** Thanks for the reviews I got! I will try to make this chapter longer,
but I might not succeed**I do not own any characters, except Xerxes and
Alexander (who I hope to introduce this chapter, but they might not come
into play for awhile). Margaret Mitchell must be credited for all of the
other characters. **
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Before Scarlett quite knew what her father had said, she was being helped into the carriage she had seen from her window, and Rhett climbed in next to her and Gerald after that.
All the O'Hara's and their servants, as well as the Butlers, were standing on Tara's front porch to see them off. Ellen and Eleanor looked very happy, Suellen and Rosemary seemed to be bonding over their general dislike of Scarlett, Careen didn't quite understand what was going on, and Mr. Butler and Ross were happy to be finally getting rid of Rhett. All the servants at Tara had their lower lips pushed out in disapproval of Rhett Butler. Mammy was indignant that her pet was marrying a scoundrel, and that she could not be there to supervise Scarlett's conduct and to let Ellen know what was going on. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~Twelve Oaks
Meanwhile, at Twelve Oaks, Melanie, India, Honey, Charles and Ashley were all discussing Scarlett.
"Melly, I don't think that I would become friends with Scarlett if I was you. She's mighty fast and likes to take other girls' beaux, and she is in love with Ashley, that I am almost certain" said India, not meeting Ashley's or Melanie's eyes.
"India," exclaimed Melanie, "how could you even think such a thing about Scarlett? She is such a darling, and so attractive, too. Why, it's not her fault if the men are naturally drawn to her. But, for pity's sake, let's say that you were Scarlett, and she was you. Do you think that you would do any differently? She is just full of life, and I never want to hear you insult her like that again, or even hint at it, do you understand? Even though Scarlett and I aren't related, she is just like the sister to me that I never had-and" Melanie faltered for words, her anger fading, and looked miserable as she realized how mean she had sounded. Of course, India was jealous of Scarlett, who wouldn't be? Even she, Melanie, was envious of Scarlett, but not to the degree of hatred. In fact, even though she didn't realize it, her envy only made her love Scarlett more.
Seeing how nervous Melanie was, Ashley quickly cut in for her.
"We had all best get to bed, for there is much to be done tomorrow before the barbeque. Good night, India, Honey, Melly. Charles, are you coming?"
"Yes, of course, just---India, Melly was right about Scarlett. Goodnight, girls." As he said that, he was careful not to meet Honey's eyes. She was jealous of Scarlett too, bless her, and he didn't want to make his own obsession with Scarlett obvious. He and Ashley left the room and slowly went up to their room, which they shared whenever Charles and Melanie came over. As Ashley put on his nightclothes, Charles went over to the window and looked down the road towards Tara. To his surprise, he saw a carriage pulling out of Tara and heading towards Jonesboro.
"Ashley?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"Would the O'Hara's by any chance have urgent business in Jonesboro at this time of night?"
Ashley went over to where Charles was watching the carriage and frowned. 'That's not the O'Hara carriage. I wonder who it is?' And aloud, "Charles I am not sure-it might be Mrs. O'Hara going to help somebody in Jonesboro." He tried to sound confident, but his voice faltered and gave him away. *~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~In the carriage, on the way to Jonesboro
Scarlett looked at Rhett for a moment and wondered what he could possibly be thinking, marrying her like this. 'He can't possibly love me, as he claims, but suppose he does. That would make getting Ashley to marry me easier, or at least it should make it easier. I am sure that Melanie loves Ashley, but Ashley loves me, Scarlett, not Melanie. And if Rhett is in love with me, then-maybe Ashley would take me to Jonesboro and we would elope, just as me and Rhett are about to do. But-but suppose Ashley doesn't love me. Then I will be stuck with Rhett Butler forever. Oh, well- if I think about that now, I will just be upset and I wouldn't want to cry at the alter tonight, or Pa and Rhett will see straight through me and ruin my plans.' Rhett returned her gaze and Scarlett blushed and turned away. Seeing how nervous Scarlett was, Rhett leaned over and whispered, "If that made you blush, just wait until we are married, my dear."
Startled at being spoken to in such a manner, and at the suggestive tone of his voice, Scarlett stared at him, color flaming in her cheeks. She looked away, after awhile, as Rhett started to speak of the upcoming War to Gerald, so that Gerald's approval of him might be won. Gerald, however, didn't feel like speaking. He was about to lose his pet, his Katie Scarlett, with her green eyes and her charming ways. And he was about to lose all chances of jumping fences, except at hunts, and the only one of his daughters who seemed to truly care about if she hurt Ellen or not. Suddenly, while he had been making short responses while reflecting upon Scarlett, the carriage stopped in front of the priests' home and Gerald got out, went around and helped Scarlett out. Rhett climbed out after Scarlett and offered his arm to her, gallantly, and she took his arm, but didn't smile or even look at him.
"Now, Mr. Butler and Puss, I am going inside to get the priest, tell him that this is urgent. You two wait here and don't be getting into any trouble, or I will be takin' me crop to your bottoms."
"Oh, honestly, Pa! We aren't children!"
Gerald sighed and turned to go inside, knocked on the door, and it opened, and as soon as it shut, Rhett turned to her and grinned. "Miss O'Hara, would it be too terribly indecent of me to kiss my fiancé once?"
"Rhett, please, no, don't.Pa will be back soon, and if he sees us---" It was too late. Rhett wrapped his arms around Scarlett's waist and pulled her closer to him. Scarlett felt an odd shaking feeling, and her legs felt as if they couldn't support her anymore, and she wrapped her arms around Rhett's neck and, out of habit, her head tilted back so that he could kiss her. Rhett held back for a minute, laughing inwardly at Scarlett, and then lowered his head and grazed her lips with his. Scarlett was in a tumult. 'He said he was going to kiss me! That was like a kiss a brother gives a sister, a father to a daughter, not a husband to a wife! Did I do something wrong? Is he laughing at me? Why am I so worried about Rhett? It's not like I love him. I love Ashley! So why should I feel this way when Rhett didn't really kiss me?' She opened her eyes, and pulled away from Rhett, as tears of disappointment stung her eyes. She cast her eyes down so Rhett would not see her cry, but it was too late.
"Did I just see tears, Scarlett? Don't tell me that the Southern bell isn't used to not getting kissed when a boy tells her that he will." Said Rhett, mockingly, even as he gently brought her chin up so he could look her in the eyes, but Scarlett stubbornly kept her eyes cast down, so Rhett couldn't see the tears that were being stung anew from his words. In all reality, she had always gotten all the kisses she wanted from her beaux.
Just then, Gerald came back outside and beckoned to Rhett and Scarlett to come into the house. Scarlett put an arm around Rhett's waist to make it appear as though she were happy, and everybody assembled in the parlor looked shocked that Scarlett O'Hara had fallen in love with a anybody, much less that she had agreed to marry anybody.
Rhett said his vows, and Scarlett imagined it was Ashley. And when it came time to recite her own vows, she did it with a depth of emotion that even Gerald had not suspected she felt. She rode all the way back home with Rhett in silence, but she leaned her head on his shoulder and relaxed almost to the point of falling asleep with his arm around her waist. Scarlett was still in her reverie about him being Ashley, and when they got home to Tara, like a sleepwalker, she went into the parlor, looking as happy as she ever had, with his arm around her supportively and smiled at everybody, before Rhett wished them goodnight and Scarlett kissed all her elders, including Mammy, on the cheek. It was when Pork, slightly embarrassed, shut the door behind them and they stood in Scarlett's room, holding each other, that the full realization of who he was came over her, but she knew that he now believed that she loved him, and all she had to do was keep up that appearance, and he would never know the difference.
She heard Mammy coming upstairs, grumbling about having her pet married to a scalawag, and how sorry she felt that she could not help Scarlett anymore, because Scarlett was already married. Mammy opened the door and shooed Rhett out of Scarlett's bedroom, brining in a lighted candle and then lighting five or six of the candles in Scarlett's room.
"Miss Scarlett, Ah wuz jus' wondrin' huccome you up and decided to mahhie Mist' Rhett."
"Oh, Mammy, I fell in love with him, that's all."
"'T ain't no use tryin ter hide nuttin from me, Miss Scarlett. Ah's knowed you since you had yo' fust diaper on yo' bottom, and Ah knows you jes' din' fall in love with him."
"Mammy! It's not going to help you at all to argue with me. Now help me undress, and then get out the bombazine for tomorrow and lay it out across a chair. It's the only slightly matron-looking dress I have, you know."
"Yas'm. But Ah wuz jes' telling Cookie de otha day how proud Ah was that ya seemed ter have a good head on yo' shoulders. Jes' like Miss Melly. An' Ah tol' her, Ah says, 'Cookie,'t ain't right, de way Miss Melly don't have no beaux. If Mist' Ashley can fall in love wit dat gal, any man could. Kinda like our own Miss Scarlett. If Mist' Ashley had falled in love with her, Lawdy but we would have a lady child on our hands. Ah thinks dat Mist' Ashley mout love Miss Scarlett, if'n she warn't so brash all da times.' An Cookie, she done 'greed wit me, Miss Scarlett. An if you warn't so brash, you could haf mahhied Mist' Ashley, 'stead o' Mist' Rhett."
Scarlett smiled carelessly at Mammy's words, knowing that Mammy was just trying to fish out the reason she had married Rhett. She dismissed Mammy after she was undressed, and Rhett came back in a few minutes later, smiling at Scarlett, who was brushing her long, black, silky hair. Rhett brushed it for her and then Scarlett climbed into bed while Rhett went and got changed. While Rhett was changing, Scarlett thought about what Mammy had said. If she had been more of a lady, like Ellen, Ashley probably would have married her. She wondered if it was true, her heart sinking as she realized that Mammy was right. 'After all, Melanie is nothing that I, Scarlett O'Hara Butler, am not-except a lady. Mammy has me there, I suppose-so maybe Ashley does love Melanie. But if he loves her, then he has to love me more, because I am more of everything that Melly is except a lady, but that will all change tomorrow. Now that I am married, like I planned, I can be a Great Lady like mother. Nobody will know that I am the same girl who just this afternoon was shamelessly flirting with every man I saw who was reasonable for marriage!' Scarlett giggled at the thought and then caught herself, remembering Rhett was in her dressing room. As Rhett came out of the dressing room and blew out the last few candles in the room and then came over and got into bed with her, she reached out for his hands and, finding them, drew herself closer to him and began to kiss him. Rhett, shocked at first, a little bit wary, returned her kisses and soon a wave of passion swept both of them into its grasp and Rhett trailed his kisses down to the top of Scarlett's breasts, then started to unhook and untie the numerous buttons and ribbons that were keeping her chemise on and hiding Scarlett's body. In a matter of minutes, they were both naked, and Rhett's kisses started to go all over Scarlett's body.
Sensations were running through Scarlett that she had never felt before, not even around Ashley, her beloved Ashley. As much as Scarlett wanted to imagine that this was Ashley, running his hands over her body and kissing her like Rhett was now, she knew she couldn't, and she finally gave up, and, before Rhett's passion, Ashley receded into a dim haze. Rhett, with his tan skin and black eyes, had taken Ashley's place forever, but Scarlett didn't realize it. As he moved himself inside her for the first time, Scarlett cried out, but didn't ask him to stop. No, she didn't want him to ever stop. She grew a little braver and touched more places on his body, seeing which places gave him the most pleasure. She began to kiss his neck, her own body started to demand a little more from his, and so this went on all night.
They fell asleep sometime before dawn. In the morning, Scarlett awoke and stretched happily. She knew what she had been missing, not being married, and she knew why matrons scorned the bright-eyed girls like she used to be. How could a girl know the pleasures that matrons knew so well? She rolled over and wondered if she should wake Rhett, and then decided not to and quietly got out of bed. She tiptoed over to the door, put on her wrapper, and went in search of her mother and Mammy.
She found Ellen in her office, going over the accounts with Jonas Wilkerson, who was being kicked out of his overseer's position, for fathering Emmy Slattery's baby. She met Jonas's eyes with a look of cool contempt and then turned to her mother.
"Mama, where is Mammy? I need to get dressed, and Rhett's still asleep, and I don't want to wake him."
Ellen stood up and requested to be alone with Scarlett, and Jonas knew that that was his permission to leave Tara and never come back. He looked angry, and stormed out of the little office. Ellen sat down on a sofa, and Scarlett sat down next to her. Ellen started to explain the duties of a wife, a mother, and a matron. Scarlett paid close attention, for she wanted to be exactly like Ellen in every way, and she could work on her kindness and tactfulness today, as well as win the approval of the other matrons. She would even be able to finally make peace with India, because, undoubtedly, Stuart would go back to her and propose to her. And all the other matrons would look at her approvingly, and say in their little groups, later, how much Mrs. Butler had grown up. And Scarlett would be loved by all, and she would pretend to love all. And Rhett would be considered a gentleman, for who else would a Lady like Scarlett marry? Scarlett could hardly wait for the barbecue.
When Ellen finished her lecture, they both moved quietly back upstairs and into Rhett and Scarlett's room, where Rhett lie, sleeping. Scarlett pointed to the bombazine and asked, with motions, if she should wear it. Ellen sharply shook her head and went over to Scarlett's wardrobe. There, she picked out an apple-green dress. 'My second-day dress, I suppose. But, I thought matrons were only allowed to wear drab colors? Oh, well, I suppose it doesn't matter.' Ellen pointed to the door, and Scarlett left the room quietly, Ellen following and quietly shutting the door behind her. Then they went into an un-occupied guest room and Ellen helped Scarlett with her chemise, corset, stays, and pantalets, and then laced her corset for the seventeen-inch-waist dress. Scarlett smiled. So, not all matrons were fat. Not, she told herself, that Ellen was fat. Not as bad as some of the matrons, even after bearing six children. Ellen then slipped the dress over Scarlett's head and handed her the shoes that matched the dress.
When Scarlett was ready for the day, Ellen took her around on the morning rounds of giving food to the darkies and starting a day off on the plantation. Scarlett followed her mother obediently, and, when they returned, Ellen went to wake Gerald, Suellen, and Careen, and Scarlett went to wake Rhett.
When she opened the door and tip-toed over to the bed, she was surprised to see that Rhett was still sleeping. 'Poor dear,' she thought, 'he must be worn out from last night. But, no matter, he must get up and then go wake his family up.' She reached out gently and stroked his hair. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and smiled when he saw her leaning over him. He stretched, and then sat up in bed.
"Scarlett, you vixen, why didn't you wake me up when you got up?" he asked teasingly.
"Oh, Rhett, stop it! We have to get ready for the Wilkes' barbeque. Now, do you want to wake your family up, or should I?"
He looked up tantalizingly at her and she smiled. "Fine then, I will go tell your mother that her son is to lazy to get up and help his wife out." As she started to walk towards the door, Rhett got out of bed and ran after her and caught her around the waist, then said, in her ear, "I'd like to see you explain why I wouldn't get up, my pet." Scarlett giggled and tried to break free from Rhett, who was also laughing. "Let go of me, you scoundrel!" This caused Rhett to laugh louder and Scarlett hushed him continually, fearing Mammy would come in and see him naked. Eventually, the laughter died down, but she heard Mammy's lumbering tread in the hall. She shoved Rhett into the dressing room and went out into the hall to make sure Mammy would not go into the bedroom.
"Miss Scarlett, Ah thoughts ya was gonna wear da nice bombazine dress, lak a good lil gal." said Mammy, shocked at the color of the dress Scarlett was wearing.
"Mother said to wear this one instead, Mammy. I was going to wear the bombazine, too!"
Mammy sighed and made a move for the door. Scarlett moved between Mammy and the door quickly and leaned against it.
"Honey chile, why won' you let yo' ole Mammy through?"
"Mammy, Rhett is-"
Rhett opened the door and Scarlett fell backwards, into his arms, and he caught her and stumbled a few steps backwards. Mammy started laughing, and all at once, Ellen, Gerald, Suellen and Careen, Ross, Rosemary, and Mr. and Mrs. Butler came out into the hall to see what all the fuss was about. Scarlett turned red and Rhett put her down, and Scarlett turned and realized that he was dressed, and looked ready to go. Ellen started laughing, and everybody came over to Scarlett's doorway to see what had happened. Soon everybody, including Rhett and Scarlett were laughing about Scarlett's inadequacy. **~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~~**~~***~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~~**~~*
Soon, both the of the Butlers' carriages and the O'Hara carriage were mounting the hill to Twelve Oaks, everybody very happy, especially Suellen, who had gotten Scarlett's entire un-matronly wardrobe, including that green ball dress that she had wanted to wear that night to the ball at Twelve Oaks. She was also happy because now there was no danger of Scarlett marrying Frank Kennedy. She was going to stand up for Scarlett today if anybody said anything bad about her. She liked Scarlett now, because she wasn't a threat to Suellen anymore.
When they arrived at Twelve Oaks, Scarlett smiled in pleasant anticipation. She wasn't even thinking of Ashley, had almost forgotten he existed. The O'Hara carriage pulled in first, followed by the carriage that Eleanor and her family were in, and then Scarlett's and Rhett's carriage.
Nobody noticed when the O'Hara carriage pulled in, but when the two Butler carriages pulled in, all the talking and laughter ceased, as though, somebody had taken out everybody's voice. Standing amidst them were Ashley and Melanie. When Rhett stepped out of the carriage, everybody wondered who else was in there, and where Scarlett O'Hara was. And, just as it dawned on everybody, Rhett handed Scarlett down from the carriage.
Before Scarlett quite knew what her father had said, she was being helped into the carriage she had seen from her window, and Rhett climbed in next to her and Gerald after that.
All the O'Hara's and their servants, as well as the Butlers, were standing on Tara's front porch to see them off. Ellen and Eleanor looked very happy, Suellen and Rosemary seemed to be bonding over their general dislike of Scarlett, Careen didn't quite understand what was going on, and Mr. Butler and Ross were happy to be finally getting rid of Rhett. All the servants at Tara had their lower lips pushed out in disapproval of Rhett Butler. Mammy was indignant that her pet was marrying a scoundrel, and that she could not be there to supervise Scarlett's conduct and to let Ellen know what was going on. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~Twelve Oaks
Meanwhile, at Twelve Oaks, Melanie, India, Honey, Charles and Ashley were all discussing Scarlett.
"Melly, I don't think that I would become friends with Scarlett if I was you. She's mighty fast and likes to take other girls' beaux, and she is in love with Ashley, that I am almost certain" said India, not meeting Ashley's or Melanie's eyes.
"India," exclaimed Melanie, "how could you even think such a thing about Scarlett? She is such a darling, and so attractive, too. Why, it's not her fault if the men are naturally drawn to her. But, for pity's sake, let's say that you were Scarlett, and she was you. Do you think that you would do any differently? She is just full of life, and I never want to hear you insult her like that again, or even hint at it, do you understand? Even though Scarlett and I aren't related, she is just like the sister to me that I never had-and" Melanie faltered for words, her anger fading, and looked miserable as she realized how mean she had sounded. Of course, India was jealous of Scarlett, who wouldn't be? Even she, Melanie, was envious of Scarlett, but not to the degree of hatred. In fact, even though she didn't realize it, her envy only made her love Scarlett more.
Seeing how nervous Melanie was, Ashley quickly cut in for her.
"We had all best get to bed, for there is much to be done tomorrow before the barbeque. Good night, India, Honey, Melly. Charles, are you coming?"
"Yes, of course, just---India, Melly was right about Scarlett. Goodnight, girls." As he said that, he was careful not to meet Honey's eyes. She was jealous of Scarlett too, bless her, and he didn't want to make his own obsession with Scarlett obvious. He and Ashley left the room and slowly went up to their room, which they shared whenever Charles and Melanie came over. As Ashley put on his nightclothes, Charles went over to the window and looked down the road towards Tara. To his surprise, he saw a carriage pulling out of Tara and heading towards Jonesboro.
"Ashley?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"Would the O'Hara's by any chance have urgent business in Jonesboro at this time of night?"
Ashley went over to where Charles was watching the carriage and frowned. 'That's not the O'Hara carriage. I wonder who it is?' And aloud, "Charles I am not sure-it might be Mrs. O'Hara going to help somebody in Jonesboro." He tried to sound confident, but his voice faltered and gave him away. *~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~In the carriage, on the way to Jonesboro
Scarlett looked at Rhett for a moment and wondered what he could possibly be thinking, marrying her like this. 'He can't possibly love me, as he claims, but suppose he does. That would make getting Ashley to marry me easier, or at least it should make it easier. I am sure that Melanie loves Ashley, but Ashley loves me, Scarlett, not Melanie. And if Rhett is in love with me, then-maybe Ashley would take me to Jonesboro and we would elope, just as me and Rhett are about to do. But-but suppose Ashley doesn't love me. Then I will be stuck with Rhett Butler forever. Oh, well- if I think about that now, I will just be upset and I wouldn't want to cry at the alter tonight, or Pa and Rhett will see straight through me and ruin my plans.' Rhett returned her gaze and Scarlett blushed and turned away. Seeing how nervous Scarlett was, Rhett leaned over and whispered, "If that made you blush, just wait until we are married, my dear."
Startled at being spoken to in such a manner, and at the suggestive tone of his voice, Scarlett stared at him, color flaming in her cheeks. She looked away, after awhile, as Rhett started to speak of the upcoming War to Gerald, so that Gerald's approval of him might be won. Gerald, however, didn't feel like speaking. He was about to lose his pet, his Katie Scarlett, with her green eyes and her charming ways. And he was about to lose all chances of jumping fences, except at hunts, and the only one of his daughters who seemed to truly care about if she hurt Ellen or not. Suddenly, while he had been making short responses while reflecting upon Scarlett, the carriage stopped in front of the priests' home and Gerald got out, went around and helped Scarlett out. Rhett climbed out after Scarlett and offered his arm to her, gallantly, and she took his arm, but didn't smile or even look at him.
"Now, Mr. Butler and Puss, I am going inside to get the priest, tell him that this is urgent. You two wait here and don't be getting into any trouble, or I will be takin' me crop to your bottoms."
"Oh, honestly, Pa! We aren't children!"
Gerald sighed and turned to go inside, knocked on the door, and it opened, and as soon as it shut, Rhett turned to her and grinned. "Miss O'Hara, would it be too terribly indecent of me to kiss my fiancé once?"
"Rhett, please, no, don't.Pa will be back soon, and if he sees us---" It was too late. Rhett wrapped his arms around Scarlett's waist and pulled her closer to him. Scarlett felt an odd shaking feeling, and her legs felt as if they couldn't support her anymore, and she wrapped her arms around Rhett's neck and, out of habit, her head tilted back so that he could kiss her. Rhett held back for a minute, laughing inwardly at Scarlett, and then lowered his head and grazed her lips with his. Scarlett was in a tumult. 'He said he was going to kiss me! That was like a kiss a brother gives a sister, a father to a daughter, not a husband to a wife! Did I do something wrong? Is he laughing at me? Why am I so worried about Rhett? It's not like I love him. I love Ashley! So why should I feel this way when Rhett didn't really kiss me?' She opened her eyes, and pulled away from Rhett, as tears of disappointment stung her eyes. She cast her eyes down so Rhett would not see her cry, but it was too late.
"Did I just see tears, Scarlett? Don't tell me that the Southern bell isn't used to not getting kissed when a boy tells her that he will." Said Rhett, mockingly, even as he gently brought her chin up so he could look her in the eyes, but Scarlett stubbornly kept her eyes cast down, so Rhett couldn't see the tears that were being stung anew from his words. In all reality, she had always gotten all the kisses she wanted from her beaux.
Just then, Gerald came back outside and beckoned to Rhett and Scarlett to come into the house. Scarlett put an arm around Rhett's waist to make it appear as though she were happy, and everybody assembled in the parlor looked shocked that Scarlett O'Hara had fallen in love with a anybody, much less that she had agreed to marry anybody.
Rhett said his vows, and Scarlett imagined it was Ashley. And when it came time to recite her own vows, she did it with a depth of emotion that even Gerald had not suspected she felt. She rode all the way back home with Rhett in silence, but she leaned her head on his shoulder and relaxed almost to the point of falling asleep with his arm around her waist. Scarlett was still in her reverie about him being Ashley, and when they got home to Tara, like a sleepwalker, she went into the parlor, looking as happy as she ever had, with his arm around her supportively and smiled at everybody, before Rhett wished them goodnight and Scarlett kissed all her elders, including Mammy, on the cheek. It was when Pork, slightly embarrassed, shut the door behind them and they stood in Scarlett's room, holding each other, that the full realization of who he was came over her, but she knew that he now believed that she loved him, and all she had to do was keep up that appearance, and he would never know the difference.
She heard Mammy coming upstairs, grumbling about having her pet married to a scalawag, and how sorry she felt that she could not help Scarlett anymore, because Scarlett was already married. Mammy opened the door and shooed Rhett out of Scarlett's bedroom, brining in a lighted candle and then lighting five or six of the candles in Scarlett's room.
"Miss Scarlett, Ah wuz jus' wondrin' huccome you up and decided to mahhie Mist' Rhett."
"Oh, Mammy, I fell in love with him, that's all."
"'T ain't no use tryin ter hide nuttin from me, Miss Scarlett. Ah's knowed you since you had yo' fust diaper on yo' bottom, and Ah knows you jes' din' fall in love with him."
"Mammy! It's not going to help you at all to argue with me. Now help me undress, and then get out the bombazine for tomorrow and lay it out across a chair. It's the only slightly matron-looking dress I have, you know."
"Yas'm. But Ah wuz jes' telling Cookie de otha day how proud Ah was that ya seemed ter have a good head on yo' shoulders. Jes' like Miss Melly. An' Ah tol' her, Ah says, 'Cookie,'t ain't right, de way Miss Melly don't have no beaux. If Mist' Ashley can fall in love wit dat gal, any man could. Kinda like our own Miss Scarlett. If Mist' Ashley had falled in love with her, Lawdy but we would have a lady child on our hands. Ah thinks dat Mist' Ashley mout love Miss Scarlett, if'n she warn't so brash all da times.' An Cookie, she done 'greed wit me, Miss Scarlett. An if you warn't so brash, you could haf mahhied Mist' Ashley, 'stead o' Mist' Rhett."
Scarlett smiled carelessly at Mammy's words, knowing that Mammy was just trying to fish out the reason she had married Rhett. She dismissed Mammy after she was undressed, and Rhett came back in a few minutes later, smiling at Scarlett, who was brushing her long, black, silky hair. Rhett brushed it for her and then Scarlett climbed into bed while Rhett went and got changed. While Rhett was changing, Scarlett thought about what Mammy had said. If she had been more of a lady, like Ellen, Ashley probably would have married her. She wondered if it was true, her heart sinking as she realized that Mammy was right. 'After all, Melanie is nothing that I, Scarlett O'Hara Butler, am not-except a lady. Mammy has me there, I suppose-so maybe Ashley does love Melanie. But if he loves her, then he has to love me more, because I am more of everything that Melly is except a lady, but that will all change tomorrow. Now that I am married, like I planned, I can be a Great Lady like mother. Nobody will know that I am the same girl who just this afternoon was shamelessly flirting with every man I saw who was reasonable for marriage!' Scarlett giggled at the thought and then caught herself, remembering Rhett was in her dressing room. As Rhett came out of the dressing room and blew out the last few candles in the room and then came over and got into bed with her, she reached out for his hands and, finding them, drew herself closer to him and began to kiss him. Rhett, shocked at first, a little bit wary, returned her kisses and soon a wave of passion swept both of them into its grasp and Rhett trailed his kisses down to the top of Scarlett's breasts, then started to unhook and untie the numerous buttons and ribbons that were keeping her chemise on and hiding Scarlett's body. In a matter of minutes, they were both naked, and Rhett's kisses started to go all over Scarlett's body.
Sensations were running through Scarlett that she had never felt before, not even around Ashley, her beloved Ashley. As much as Scarlett wanted to imagine that this was Ashley, running his hands over her body and kissing her like Rhett was now, she knew she couldn't, and she finally gave up, and, before Rhett's passion, Ashley receded into a dim haze. Rhett, with his tan skin and black eyes, had taken Ashley's place forever, but Scarlett didn't realize it. As he moved himself inside her for the first time, Scarlett cried out, but didn't ask him to stop. No, she didn't want him to ever stop. She grew a little braver and touched more places on his body, seeing which places gave him the most pleasure. She began to kiss his neck, her own body started to demand a little more from his, and so this went on all night.
They fell asleep sometime before dawn. In the morning, Scarlett awoke and stretched happily. She knew what she had been missing, not being married, and she knew why matrons scorned the bright-eyed girls like she used to be. How could a girl know the pleasures that matrons knew so well? She rolled over and wondered if she should wake Rhett, and then decided not to and quietly got out of bed. She tiptoed over to the door, put on her wrapper, and went in search of her mother and Mammy.
She found Ellen in her office, going over the accounts with Jonas Wilkerson, who was being kicked out of his overseer's position, for fathering Emmy Slattery's baby. She met Jonas's eyes with a look of cool contempt and then turned to her mother.
"Mama, where is Mammy? I need to get dressed, and Rhett's still asleep, and I don't want to wake him."
Ellen stood up and requested to be alone with Scarlett, and Jonas knew that that was his permission to leave Tara and never come back. He looked angry, and stormed out of the little office. Ellen sat down on a sofa, and Scarlett sat down next to her. Ellen started to explain the duties of a wife, a mother, and a matron. Scarlett paid close attention, for she wanted to be exactly like Ellen in every way, and she could work on her kindness and tactfulness today, as well as win the approval of the other matrons. She would even be able to finally make peace with India, because, undoubtedly, Stuart would go back to her and propose to her. And all the other matrons would look at her approvingly, and say in their little groups, later, how much Mrs. Butler had grown up. And Scarlett would be loved by all, and she would pretend to love all. And Rhett would be considered a gentleman, for who else would a Lady like Scarlett marry? Scarlett could hardly wait for the barbecue.
When Ellen finished her lecture, they both moved quietly back upstairs and into Rhett and Scarlett's room, where Rhett lie, sleeping. Scarlett pointed to the bombazine and asked, with motions, if she should wear it. Ellen sharply shook her head and went over to Scarlett's wardrobe. There, she picked out an apple-green dress. 'My second-day dress, I suppose. But, I thought matrons were only allowed to wear drab colors? Oh, well, I suppose it doesn't matter.' Ellen pointed to the door, and Scarlett left the room quietly, Ellen following and quietly shutting the door behind her. Then they went into an un-occupied guest room and Ellen helped Scarlett with her chemise, corset, stays, and pantalets, and then laced her corset for the seventeen-inch-waist dress. Scarlett smiled. So, not all matrons were fat. Not, she told herself, that Ellen was fat. Not as bad as some of the matrons, even after bearing six children. Ellen then slipped the dress over Scarlett's head and handed her the shoes that matched the dress.
When Scarlett was ready for the day, Ellen took her around on the morning rounds of giving food to the darkies and starting a day off on the plantation. Scarlett followed her mother obediently, and, when they returned, Ellen went to wake Gerald, Suellen, and Careen, and Scarlett went to wake Rhett.
When she opened the door and tip-toed over to the bed, she was surprised to see that Rhett was still sleeping. 'Poor dear,' she thought, 'he must be worn out from last night. But, no matter, he must get up and then go wake his family up.' She reached out gently and stroked his hair. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and smiled when he saw her leaning over him. He stretched, and then sat up in bed.
"Scarlett, you vixen, why didn't you wake me up when you got up?" he asked teasingly.
"Oh, Rhett, stop it! We have to get ready for the Wilkes' barbeque. Now, do you want to wake your family up, or should I?"
He looked up tantalizingly at her and she smiled. "Fine then, I will go tell your mother that her son is to lazy to get up and help his wife out." As she started to walk towards the door, Rhett got out of bed and ran after her and caught her around the waist, then said, in her ear, "I'd like to see you explain why I wouldn't get up, my pet." Scarlett giggled and tried to break free from Rhett, who was also laughing. "Let go of me, you scoundrel!" This caused Rhett to laugh louder and Scarlett hushed him continually, fearing Mammy would come in and see him naked. Eventually, the laughter died down, but she heard Mammy's lumbering tread in the hall. She shoved Rhett into the dressing room and went out into the hall to make sure Mammy would not go into the bedroom.
"Miss Scarlett, Ah thoughts ya was gonna wear da nice bombazine dress, lak a good lil gal." said Mammy, shocked at the color of the dress Scarlett was wearing.
"Mother said to wear this one instead, Mammy. I was going to wear the bombazine, too!"
Mammy sighed and made a move for the door. Scarlett moved between Mammy and the door quickly and leaned against it.
"Honey chile, why won' you let yo' ole Mammy through?"
"Mammy, Rhett is-"
Rhett opened the door and Scarlett fell backwards, into his arms, and he caught her and stumbled a few steps backwards. Mammy started laughing, and all at once, Ellen, Gerald, Suellen and Careen, Ross, Rosemary, and Mr. and Mrs. Butler came out into the hall to see what all the fuss was about. Scarlett turned red and Rhett put her down, and Scarlett turned and realized that he was dressed, and looked ready to go. Ellen started laughing, and everybody came over to Scarlett's doorway to see what had happened. Soon everybody, including Rhett and Scarlett were laughing about Scarlett's inadequacy. **~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~~**~~***~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~~**~~*
Soon, both the of the Butlers' carriages and the O'Hara carriage were mounting the hill to Twelve Oaks, everybody very happy, especially Suellen, who had gotten Scarlett's entire un-matronly wardrobe, including that green ball dress that she had wanted to wear that night to the ball at Twelve Oaks. She was also happy because now there was no danger of Scarlett marrying Frank Kennedy. She was going to stand up for Scarlett today if anybody said anything bad about her. She liked Scarlett now, because she wasn't a threat to Suellen anymore.
When they arrived at Twelve Oaks, Scarlett smiled in pleasant anticipation. She wasn't even thinking of Ashley, had almost forgotten he existed. The O'Hara carriage pulled in first, followed by the carriage that Eleanor and her family were in, and then Scarlett's and Rhett's carriage.
Nobody noticed when the O'Hara carriage pulled in, but when the two Butler carriages pulled in, all the talking and laughter ceased, as though, somebody had taken out everybody's voice. Standing amidst them were Ashley and Melanie. When Rhett stepped out of the carriage, everybody wondered who else was in there, and where Scarlett O'Hara was. And, just as it dawned on everybody, Rhett handed Scarlett down from the carriage.
