Chapter 5
It was the day of the engagement gala, and in Palatine Hill's spacious halls, Reginald Thorndyke was entertaining the rest of the men, the ladies having retreated to the drawing room to congratulate Scarlett and offer her marital advice.
"I needn't say to most of you that I now boast this scar," said Reginald, pointing out a scar going from above his right eye to just shy of his nose. "But you're probably wondering how I got it. Here's a hint. I prefer to lead from the front."
The men leaned forward… this was a war story. "We know you're no coward," said Charles Hamilton, "but I must know. How many did you take with you?"
"I lost count around fifteen," Reginald answered. "We were raiding a hostile village. It's inhabitants had attacked a foraging party. I was in charge. My orders were to render the village unable to raid our foraging bands. I rode in with fifty men, and we killed a whole bunch of them. These Indians are very skilled, brave fighters, but they couldn't beat us." He smiled proudly. "Just the men died that day," he said. "Not the women… or the children either."
"It's honorable to respect your enemies," said Stuart Tarleton, "but I would've sent them a message."
"The message I sent was this: we'll fight fair… but we won't be crossed. It's how I got promoted to major."
"How're things with Miss Amy, Charlie?"
Charles smiled. "I admit I have eyes for her. She's the prettiest redhead I've seen!"
"Hope she treats you well," said Reginald.
"I visited her last week. She's in a funk since your engagement, the poor thing! She must truly love you."
"She's bound to see some merit in you, Charlie. Just be yourself."
"I don't have that luxury," said Rhett from the back. "Love, gentlemen, is a combination of lust and attachment. It's based not on who you are, but what you offer. If you don't have enough… give up now; just bow out."
"I disagree, sir," said Reginald, "on the grounds that God loves us all, simply because we are His children. God is love. Without God, there is no love at all. God gave us the ability to love so that we could be the light He intends us to be. But barring proselytization, I answer that love is based on mutual care and respect, not tangible things or gratification."
"I have yet to truly experience that," Rhett admitted, "and I'm not sure I will."
"You'll find someone," said Ashley. "Just… just don't give up on yourself."
Rhett sighed. Maybe he'd find someone, but deep down… he felt… well… wrong. Defective. Could he be loved? Could he feel love? He spent the rest of the day in thought as Scarlett and Reginald fawned over each other.