Chapter 4
Amelia Beauregard was stunned. She couldn't believe this, and the worst part? She did this to herself. Oh, who would love her now? Why had she been so stupid as to leave Reginald? She sighed. Well, she resolved, she'd have to take it in stride. She wouldn't court for a bit, in an effort to find her footing again, but her time away from the market would be short, half a year at the most. After all, it was unladylike to just… give up!
Meanwhile, Scarlett was as happy as a lark. She listened as Reginald talked about life out west, genuinely interested.
"Far be it for me to speak on things I shouldn't but… wouldn't it be far easier for everyone if we didn't break our treaties with the Indians?"
Reginald nodded. "I agree wholeheartedly," he said, "and in regards to your interjection, I'd much prefer you spoke your mind. I need a lady who isn't afraid to be direct. I don't want to live with some meek girl who only could say 'yes' and 'no' and raise a parcel of mealy-mouthed ninnies. God, that'd be worse than death! Scarlett, I'm a strange man."
"Why? You seem normal to me."
"I'm strange, honey, because I consider my future wife an equal. If she lives in my house, she should get a fair say over everything that happens in it."
"Well I never!" Said Scarlett, beaming. "Oh if you aren't simply the best man a woman could have. Oh I can't think of anything flattering enough to call you!"
"It's been half a year," said Reginald thoughtfully… "and I'm not one to drag the courtship process on for too long." He smiled. "I genuinely love you, Scarlett. You are a vivacious, intelligent and spirited lady. I know you might think it too early, and you might think me a bit of a comical blade who doesn't take life as seriously as he should. But I know exactly what you can call me." He produced a small box and opened it. "It's unceremonious as it gets, I know, but… how about 'husband?'"
Scarlett gasped. But she remembered what Ellen had taught her. She was used to getting proposals from every hopeless romantic in the county… but Reginald was certainly not like those other boys. In fact, the more she was with him, the more she understood… she couldn't be fast and loose with the young bucks… not if she wanted Reginald to stay, and it was a husband she was after. She smiled. "Yes," she said, her heart soaring. "I will."
"I ah… admit I talked to your father the day before I left, two months ago. He approved it… if it should happen, which…now of course it has." He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Scarlett smiled. As Reginald stood, he gently helped her up. By this point, she was trembling with joy and struggling not to grin from ear to ear.
"Everyone," he said, loudly enough for those gathered to hear. "In two weeks, I'm having a banquet and ball at Palatine Hill, my home. It will soon have a mistress. I am pleased to inform you all that Miss Scarlett O'Hara has agreed to marry me. The engagement gala will last all day and well into the night. Thank you."
Murmurs of congratulations and assent were heard as the newly engaged couple sat back down, but the still smiling Scarlett was deep in thought. She'd be having a long conversation with her mother very soon about what exactly marriage meant. But for now, she enjoyed herself.
"You'll have to excuse me," she said happily to her new fiancé, joy whetting her appetite. "I… I don't guess I'm as full as I thought!"