Chapter Eight: Jealousy

Ella had always told herself she didn't need a man, until she met Rhett Butler that is.

It had been almost a year since she had seen him and despite the way he left her mid-dance, she couldn't help, but miss his company. No matter how hard she tried to forget him her mind often wondered, reliving those precious mornings they had spent together.

Scarlett could tell something was off about her sister, but Ella had been tight lipped about her time in Charleston and so for now Scarlett shrugged it off as nothing serious.

Ella threw herself into Atlanta society; attending sewing circles, doing charity work and helping at the hospital with Melanie and Scarlett. The citizens of Atlanta were pleasantly surprised that the O'Hara twins were very different. Ella had won their approval with her gentle manners and willingness to help in whatever why she could.

Ella's biggest distraction came in the form of a bazaar to raise money for the cause. She had been asked to join the committee who was organising it and they had spent months getting ready. Ella had never made so many pillowcases in her life!

On the day of the bazaar Ella spent the afternoon with the other ladies on the committee, decorating the hall.

Ella was handling a booth at the bazaar. As Melly and Aunt Pittypat were in mourning they couldn't attend social functions. Mrs Merriwether had offered to be Ella's chaperone, and Scarlett's chaperone as Ella had insisted that Scarlett be allowed to attend. Scarlett was meant to be helping Ella with the booth, but there was no way she was going to stand behind a booth when she could be dancing.

Rhett had to see her again. He wanted to prove to himself that any feelings he might have had for her were gone. So here he was in Atlanta attending a bazaar for the cause. He had spotted Ella manning a booth. He tried not to watch her too much, for he worried that if he looked into her eyes he might not be able to resist her. Rhett had also noticed that Scarlett was here and wasn't surprised to see her dancing and laughing the night away. She may be child in a woman's body, but Scarlett sure knew how to have fun and didn't care much for what others thought of her. Thought not to the same degree as him, Rhett thought.

Scarlett made her way back over to Ella when there was a pause in the dancing.

"Enjoying yourself Scarlett?"

"Oh yes! It's been forever since I've danced so much! Thank you for bringing me with you Ella. I simply would have died of boredom otherwise."

The sisters were interrupted as Mr Meade's voice rang out across the room from the stage.

"Thank you all for being here tonight to help raise money for the cause. I want to thank all the ladies who have been hard at work making these fine items to sell. I especially want to thank our special guest, whom without his work running the blockade we would not have the supplies we need for the hospital to help our injured boys, Captain Rhett Butler!"

Ella gasped and looked around the hall for Rhett. She froze when she found him. There he was, as dashingly handsome as ever, bowing and grinning at his applaud. He looked over in Ella's direction and his grin grew.

"Oh no, what is he doing here?"

Ella turned to see Scarlett behind her looking at Rhett with an angry expression. Before Ella or Scarlett could escape Rhett had already made his way over to them.

"Miss Scarlett, it's a pleasure to see you again and I must say you absolutely ravishing in that dress."

Scarlett anger diminished with the compliment. With all the stories Ella had told him about her sister, Rhett knew precisely how to win her over.

"Why, its very kind of you to notice Captain Butler."

Rhett glanced at Ella and offered a formal greeting.

"Miss O'Hara."

Ella forced out a reply.

"Captain Butler."

It hurt Ella that Rhett was pretending that this was the first time they had met since the barbeque. It was as if all those mornings spent together in Charleston never happened. Ella's eyes watered as she fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. All this time she had been wishing she could see him again and now she felt like a fool.

"Ladies and Gentlemen."

Everyone turned towards the stage as Mr Meade began to speak again.

"We have come up with, dare I say, an unorthodox method to raise more money for the hospital tonight. Gentlemen, if you and your chosen lady wish to lead the reel, you must bid for her!"

Gasps echoed around the room.

"20 dollars. 20 dollars for Miss Maybelle Merriwether!"

"25 dollars for Miss Fanny Elsing!"

"One hundred and fifty dollars, in gold."

"For which Lady, Captain Butler?"

Ella's heart stopped and she held her breath. She hadn't even noticed Rhett move away from them towards the stage.

"Miss Scarlett O'Hara."

Scarlett? A part of Ella died in that moment. She watched in disbelief as her sister made her way over to dance with Rhett.

His actions only confirmed her resolve. If he was going to ignore her then so be it. Ella wouldn't waste any more time thinking about Rhett Butler.

Her temper drove her confidence and when she was asked to dance the next dance she accepted. Right beside Scarlett and Rhett, Ella danced more than she had ever danced before. She laughed and smiled at her partners, channelling her inner Scarlett.

A small part of her hoped Rhett would be jealous, but she heard her sister's laughter and disappointment filled her. Of course, he would choose Scarlett over her. Scarlett was lively and passionate and fierce, she knew how to get and keep a man's attention. Clearly Ella's act wasn't attaining her desired result: Rhett's attention.

Rhett tried not to watch as Ella danced with everyone but him. He chose to dance with Scarlett because he knew it would hurt Ella and show he had no feelings for her. He was pushing her, and what he felt for her, away. He tried to focus on Scarlett, the girl in his arms, but he felt his jealousy rise. He remembered what it was like to dance with Ella, heavenly. It took all his strength not to push Scarlett away and take Ella in his arms. If only he was a marrying man.

Scarlett frowned as she noticed Rhett's attention wasn't solely focused on her. She turned up her charm and brought Rhett closer to her as if she wanted to whisper something to him.

Ella looked over to see Scarlett and Rhett indecently close, whispering into each other's ears. It was too much for Ella to take and she couldn't keep her Scarlett inspired charade up any longer. Her balance faltered and caused her to fall backwards. Everyone stopping dancing to look her way. Usually Ella would have been bright red with embarrassment, but all she could do was stare at Rhett and Scarlett, who had turned to look at the cause of the commotion.

When Rhett turned to see Ella sprawled on the floor, he almost stumbled backwards at the look in her eyes. Ella had the most heart-breaking expression on her face as she looked at him. Her face was drained of colour, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears, and her mouth parted in shock. Rhett felt a pain in his chest like he had never felt before. It was as if his heart was being torn in two.

Ella's dancing partner helped her up and asked if she was alright.

"Excuse me."

Ella raced towards the door. She couldn't bear to be in that room any longer. She found a bench in the gardens behind some bushes, sat down and let the tears she had been holding in fall. Until this moment Ella hadn't realised how deeply she felt for Rhett.

In the hall, the music and dancing had started again and Scarlett was determined to continue dancing with Rhett.

"Shouldn't you see if your sister is alright Scarlett."

"Oh, she's fine, just embarrassed at her clumsiness. Come, let's continue dancing!"

Rhett was astonished at Scarlett's behaviour and ashamed that he had been enjoying the company of someone who clearly had no heart.

"I think I've had enough for one night. Excuse me."

Rhett left Scarlett who he was sure would find someone else to dance with and left the hall in search of Ella. As he walked around the gardens he heard sobbing. Ella, he thought. Looking round a bush he saw Ella sitting on a bench with her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she cried. He thought Scarlett heartless, but what was he to have caused Ella so much pain.

Rhett was at war with himself. He longed to take her in her arms, comfort her and tell her he was sorry. He knew that if he did that everything would change and he would no longer be able to deny his feelings. Would he be able to make Ella happy? Would he be able to give her everything she deserved and more? Would he be able to take her as his wife?