" Rhett, we should get going, I don't think any of the villagers would be too glad to see us."
" I agree my pet, Cat could you get that ladder you told us about?"
" Yes " said Cat simply her eyes were glowing from excitement as she ran to get it. Rhett pulled his wife, by love if not by marriage, to him and kissed her on top of her head. As Cat returned he fastened the rope ladder then went down first to test it's stability. When he reached the ground Cat was already half way down. He smiled down at his daughter, who looked up at him happily. Next came Scarlett.
" Ok, now" she said thinking quickly realizing the importance of getting her child away from those who wished to harm her.
" Rhett you go to the villiage and ask for Father Colum O'Hara and a Mrs. Fitzpatrick. Introduce yourself to Colum as my husband, he knows the whole story," she paused and took a sharp breath,
" Now Kitty Cat" she turned to her daughter " go to Grainne's cottage and tell her what happened and stay there until I to get you, ok?"
" Ok Mommy," Cat then began to run to the witches cottage. Her black hair flying behind her as she ran. Scarlett smiled, she looked so much like her father.
" And what about you Scarlett?" Rhett asked. Before she could answer he pulled her to him and kissed her, briefly but passionate none the less.
" Well," Scarlett replied obviously breathless from the kiss. Rhett smiled with the smile reserved for her and her alone.
" Well, I'll go round up the horses. Then I'll go get Cat and we'll meet you in Galway, it isn't safe for her here and I want her safe as soon as possible." Rhett nodded
" And what shall I tell the villagers? I am just looking for these people to find out the tour schedual?" he asked mockingly. Scarlett smiled.
" I've missed you." she said
" And I've missed you to." He kissed her again, then pulled away so she could answer his question.
" ok, um....tell them you need to speak to them, uh, private business you must discuss. When you find them take them to Galway. If anything else happens go to Galway and meet me and Cat at the hotel. Then we'll figure out what to do from there." she started to turn to get the horses when he grabbed her arm ans twirled her back to him, he caught her lips with his own. She put her arms around his neck lost in his kisses. Then he pulled away. He looked at Scarlett Breathless before him, her hair was a mess, and she was the most beautifil woman he'd ever seen.
" I'm sorry to dissapoint you but you have some horses to coral i believe?" his eyebrow shot up in mockery. Scarlett giggled gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off to get the horses. Suddenly she stopped and turned around.
" I'll leave a horse tied to that tree over there for you" she called as she gestured to an obviously ancient tree a few yards from the tower. As she ran to the horses he turned to the blackened ruins of Ballyhara.
Cat ran through the woods to Grainne's house. Just as she reached it the
Wise woman came out of from behind some shrubs.
" Come now Dara,
you will have some tea and cakes, you must be hungry."
" Yes
Cat is very hungry." she said smiling she took the old woman's hand and
walked with her to the cottage. When they got there Cat began to make some tea,
her having been to visit with Grainne many times as to hide from the townschildren
trying to stone her. When she finished she sat down next to Grainne and began
to eat. When she was finished Grainne spoke.
" You will be leaving
soon Dara, but always remember where you came from." Cat looked up at her,
then walked over to her and gave her a hug.
" I'll come back to
visit you." she said. Grainne smiled as she hugged the little girl back.
When they separated Cat served some more tea.
******************************************************
Scarlett's
smile slowly faded as she turned from Rhett and ran to find the horses. She
only needed to find three of them. Comet, for Rhett to ride to Trim then catch
a train to Galway. Half Moon for her and Cat to do the same, and Ree. She would
leave Ree with Grainne because they couldn't take him and Cat would never leave
if she didn't know he was taken care of. Scarlett came to the Boyne and she
saw Half Moon and Comet drinking from the shallows. Scarlett walked closer trying
not to spook them. They must have sensed her presence because when she was within
a few yards the looked up. Comet walked over to Scarlett, her eyes seemed to
ask Questions.
" I know, I know, I'm sorry I left you two but I
had to." Half moon hade joined them. As she talked the horses seemed to
listen and understand. She smiled at this and continued.
" Now lets
go find Ree." she mounted Half Moon, and held comet by her mane, as they
walked down the Boyne hoping to find Ree soon. They rode on for several minutes
until Scarlett heard what she was positive was Ree in a grove of nettles to
their left. She dismounted and told the horses to stay put, the seemed to understand
so they walked back to the Boyne for another drink. Scarlett walked over to
the nettles to see Ree stuck in a patch of them.
" Oh you poor thing!
Here Ree just stay still and I'll get you out." she walked through the
spikey plants, her dress getting torn to shreds by the hem. When she got to
Ree he was a bit bloody but not to bad off. She got his feet untangled and walked
him out of the nettles. When they reached Half Moon and Comet Ree looked at
Scarlett with eyes that said very Plainly, ' It took you long enough!'. Scarlett
walked the two horses and pony back along the Boyne to Grainne's cottage.
When
she reached the tower, she tied Comet to the tree where she said she'd leave
him for Rhett, then walked Half Moon and Ree to the cottage.
As she reached
the cottage Cat ran out from the path to the cottage with Grainne behind her.
"
Oh mommy you found Ree, I was so worried!" she ran to him but stopped quite
suddenly at the sight of his bloody hoofs.
" Mommy, what happened
to Ree?" She looked to her mother.
" Well Kitty Cat he got
cought in some nettles but He'll be fine. We are going to leave him here with
Grainne, because it's too long a ways to Trim for him to ride." then she
looked at the wise women her eyes pleading for her to watch after the pony.
Grainne nodded and Scarlett looked back to her daughter who was saying good-bye
to her beloved pony.
" We'll come get him as soon ans we can okay?"
"
okay "
" Well, we have a long ride and must be going."
She walked over to Grainne and hugged her.
" You are always helping
us when we need it. Thank You, Kitty Cat say good-bye to Grainne." Cat
walked over to the woman and gave her a hug before her and her mother mounted
Half Moon.
" Be swift and strong, and do not worry." the wise
woman said to the mother and daughter before they rode away. As she turned away
a tear slid down her leathery cheek as she took Ree to her cottage to bandage
his hoofs.
******************************************************
Rhett
walked into Ballyhara's town. He looked up where the big house once stood only
to see a few scorched walls and a pile of rubble and ash. He walked into the
Bar and sat down at the counter. He ordered a wisky and motioned for the Bartender
to come closer so as they could speak.
" Excuse me but I was wondering
where I might find Father Colum O'Hara?" The bartender's eyes flared with
anger, then looking at Rhett's confused face replied:
" You definitly
aren't from around here are you? I am sad to Say Father O'Hara was killed last
night by Her Majesty's soldiors." He Said 'Her Majesty's' with such hate
and anger it took Rhett by suprise " He was a Martyr for His country and
His Faith." He finished as he put his head down in respect.
"
Oh, I am quite sorry I heard he was a Great Man. Well then Maybe you can direct
me to a Mrs. Fitzpatrick?" Rhett watched as the the bartender shook his
head sadly.
" She was taken same as Father O'Hara, a Martyr as well."
He started to walk away obviously not wanting to discuss any more. Rhett downed
his glass paid for it then left. He walked swiftly to the Tower, hoping to meet
Scarlett and Cat There.
When he got there he saw a horse tied to the tree
with no sign of his wife or daughter. He mounted the horse and slowly rode toward
Trim. ' Scarlett is going to be heartbroken' he thought. She had told him about
Colum in the Tower. She clearly loved him, he was the brother she never had.
She hadn't told him about Mrs. Fitzpatrick but he supposed they were close as
well since she had told him to ask about her. He nudged the horse to make it
go faster. He wanted to get to Scarlett and Cat as soon as Possible.
____________________________________________________
Rhett arrived in Galway and walked into the Hotel. When he reached the front
desk he asked the man behind it
" Is there a Mrs O'Hara staying
here?" The man looked at his rumpled clothes and gave him a look of disapproval
but looked anyway.
" No I'm sorry there isn't" He said then
began to do some paper work. Rhett began to turn away obviously displeased,
when he smiled and asked:
" Is there a Mrs. Butler staying here
by chance?" the man looked annoyed but again looked for the name.
"
Yes there is." Rhett smiled. That was typical Scarlett.
" Could
you please tell me what room she is in, I'm her husband. The man obviously didn't
believe him but said quite simply,
"12"
" Thank
You." He went in search of room 12. When he found it he knocked and waited
until Scarlett opened it.
" Rhett!!!" she yelled. She put her
arms around his neck and pulled him into the room. She let go and looked behind
him.
" But Where's Colum and Mrs. Fitz?" Rhett's face dropped.
"
Let's go sit down" he said as he guided her to a love seat. She looked
at him, obviously confused.
" But Rhett, Where are they??"
as Rhett told her what the bartender at Ballyhara told him she broke down in
tears. As she sobbed uncontrollably against his Chest he picked her up and carried
her to the bedroom. He passed the nursery and saw Cat sleeping in her bed.
When
he reached Scarlett's room he layed her down and held her until she cried herself
asleep. As he held her he smiled. 'She must've really cared for them' he thought
since he rarely saw Scarlett Cry.
******************************************************
They
had been in Galway for a week now and had yet to stay one more before the Brian
Boru took the re-united family back to America. Rhett and Cat were getting very
close. The Family could be seen all around Galway together and Happy, because
Rhett and Scarlett were now Husband and Wife by law and love. The Day after
Rhett arrived with his Shocking News, they had found a priest and been Married.
The
Family spent days together and Rhett and Scarlett spent nights together unleashing
their pent up love and passion, fufilling each others desires to the fullest.
It
was on one of these days something happened that no one expected.
Scarlett
was sitting in the Hotel's Dining Room having some Coffee while Rhett and Cat
had another Father Daughter Day. Cat loved having Rhett as a Father, and said
so often. Her favorite way to express it was thus:
" Mommy I'm glad
you married Daddy. I like him Alot better than Luke" Rhetts Jam muscles
would tighten at the name and he would be quite overprotective the rest of the
day.
While Scarlett sat enjoying her coffee and reading the paper a dark
haired man entered the dining room.
" Well what a pleasant suprise"
Scarlett almost dropped her cup in shock. She looked up to see Lord Fenton peering
down at her. She stood up Quickly.
" Oh, Hello Luke" she tried
to sound casual, but her voice shook slightly.
" And Hello to you
Mrs O'Hara" he smiled at her.
" Well, uh It was nice seeing
you Luke but I must Go" as she turned to go away he Grabbed her arm.
"
What kind of greeting is that to your Fiance?" He smirked at her.
"
well, um the truth is Luke, I can't Marry You" His Face darkened.
"
What?" he hissed. " We had an agreement"
" Yes, but,
well..." Scarlett was inturrupted by a loud 'Mommy' as Cat came running
to her Rhett close behind.
" Mommy you have to see what Daddy bought
me!!" then she turned to Lord Fenton. " Hi Luke" As Rhett cought
up both men looked at each other. Their Jaws had tightened with Cat's refrence
to each other; 'Luke' and 'Daddy'. They were sizing each other up as Scarlett
spoke.
" Luke I would like you to meet my husband, Rhett" again
they sized each other up. Then RHett spoke.
" A pleasure to meet
you. Scarlett why don't we go get Cat's stuff unloaded then we can come back
down for some coffee with Mr...."
" Lord Fenton" Luke
said with unusual emphisis. Scarlett nodded wanting to get as Far as possible
from Luke. Rhett took her arm and Bid Farewell to Fenton as they walked to their
room with Cat Talking endlessly. On the Stairs they Met Mrs. O'Leary and her
daughter Janey. Janey and Cat had become fast friends.
" Good Afternoon
Scarlett, Mr. Butler."
" The Same to you Cynthia. Cynthia could
you do us a big favor and watch Cat for the afternoon Rhett and I need to discuss
something."
" Of Course. Cat darling would you like to come
to the park with us?"
" oh Yes. Daddy You'll show mommy what
we bought right?" She looked up proudly at her father.
" Of
course Angel, now Run along" She and Janey ran down the stairs as Mrs.
O'leary Followed. Rhett and Scarlett Reached their room as soon as the door
closed Rhett spoke.
" What the Hell is He doing here?!?!?"
"
I don't know! I told him I couldn't marry him but I dont think he is going to
take it that easy." She bit her lower lip and looked at Rhett. He had Said
he would Kill Fenton if he tried to take her away.
" Well he better
take it" Rhett paced back and forth, looking wild. Scarlett walked to him
and embraced him.
" Rhett calm down there is nothing he can do,
We're married. We love each other." She whisperes into his ear. Then she
turned her head and kissed him. He pulled away after a second and said.
"
Well, then I guess we should go tell him. He didn't look like the kind who should
be kept waiting." He kissed his wife then escorted her back down to the
dining room.
They sat down at Fenton's table. He eyed them coldly then spoke.
"
We had an agreement. We are to be married in one month." he said icily.
Rhett spoke first
" Well I'm sorry, but I simply cannot allow my
wife to marry you." Rhett said smirking, he had put special emphesis on
'my wife' then he kissed Scarlett's cheek. She felt stronger knowing Rhett would
never let anything stand between him and her again.
" Well, then,
we will just have to take you out of the picture" Luke's eyes were cold
and hard. Rhett Stared back at him. Scarlett shivvered and Rhett put his Arm
around her waist. He was just about to say something when Scarlett spoke, her
voice cold as ice.
" Fenton, there is not going to be a wedding.
Rhett is my husband I am his Wife. Threats won't work. Just go away and Leave
us alone." Scarlett Stood up and looked at Rhett, who stood beside her.
She took one last cold look at Fenton who was scowling darkly and walked away.
'Threats
may not work, but actions will' thought Fenton, as he planned what to do the
Get Scarlett to be his wife.
__________________________________________________________
Ever since the meeting with Fenton, Scarlett had been counting down the days
until they sailed on the Brian Boru to America.
It was two days until they
sailed and Scarlett was in their room waiting for Rhett and Cat. They said they
had some business to attend to, which Scarlett smiled at, wondering what they
were up to. They had been gone for a few hours when someone knocked at the door.
"
Come In" Scarlett called, she was slightly annoyed since they were late
in bringing her coffee. Her back was to the door and she heard it close and
waited for the bell boy to bring the coffee tray over to her. She waited a few
more seconds then began to turn around. Her eyes opened wide as a hand covered
her mouth with a cloth. She tried to struggle before she passed out.
******************************************************
"
Scarlett"
" Mommy" Rhett and Cat called when they returned
to their hotel room. They had gone to a get a portrait taken of the two then
went to a jewlers and bought the locket they had ordered several weeks earlier
to place the picture in. The locket was a small gold heart, encircled in emeralds,
there was an inscription on the inside that read
" TO Scarlett,
With
all of our love,
Rhett and Cat"
They were going to give it to her
the next night at a special dinner, before they went to America. They looked
throughout the hotel room searching for her, there was no sign of her anywhere.
Rhett put Cat down for a quick nap and went to the front desk.
"
Excuse me, but did Mrs. Butler leave our room this afternoon?" Rhett silently
prayed that she had.
" No Mr. Butler, I do not believe she did"
the man replied.
" Thank You" Rhett walked up the stairs, and
knocked on Mrs. O'Leary's door. She answered it in a few seconds
"
Mr. Butler, what a suprise come in please, I just put Janey down for a nap"
she smiled brightly
" Oh no thank you Mrs. O'Leary, I was wondering
if you had seen Scarlett since breakfast?" Mrs. O'Leary looked quite puzzled.
"
No, she said she was going to stay in all day, is anything wrong?" Mrs.
O'Leary could tell right from when she met the Butler's that Rhett and Scarlett
were madly in love. It was odd that he didn't know where she was.
"
Well, Cat and I returned from our outing and she was nowhere to be found, did
she say anything else?" Rhett tried to keep his voice calm, but worry was
evident in it.
" No, she didn't, But I'm sure she just went out
to get some fresh air" Mrs. O'Leary hoped this was the case.
"
No, the Manager said she hadn't left our room, all day, and I can't help but
feel something is wrong." Rhett's voice wasn't even close to being calm.
Mrs. O'Leary bit her lip in worry, if she hadn't left, and she wasn't in her
room Where was Scarlett??
" Mr. Butler, now this may sound silly,
and I could kick myself for saying this but, you and Scarlett are obviously
madly in love and I don't think it is in Scarlett's character to do this, so..."
She paused trying to put what she was thinking into words," is there anyone
that might want to hurt the two of you? I know this sounds crazy, but I just
read this book about a man kidnapping his friend's wife, to get back at him
for something." She bit her lip again watching Mr. Butler's reaction. While
he listened to this his Eyes widdened slightly and fear gripped his heart. He
thought to when Scarlett left him in Charlston. She had told him in their recent
time together how she had left a note to Miss Elanore. Rhett was angry at Rosemary
not giving the note to his mother but relieved that Scarlett had cared enough
to do so, and mad at himself for using that as reason for divorce. But this
time he knew in his heart that Scarlett had not gone on her own.
"
Mrs. O'Leary, I think there is something I should explain to you." Mrs.
O'Leary woke Janey from her nap and took her to the Butler's room. She laid
her down with Cat then went to the sitting room where Mr. Butler was waiting
to tell her about Lord Fenton.
*********************
" Oh My
Goodness" Mrs. O'Leary wispered softly after Rhett explained about Lord
Fenton.
" Oh My Goodness is right. Now I only met him for a moment
but he definitly seem's like he could do this sort of thing, and would too."
Rhett was pacing back and fourth while Mrs. O'Leary sat and watched, to stunned
to say more than 'Oh My Goodness'. Suddenly Rhett stopped pacing and looked
urgently at Mrs. O'Leary.
" Does it smell funny in here?" he
asked quickly. Mrs. O'Leary looked stunned, here his wife might be kidnapped
and he was worried about a smell!
" It smells like chloroform."
Mrs. O'Leary looked puzzled.
" Chloroform can cause unconsiousness
when inhaled." Rhett explained. Mrs O'Leary's eyes widened. She looked
around quickly, though she wasn't sure why. She looked down and saw a piece
of white cloth. She picked it up and held it away from her face, because it
smelt very strongly. Rhett walked over to her and grabbed the cloth. Within
seconds he threw it on the coffee table.
" Do you smell that?"
he asked urgently. She nodded her head. " That" he pointed to it,
" Has been doused with chloroform." Mrs. O'Leary Gasped and stared
at the piece of cloth.
" Well, what do we do now, should we call
the police??"
" I suppose so, since there is nothing else we
can do." Rhett's voice rang slight defeat but in his heart Anger flared.
He had never been this angry before, even when Scarlett had that damned crush
on Ashley, because he knew Ashley would not and could not do anything with Scarlett,
but Lord Fenton was a different story.
****************************
The
room was dark, except for a bit of light coming from beneath a door. Scarlett
was dizzy as she tried to figure out where she was. She was laying on a sofa,
or a love seat. She wasn't tied which for some reason she expected. The last
thing she remembered was that strange man who put something over her mouth then
there was nothing. Scarlett was never one to faint and the cloth had a strong
smell so she guessed that was why she passed out. She slowly got up, wobbleing
slightly. She slowly made her way to the door. She groped for doorknob, When
she found it she opened the door and squinted through the bright light. When
she saw who was in the room she almost passed out again.
______________________________________________________
