Chapter 6

Before Ashley Wilkes knew what had happened two months had past since the night of his party and since Scarlett had stopped coming to the Mill. In her place was her husband. Rhett would come in the mornings spend an hour or two then leave. He always spoke of some plans he had with Bonnie that called for his attention. Scarlett had visited Melanie almost daily always leaving before he returned. Ashley found he missed the very few moments he could just speak to Scarlett alone. The rumor of their affair had all but been forgotten by all but India. Today Ashley felt it was time to talk to Rhett about when Scarlett would return to he Mill. Rhett enter the Mill's office thinking about Scarlett's doctor's appointment this afternoon. If what Scarlett thought was true soon Bonnie would have a sibling to play with.

"Captain Butler" Ashley said as he noticed Rhett. Now was the time to asked his question before he lost all his nerve.

"Mr. Wilkes are the books ready? I have a appointment this afternoon so I won't be able to stay long." Rhett asked wishing to be anywhere but in the same room with Ashley. "Yes there ready. Captain Butler if I may asks is Scarlett ever going to be allow to return to the Mill?" Ashley asked he hated Rhett and having to deal with him almost everyday for two months had been driving him mad.

Rhett took the books that were setting on the desk and looked over them pretending not to have heard Ashley question. Because if he did then Mr. Wilkes wouldn't like his responds of that he was sure. Ashley took Rhett's silence as answer enough "So you've taken her business away from her over lies?" "Mr. Wilkes although it's none of your business my wife doesn't want to come to the Mill anymore. She asked me to take care of it for her. Until we could found someone who wants to buy out her half." There Rhett had said it. It was long in coming but he had finally let Ashley know Scarlett wanted rid of the Mill. "Why?" was the only thought and word that came out of Ashley's mouth. After so many years of loving Scarlett secretly did she chosen now to push him away? Had the cad she was married to threaten to take Bonnie from her? That had to be it Ashley refused to see what was clear to the rest of Atlanta that the Butlers were madly in love with each other. Rhett would have felt sorry for Mr. Wilkes if he had look this upset over anything other then Scarlett. But the man was living in the past thinking He still held Scarlett's heart. "Scarlett wants to spend more time with Bonnie. And we've been talking about having more children." Rhett stated not caring if he hurt Ashley feelings or not. The man was married and had a son of his own. So it shouldn't bother him if Scarlett had more children with her own husband. 'More children' Ashley heard Rhett's voice say over and over. Was that the price Scarlett had to pay for his embrace at the Mill? Rhett could see his words would only bring anger to the gentleman's face. While he would have called out any other man for less he held his tongue. Melanie was too good of a friend to kill her husband even if he deserved it. "I didn't think Scarlett wanted more children?" Ashley asked forgetting all his hard learned manners. Rhett actual allowed himself to chuckle at that question. "Yes Scarlett and I didn't hide the fact she didn't want more children did we?" Ashley found Rhett's behavior to be as he was cadish. The man was standing here boasting about his mistresses. How poor Scarlett has ever put up with Captain Butler, Ashley would never know. Seeing Ashley face made Rhett laugh all the more. It had almost the same look it did the day Bonnie had let it slip Scarlett hadn't slept in her room. "Well Scarlett changed her mind on wanting more children. In fact Mr. Wilkes I wouldn't be to surprised if there is a new little Butler here this time next year." Ashley found this to much he had to get fresh air. He needed space he had to get away from Rhett's gloated face. As he rushed past Rhett he mumbled something about checking on the men.

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Scarlett had just gotten back from the doctor. She had been right in seven months time there was going to be a brand new baby. A baby Scarlett hoped would be a little boy that looked just like Rhett, with Bonnie's blue eyes. Bonnie would surely be in heaven with this news. Last week she had asked if she could have a baby brother. Now Scarlett couldn't wait to tell her. Spending the afternoon away from Bonnie had truly upset Scarlett. The last few months Bonnie had become one of her best friends. While she was just a child and needed Scarlett in the role of Mother there was also times when the two could just play a game and be friends. Bonnie was so like Scarlett that at times it amazed her. Rhett had been the one that spent all his time with Bonnie yet she didn't take after him that much. Scarlett knew now why Rhett hadn't wanted Bonnie to be like him he loved spoiling her. Picturing Bonnie's beautiful face smiling Scarlett couldn't blame Rhett.

Mammy was the first person Scarlett saw followed by Bonnie as she entered her house. "Hello darling" Scarlett said as she bent down to kiss her daughter's cheek. "Mommy will you play dolls with me?" Bonnie asked as she looked at Mammy with a look Scarlett had used many times before. One of I'm doing what I want and you can't stop me. "Now you know Miss Bonnie da your Uncle Ashley is waiting for your Mother in the setting room. And you go asking your Mother to play dolls with you. Your as bad as your Mother was at your age." Mammy said looking from Scarlett to Bonnie. Both Butler women started laughing at this. But stopped the second Mammy looked really anger.

"Tell you what Bonnie I'll play dolls with you as soon as I can get rid of Mr. Wilkes." Scarlett said sharing a secret smile with her daughter. "Okay Mommy I'll me waiting don't be long" Bonnie said then took a ran up the stairs with Mammy following tell her how unlady like it was to run in the house.

Scarlett shook her head still smiling then wondered what in the world Ashley was doing here. It was noon he should be at the Mill not in her setting room. Well she would just have to force herself to be nice to him then rush him out the door. So she would have time to play with Bonnie before Rhett returned home. Just thinking about Rhett always these days brought a smile to Scarlett face. She couldn't wait to tell him the news. Okay so she had already told him she suspected that she was with child but now knowing she was that meant she could get to tell him it was certain not just something she wanted badly to be true. "Scarlett" Ashley said standing as she enter the room. She had a glow about her Ashley hoped was because of him. "Mr. Wilkes" Scarlett stated she had to act coldly towards him if she was ever going to let him know she didn't see him as anything but a friend. "Really Scarlett you've known me your whole life its okay to call me by my first name." Ashley said now more sure then ever Rhett Butler held something over Scarlett's head for her to be acting this coldly towards him.

"Ashley what brings you here? I thought you would be at the Mill"
Scarlett asked sweetly. She didn't want to hurt his feelings but she didn't have the patience to deal with Ashley today. "Captain Butler stopped by at the Mill this morning Scarlett. He told me you decided to sell your half of it is that true?" Ashley asked wanting to see the look in her eyes when she answered. "Of course it's true Ashley. I've decided to become more of a homebody." Scarlett stated angered by the fact Ashley thought Rhett was lying. "Yes, that was the other thing Captain Butler told me. So you've decided to have more children how wonderful for Mr. Butler." Ashley said letting sarcasm lace his voice. Scarlett felt truly like she was witness to Ashley Wilkes becoming a cad. The things he said no gentleman would ever have uttered. "What is that supposed to mean Mr. Wilkes?" Scarlett asked as her temper over her husband took control. How dare Ashley said anything about Rhett when he was clearly acting like a scoundrel something Rhett would never do in front of Melanie. "I just mean Scarlett darling that for men like Rhett making babies are fun they don't give much thought to the pain women have to go through to give them their children." Ashley said his hatred for Rhett clear now to Scarlett. "Mr. Wilkes I do believe you out stayed your welcome. Would you please leave now." Scarlett said wanting nothing more then to slap Ashley face like she had done so long ago at Twelve Oaks.

Ashley stood and Scarlett thought he was doing as she had asked until he stood in front of her and grabbed her. Shaking her he asked. "What has he done to you Scarlett? To turn you into his little slave?" "Let me go Ashley this second before I yell for help." Scarlett said not letting her fear at his action show in her voice.

"No not until you tell me what he has held over your head." Ashley demanded looking into her eyes. Scarlett felt like crying here was the man she had thought for must of her life she had loved only now she knew she didn't and he was hurting her. "Nothing, Rhett holds nothing over me." Scarlett said as she struggled trying to get away from Ashley. "Then why is he pushing you away from me. Does he suspect that you love me?" Ashley asked as Scarlett broke free only for him to grab a hold of her tighter then before. Laughing Scarlett looked Ashley in his eyes. "He doesn't suspect anything Ashley. Rhett knows how I felt about you he always has." Scarlett said then pushed him away with her hands finally free from Mr. Wilkes she headed for the door. She had to get out of this room before Ashley hurt her or the baby. "How?" Ashley asked as he watched Scarlett making her escape. With the door handle in her hand Scarlett turned and decided to answer Ashley question then she would leave. "He was in the room that day with us when I told you I loved you. After you left he made his presence known to me. So you see Ashley, Rhett had always known and he isn't holding anything over my head. I just don't want the Mill anymore." having spoke her mind Scarlett opened the door leaving behind a very upset Ashley Wilkes.

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