After seventeen years of putting others above herself and consequently her children, she finally put Scarlett before others' needs, and she followed that changed priority today morning just as she started doing that last night. In another world she would go to Slatteries and today would be the end of the innocence and youthfulness that Scarlett had, but she didn't know that as she decided the opposite.

"Mother, it's so good you're coming with us," said Careen with such a kindness and adoration that Scarlett always saw in herself when talking to Ellen.

A gentle smile graced Ellen's features. She did a good thing. Her children looked happier today.

They all were happy and for the first time after so many years of not seeing, feeling, living or breathing, Ellen could see and breathe easily. And even if it had been winter and cold, she would still see it lovely and beautiful. As the weather was the most pleasant day of spring, the good feeling in her heart increased.

Gerald started to sing one of his Irish songs. He never could hold a candle to her dear Philippe and his deep and warm voice. He was a rakish and debonair man and much older than her – well, not as old as Gerald – but he was everything to her. She came to herself when Scarlett joined Gerald in the last chorus of "The Wearin' o' the Green" and won Gerald's shouted approval.

"I don't know why you're so happy this morning," said Suellen crossly, for the thought still rankled in her mind that she would look far better in Scarlett's green silk dancing frock thani ts rightful owner would. And why was Scarlett always so selfish about lending her clothes and bonnets? And why did Mother always back her up, declaring green was not Suellen's color? "You know as well as I do that Ashley's engagement is going to be announced tonight. Pa said so this morning. And I know you've been sweet on him for months."

Suellen and her jealousy! She couldn't catch any suitable beau except that old sweaty man and in result took her anger and frustration out on Scarlett.

"Suellen! Apologize to your sister, at once," she didn't raise her voice, but the firmness in her voice made it clear that she disapproved.

"Sorry." She was red faced and at the edge of crying and Ellen felt sad for her middle daughter as she was so simple in comparison to her sisters, but she should learn to be kinder and less jealous.

"And you don't know everything, don't talk about the things you don't know my dear."

"Yes mother." She answered without hesitation. Such a little liar. Between her three daughters, she was the greediest. Suellen lied more and acted two faced for her benefits. How she knew if she were dead, she would be the most that disregarded her.

She shook out of her thoughts with Gerald shouting the hearing of wheels. And she looked in time and saw the beaming face of him. Well, he could have his little flirts with that red-headed woman.

Their carriage stopped riding so they could greet the Tarletons. Ellen as always greeted Beatrice and her daughters the way a lady should do though she couldn't sit and listen to Gerald and Beatrice talking of horses.

They or more precisely Beatrice were going on and on about horses and breeding, then human inbreeding. If it was any other day she would stop and change such an inappropriate conversation, but she paid no heed to uncultured and uncouth Beatrice Tarleton. She was thinking about her daughter and Ashley and…

Philippe.

Beatrice said they were weak, marriage with cousin was bad. She didn't really know anything about love. Love would make people strong. She would have a better life with Philippe than any other man as Scarlett would have a better life with Ashley.

Ashley needed someone strong like Scarlett, so she could make him strive for better things in his life, not just to be content with what he had. He would be more ambitious having Scarlett as his wife by his side. Wilkeses were weak, that was true, not because of their intermarriages, but because they married not for love but out of duty.

Scarlett looked a bit sad with the talks of Ashley and Melanie. That wouldn't do. She smiled at her and Scarlett's eyes lit up.

Finally, the carriages started to move again towards the Twelve Oaks.

When they arrived at Twelve Oaks she observed that no girls could compete with Scarlett, neither with her look and dress nor with her personality. She was the one. The girl that men wanted to be with. A surge of pride filled her heart.

Today she had a goal; marrying Scarlett to Ashley.

"Mrs O'Hara! How nice of you to come!" As if they cared for her. "And how your daughter's dress, Scarlett, is beautiful and how lovely and lively she is!"

Such a frail and plain girl, Ashley would be a miserable and melancholic man. She would do Ashley good, if she succeeded. She smiled and said, "Miss Hamilton! I should've come up to see you all my dears. How's your aunt?" She looked around and continued, "I don't see her here."

"Oh! She couldn't come."

Ellen put her hand lightly on Melanie's shoulder and said, "please give my regards to her."

"I will."

If she knew sooner, Ashley wouldn't listen one word to his father. It didn't matter now.

Would it be a good idea to speak to Melanie of the love between Ashley and Scarlett? No. That wasn't a good idea. The simple girl she was, would tell everybody how Scarlett loved Ashley and she made her suffer. No, her daughter's pride and dignity had to stay intact. After this day, everyone should remember how Scarlett had been a great lady and it was all Ashley's families' fault –

Who's that man? She asked in her mind. The man was familiar, but she couldn't recall who he was. There was a dark air about him; black hair; swarthy skin; black eyes, in all, a dark complexion; a masculine feature.

How remind her of Philippe; a man that built his own life.

And he was looking at, or more precisely, ogling Scarlett. How dare he look at her innocent daughter like he had a right and then his eyes locked with her.

Rhett Butler.

She knew what to do now; a compromise.

Yes, a compromise was what she needed.

Thank you all for your feedbacks.

To the guest and Truckee Gal: thank you both for your delightful comments!

And again thank dear Truckee Gal for pointing out the misspellings. I edited the first chappie.

Feel free to correct any misspelling or errors.

As I said in the first chapter, unfortunately or fortunately, this isn't Scarlett/Rhett (I insist; not in any way) so I thought as most gwtw lovers love to read Scarlett/Rhett FFs (I, myself, am included!), it's not fair to the readers to not reveal the pairing.

It's a Scarlett/Ashley story. Actually it's somehow my thoughts of how Ashley and Scarlett would be happier if they'd married together, in the first place.

Hope you enjoy it ;)