Chapter 3

Several days had passed in the O'Hara household since Katie's and Scarlett's confrontation over Rhett. Katie had not questioned Scarlett about anything thing else since that afternoon, although she was even more confused than before. Why had they divorced? Katie could not fathom a reason. She only knew of one other divorce and it was a cousin of a cousin of a friend of a friend. What could have been so bad that he would have done that to her mother?

But then why had Scarlett not told Rhett about Katie before he had a chance to divorce her? How could she have been pregnant and him not known?

It was all very confusing to Katie, but she dare not ask her mother again.

When Katie climbed into the buggy beside her mother that Saturday to attend Sarah's wedding all those questions were still running through her mind. Katie was not mad at her mother's outburst. She could only imagine how much pain it must have caused her mother. The divorce, then bearing and raising her alone. She was just upset and confused.

Scarlett watched as Katie climbed into the buggy. Katie had been quiet since that afternoon. Not as if she was mad at Scarlett, just as if she was lost in thought. Scarlett know about what, but just could not bring herself to divulge more information to her. She kept telling herself it was for Katie's own good. But there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Was she really doing it for Katie or because she didn't want to have to explain many painful things to her? Things that could possibly change Katie's opinion of her. Scarlett was still wondering that when they arrived at the church.

After the ceremony a ball was held in honor of the newly married couple. Scarlett watched as Katie danced with many young men. Scarlett could not help but think back to those wonderful days in Clayton County. Dancing with the Tarlteton Twins, Cade Calvert, The Fontaine Boys and of course Ashley. A small smile broke out across Scarlett's face. She had kept in touch with Ashley. He and Harriet were very happy together. Billy had become a partner with Ashley in the lumber business while Beau had taken over Henry's law firm.

The music starting again brought Scarlett back from her thoughts. She saw that Katie was once again dancing with Duncan Shierfield. Scarlett thought she detected a certain sparkle in Katie's eyes every time they danced. Scarlett watched the young couple as they waltzed by her. Yes there was definitely something there. She could also see it on the young Mr. Shierfield's face as he lovingly looked down at Katie.

"I would not be surprised if the honorable Mr. Shierfield paid me a visit within the next few weeks" Scarlett thought to herself as she watched the young lovers exit the dance floor and make their way toward the refreshments.

Just as Scarlett expected, late one afternoon as she came down the stairs after changing from her riding habit, there was a knock at the door. Scarlett could her Duncan Shierfield's voice as he spoke to the butler, Winston.

Scarlett made her way down the staircase and to the front foyer. "Mr. Shierfield, so good to see you. Won't you come into the study and have afternoon tea with me? I'm sorry but Miss Katie is not in this afternoon. She's visiting one of her friends who just arrived back from an extended vacation".

Duncan smiled at Scarlett and replied "Yes Mrs. O'Hara I would like to join you. And I know that Katie is not in this afternoon, that is why I chose now to speak to you".

Scarlett smiled as she walked into the study in front of Duncan. She had been right. He was here to ask for Katie's hand. "Well before I give my permission to the honorable Mr. Duncan Shierfield, he is going to have to answer several questions to my satisfaction" she thought as she smiled again.

Scarlett said patiently and listened to Duncan profess his devotion and undying love for Katie. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was truly in love with her daughter. So after a half hour of Duncan stating his case and answering Scarlett's numerous questions, she looked at him an stated with a warm expression on her face "Yes Duncan, after Katie finishes her studies next spring, you may have her hand in marriage".

At this Duncan's face lit up "Thank you Mrs. O'Hara. You have made both Katie and I very happy".

"I'm glad that I could be of assistance" Scarlett said as she rose from her seat. But she noticed that Duncan did not stand.

"Was there something else that I could help you with, Mr. Shierfield?"

Duncan looked up uneasily at Scarlett, "Well Ma'am, actually yes. There is something else I would like to speak to you about."

Scarlett sat back down. "Alright Mr. Shierfield, what else do we need to speak about?"

Duncan started unsteadily, very unsure of the topic "Well, Mrs. O'Hara...what I want to speak to you about is something that Katie has confided in me. Something that has been bothering her deeply as of late, and well it hurts me to see her so upset. She has no idea that I have decided to speak to you about this. She knows the topic greatly upsets you, as it does her".

Scarlett sat there looking at Duncan. She didn't like where this conversation was going, however she allowed him to keep speaking.

"Go ahead Mr. Shierfield. Just what do you have on your mind?"

"Well Ma'am, Katie spoke to me about the conversation you had several weeks ago. Please don't be upset with her. She needed to talk, to think and I want you to know everything she told me stays with me and goes no further. She had often spoke to me about not knowing her father. Then when she told me of your conversation several weeks back, well Mrs. O'Hara, I don't mean to pry, but I do love Katie very much and this is truly upsetting to her. She just has so many questions. Questions that only you can answer." Duncan who had been looking across the room, now looked at Scarlett to gauge her reaction. Her face was fixed but pale. "Mrs. O'Hara?"

"Yes, Mr. Shierfield. I'm still listening."

"I guess what I'm asking Ma'am is truly none of my business, but I know what it would mean to Katie.."

Scarlett interrupted him "So Mr. Shierfield, just what are you asking of me?"

"I'm asking you to share your knowledge of Katie's father with her. She said that before she never asked you about him because the one time she did, you seemed so hurt. She of course just assumed it was because you missed him because he had died. But now that she knows that he is indeed alive, she just wants to understand. Understand who she is, who her father is and why..why things are the way they are."

When Duncan was finished, he looked at the floor and found himself holding his breath. Katie had told him how irate her Mother had become. So he was waiting for the same reaction.

Scarlett sat there letting Duncan's words soak in. At first she was mad that Katie had confided in an "outsider". But then, from somewhere back in time, Scarlett remembered how wonderful it had been to be able to confide her deepest, darkest secrets to Rhett.

Just the thought of him, tugged at her heart. Even after all the years they had been apart. Even though she hated him for what he had done to her and to Katie, she knew deep inside her heart she still loved him.

Duncan clearing his throat brought her back to the present. No she couldn't be mad at Katie over confiding to Duncan. In fact in a way she was glad she had him. But could she do what he was asking. Could she open up all those old wounds? Could she risk what Katie's reaction would be to her and Rhett's life together? Katie knew nothing of the lying and the longing for Ashley. In fact she knew nothing of Scarlett's past. She didn't know about Wade or Ella or..Bonnie. No she didn't even know about her. Could she risk telling her everything? Then one thought came to Scarlett's mind "Could she risk not telling Katie, and having her turn against her for not?"

Finally Scarlett spoke "Mr. Shierfield, I appreciate what it took for you to speak to me about this. It does deepen my feelings that you will indeed make Katie a fine husband. However.."Scarlett stopped for a moment she didn't want to sound harsh or mean, she just wasn't sure what she could promise him. Finally she continued in a softer tone "I can not promise you I can do what you are asking. But I will take it into consideration. I did and do have my reasons for what I did in not telling Katie everything."

Duncan looked at her and was surprised by the look on her face. It was not one of rage or anger but one of hurt and anguish. "Mrs. O'Hara, that is all I can ask. I thank you for even speaking to me on the subject. And again know that I do love your daughter and just want her to be happy". With that he stood.

Scarlett stood and shook his hand "Yes Mr. Shierfield, I know you do, as do I. So I will think about our conversation."

With that said Duncan found his way to the door, leaving Scarlett alone with her thoughts of the past. Thoughts that she had keep locked deep inside for many years. A past that she would soon be sharing with Katie. But could she? Could she open all those old wounds and old feelings and share then with the one person they affected the most?