Chapter 10
Scarlett decided to stay in Charleston for another week. Although she did not possess an analytical mind, she could not help thinking over everything Mrs. Butler had said. And to her surprise, she found herself believing in those words. A great lady like Mrs. Butler couldn't possibly lie or be sentimental. She must have said those words, those kind words through genuine rational reasoning. But how kind! How wonderful! How lovely of her to apply such balm to her open wounds. Perhaps they are both right, Suellen and Mrs. Butler.. times had changed.
The realization brought a mixture of joy and fear in Scarlett's heart. Joy that she could now plunge herself in the next unknown adventure and fear that she might never secure Rhett. But her days here seemed unproductive and Rhett's popularity with people hadn't changed. He was a clever devil, he still found people who would listen and entertain him. If she wasn't sharp enough, he might find another woman to please him.
But Scarlett was determined to win Rhett. And in one week, she formulated a daring plan.
While Rhett was right about not caring what other people thought and thinking for oneself, she realized now that she had taken things too far by taking so many risks that she hurt the sentiments of those close to her. Some risks she could have avoided. She had mourned the loss of Frank which resulted in her taking the risk of riding through Shanty town. Yes, even Rhett had told her to avoid that and she hadn't listened to him. She had been stubborn. Rhett took calculated risks and he kept everybody in the loop. That was his balance.
Scarlett's admiration for Rhett increased as she remembered how well Rhett had lived before and after the war. How well he groomed himself, how popular he was even if he was full of controversial ideas. His ability to laugh at himself.
She could never laugh at herself. She had always taken herself so seriously. But she had been silly too. If driving through Shanty town had been an awful risk, the other senseless risks, inviting Governor Brown to her "crush", using convicts to run her mill, even embracing Ashley at her own mill.. she had sensed the animosity in others and their changing attitudes but she had been too silly to question them.. too full of herself or uppity as Rhett had put it. She had run after money after the war but only she had seemed to want it. And how many extravagant gifts she had given! She could have given something to Rhett. She had seen him give that lovely satin for Fanny Merriweather's wedding, give so many packets of money to Miss. Pitty, his gifts to Belle Wattling, Wade, Ella, Bonnie.. She had been generous to all the wrong people. Rhett liked people even if they didn't think he was so very clever, even if they didn't sing his praises. She had made that mistake. She had gone after people who thought her superior and powerful. People she could bully into submission.
Now that will change.
This time she will take a risk, for Rhett's heart.