Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Nine

It was a lovely evening for almost everyone except Ashley. For Ashley there were way too many looks between Captain Butler and Scarlett but what incensed him even more were the shy smiles Scarlett was giving Captain Butler and the smug smiles Captain Butler was returning. Ashley was furious. Was Butler managing to worm his way into Scarlett's heart. No! Scarlett belonged to him. It also incensed Ashley at the same time how solicitous Captain Butler was being of his wife. Every time Captain Butler fawned over Melly Scarlett would give him an adoring look while Captain Butler wasn't looking. The adoring looks were nice, but he wanted Melly's attention on him also. Scarlett was being a good hostess and making sure everyone was involved in the conversation. Ashley wanted all of Scarlett's attention therefore he was frustrated.

Surprisingly, every time Ashley heard India laugh that made him mad also. If that wasn't bad enough his wife was constantly laughing also. She was preening under Captain Butler's attention. Ashley was disgusted that Melly and India would be flattered by that coarse, brutal man's attentions. It sounded like Mr. Townsend was making the ladies laugh also. That group sounded like they were having a lot more fun than his group. Mr. Smith and Mr. Baker had to be the two most boring people on the face of the earth. Scarlett was thinking something similar. She thought, 'Ashley must be the most boring man on the face of the earth. Why did I not realize that sooner? Because like all unpleasant facts I ignored it. Thank God, I didn't marry him.' She looked at Rhett with a loving smile which fortunately Ashley didn't see because he was scowling at his wife and his sister.

Ashley was so relieved when the ladies finally retired to the parlor and left the men to their cigars and whiskey.

As Rhett poured everyone a drink of whiskey, he said, "Stuart are you having any luck finding anyone to teach philosophy at the school." When Mr. Wilkes peeked up, Rhett knew they had been right. That was a job Wilkes would want.

Stuart said, "Not yet. You would be surprised how hard it is to find someone who knows all the different schools of thought on philosophy and also know Greek mythology."

"I'm sure if you went up North you would find someone."

"Yes, but I wanted him to be a Southerner."

"Good luck."

Ashley said, "I might be interested in that job. I know Greek mythology and all the schools of thought of philosophy."

"Fine. Send me a copy of your curriculum vitae."

"Of course."

"Here is my business card."

"Thank you."

"I would like to call on your sister. Will you give your permission?"

"Yes."

"Mind you the job and my courting your sister are two separate items."

"Of course. Of course."

The conversation moved from there and they discussed politics and how long they thought they would be under Yankee rule until two cigars later Rhett suggested that they join the ladies.

The conversation in the parlor was pleasant. The ladies talked about how much longer they thought they would have to put up with those rude Yankee women. They talked about some of the committees they were on. They talked about their children and their husbands. It was the first time Scarlett wasn't eager to hear Melly share information about Ashley. Scarlett did notice that Melly really didn't say anything about Ashley. When she did Scarlett noticed that Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Baker shared a quick look. Scarlett knew they had heard the rumors about Ashley. Scarlett thought, 'Poor Melly.'

When the men entered the parlor, Rhett sat down next to his wife which just wasn't done. One was supposed to sit next to other people. Rhett didn't care. He wanted to sit next to Scarlett, so he did. Scarlett smiled at Rhett and fortunately for them Ashley was busy trying to find some place to sit therefore he had not noticed the smile. The couple didn't realize it, but they were behaving like a couple in love.

On their way home Ashley said, "Somehow you have managed to attract Mr. Townsend's attention. I have given him permission to call on you. You will be very nice to him. He is considering me for a job I want very much."

"Of course, Ashley." It had made India so happy she hadn't even been hurt by the word 'somehow.'

When they entered their home Ashley said, "You go on to bed India. I need to talk to Melly in the parlor."

"I need help unbuttoning my dress."

"I will send Melly in there in a minute."

After they entered the parlor Ashley said, "You made a fool of yourself tonight. You acted like a silly schoolgirl. Giggling and flirting with Captain Butler."

"I didn't flirt with Captain Butler.

"Yes, you did. I saw you. I am disgusted that you could flirt with that neanderthal, that savage, that swine. I can see someone low brow like Scarlett being flattered by that man, but you are better than that. You will remember that you are a Wilkes. Scarlett has brought enough shame to our family without you adding to it. Now take yourself to India's room I am going for a walk to relieve my frustrations."

By the time Ashley had left the parlor, Melly was in tears. She was so ashamed of herself. She hadn't thought that she had done anything wrong. Captain Butler had been the way he always was kind and attentive. Maybe she had gotten carried away because it was the first time in a long time anyone had been so considerate of her. So concerned about what she wanted. Melly got up and went into India's room. India was so happy and so excited that it was like sandpaper on her wound.

Finally, Melly got to her room and had a good cry. In the midst of the crying, she got mad at Ashley. If she had been flirting with Captain Butler though she was sure she hadn't maybe it was because Ashley had begun to take her for granted. He was no longer treating her like his treasured wife. No, he was treating her as badly as he treated India. So, it was Ashley's own fault that she had flirted with Captain Butler though she really didn't think she had.

The conversation and the mood were entirely different in the Butler household. There was a lot of repeating of what Ashley had said or Ashley had done or how Ashley had looked with much laughter afterwards.

As they laid on the bed Scarlett said, "I felt this strange feeling tonight. I have felt it once or twice before but I'm not sure what it is. When I looked at India in that ugly dress, I felt sorry for her but not in a pitying way. I felt moved to help her."

"You felt compassion for someone? You usually only feel pity."

Scarlett giggled, "I was pretty surprised also. That is why I spilled the wine on her and made her change her dress," As she rolled on top of Rhett she continued, "She looked … well almost pretty tonight."

"She did look pretty…. Almost."

They both laughed.

"If your friend likes India then I am alright with him forming a relationship with her. I told her I stole a Stuart, so I was giving her a Stuart. I thought it was funny. She thought I was disgusting."

Rhett burst out laughing. He said, "Only someone as hard hearted as us would find that funny."

Then he captured his wife's head and brought it down to meet his.

The next morning before Rhett kissed Scarlett goodbye he said, "We need to learn a foreign language so we can talk about Mr. Wilkes in front of him."

Scarlett giggled and said, "Good idea."

"Find out what languages he knows. He probably knows French for we all learned that in school."

"Alright."

While Rhett was shaving, he wondered if they would ever get tired of torturing Mr. Wilkes. Rhett knew he wouldn't there wasn't anyone else in the world he hated more than Mr. Wilkes including his father.

Later that morning when Miss Melly was dropping Beau off, she was very withdrawn from Rhett. Rhett was as kind and polite as always. From the way Miss Melly was behaving Rhett knew that Wilkes had scolded her behavior the night before. There was nothing inappropriate in Miss Melly's behavior. She had enjoyed herself with him. Rhett knew Wilkes' hatred for him was almost as intense as his hatred for Wilkes therefore Wilkes would be angry that his wife was having a good time with him. Rhett hoped Miss Melly would return to her relaxed state around him at least while Wilkes was not around.

That night as Rhett and Scarlett were sitting in the parlor, Rhett said, "I think one of the unfortunate results of us making Mr. Wilkes life miserable is that he is being mean to Miss Melly."

Rhett waited to see Scarlett's reaction. Scarlett had always said the unkindest things about Miss Melly. He was waiting to see if his statement made her happy or sad. To Rhett's pleasure Scarlett reacted the way he wanted her to react.

She said, "Poor Melly. Ashley is already shaming her. She doesn't need a curmudgeon for a husband also."

Rhett smiled and said, "Curmudgeon?"

"It means a grumpy, unhappy man."

Rhett smiled bigger and said, "I know what it means. I am just surprised you know what it means."

Scarlett frowned at him and said, "I'm not totally ignorant."

"No, not totally ignorant," Scarlett's frown got deeper, and Rhett sat down next to her and continued, "My clever bunny, if you would read just a little bit you would become so much more learned."

"That is probably true, but I don't like to read. What can we do about Melly?"

"We could stop torturing Mr. Wilkes," When Scarlett shook her head, Rhett said, "You can be extremely nice and be her friend. Listen to her when she speaks."

Scarlett nodded and said, "I can do that. Afterall, she has always been my friend."

When Scarlett pick Melly up to go to a sewing bee, she waved at India and India hesitantly waved back. When Melly was settled in the coach she said, "That was so nice of you to help India. Mr. Townsend asked Ashley for permission to call on India."

"If we can get her married off, maybe I won't have to see her as much. At least, maybe she will stop sending me looks of hate."

Melly smiled. That was just like Scarlett to deflect a compliment about her doing something kind.

Scarlett said, "I'm thinking about having a birthday party for Ella. Do you think anyone would attend?"

"I don't know. I know Maybelle and Fanny won't."

"No, I still have a lot of fence mending to do there."

"She is only going to turn three, right?"

"Yes, you think I should wait until next year."

"Ella won't know if she doesn't have a big party or not."

"I guess I will just invite Beau then."

"You could have it after Beau gets home from school unless you wanted to have it on a Sunday so Ashley could attend."

"Melly, you are such a goose. Why would Ashley want to attend Ella's birthday party? No, I will have it on her actual birthday after Beau and Wade get home from school. You will come too, won't you? It wouldn't be much of a party if you weren't there."

"Of course, I would be delighted."

Scarlett's words had made Melly feel good. They had arrived at the sewing bee at Maybelle's house by this time. As Melly got out of the carriage she thought, 'That is different. Usually, Scarlett is looking for an excuse to get together with Ashley. Could Scarlett be falling out of love with Ashley?'

Scarlett engaged Fanny in conversation and apologized for her part in Tommy's death. Scarlett said, "I foolishly thought nothing would ever happen to me. If I had my wits about me that afternoon, I would have realized the men were going to go out and defend my honor. I would have begged Frank and Ashley not to do it. Of course, Frank had sworn to me he wasn't in the clan. I actually thought he was going to a political meeting every Wednesday evening.

Fanny said, "I guess all you were thinking about that afternoon was yourself."

Scarlett pretended not to hear the derision in Fanny statement and said, "Yes, all I was thinking about was how I had almost been raped and was lucky to be saved by one of our former slaves."

"It is too bad your now husband couldn't have gotten there in time to save Tommy and Mr. Kennedy."

Scarlett wondered if Fanny was implying that Rhett had let Frank and Tommy die just to get Frank out of his way. She would have to think about that later. Scarlett said, "I know. Rhett still feels bad about that."

"I'm sure he does. Thank you for the apology. It is more than I would have expected from you."

"You're welcome."

Luckily Melly joined them, and the conversation turned to their children. Children were not one of Scarlett's favorite topics but at least she could contribute more than she could have six months ago. As they were talking Scarlett found herself enjoying telling stories about her children.

As Fanny listened to Scarlett talk about her children Fanny realized that Scarlett was different. She was a lot more relaxed, and she appeared happy. Fanny thought, 'Maybe there is hope that Scarlett Butler will finally care about someone other than herself.'