Dawn emerged through the vast skies above the sea line she eased in her husband's arms. It was chilly. Yet the warmth radiating from his body, or was it theirs, was intoxicating. They had slept in intervals, yet, as she had said early in the evening – she felt alive and vibrant. She rolled towards him and glanced at his sleepy features. She studied the smell of his breath and savored it, memorizing every bristle in his cheeks, chin, neck. She shut her eyes to feel the sense of his skin with her bare lips. The thrill of their lovemaking was preventing her from falling asleep. Her eyelashes tickled him and a soft smile adorned his sleeping features. She was amazed and somewhat disappointed that he was able to sleep, yet the situation of being folded in his warm strong arms, laying against his chest, in a proper bed with the scenery of the vast ocean in front of her was breathtaking, and what more it was elating her spirits.
First rays of light were emerging from the vast sea red colored, playing with the mists and clouds embellishing the skies. A sound of small feet climbing up the wooden stairs came to her ears. She was grateful that her nightgown was near her and she lifted it above her head as if her life depended on it.
Wade looked distressed, yet he took no time to ask permission, and with his sleepy eyes he entered her side of the bed, and cuddled like he would at Tara – "You weren't there, Mother" he whispered as he closed his eyes.
The shift in the bed awakened Rhett who smiled at the boy. His arm extended the embrace so that both were enjoying the warmth.
"I'm sorry Rhett; he is used to joining my bed early in the morning. I suppose that with all the horrors he had passed and me being alone, I saw no harm in it. Besides it is the only time of the day that I had for him…" She was whispering while embracing the little boy, straightening the curls of his light hair.
"Hush" he smiled as he took her even closer to him. "Let him fall asleep again, and you should catch some sleep too."
"I can't. I'm so happy, Rhett. It's so beautiful here. As if there was no war, as if there is no tomorrow, no cotton to pick, no mouths to feed, no nightmares." She blinked at her slip – "Why it's as if there is only you and this endless ocean. I'm scared that if I close my eyes it will all disappear." The end was almost a whisper.
"Nightmares?" He asked, not remotely fooled by her attempt to distract him.
"Oh, I forgot you didn't know. I don't want to talk of it." She shut her eyes at his intense gaze, trying to ease her forehead in vain.
He murmured something she couldn't quiet grasp, but as she was cuddled against him, with her son in her arms, she finally eased her body and allowed a calm slumber to claim her.
****Milady****
Sun was high in the sky when they sat for breakfast. Careen had taken charge of Wade, as promised and was arranging a small package for the adventure they were to find in the Dunes, when a sound of a carriage came to their ears, followed by a young lady and the reverend, Rhett jumped to his feet and the aloof blank expression was wiped off in a brink of a second. He lift the young woman in a warm embrace "Rosemary!" He exclaimed.
As the initial excitement ceased he turned toward the present in the room –
"Scarlett, I am so happy to introduce my younger sister – Rosemary. Rosemary – this is my wife, Katie Scarlett O'Hara, her son Wade Hampton Hamilton, and her sister Careen O'Hara."
Scarlett took a long look at the young woman and more at the sheer happiness glowing from her husband – "Reverend, you are so kind to bring my husband and myself such a visitor."
"It wouldn't have happened hadn't Mrs. Butler, well, Mrs. Edmond Butler came early this morning to the Chapple. Apparently, Ms. Butler wanted to congratulate her brother without vexing her father."
The day was magnificent – they made the happiest picnic down by the beach, enjoying the spray of salt and the calming sound of the waves. Scarlett found her new sister-in-law as well-bred and schooled as Melanie. In a manner that was not usual to her, she rather kept to herself while Rhett conversed with his sister. At a nearby puddle she saw Wade splashing water making Careen and the Reverend laugh. She sent a small prayer of thanks to The Lord for bringing the young reverend at their threshold.
She noticed the same wrinkles of despair she hated so much in herself surrounding the young woman's eyes, the same brightness that hunger causes, so familiar to her. Rosemary, though pleasant, lacked the gut she had found in Melly. Hence she learned that Rosemary was not forbidden from attending the wedding yesterday, she simply thought to best to stay with her irritated father.
As the sun began descending Rosemary seemed quite distressed at the prospects of arriving home after dark. An understanding hit Scarlett, at this part of the South, young women were still not allowed to be with men, even clergy-man unchaperoned. The folly of this situation amazed her. She felt sorry, not without contempt, that Rhett's sister would be such a ninny about things like this. Yet, surprising her husband she manifested consideration when offering -
"Careen, darling" addressed Scarlett her sister "could you will be so kind as to escort Young Ms. Butler home? Reverend John would be kind enough to return you here safely after that. I am sure it would be ill advised that I come near the Butler home."
"Ill-advised indeed!" roared Careen in laughter, "Why Port Sumter would rise aflame again, and it would take more than four years to cease this fire" Scarlett willingly joined the laughter. The laughter disguised the fact that 'young Ms. Butler' was in fact a least a few years Careen's elder.
To the puzzled looks from the reverend and Rosemary Rhett offered "Scarlett has somewhat shocked our father with her Irish ire and insistence in marrying a scalawag like your aging brother"
"Aging! My foot!" exclaimed Scarlett.
"I have to give an evening service at seven. If you would allow it, I shall bring your sister after dinner back here" answered the Reverend.
Scarlett smiled approvingly at them and gave Rosemary a hug "It had been a pleasure. You made Rhett extremely happy". However, the departure wouldn't have been a moment too soon. She found being civil with Rhett's younger sister tiresome. Hence, she found her fear from her father irritating 'Why, she is nearly my age. I would never bother about darkness or father not wanting me to see my own brother.'
A few hours later, when Wade was fast asleep, he asked her what she thought of his sister. Scarlett mused "Well, I hope you take no offence if I say that she strikes me as overly schooled for times like these. I heard you talking of literature and poetry, and it seemed so irrelevant, though lovely."
"Spoken by a true county belle. Was the art of flirting enough?" was the quick barb accompanied by a slight sneer from him.
Hurt washed over her – he had asked, and she answered honestly, not to mention the contempt that she felt for her lack of attendance to her own brother's wedding.
"County Belle – my foot! These hands are more of a field-hand than any belle. Rhett – I don't know your sister, she seems kind and sweet, a bit like Melly. However she does seem a bit out of place in these hard times. I mean, really Rhett – the fuss over coming home after dark?! She is more or less of my age, not Careen's, and it's a reverend!"
The truth in her words was not unnoticed. Nevertheless, he found it almost impossible to apologize for his former words. An awkward silence fell between them. Finally Scarlett stood and said "I'll go fix a kettle, Careen and the Reverend will be returning soon enough."
***********Milady**************
For all those who expected something else at the end of this chapter, my apologies. One of the things that I loved about Scarlett was the fact that she was true and straightforward. Rhett, however, laughed at her, patronized her, in endless occasions for her earthliness. I intend to explore this a bit farther…
I'd like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the reviewers! You help me keep the paiste. Until next time XOXO Sarah