Chapter 24
Although Scarlett's announcement of organizing a barbeque and Will's silent support in hosting it seemed sensational at first, over the days that followed, the household at Tara accepted it and even began to look forward to it. Suellen adamantly decided it to be held on a Saturday and a happy gleam came into her eyes as she thought of all the acquaintances she herself had made and how she could call them for the barbeque.
Scarlett was anxious should Rhett abruptly leave but to her surprise, he still stayed on. Everyday he left on horseback with Will touring the vast countryside and the neighboring villages and old towns.
The words "the old glamor and charm .. and catch the towns and villages where the old times must exist" came to Scarlett's mind and again she worried about Rhett. He was looking back and it frightened her.
"I won't think about it now" she told herself. "I'll think about it tomorrow."
Then one day, just as Scarlett returned from supervising the building of a temporary dam on the river at Tara's outskirts, she threw down her bonnet and watched Suellen eagerly polishing her best silverware for the cookout. She cheeks were burning pink. "I never thought I would actually use these things. They seemed such a waste of money. But now.. to finally have quality folks at our plantation-"
Scarlett smiled. It was a genuine smile. She was able to read Suellen's feelings and not consider them with contempt. Of course her little sister was happy. She always loved to socialize with friends and family.
"When I spoke earlier about the lack of quality folks, I wasn't myself. I do see the importance of adjusting to the changing times. Oh Scarlett-"
Suellen paused and looked like she was about to burst into excitement. "I'm going to invite Mrs. Thomas Anderson. They are a Yankee family and they settled here in our County just two years back and they are the nicest people. They love our customs and our traditions-"
"I've met a few of them" replied Scarlett, eagerly.
"Yes, I seem to remember a Mamie Bart-" intervened Rhett, suavely. Scarlett glared at him in fury. He grinned widely and lit his cigar. "Sister Sue, just what did you mean by these wonderful Thomas Andersons who love the Glorious Old South?" asked Rhett, ignoring Scarlett's entirely.
Suellen looked uncomfortable for a moment. Before her, Rhett sat with languid grace on an old settee, his powerful arms and legs completely relaxed like a panther lazily lying in the sun after a good kill. She should not feel unperturbed by Rhett. And yet those dancing eyes sent out a very different message. As if he were weighing her words and storing them up for a future tete a tete. She glanced at Scarlett and found her sister looking completely annoyed and even a little nervous.
"Well, Mrs. Jane Anderson wasa teacher in a public school up north and her husband is a lawyer. But after the war, they decided to move to Georgia. She says its because even though she was a Yankee, her family first settled here in Atlanta."
"How convenient." said Rhett, smoothly. "I would love to meet these people."
Scarlett stared at Rhett. She could sense trouble ahead.