She needed India Wilkes to be by her side and the presence of Mrs. Warren made it even better, Mrs. Warren was a bit less sociable than other neighbours, but today was one of the occasions that she took exception to. Her presence would prevent India with her acid tongue bad mouthing Scarlett and also she didn't know about the announcement of Ashley and Melanie's engagement, she only knew that there would be a surprise at the barbecue. Ellen was only hoping Scarlett would do her part.

"I'm sure we could talk about it somewhere so we don't disturb the girls," said Ellen

"Oh, yes. Mrs O'Hara. The library is a good place and I'm sure nobody is there. We could easily talk about that there, but do you really believe the war will start?"

"I can't completely say yes as it's a men's talk. They know far better, but as I recall from Mr O'Hara and other gentlemen's gathering two days ago that the war is inevitable. And you know it's our job to support the war as the men will do the most important part."

Both women nodded their heads in agreement and that was then that happened. All of a sudden India opened the door and Mrs. Warren cried out loud and Both Ashley and Scarlett stayed frozen there on one of the sofas at the library. Scarlett's hands were in Ashley's hands and it seemed she'd been crying. Good. She looked more innocent this way. To crown the whole, Ashley looked embarrassed as if he was caught in the act, the real act.

India didn't even talk, looked angry at both of them, especially Scarlett. Mrs. Warren looked scandalous and Ellen, herself, her feature was a mixture mask of anger and worriness.

"Scarlett! My dear little girl. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about," said Ellen in a startled voice but soothing.

"But they were both in the library. Alone. Oh my god!" Mrs. Warren started to fan herself. "They were sitting together all this time." She looked at Scarlett and asked, "shouldn't you be napping with other girls?"

As if snapped from her stupor, India said, in an accusing manner, "Scarlett doesn't like napping and always makes some excuses for it."

"Yes, but she's just a child and a very energetic child, you can't expect a very young girl to act like her elders."

India coloured. Take that India when you say bad things about my daughter.

"But it's scandalous, she is ruined," said Mrs. Warren, the dramatic of them.

Fortunately, both Ashley and Scarlett looked the same as before, but a bit angry at Scarlett's part.

"Worry not Mrs. Warren. My daughter never does anything inappropriate. Yes, my dear?" Ellen was now looking at Scarlett, expecting.

Scarlett looked at Ashley as if asking for assistance. "We, I …" she swallowed very nervously. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"See, I'm sure we can solve this issue without making Ashley's reputation ruin."

"I'm sorry," was all Ashley could say all this time. Good, let him be sorry, not Scarlett. He was looking at Scarlett wishfully.

"Oh!" Mrs. Warren looked gleeful as if she'd just solved a puzzle."I knew it! I knew it with these two years, courting Scarlett that you're going to marry her. Such a good choice. A beautiful and healthy mother for the future children of you. Congratulations!"

Now it was Scarlett's turn to colour.

India was torn between saying the trust and ruining her brother's reputation and also her own and their family's or being silent and letting the unfortunate thing in her opinion happen. She looked at Mrs. O'Hara and saw she was looking at her in return. How could a trollop be the child of a lady like Mrs. O'Hara, she never knew. The good side of this was maybe with Scarlett out of the picture, other men would go after other girls and maybe she could marry.

She breathed deeply and said at last, "Well, thank you Mrs. Warren."

If she had not the training of a southern belle and being a lady, she would laugh at the hilarity of the situation; Ashley looked at his sister with raised eyebrows as if he didn't know her before; Scarlett eyes wide was looking at India and a bit of uncertainty in her eye could be seen, she was waiting for India to bite her same as always and Mrs. Warren was smug.

"Thank you Mrs. Warren, we really want it to be a surprise, you understand Mrs. Warren?"

"Oh, I understand my dear." She nodded her head countless times. "Don't worry dear, I don't say a word about it, I'm so happ – My! What's that?" She held her chest and fanned herself.

"The war has started," murmured she, but all of the occupants of the room had left the room, at least that was what she'd thought before a man made his presence known, though a bit late.

"An astute observation!"

"Mr. Butler?" She didn't wait for him to confirm, continued, "you should make your presence known, earlier," she lifted one eyebrow and looked down her nose at him.

"Do I know you, Mrs?"

"Mrs. O'Hara," answered she.

He bowed with a gallantry that almost looked mocking.

"Madam, but I'd been sleeping when I was interrupted by the loving couple – " She knew he knew the situation and had heard all of it, but she didn't show anything that she knew, because she didn't want to risk anything. "– and I didn't want to disturb, er, their time together." He narrowed his eyes as if trying to solve a puzzle. "You looked familiar, Mrs. O'Hara. Have we met?"

She let a graceful smile form on her face. "Yes, at a ball in Charleston, eighteen years ago," she didn't elaborate further that she knew him far more than he knew her.

He looked thoughtful and she noticed he looked more handsome when he wasn't looking with mocking eyes at anyone. His eyebrows hid into his black hairline and he laughed. "Ah! Now I remember, you were the belle of the ball that men wanted to dance only with you, but you changed so much from that time." He wasn't laughing now, he knew she wasn't that girl anymore.

She didn't feel comfortable. "Well, people changed." She felt a lump in her throat, she never cried, never cried for Philippe. "Excuse me." And she literally fled the room.

The hall was in silence and she took a moment to compose herself, breathed deeply and filled her lungs with the lemon verbena, the scent that Philippe loved to smell. She came out on time as the young men were saying goodbye and riding to enlist. Melanie Hamilton was seeking Ashley for a proper goodbye, but fortunately Ashley only nodded at her, then at Scarlett and left.

She felt the presence of India before hearing India say, "what shall we do, Mrs. O'Hara? I'm sure if we announce differently then Mrs. Warren would ruin everything."

"I'll talk with Mr O'Hara and your father, dear. I'll try my best to fix this."

And that was how she was seated at the library again with the two Wilkes men, Gerald and Scarlett in the evening, before the ball. – because of the announcement of the war or so others thought, the ball would start a bit later. All were in deep thought. A very sombre affair, though both older men were angry, each in their own way. She decided to break the silence with a light conversation.

"I'm happy to hear that dear Honey is going to marry Mr Hamilton. He's such a fine young man." Oh, yes. Fine man for a girl as Honey Wilkes. She couldn't catch better than him. Such a weak and stupid man. Ellen never was one to show kindness towards others while she was thinking of them and in her opinion, it wasn't cruel to think of them that way and she never regretted her thoughts. "I wish India would marry Stuart." She looked at Scarlett and knew her daughter was confused. Oh! She was such an innocent girl, not really knowing how to play the game.

"Thank you, Mrs O'Hara. Well they are young and we know how they are," said Mr Wilkes, referring to Stuart.

Ellen and Gerald nodded and suddenly Gerald turned around and looked at Ashley as if he saw Ashley the epitome of the young people.

He pointed a big finger towards Ashley and bellowed in a furious manner, "You ruin my daughter!"

"I'm sorry Mr O'Hara," said Ashley.

She wanted to slap him till he understood that he didn't need to be sorry for being in love.

"It's your daughter's fault. Why was she in the library when she should be with other girls?"

Gerald looked purple and before he could jump on John Wilkes, she said, "Mr Wilkes I request you refrain from putting all the blame on my dear child, because she is just a child. Please don't forget that Honey is the same age as Scarlett and India is older, but they're outside of this room, because you think they're young for this kind of matters."

"Yes, yes Mrs O'Hara." He got back to being the ever gallant gentleman, especially when she was talking. "They're promised to each other, I mean Ashley and Melanie. I can't disrespect my nephew and niece."

"We understand." She put a hand on Gerald's hand to calm him down. "But I'm sure dear Melanie will understand, she's a very understanding girl."

"Indeed she is. Ashley, you should tell her before the ball." For a man that forced Ashley to marry his cousin he didn't make any fuss. Well, maybe he was also relieved to not have her frail niece as his future daughter in law. Not that she did have any complaints.

Ashley looked troubled.

"I'm sure she would appreciate that a woman would say this news to her. She is such a sweet girl and it's a good time that I congratulate her brother's engagement," she cut in before Ashley accepted the duty that fell on his shoulders.

"Of course, Mrs O'Hara. You're so kind for doing that for us." Both men seemed relieved that they didn't have to face Melanie Hamilton about the situation. Well such cowardly men. Hopefully, Ashley having the responsibility of being husband to Scarlett made him brave.

She nodded her head and rose in a graceful manner. "I won't delay it further." All the men rose with her and bowed down to her and she left to seek out Melanie Hamilton.

Hiya! Happy 2022! ;)

Hoping you enjoy the chapter.