying hungry or without a home, don't you think?"
This time, the girl did not run away. She nodded, her hand gripping a little more the wood. He saw Billy looking at him intensely, and wondered, uneasy, at the meaning of this gaze.
Scarlett squeezed his hand, and he saw gratefulness at his intervention. His eyes softened, realizing the question had not been totally easy for her too.
"When she found him," She said softly. "she felt so happy. Yet, she did not know if she could show it. And… he seemed happy too."
"He was. Very much."
"Of course he was!" Ella intervened. "They love each other!"
He looked at his wife, at the expectant light in her eyes.
No, not now. She was too impatient.
"She loves him. Very much," She said. "And she tried to make him escape from the prison to join her. Yet he refused."
"How so?" Wade protested. "If he could run away with her?"
A new glint brightened the green eyes as they narrowed on him teasingly, the nose lightly wrinkling.
"He wanted her to beg him for that. And then go back to other adventures on his own."
Rhett was tempted to laugh. "Oh, maybe not. But maybe he needs the right incentive."
"And what would the right incentive be?"
His eyes went to her lips, and he saw the pulpy little mouth stretch in a daring smile.
"What do you think?"
"That's stupid of him to shilly-shally like that. No one shoud stay in prison. My Da' certainly did not."
Billy crossed his arms, so focused that for the first time he did not seem to mind the attention.
"I agree with you, Billy," Wade insisted with a smirk on Rhett's direction. "If he loves her, he'd better say it and do anything to go with her. Not just wait."
Oh, the little traitor! Since when was he doubting of his methods?
"And kiss her!" Ella added. "On the mouth!"
At her side, Scarlett laughed, and then there was mischief once again in her eyes.
"Oh, but then, for him, the story wouldn't be that enjoyable, would it?"
"Well, each good story had a lot of obstacles before the final… hurray," He replied, playing the game. "It's what makes the story worth living. And even more exciting."
Her eyes darkened and he gulped his saliva, before composing himself.
"There, there, children. It'll be all. Your mother is tired. She needs her beauty sleep."
"Fiddle-dee-dee, Rhett! I don't need sleep to be pretty," She protested, batting her lashes.
He chuckled.
"No, my dear. But you need it all the same."
He leaned in, his hand caressing the back of her head tenderly. His lips grazed her forehead and she closed her eyes, content. He took her in, letting a smile slip on his face at seeing her pout.
"Goodnight, Scarlett."
No 'my love', like these games they were playing, where he was trying to make her see repeat the word won't make it senseless. After all, she did say she wanted two days, with him showing her "what could have been". What would be. Days of peace, of love, it sounded right for him. Her name was enough to convey his feelings, and he felt almost uneasy by the amount of love and tenderness he managed to show with just uttering it. Yet, he could see she was offering also a way out of it, and he appreciated it.
"Goodnight, my love," She whispered lovingly, and as much as he wanted to stay, she still hadn't asked him. And he was sure their reunion would be even more worth it with a little bit of waiting. He would feed the flame until it grew. And when it'd burn bright and hot, she would not be able to resist. Then their story would truly begin.