"Very well, Scarlett. You left me with no choice. I'm offering you another deal." He drawled dangerously, making her squirm, but Scarlett won't ever let Rhett belittle her. Not anymore. She has got enough of it to lasts her whole life.
"A deal? I don't want to make another deal with you! I want to leave, and you will let me go!"
He pushed her to the bed and sit beside her with a smirk, "Do you realize that when you marry me, all of your property belongs to me? Including that little white elephant of yours."
"Are you threatening me, Rhett Butler?" She hissed.
Never. After a long acquaintance with Rhett has he ever threatened her, with her wealth no less. He knows how much it brought her security after the war. How dare he? How could he be so cruel to her. She no longer knew the man in front of her. Clearly, he is not the same man who bid her 150 dollars for a dance with her. He has changed a lot since that day.
"I'm giving you a deal, ma'am."
Her mind wandered to the early years of their marriage when Rhett was the nicest person on earth. She brought it to herself by being in love with another man. No, Rhett already knew of it when he married her. She brought it to herself by never giving him a chance.
"What deal could you possibly have?"
She is Scarlett O'Hara and she will survive, even when Rhett Butler is on the opposite side of her. She knows she will.
He smirked, watching the slight fear grew in her brave face. Money, It is always money with Scarlett. She didn't deny his previous deal even after she told him she loves him. She wouldn't deny this one either.
"You could leave and I will give you a divorce, claiming your money, store, and your beloved Tara." He paused, unable to see the pain in Scarlett's eyes. "Or you could stay and give birth to my baby and you could leave afterward if you wish but leave the baby with me. And I will grant you the security of money for Wade, Ella, your aunt, and even your O'Hara kin without touching any of your considerable wealth."
She glared at him with hatred on her face. How dare he? She would never leave the baby with him and flew anywhere. She will be stuck in this dreadful city with him and her in-laws. He left her with no choice but to comply. If she leaves, she will have nothing to go on, not even Tara. And without her share on Tara, Suellen will happily kick her and her children out of the house.
"I want Wade and Ella with me here and you got yourself a deal."
"How very motherly of you, my pet." He mocked, "They will be here tomorrow afternoon. I will fetch them myself."
He walked out of the room smirking to know he has beat Scarlett O'Hara. His smile faded when she spoke,
"You must have known by now I never abandon any of my children, and I will never abandon this one. I might not be the model of a mother, but I always keep them well-fed and clothed and safe. This means you kind of stuck with me, Rhett. So much for grace and charm you thought will never have as long as I stay by your side, don't you think?"
When was the last time he becomes this blind? There is no winning over Scarlett O'Hara. You either lose or comply. But he will, solemnly for the sake of his baby. At least that's what he told himself.
The sun had already set, and she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. Pansy is not here with her and she has no intention to meet Eleanor Butler, especially after she kicked her out of her house. They will have to make a truce if this is going on since Rhett is not going to let her go. Not without taking everything of hers with him.
Perhaps they could go back to Atlanta. At least they own their own house, and she won't have to share her space with his mother. Like that's ever happen, after what happened with Ashley, he will never let her stay close to Ashley.
A knock on the door startled her. It couldn't be Rhett. She doubted he even has arrived in Jonesboro this time of the day. "Scarlett, dear."
God's nightgown! Oh, what will I say to her?
Scarlett held her head high when she opened the door. The woman before her is not evil. Why, she must have heard of Rhett's scandal for years now, and she still loves him tenderly.
"Good evening, darling. You haven't had dinner, have you?" Eleanor Butler holds the plate in her arms and put it by her bedside. "Would you mind if I stay here while you have your dinner?"
"That would be fine."
Scarlett eats in silence while her mother in law is occupied by her own sewing. Why would she stay in her room if she's not going to talk to her. She has expected an outburst or at least a snide remark for her past behavior.
"I wanted to say sorry for what I said to you the last time you're here. How very foolish of me to ban my own daughter in law." Eleanor started, her eyes still focus on her work.
"You wouldn't do what you did if I didn't give you any reason to, Ms. Eleanor. I suppose I, too, owe you an apology." She smiled.
Her mother in law is not a saint like Melanie, nor will she defend her if she did anything stupid ever again. But she needs to bury the hatchet if she wishes to have a peaceful stay in his house. Perhaps she could talk to Rhett to buy another house if he wanted to stay in Charleston.
"Oh, dear! I was so afraid you wouldn't forgive me! Thank you, darling!"
Scarlett sits uneasily on her seat in her mother's in-law parlor. Another afternoon meeting, she couldn't care anymore less about a sewing circle, and here she is, trying to make amend with her mother in law by playing the perfect Southern wife.
Besides her, sit Sally Brewton who has been eyeing her ever since she walked past the door. The woman is Rhett's best friend. She must have hated her for her conduct. It doesn't matter anyway. She has no intention of socializing with anyone in Charleston.
"I thought Rhett will be here, Ms. Eleanor?" Anne Hampton murmured loud enough for the whole room to hear.
Oh the nerve of this woman! Don't you think I was blind to see you have been eyeing on my husband ever since I've been here?
"He is supposed to be here shortly, darling."
"Where did he go?" Sally eyed her, clearly demand her to answer.
"To Tara, my plantation." She clears her throat before beginning to explain, "Rhett and I think it would be best if the children join me here in Charleston. They've never part from me this long before." She puts a smile on her face while still eyeing Anne.
While Scarlett still hated Rhett after his very unfair threat, she is still his wife and this woman in front of her needs to know her place. She wears a blue frock, which only makes her blue eyes look plain in comparison.
Blue. Like Bonnie's.
She sighed to remind Bonnie is a guilty pleasure for her. While it hurts her badly, it almost unbearable, it also makes her feel better. Because she knows she has existed in her life even for a short amount of time and for the time being, it's enough.
Her hand reached her still flat belly and caressed it tenderly. She will do right by this baby. Even if she has to bear the pain of staying with Rhett just for the sake of the baby. They will do things right this time, at least in front of her children.
A knock from the door startled her. That must be Rhett. He opened the door by himself before smirking, "Excuse me, ladies. I believe I have a very special shipment straight from Clayton County for my beloved wife."
In his right stood Wade while he picked Ella in his arm, "Mother!" Ella screams, ready to jump from Rhett's strong arm to reach her mother.
"Wade! Ella!" Her heart thump in a very pleasant way. They have never been apart this long before and perhaps after a long time being separated, she started to miss them. They are her children, after all.
She almost jumped from her seat and run after her daughter, who is already running to reach her. Ella has grown a lot since the last time she saw her. Her weight struck her rather badly she almost fell, "Oh darling, you shouldn't be running like that!" She scolded her gently.
Scarlett knew very well once Ella opens her mouth, she would just lose her patient but while she is still very happy to see her daughter, it would be good to pamper her. She lowered herself so she could see her green eyes that match hers.
"I miss you, mother!" She pulls her mother into a hug. Ella was never the one to initiate any intimacy with her mother. Perhaps because she was always so angry with her.
"And I miss you too, Ella, and you, Wade." The young man who has glared oddly at her mother's new behavior stepped forward and gave her a kiss on her right cheek.
"Hello, mother."
Her once shy boy is now a big boy. It's true what they say, you won't realize how fast a kid has grown unless you've been away from them. His once shy smile is now full of confidence and his eyes are looking more like Melanie than ever.
That must be Will's doing. She will not be so narcissistic to say it was her guidance which brought Wade into the young man he is right now. It was Rhett, Melly, and Will who has done a fair share of raising him.
Rhett clears his throat, and Scarlett suddenly realized she is not alone in this room.
"Wade, Ella, let me introduce you to Rhett's mother, Ms. Eleanor, beside her is Ms. Anne Hampton, Ms. Sally Brewton, and then your great grand aunt you had met when you were younger, Wade." She eyed Wade with the corner of her eyes, "Aunt Pauline and Eulalie." She introduces.
"Ms. Eleanor, Ms. Hampton, Ms. Brewton, and Aunties, this is my very own Wade and Ella."
"How do you do, ma'am." Both of them greeted and she smiled proudly.
The ladies suddenly fussed around the two children in front of them while she glared at Rhett and Anne Hampton. The lady has very bravely eyed Rhett in front of her, no less. Rhett straightened himself uneasily beside her.
I suppose this is how Melanie felt. Who would have thought I would feel the same way?
While she has no intention of keeping her marriage with Rhett, she hated how the young Belle flirt with her husband. She is no fool like Melanie. she will do something about this. Come to think of it, Melanie was no fool either. She was just too kind.
"Ladies, mother, I believe Scarlett would want some time with her children." Rhett gestured to her to gives her an excuse.
"Well, yes, excuse me."
Ella, who has gotten tired of the ladies pinching her cheek, happily gave her hand for Rhett to pick her up while Wade took her by the arm and walked beside her. "My, Wade Hampton, aren't you a fine man?" She giggled merrily.
Rhett ended up in the most awkward dinner he ever had most of his life. Even dinner with Pittypat and Ashley back in Atlanta didn't feel this bad. He sits in the middle of Wade and Anne with Scarlett eyeing him dangerously in front of him. He has never been afraid of her outburst before, but this one seems really dangerous she looked as if she could pop.
"I heard you were from Scarlett's plantation, Rhett. How do you find the place?" Sally Brewton, who sit beside Scarlett asks him casually. She must have realized the heightened air in the room.
"The place is beautiful, Sally. I understand why Scarlett worked so hard to keep it."
"Work?" Anne seems confused. She has heard about Mrs. Butler's unusual taste in spending her day, but to know a lady actually work in a plantation, it was beyond her.
"I did work in the field during and sometime after the war." Scarlett gives her a polite smile. She has no intention of telling her the sobbing story of her time during the war to the woman. She loathed her to the core.
Melanie must have been a fool to let Scarlett near Ashley because Scarlett couldn't even keep her hand to herself every time she looks at both Rhett and Anne. She wanted to choke both of them to death. Rhett does nothing to encourage Anne, but he doesn't do anything to stop her either. For someone who hated Ashley, he now seems like a hypocrite.
"Our dear Scarlett has always worked so hard since the war. We are quite worried about her, aren't we, Pauline?" Her aunt started their silly talk.
Scarlett looked at the silent Ella. that must be where she gets her fussing genes, though the girl seems really quiet today. She needs to hold her thigh every time she starts fidgeting, she could just snap at her and get the same result, but she intends to tell everyone present what a great mother she is, especially to the one who has been eyeing her husband with the corner of her eyes.
"That's why I told you she is a very hard working woman, Anne." Sally smirked at her.
"Now that you're here, Scarlett. You can take a break and let Rhett takes care of everything." Eleanor glanced at her knowingly.
"But you did work in the field, Mrs. Butler?" Anne keep going to whatever it is she is trying to achieve.
"I did pick cotton during the war if that is what you're asking me. What we did during the war is so much more than that. We take care of the animal and cook by our self." She explained.
"I could never do those things." Rosemary shakes her head, her eyes glint with hatred.
"Nor did I. But it is my responsibility to make sure everyone is fed." She forced an awkward laugh to hide the hatred that was clearly heard in her voice.
"I still wouldn't. My Mammy would say those works are very," She stopped as is trying to find the word, but Scarlett knew she already prepared a snide remark on her for a very long time, "Unladylike."
Scarlett is ready to snap or even slap her sister in law, even Rhett has opened his mouth. The word is just really filthy. As if she did have a choice not to do them. Everyone is hungry and poor at that time.
"Rosemary!" Eleanor snapped, for the first time since she stepped her foot in Charleston. "We all must do what we had to do." There was sadness in her eyes. Discussing those dark times are never a good thing. Rhett remembered clearly her mother had sold most of her jewels to keep food on the table. Until Scarlett started sending money to her aunt, which naturally helped both she and Rosemary.
"I still remember it very clearly mother, we were all so hungry." Wade started. Scarlett looked into his eyes with shock. Her eldest used to be so shy and timid, there would be no way he would speak in the middle of dinner, let alone under such circumstances. He will soon grow into a man after all.
"Mother makes sure everyone in Tara is well clothed and fed. I will not be here if not for her." Wade smiles at her and suddenly, she feels guilty. She did nothing but being angry and hateful towards the boy all her life, yet here he is defending her. To what does she owe this?
"If I may ask, Scarlett. How many people were staying at your plantation at that time?" Sally tried to break the air. Scarlett tried to count how many people are staying at Tara in her head, but Wade is faster than her.
"If only it was just us, Ms. Sally, but there are so many sick soldiers stopped at Tara." Wade paused, "Do you know what Aunt Melly you used to say about you during that time, mother?"
"No. I haven't heard any."
"She said you grumble like Mammy every time a new soldier coming because we no longer have any food but you fed and nurse them anyway." Wade smiled widely, remembering his favorite aunt and his Mammy, who has tended for him more than his mother would ever do.
"Oh, Melly! Grumble like Mammy indeed!" She giggled, but Rhett caught the bitterness in her voice when she called both of the names. It must be hard for her to lose both of them in such a short amount of time.
Ella is already tucked into her bed and fell asleep soon after Scarlett started reading the second book to both of their surprises. Scarlett never bothered to read her children before bed. She has always been too busy for that. But Ella has been so nice during the day, and she kind of missed her daughter after such a long separation.
Scarlett walked to Wade's room to see him reading a book Scarlett knew she would never read. She is not much of a reader, after all. Wade looked up and give him a smile, "Come in, mother."
She sits by his bed while still watching him, "I wanted to thank you. For what you did during dinner. It means a lot."
"I only said what I know as the truth." Wade moves so her mother could sit beside him. Knowing her good mood, he put his head on her shoulder. It was odd, but Scarlett felt the warmness growing in her heart as she never felt before. That must be what Melanie used to feel around children.
"I'm sorry for not being around lately. We will make up for the time we lost. I promise." She found herself liking the idea immediately.
"Goodnight, Wade." She stood and give him a peck on his forehead and leave to her own room.
Rhett has gone soon after the guest decides to go home. She loathed him for bringing her here only to spend every night with his mistress. She couldn't decide which one he is visiting tonight. It must be Belle, for Anne and her timid way would never allow him those pleasures. Even her scandalous gaze towards her husband shocked Scarlett. They must have gotten closer during her time in Savannah. He could just marry her and leave Scarlett alone, having his grace and charm under his palm. Why would he need her anyway.
Because of the baby.
And for what seems like a thousand times this week, she feels the tears swelling up in her eyes, ready to fall. She is not weak and she will not show this to Rhett. Her hand reached the pillow that was supposed to be his and pulled it closer, resting her cheeks on the comfortable stuff.
"Even the baby won't keep him from being nasty." Scarlett pouted.