Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

When Scarlett walked into the parlor the scene was just as she had expected. Melanie holding the baby and Rhett with his hands in his pockets to keep him from taking the baby away from Melanie. Scarlett said, "Melly how good to see you. I was going to send a note around today letting you know that we were home."

"Ashley told me when he got home last night."

"Of course. What do you think of our Genie? Isn't she beautiful."

Melly thought, 'Isn't that just like vain Scarlett? Fishing for compliments.' Melly said, "Of course, she is, Darling. Her blue eyes are quite striking. They are the same color as your father's aren't they."

"Yes, they are. When I look at her, it happily reminds me of Pa."

"How was your trip abroad?"

"It was amazing. Rhett had been so smart to suggest us going to London for me to have my baby. Melly, they give women chloroform to ease the labor pains. We sure could have used that when you were delivering Beau."

"That is true."

For the next thirty minutes the ladies talked. Scarlett with Rhett's help told Melly about their trip abroad. Melly told Scarlett what was going on with the gentry of Atlanta. Soon Genie was looking for something to latch onto. When Rhett saw what Genie was doing, he spitefully thought, "Bonnie, there is nothing there for you to latch onto."

Rhett stood up and rang the bell. He said, "Here, Miss Melly, let me take Bonnie. It is time for her to nurse."

Scarlett said, "Yes, it is. Melly, you will have to leave for I am nursing my baby. It is all the rage in Europe. Everyone is doing it. Even … Rhett, what was that princess's name? The one from Russia."

Rhett smiled and said, "Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia, my dear."

"She is Queen Victoria's daughter. I did it at first because I had no idea where to find a wet nurse much less one that would travel with us to Atlanta. Now, I'm doing it because I can eat anything and not gain a pound. It is wonderful."

Melanie said, "Of course. When you feel up to going calling let me know and we can go together."

"Of course."

Scarlett walked over and took Genie from Rhett's arms. With that act Genie let everyone know that she was tired of all this talking. It was time for her to nurse. Scarlett said over the crying baby, "Rhett, will you see Melly out. It seems Genie's patience has run out."

"Of course, my dear."

Prissy appeared in response to the summons. Rhett said, "Would you please go tell Beau that his mother is ready to leave."

"Yes, Sir."

Rhett and Melanie did not speak while they were waiting on Beau to appear. As soon as the little boy was in the parlor Rhett walked Melanie and Beau to the front door. There was nothing in his mannerism that would alert Melanie that his opinion of her had changed.

As Melanie walked with Rhett and Beau to the front door nothing in her mannerism would alert Rhett that she now knew that he was her greater danger. She knew that she could manipulate Scarlett without even trying but Captain Butler was too jaded of a man to fall for her games and ploys. The only tool she had was her appearance of innocence but if Captain Butler didn't believe she was innocent then he would not believe her lies or misinformation.

Melanie had been surprised at how openly devoted to Scarlett Captain Butler appeared to be after they had come back from their honeymoon. Fortunately, in Melly's opinion, Scarlett didn't appear to feel any differently than she had before the couple got married. What did bother Melly was far too often Scarlett would look at Captain Butler with a smile on her face or laughter in her eyes. The man would always smile back. Also, it seemed that Scarlett was always checking to make sure Captain Butler was still there. Melly decided that was just Scarlett being the southern belle she was. Melly knew that Scarlett still believed herself in love with Ashley. Yet considering Scarlett was so obtuse she didn't even know her real feelings Melanie could not take things for granted.

As Melly drove herself and Beau home, she was going to have to be a lot more covert in her deceptions in order to fool Captain Butler.

After over a week of visits, it was clear to Melanie that Captain Butler was crazy about his daughter. He rarely let the child out of his sight. Every morning he would sit in the parlor with the two ladies. He didn't contribute much to the conversations, but Melly knew he was listening closely to what the ladies were saying. What's more Scarlett never seemed to mind that Captain Butler was there. In fact, she made sure he was included in the conversation.

On Tuesday morning after over a week of visits, Scarlett said, "I won't be home tomorrow morning, Melly. It is my day to check on my businesses."

"Ashley said something about you selling your sawmills. Is that true?"

Without looking at Rhett, Scarlett said, "Maybe. I am thinking about it."

Rhett said, "Scarlett, you don't want to do that. You enjoy running your businesses."

"Yes, I do," Scarlett looked at Rhett and said, "But you said…"

"I have rethought that. For now, I think you should keep them."

"Alright but with all our social obligations I may not have the time."

"Then we will cut back on our social obligations."

"Really?"

"Of course, Dear. You built those sawmills up from nothing. I know they are a great source of pride to you."

"Yes, they are."

Melanie said, "Darling, you don't want to sell off your only means of income. The one thing the war taught me is there is no true security. In a matter of minutes your world can be turned upside down."

Rhett marveled at the way Miss Melly subtly touched on Scarlett's sensitive issue – Her lack of security.

Rhett said, "Although I have lots of money, I know you feel more secure having your own means of support."

"I'm not going to sell them today and I won't make any decisions for several months."

"Good."

"Good."

Melanie said, "Darling, will you have time to go calling with me after lunch tomorrow?"

"I don't know."

"You must go. You wouldn't want all the women to think you were snubbing them."

"Of course. I will come get you after dinner tomorrow, but I will have to be home by three thirty."

"That is fine," With those words Melly stood up and said, "Let me go before I overstay my welcome."

"You are so silly, Melly. You are always welcome."

As Melly walked out of the mansion, she thought, 'I have to get Scarlett alone to cause problems between her and Captain Butler. I will tell her some lies about him and his nightly activities tomorrow afternoon.'

At the same time, Rhett said to Scarlett, "Are you sure that isn't the same dress?"

"Yes, the one she wore yesterday had a hole in it that she had to stitch up. I wonder why she just doesn't by new clothes."

"She probably can't afford to buy new clothes."

Scarlett stared at Rhett and finally said, "You are probably right. Most of Ashley's salary is based on how much profit his mill makes therefore if he doesn't make much of a profit, he doesn't bring home much money."

"Mmm. Did I tell you that I ran into Jake Robertson, and he invited us to his home for supper?"

"Absolutely not. Maggie's cook is the absolute worst cook."

"Alright. I will tell him you already made plans for next Thursday night."

"We do have plans. To play whist at the Proctors."

"Perfect."

The couple walked to the nursery for Rhett to put their sleeping baby in her crib. Rhett was thinking, 'That worked out perfectly. For her to mention how little Mr. Wilkes brought home.'

The next day after checking the books, Scarlett was happy. Everyone had made a profit even Ashley. Although he was very cold and formal with her. When Scarlett said, "Rhett wants me to not sell my businesses. He thinks they bring me a lot of pride and pleasure. I, of course, can't tell him the real reason I want to sell them so we will remain partners for a few more months."

Stiffly Ashley said, "Whatever you think is best, Scarlett."

Scarlett sighed and left the office. As Ashley helped her into her buggy, she thought, 'Sometimes Ashley can behave like a big old baby. If he isn't happy with the situation that's too bad after all it is all of his making when he married Melly instead of me. Now I'm going home to the man who wanted me more than any other woman.'

As Ashley watched Scarlett leave the yard, he knew he had lost her. In the past, she would have tried to find out why he was being cold to her. Then she would have moved heaven and earth to reassure him that she still loved him. Today she hadn't even acknowledged that he was being cold to her.

When Scarlett got home, she went straight to the nursery. It would soon be time for Genie to nurse. When Scarlett walked into the room there was her daughter lying on her stomach holding her head up.

Rhett said, "Look at Genie. She is holding her head up by herself. She is early. I guess she already wants to see what the world is all about."

That had made Scarlett laugh. Scarlett picked the child up and carried her to their bedroom. Rhett would join her in a few minutes. She thought it was truly kind of him to entertain her while she nursed the baby.

After dinner, Scarlett got in her carriage and drove over to Melly's house. She was not looking forward to this afternoon. She knew that the women were going to want to snub her. She knew this because none of the women of Southern society had come to call on her since her return from Europe. Some of the Scallawag and Republican wives had come to call, and they had been great fun. The invitations to afternoon and evening events were beginning to roll in. She and Rhett were immensely popular with that group of people which made Scarlett happy because they were so unpopular with the gentry of Atlanta.

Scarlett was annoyed when she found out that India and Aunt PittyPat were going calling with her and Melly, but she smiled and said, "I'm glad I brought the carriage then."

In truth, Melly was disappointed the other women were there also. She had to be alone with Scarlett to be able to tell her that her husband was seen entering a brothel several times. That would not be something a proper woman would speak about and especially not in front of two old maids. If Melly's plan worked Scarlett would be so disgusted with Captain Butler using whores that she would turn him out of her bed thus creating a hostile atmosphere. Captain Butler would be so angry that Scarlett was falsely accusing him of behaving badly he might go out and use a whore to spite her.

As they were returning to the Wilkeses' home, Melly said, "You will have to come with me next week, Scarlett."

"I will let you know."

Melly knew she wasn't going to get Scarlett to come calling with her any time soon. The ladies had been cold and distant to Scarlett all day. They couldn't have made Scarlett feel any more unwelcome than if they had told her to never return.

As Scarlett was dropping the ladies off at their home, Melly said, "I will see you tomorrow morning."

"No, Rhett wants to take the girls to the park now that Wade is back in school. I will let you know when it will be convenient to call."

"Of course, Darling. Just let me know."