"I can't believe Ashley is going to marry you. Everyone thought about how he's going to marry his cousin, you sure have done something."

They were in the parlour browsing through fashion magazines, choosing a suitable wedding dress for Scarlett. Well, Scarlett was choosing and Sue was seeing the new fashion. A "Le Follet" in the hand of Scarlett and Sue was flicking through the newest edition of "Harper's Weekly".

Last night, at the ball, Sue along with many people got surprised, for the announcement of the engagements, but not the engagements everyone expected, instead of her own sister with none other than Ashley was spoken of. It was a shock to many and what was more? Melanie Hamilton was one of the few people who knew of the news and was supporting it. It was so startling that nobody paid attention to the other engagement. Honey Wilkes was mad at Scarlett for again directing all the attention to herself.

A fire of jealousy was rekindling in Suellen's hearts, for in her opinion, why should Scarlett get the best when she as a dutiful daughter and girl couldn't have. Her older sister was a snake who deceived people to do her bidding.

"Really, Sue, aren't you tired of being so annoying? Even mother doesn't like the way you talk." Scarlett held back herself to say more, thus, made Sue more angry than now, though she'd soon get angry for only seeing Scarlett was living and breathing.

Ellen insisted on her being kinder towards her sisters as she needed their support when everyone in the County started talking. She never guessed in her life her mother would be the opposite of what she was showing, but she loved her more this way and she couldn't believe herself, because in her mind, the reason of adoring Ellen always was seeing her like Holy Mary. As processing all the things that happened to her in a short time, Scarlett concluded if her mother wasn't a great lady, she'd definitely lose Ashley to that mealy-mouthed mousy girl.

A great lady.

Now it took a new meaning to itself. Her idolisation to be a great lady changed to something different, entirely and irrevocably.

"Let's not talk about my marriage. I saw yesterday Cade was looking at you numerous times," she said to arouse Sue's interest. She was trying to pair Suellen with Cade Calvert. She would be more happy to have her sister with that old maid in breaches, Kennedy and far far away from her, but her mother knew better, so here she was trying to pass one of her beaux to her annoying sister.

Sue looked sceptical. "Are you sure? Because I thought he still looked at you with wistful eyes, but I don't know why he likes you."

Maybe because I'm fun and I was their childhood friend, but other County girls not, especially, you, Suellen, She thought, irritated at her, "I invited him to eat with us and it's not right for me as an engaged girl to entertain him, it would be good if you do that instead."

"What's the catch?" Of course Sue wouldn't trust her.

She shrugged her shoulders in nonchalant and made herself comfortable on the dark red couch. After making sure Sue was irritated with her long pause, said at last, "But again, it's not hard for me to tell him not come if you don't –"

"Alright, I'll do it," she jumped in and not letting her finish. Sue was certain her sister was doing this for her own benefit and she didn't know her reasons and that was terrifying. She had a suspicion it had to do with Scarlett and their mother talking privately with each other recently, but wasn't going to let this opportunity slip through her hands. The handsome Cade! Her sister couldn't choose a better boy than him in the county. She'd be damned if let her own resentment towards her sister overshadow her own happiness.

"Good, so we better hurry up to make you presentable." She jumped off the couch and grasped Suellen's wrist and pulled her towards her own bedroom.

Sue was too bewildered by her sister to react and more with her offering her own dresses to her while choosing between them. Surely, the hell had frozen for Scarlett acting strange or maybe she truly loved Ashley and now that she had him, she could be calmer and kinder.

"This…" The beautiful blue satin was one of her favourites and she wanted to say that this was a good choice, "No, not this…", but then her sister showed the unreachable dress she so desired most, the green plaid taffeta. Oh! She couldn't keep her joy to herself.

"I want this," she blurted out.

Scarlett looked at the dress, then at her and the most bizarre thing happened; her sister smiled at her, a very kind and sweet smile.

And that was how her morning and afternoon passed, With an intolerable Scarlett. She preferred her selfishness over her sweet smiles.

"I never thought this dress could be good on anyone except Scarlett, but now I know this is an O'Hara thing to be dashing in such dresses," said Cade, his laughing tone making her breathless, wasn't used to this kind of attention and wasn't sure if it was to be a compliment or something else.

She thanked him, nonetheless. Say something.

"How's Cathleen?" She was really stupid. Cathleen! The only girl that only Scarlett could be friends with, not any of the County girls liked her as she was as fast as Scarlett. And Cathleen never paid attention to her either.

His eyebrows rose. "She is fine. More gay than ought to be." He shook his head. "Has to be Lafe. The buck is too humourous for his own good."

"Oh! My mother would be disappointed with my manner. Please congratulate Cathleen."

"Of course," he said awkwardly.

She breathed in relief when heard Scarlett's voice and that was something to consider.

"Hello Mr Calvert," said Scarlett in a manner that a lady should do, mimicking their mother's mannerisms, Sue noted.

"Now, now, Scarlett, because you're going to marry Ashley, it doesn't mean you should start running around calling your friends as if they're strangers. I'm sure both Stuart and Brent would be furious and I'm not going to talk about Tony and Alex."

Scarlett laughed.

"And I'm not going to call you Mrs. Wilkes even if that lucky buck demands."

"But you'll do that if I want."

"Well I'm not sure. You know me. I've an itch to annoy the girls trying to be like old women," there was a mischievous expression in his eyes.

Scarlett said in a voice that surely whole of slaves in the field would hear, "I'm not acting like old women. You're jealous because I'm going to marry Ashley, not you, but don't worry, there are still some good girls."

Let them be alone, knowing what to say to her cruel sister. She knew never a good thing came from Scarlett, always wanting to be in spotline, suggesting her as a substitute for herself. She was fuming internally.

Then, her sister said the three words that were a balm for her wounded heart, "Sue is brilliant."

And with that, Cade looked at her again, but with new eyes, as if he never could consider her as an option when Scarlett was there to choose, to pick. "Sure, she is."

A blush crawled up from her bosom to her neck and her cheeks, feeling embarrassed, but not knowing how becoming she was.

"Scarlett, are you coming to call us for supper?" Said she while wringing her hands, trying to not focus on her heated face and body.

With amused eyes and a satisfied grin, Scarlett answered in affirmation and walked towards the house and with a short distance Suellen and Cade followed her.

Hiya!

Sorry for the delay and thank you for your feedback.

And now Ellen is teaching Scarlett to be more schemer and more like herself! Lol

I think Scarlett took these kinds of traits from her Great Lady mother!