Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

I have a hard time thinking up names for the characters I add to my stories therefore I have started using the cast members' names from the movie GWTW. There were so many people who had a role in the movie that I shouldn't run out of names anytime soon.

Did you know that Alec Guinness had a small role in GWTW?

Chapter Nine

When The Butlers returned to Atlanta, they got a suite at the National Hotel again. Scarlett let Prissy stay with Melly. For now, all they had to do was feed her.

Scarlett one night over supper said, "My Aunt Eulalie wrote me a letter. She doesn't approve of my marriage to you."

"So."

"Just telling you."

Rhett, Scarlett, and Wade ate for a few more minutes in silence. At last, Scarlett said, "They want me to send them some money."

"From the man they don't approve of."

Scarlett smiled, "If you do, they will secretly help your family."

"Yes, I will have Mr. Powe start sending them a check."

"Thank you, Rhett."

There were a lot of Yankees staying at the National also, but Scarlett made herself be alright with it. She knew Rhett would not agree to stay at the Hamilton House especially now that Ashley was living there.

Rhett arranged for her to start working with an architect and a builder on her mansion. The architect, Jason Dewey, quickly drew up some floor plans for her. After some changes she turned them over to Lloyd Brighten, the builder. Every morning Scarlett and Wade were at the job site watching the progress of her mansion. Occasionally Rhett would go with them to see the progress. When Scarlett said, "Dear, everyone in Atlanta will be so jealous of my new house. It is going to be huge and ultra-modern."

"I don't know about that. You know the Old Guard are set in their ways."

"How can they not be jealous, Silly?"

As a wise man, Rhett chose not to answer. He thought, 'As long as she is happy it can be as ugly as sin. Although we are nearing that achievement.'

Scarlett spent her afternoons calling on people and joining a few committees. She was trying to stay received but she was losing interest in the project. The Atlanta gentry were still so judgmental and boring. She didn't know which was worse. Mrs. Merriwether making snide comments about Rhett or having to listen to Mrs. Elsing once again talk about how wonderful life was before the war. Scarlett enjoyed visiting with Melanie although Scarlett believed that Melanie talked far too much about Ashley. He hadn't found a job yet because he wasn't qualified for anything. He was just a well-educated gentleman. Scarlett wondered what they were living on, but she didn't want to embarrass Melly by asking her. Scarlett had not invited the Wilkeses to supper again because they could not reciprocate the invitation and that would embarrass them.

In the evenings Rhett and Scarlett attended many social events given by the Republicans and Scallawags. Those were so enjoyable especially with Rhett making all his mocking comments. He was always telling how the other men made their money. She didn't think a single one had made their money in an honorable way and that included Rhett. They attended all the balls. Rhett knew Scarlett loved to dance, and she especially loved to dance with her husband.

The couple attended all the fund raisers the gentry of Atlanta gave also. It was one of the few times The Butlers were sort of welcome at an event that the matrons were hosting. All the matrons needed money for their committees and Rhett Butler had money. The couple attended the events because there was usually dancing, and they so loved to dance.

When Ashley got a job offer in New York, he went to Scarlett's hotel. She met him in the lobby with Rhett in tow. Ashley was a little embarrassed that Scarlett had brought her husband with her. When Scarlett saw that Ashley was eying Rhett she said, "The gossips would go wild if they heard you and I were at a hotel together. Rhett is here to protect what is left of my reputation."

The truth was that Scarlett knew that it was Rhett that would go wild if she met Ashley alone. Since they had moved to Atlanta, Scarlett's life had been good. She knew that Rhett could be a cruel and hateful man. She didn't know how she knew this, but she knew it was the truth. She like sweet Rhett and she wasn't going to do anything to make him mad.

Ashley said, "Of course."

"What can I do for you, Ashley?"

While looking at the floor, Ashley quietly said, "I have a friend who is getting me a job at a bank in New York. We went to Yale together. We went on our Grand Tour together. He is a good friend," Here Ashley smiled and said, "Even if he is a Yankee. I need to borrow some money for train fare to New York and a new suit. Will you lend me the money?"

Scarlett stood up and said, "It is an exceptionally good thing I made Rhett come with me. I don't have any money so you will have to ask Rhett to loan you the money. Let me leave you men to discuss the arrangements."

Scarlett walked away towards the stairs. Rhett gave her a very generous allowance and she had the money to lend to Ashley, but she knew better than to do that. He would go wild over that also. He had made it plain that he didn't want to help Ashley in any way. She knew Rhett would give Ashley the money for Melly's sake besides Ashley was finally doing something for himself.

Rhett stared at Mr. Wilkes. Mr. Wilkes stared at the floor. At last, Rhett said, "Well?"

In an even quieter voice, Ashley said, "Will you loan me the money to get to New York?"

"How much?"

"I think ten dollars will be enough."

Rhett stood up and took his wallet out of his pocket. He took two tens out of his wallet and threw them on the table. He said, "Don't ever come back."

"But… but… All our family live here."

"Stop looking back and start looking forward. Make yourself a new life. You are no longer a rich planter's son who is going to inherit a thriving plantation. You are a penniless, over educated, gentleman in a world that doesn't need gentleman. Accept that you are now nothing but a teller. And most important of all leave my wife alone. Now leave and don't ever come back.

As Rhett walked back upstairs, he figured that Miss Melly's main desire was for Mr. Wilkes and Scarlett to be separated. It didn't really matter who went North as long as someone did. Although Rhett wondered if Scarlett had outgrown her crush on Mr. Wilkes. She hadn't looked at Mr. Wilkes with a worshiping look and she had made no attempt to stay in the man's company.

When Rhett returned to their suite, he said, "I gave him the money for Miss Melly's sake."

"Thank you, Rhett."

No more was said on the subject.

As Ashley left the Hotel, he wondered if he had finally reached rock bottom in his descend into humiliation and mortification. It surely couldn't get any worse than to have to ask Rhett Butler for a loan. Furthermore, he knew that Scarlett no longer worshipped him. She had hardly spared him a glance while looking at her husband the way she had always looked at him.

In less than a week, the Wilkeses were on the train for New York. Before they left Scarlett had a goodbye supper for the Wilkeses at the hotel. She invited Uncle Henry and Aunt PittyPat also. It was not a pleasant affair. The only people who were comfortable at the table were Melly, Scarlett, Wade, and Beau.

Melanie had asked Prissy to go with the Wilkeses to New York. When Prissy had asked Scarlett, "Can I go?"

"Prissy, I don't have any say in your life. You are free. You can do whatever you want. If you want my opinion, I think you should go. I think you will have a better life in the North."

"I think I am going to go. I am comfortable living with Miss Melly and Mr. Ashley."

"Good luck."

"Thank you, Miss Scarlett. Thank you for everything."

With Melly's departure Scarlett stopped attending committee meetings and calling on other ladies. She had enough of the snide comments and the judgmental looks. Although, she and Rhett still attended the fund raisers even if nobody spoke to them at their table. There was usually dancing at these events which would be reason enough for the couple to attend but making the matrons receive them even in a roundabout way always thrilled the couple.

Careen would come to Atlanta once a month to buy supplies. Will would drive the wagon for her. Scarlett would meet her at Kennedy's so the sisters could visit. Suellen was working at the store for now to save on overhead and keep an eye on Frank. Right now, in Suellen's opinion they could not afford for him to give out any more credit because every penny counted.

Since Suellen's marriage to Frank, she and Scarlett had been getting along better than they ever had before. Scarlett guessed it was because Suellen was finally the center of someone's world.

When Careen came to visit in April was when Scarlett found out that Jonas Wilkerson was dead, that Tony Fontaine had killed him, and that Tony had fled the state. She also found out that Tony had spent the night with Frank and Suellen. Frank had managed to give Tony train fare. Tony was probably either in Texas or California.

The news made Scarlett glad and sad. She was glad that Wilkerson was dead because she now thought Tara was truly safe. She was sad because the aftermath of the war had cost the South one more of her sons.

After Scarlett told Rhett about it over supper, he said, "That was very stupid of Kennedy."

"Why?"

"If the Yankees had found out he was harboring a fugitive they could have confiscated everything he owned even their new house that your sister is so proud of."

"You are right. It was extremely stupid, but he did the right thing."

Rhett smiled and said, "Yes, he did. Not the smart thing. He should have given the man some money and sent him on his way."

"Hospitality will be the curse of the Southern gentry."

"True. I've got to leave you before you have finished your meal. I have to meet some shady businessmen at The Blue Bird of Happiness."

"Goodbye, Dear. Eat up, Wade."

In May Scarlett's house was finished. To Scarlett it was beautiful. The interior décor was a design she had seen in Harper's Bazaar. It may have too many mirrors, and it may be a bit too red but overall, she loved it.

To Rhett Scarlett had achieved the goal of her house being as ugly as sin. Yet he didn't say a word except for a few snide comments because she did love it so. He did promise himself that next time he would be much more involved in the decorating of their home.

At the beginning of June Scarlett knew she was going to have to go see a doctor. She knew what the issue was she was with child. She could no longer get her corset tight enough for her favorite dresses. Rhett knew too. He was always rubbing his hand on her tiny baby bump. She went to see Dr. Harrison. He was a Yankee, and he would not feel free to comment on her life.

Scarlett went home and told Rhett. She said, "I am with child. It is due in December. I got with child on our honeymoon. After getting enough to eat for about six months, I guess my body is ready to carry a child."

"I am very glad you didn't get with child while we were struggling to survive."

"I don't plan to have a child every year. You are going to have to take care of that for the only way I know to prevent getting with child is to not have relations. I'm pretty sure you would not like that."

"Indeed, I would not."

Rhett and Scarlett were remaining in Atlanta until it was time for her to go into her confinement then they were going to London. All he said about the matter was, "The medical care is better in London. I am not taking any chances of my baby dying."

"What about me?"

"Naturally, I don't want you to die either. You are an acceptable wife."

"Acceptable? Acceptable?"

Scarlett stormed off and Rhett just smiled at her retreating back.