A Southern Gathering
Thanks to all those who reviewed my first chapter. I hope you enjoy this one. It's not very eventful just a bunch of info and lies. Enjoy. A special thanks to Angel LeeAnn for her suggestions and helping me when I was stuck.
Chapter 2
Where Is He? Who Are You?
Scarlett slowly surveyed the Great Room of the Georgia mansion that her father had built. The plantation had been devastated after the war, but thanks to her wealthy husband, it was quickly becoming even greater than it had been before. The occupation of the Yankee soldiers had nearly destroyed it. The fields were bountiful now and the crops were sure to make enough money this year to pay for the massive cultivation that had been done, and put a large profit back into Tara for the upkeep on the plantation. Rhett had been so generous with letting her renovate Tara and make it profitable again. Yet, she was anxious to get back to Atlanta and the lumber business that she had left in the hands of Ashley Wilkes.
Her eyes turned misty at the thought of Ashley and what had happened to their lives since the war. She knew Ashley could have never provided her with the type of wealth that Rhett had provided her with, but it was hard to give up the years of longing she had felt towards Ashley. He was a good husband to Melanie, and she had decided to try to put him out of her mind. If not for Rhett's sake, at least for Bonnie's. Besides, there was so much new development going on in Atlanta, the growth of the lumber mill was enough to keep her mind off the opposite sex, Rhett included.
"Mammy!" Scarlett shouted down the hall of the marble foyer that lead to the back kitchen of the house. "Yes Mis Scarlett, I's hear ya, I'm a coming!" Mammy said as she waddled down the hall to see what caused Miss Scarlett to holler so.
"Mammy does Polk have everything packed for our trip back to Atlanta tomorrow?"
"Yes'm Mis Scarlet, cept he's waiting on Mister Rhett to come back from surveying the crops to pick which horses he'll saddle up."
"You mean Rhett and Bonnie aren't back yet, what on earth are they doing? They have been gone half the day. We'll never get back to Atlanta at this rate." Scarlett fumed as she dropped herself on the settee, and promised herself to give Rhett a piece of her mind when he did return.
*****
"Pleased to meet you captain Butler." Challenger spoke up quickly. He had immediately recognized the time period of Captain Butler's clothing as being the same as in fashion at the time when he himself was born. That would mean they had been transposed in time as well as location. He estimated that they were about fifty years into the past. They would have to be extremely clever with their explanation as to how they got here, so that this gentleman would not take them to off to the closest mental institution. "You see we are members of the London Zoological Society. We have been traveling in this part of your country to list and study the wild life that is indigenous the area. But, we were ambushed and robbed of our equipment and carriage. We have been wandering ever since."
Marguerite raised her eyebrows in surprise at Challenger's quick thinking, and at the ease of which he made the story up. Deception was usually her department.
"My, that's some experience I'd say you folks have had!" Rhett exclaimed, not at all sure if he believed it.
They did look like educated gentleman. Also, the man that looked about his age had said that he was Lord Roxton. Rhett recognized the title from his travels in London, but he had never crossed paths with Lord Roxton before. The women where another matter entirely, the dark haired one set him at unease as he gazed at her with skepticism. She reminded him of his wife, and that meant she probably should not be trusted. She bore a strong resemblance to Scarlett also. And the Fair-haired one! He had never seen a lady dressed so scantily in broad day light even at Belle's.
As Marguerite noticed his eyes settle upon Veronica, she hastened to explain her friends lack of attire. "In case you wondering, Veronica is a skilled tracker that we hired from an Indian tribe out West. She was orphaned and was raised by the tribe. Her attire is the latest in Indian bathing costumes. She was just about to retreat to the woods to change." She looked back at Veronica and tossed her the backpack she carried. Veronica didn't hesitate to walk towards the woods to change into Marguerite extra clothes. She knew the little girl was in awe at seeing her "bathing costume," and the look on her fathers face didn't make her comfortable either.
"Excuse me. I think I'll go with her." Marguerite motioned towards Veronica as she turned to follow her to the woods. She needed the time alone to speak to her about what was going on and what they were going to do about it.
Rhett took the opportunity to speak to the remaining Explorers about heir plight. "Of course you know you are in Clayton County, Georgia. These are the southern fields of my wife's family plantation, Tara. We reside in Atlanta, but we've been here awhile overseeing the reconstruction." He hesitated a moment before he decided to press them with his suspicions. " So you folks are from London? That's a mighty long way to travel to look for animals."
"Oh, the study of wildlife is very important to the society, as it is to the world. We must find and know where the different species thrive and look for new breeds that are not even documented in existence." Challenger added in response to the questioning look on the face of Captain Butler. It was obvious that this man was educated and wealthy, but he knew from history that Americans in the Old South were protective over their property. Their story would have to be flawless to escape being sent to jail for trespassing.
Rhett seemed to accept that explanation as he turned his gaze to Roxton. "I have traveled in London extensively. I've heard your name in social circles there, but I've never had the pleasure of meeting you Lord Roxton. Rhett leaned down from the buggy and offered his hand to Lord Roxton. John shook his hand as he realized that He was probably referring to his Grandfather, whom he was named after. This was an incredible coincidence, surely Captain Butler would help them get to London or at least to Atlanta where they could make arrangements to be rescued.
"Pleasure to meet you to Captain Butler, I hope we will have time to talk. I would love to hear of your travels."
The ladies then returned with Veronica looking uncomfortable in the tight blouse and skirt that Marguerite had in her bag.
"Daddy, can we take them home to show Mommy?" Bonnie liked her new friends, especially the pretty blond girl. She thought that she would ask her to play Indians with her, later.
"Well, we can ask!" Rhett exclaimed. "Would you folks honor us with your presence at the main house for supper?"
The Explorers glanced at each other. They were not sure of where they were going or what they were going to do, but this was an adventure, and they never passed up an adventure.
