Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW
Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rhett and Scarlett drove out to Ashley's mill one Friday. That morning when Rhett saw the love bite, he suggested they drive out to the mill and torture Wilkes with it. Scarlett thought it was a good idea. She didn't tell Rhett she had already tortured Ashley with the two other love bites he had given her. After all that was before she had officially found out about Ashley using whores. She still thought it would be a lot of fun. They were also going to make fun of how incompetent of a businessman Ashley was.
As they walked in Ashley wanted to groan. Rhett went over and looked at the books. He said, "This is pitiful. A blind, mute could do better than this."
Scarlett said, "Rhett, please he is trying so hard."
"There doesn't seem to be any sign of that."
"Rhett, he wasn't made for this kind of work. He was made to sit in a library and read poetry."
"Then it is unfortunate that the war came and destroy that world."
"I know."
"I think I am going to take over management of this mill. You are just too soft on him. I know he is your childhood friend but enough is enough. You can't keep carrying him forever."
"Rhett, give him a couple of more weeks to show progress. Not everyone can be so good at making money as you."
"Scarlett, he has had almost four years since he took over this mill."
"Ashley when did you take over the running of this mill?"
When Scarlett and Rhett turned to look at Ashley, he looked like a puffed-up toad. Neither party was in any doubt that Ashley was furious. Which made them both want to laugh.
Ashley indeed was furious. How dare they talk about him like he wasn't standing there? How dare Butler be so insulting? How dare Scarlett say he was made to sit in a library and read poetry like he was an incompetent fool?
In a tight voice Ashley said, "It will be four years on July 1st. If you will remember Scarlett, I didn't want to accept this position, but you tricked Melly into helping you browbeat me into accepting it. I am sorry my work isn't good enough for your high and mighty husband. I find it strange though that your husband has finally decided to take an interest in your businesses. Furthermore, I was under the impression that they were your businesses and Captain Butler didn't have any say in the matter."
Rhett smiled a smile of amusement and said, "Mr. Wilkes, I don't have any say in Scarlett's businesses, but I do have a say in how Scarlett spends her time. Now that we have a small child at home, I would prefer she spent her time with our child. I, of course, would like for her to spend time with me," Here Rhett gave Scarlett a lustful look to which Scarlett blushed. He continued, "In the last several months I am finding her increasingly thrilling to be around," Rhett ran his hand down Scarlett's throat exposing the love bite. Scarlett watched Ashley's eyes bug out. Rhett turned back to Wilkes and said, "Therefore, for me to allow her to be away from me and Bonnie it must be for an incredibly good reason. Like making a lot of money. I will think about this situation long and hard."
When Scarlett giggled, Rhett turned to her and said, "Long and hard? You are such a…"
"Rhett! We aren't alone."
"Then let's become alone. Where is your outhouse? I'm sure you know exactly where it is"
Ashley again resembled a puffed-up toad and said, "It is over toward the back of the property to the left."
"Come along, Scarlett. I suddenly feel the urge to be alone with you."
Scarlett and Rhett walked to the outhouse and then walked behind it. Rhett messed up his ascot and Scarlett rebuttoned her bodice so that the buttons were messed up. Rhett took off his coat. They messed up each other's hair. They talked and they kissed for about thirty minutes.
As Ashley looked out his window, he saw the couple coming back from the outhouse. Judging by their appearance they had relations in the outhouse. He hoped they weren't going to come back in the office.
Ashley sighed a sigh of relief when they walked back past the office. They were talking quietly but they did laugh several times as they passed the office. Ashley could not help but hear them for the windows and the door were open.
Ashley was in a state. How in the world did Butler convince Scarlett to do it in the outhouse? He couldn't even convince Melly to help him with his needs and Butler was able to convince Scarlett to have relations in the outhouse. He would never be able to go out there without thinking about them doing it there. The rest of the afternoon Ashley's emotions were all over the place. His emotions ranged between fear, anger, jealousy, and most prevalent frustration.
The next week Scarlett went out to the mills to check the books. Upon her entering the office, Ashley said, "Scarlett, you have to tell him to leave your businesses alone. You need to tell him they are none of his concern."
"Ashley, I tried but he said, 'Everything involving you is my concern.' He has gotten so possessive ever since we started sle….. Never mind."
"Does the man ever let you out of his control?"
"I'm not under his control right now."
"Yes, you are. In no time you will jump up and have to hurry home because of something to do with Captain Butler."
"You may be right, Ashley, but he is my husband."
"I am doing my best to sell lumber. I made two sells today alone."
"That is wonderful. Keep up the good work. What else is going on with you?"
"I'm still getting those strange letters from Universities and colleges. Of course, nobody wants to hire me because I'm not qualified for anything. I was supposed to own a fine plantation. You know Twelve Oaks was the biggest plantation in the county. We were so rich. Now look at me. I'm working at a nothing job and barely getting by. I'm too good for this job."
A year ago, Scarlett would have agreed that Ashley was too good for this job but now she understood why he was no good at the job. He thought the job was beneath him. She said, "You are too good for this job."
"You are too good, pure and fine to be married to Captain Butler."
"Don't speak of it. Ashley, I heard Rhett talking to Mr. Townsend and he said, 'The gold was at latitude 37 North and longitude 76 West.' Is that enough information for you to find the confederate gold?"
"Yes, my dear, it is. Now I just have to find the money to get to Virginia."
"Ashley it is like a dream come true."
"Yes, it is my dear," Before Ashley could go search for the gold, he had to ruin India's wedding. So, he said, "Just last night at supper India said, 'Stuart was so much better than Captain Butler therefore she was going to win in y'all's little battle.' I was stunned that India could think she was better than you in anyway."
"Why that ungrateful witch. After everything I told her I was doing for her. We will see who laughs last," Scarlett said the next part to see Ashley's reaction. She said, "She is not going to think it is so funny when I manage to ruin her wedding."
Scarlett saw so much malicious pleasure on Ashley's face that it almost made her sick. Ashley said, "Don't ruin the wedding. I want her to get married. I have to get her out of my house. Just ruin the reception."
"I will. I'm sorry but I really do have to go. Bye my one true love."
"Bye my true love."
As Scarlett drove back to the mansion, she was so mad at Ashley. He couldn't let India have her moment in the sun. He hated her so much he wanted to ruin her big moment. He also wanted to ruin any chance Scarlett had of ever being received again. If she did something overt to ruin India's wedding or reception, there wouldn't be a woman in Atlanta that would ever speak to her again.
At the end of April Scarlett, Melly, India and Aunt PittyPat spent the afternoon addressing invitations. They had a wonderful time. Chatting and talking about the old days. Scarlett and India laughed over some shared memories. It was a lovely afternoon. India said, "I think I have ended up inviting everyone in polite society."
"Who are these people from Charleston?"
"Most of them are people that Stuart's mother asked him to invite. His parents, his brother and his sister-in-law and his nieces will be attending, of course."
"Do they need a place to stay? I know Stuart lives at a boarding house."
"Actually, Stuart has bought us a little house with four bedrooms so his relatives will be staying with him."
"That is so wonderful."
Melly said, "Tell us about your new home."
For the next few minutes India told them all about her home. She said, "It will be the first home that I will really be the mistress of. I was the mistress of Twelve Oaks but that was because my mother died," She smiled at Melly and said, "In truth, I was just the caretaker until you could assume your duties," India added a little sadly, "I wish my parents could be here."
"I did too when Ashley and I got married even though having Aunt PittyPat and Uncle Henry there was the next best thing."
"So did I when I got married to Rhett. Of course, if they had been alive, they would have forbidden me from marrying him." Everyone laughed and the sad mood was lifted.
The ladies went back to chatting about the latest gossip. Not any of the women knew they were the hottest gossip in Atlanta.
When the good people of Atlanta received their invitations to the wedding and saw that the address was the Butler's mansion the same gossip made the rounds again. The only difference was that Ashley was now a traitorous whoremonger and Rhett Butler was now a loyal family man.
The person speaking most highly about Rhett Butler was Dolly Merriwether for the man had helped her get her bakery business solidly in the black. It wasn't just the loan, but he guided her in the proper way to run a profitable business. He pointed out mistakes she was making and didn't know she was making. Like with the pecan pies, she was actually able to get twenty cents a pie more for those pies and she still sold out every time she made them. That was the other thing Captain Butler had suggested just make the pecan pies twice a week. He had said, 'By making them more scarce people won't hesitate to buy them.' She was making enough of a nice profit every month even after she paid on her three loans. It had made her so happy to be able to purchase everyone new clothes for the wedding.
In the middle of May one evening Rhett and Scarlett were sitting in the family parlor. Scarlett was so very tired. All she wanted to do was sleep. She had felt that way for the last month. She knew she had been extremely busy with the preparations for the wedding. She didn't have the energy to deal with Ashley and his incompetency. As much as she wanted to inflict pain upon Ashley, she was so tired that she could barely make herself drive all the way out to his mill to do it.
She said, "I'm tired, Rhett."
Rhett looked at the clock and said, "It is only eight thirty."
"I know. I have been so tired the last couple of weeks."
"What's the matter, Bunny?"
The term of endearment had gone from My Clever Bunny to My Bunny to Bunny. Scarlett was happy with being called Bunny. It spoke of their relationship evolving.
"I'm so busy with the plans for the wedding I don't have the time to push Ashley. He is such a bad businessman that if I don't push him, he probably won't even cover expenses."
"Sell his mill."
She was quiet for a while and finally she said, "I could."
"What is it?"
"I don't want to sell his mill. It was my original mill. The mill that you help me buy."
Rhett smiled and said, "Let me take over managing his mill. We have already threatened him with me taking over the management of his mill. After the wedding you can take it back over. Besides, we need to pull the hoax with the picture."
"Let me think about it."
"You should get more rest."
"Maybe I should but my husband keeps suggesting so many fun things to do and I want to do them."
Rhett had smiled and said, "They are so much fun for me also but maybe you should take a nap in the afternoon instead of working so hard."
"You mean a real nap."
Rhett laughed and said, "Yes, I mean a real nap."
"I don't know if I can sleep without you."
That made Rhett smile because he didn't think he could sleep without her anymore either. He said, "At least lay down and rest. Alright, My Bunny?"
"Alright."
Scarlett did start taking a nap every afternoon except when she went calling on other ladies with Melanie. She began to feel better but with all the plans for India's wedding she didn't have the energy to take care of her businesses. She had the energy for planning the reception because she loved to plan parties. She had Mr. Jackson and Mr. Elsing drop their books off to her every Saturday evening. They would pick them back up Monday morning on their way to work. Those men were doing great work and all Scarlett had to do was monitor their progress. Ashley was another matter. Someone had to be continually pushing Ashley just for him to break even. Scarlett finally decided to let Rhett take over the management of Ashley's mill. That would certainly be hell for Ashley and maybe Rhett could get Ashley to make a profit.