A Dire Situation
Disclaimer: Not mine
Note: This is now both parts of the chapter. Please read, review, and enjoy Scarlettxoxo thanks for offering to betareader me. I'd love to take you up on that. I don't have an email while at school which is where I am now, but it is nearly holidays. So I'll contact you soon, that is if you still want to.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Scarlett awoke half way through the night in a cold sweat. The sheets were wet and clung to her. An anxiety like she had never felt before was tearing at her heart. She couldn't breath and didn't know where to turn. In agreeing to the sinful actions she did, she'd henceforth omitted any chance at counsel from others about her future course of action.
Scarlett had been silent at dinner, secretly anticipating, with more excitement than any lady of the time should feel, about tomorrow's events. She didn't need to listen to Pitty's idle gossip to appear polite. She ummed and ahhed in just the right places, befitting herself well into the image of the perfect guest. Listening attentively and affectionately to her hostess.
But then Aunt Pitty uttered perhaps the only word that had the slightest chance of drawing Scarlett out of her selfish and indulgent revere. It was only natural that she would bring him up. Why wouldn't she really? He was part of every day conversation in the Hamilton household. But when Aunt Pitty began her babble about Ashley Wilkes and his stunning, courageous bravery, Scarlett's stomach twisted into an impressively large array of knots. And the multitude of feelings was too much to bear.
Her mind had quickly flashed over the thought of Ashley when she had been at Belle's earlier. A quick thought in his direction and his opinion was all though. She had been far too emotional to do much else really. However now the full blast of the situation came into effect.
He would know. Of course he would know. Even if no one ever told him. He would know the minute she, Scarlett walked through the door. He would read the shamefulness off her forehead in that irritating way that he had, that way which she never seemed to master when it came to knowing him.
With that thought fresh in her mind Scarlett had hastily excused herself, and tumbled into bed. Where weary with the emotion of the day she had drifted into a fitful and restless sleep. That is until now.
Scarlett, now fully awake dripping with sweat, her face creased into millions of worry lines, which looked ridiculous on her young, soft visage began to completely examine the situation as it was and how she saw it.
Ashley would judge. She knew he would. Ashley certainly liked to seem all perfect, all knowing, and all accepting, as long as, that is, he only need accept what was like him. Scarlett knew he disregarded many of her actions, and found her, quite frankly an embarrassment at times. He could not, like Melanie, brush off gossip and scandals when it came to Scarlett. She suddenly realised that he found it most possible that she could do the things the county folk used to condemn her for. His utter lack of faith in her virtue was rather disheartening to Scarlett.
'Besides' Scarlett interjected herself now feeling rather dejected and attempting to find a focal point for her anger. 'One really could argue that this was all Ashley's fault in the first place. If he was one tenth of a man he would of killed me before handing me onto that train knowing where I was coming and what I intended to do.' For he did know, she knew he did.
'He acted like a broken man. Helpless, defenceless, accepting of the horrid fate that was loosing Tara. He acted not like a man at all. If one was to ask me.'
Scarlett had now worked herself into a frenzy, and she felt a thought coming on that was quite foreign to her. She felt on the verge of a massive self-discovery. The knowledge that was coming yet wasn't quite there filled her with adrenaline forcing her to search even further into the situation.
Throughout the night Scarlett analysed deeper than she ever thought possible of herself. She discovered truths unbeknown to her before.
Well that's what she thought. Really she had only just begun to see the obvious what Rhett and so many others had known for the longest time. Simply that she did not love Ashley, but quite the contrary. She found him most irritating an immasculine at times.
This thought intrigued Scarlett immensely. However she was now more than weary, and had accomplished quite the amount of civilised thought due to her standards and so with this in mind she concluded to rediscover the subject at a later date. This she vowed to do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next day Scarlett had forgotten many of her night's ponderings but the peacefulness of her conclusion was still ever present and it was with that in mind that she arose before the rest of the household and set off, on foot, to Belle's.
She didn't eat any breakfast. She was too nervous it seemed and she was unsure just how much her stomach could handle right now. She ordered Prissy to dress her in her second best gown. After all she didn't want to appear as though she was trying too hard to look nice, although in reality it was very important to her.
With major determination on her face she set out. Looking every bit the part of a woman on a mission.
She didn't know where this new satisfying feeling of resolve was coming from but she for now was thourghly enjoying it.
In reality she was hardening herself towards any future feelings of doubt and negativity. Though whether this would prove to be an asset or a hindrance to her was yet to be determined.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the Jail House
Rhett Butler lay on his tiny straw bunker in the old jail house, his hands behind his head, legs crossed negligently, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression upon his dark facial features which gave no immediate indication of the complex thoughts he was entertaining within himself. However upon closer inspection, into his dark, almost black eyes one could see he was truly deep in reflective thought.
He had been merely amused when Scarlett O'Hara had stormed out of this very cell only yesterday, huffing and puffing like the sky was about to fall. He had upset her, and he cared to add 'thoroughly enjoyed the process.'
Just why he had so enjoyed torturing Scarlett was something he refused to admit to himself 'which was something' he added with traces of self disdain 'that only cowards do.'
But whether he liked it or not he was a coward when it came to Scarlett O'Hara. It was certainly for this reason that he had turned down her promiscuous offer. Not out of the lack of want for what she had to offer. No, that was defiantly not the case.
And it wasn't, as he had said, because he could not reach his funds. He knew full well that he could get the money any time he pleased. He pondered briefly for a moment whether Scarlett knew this also. 'I doubt it' he thought 'for she has not the faintest trace of depth or density and she refuses to see anything unless it is directly in front of her perfect, pointed, little nose' This last he added with the air of a mother trying her hardest to chastise her favourite child, yet failing miserably.
No those were not the reasons he had turned her down. He was plainly and simply afraid of her. 'Well not so much her' he reasoned 'but the unwitting power she holds over me. That's the scariest part. She doesn't know her full effect on me.' He was petrified of her ever finding that out. That's why he was always on edge around her. Quick to retort, quick to insult, and quick to get rather mean and ugly, he knew.
She nearly did find out though. He knew it. When she had first pranced into his cell. With an air of carelessness about her, which he had always loved, and secretly admired. She had played him for a fool as soon as she opened her mouth.
Rhett was disgusted at just how close he had come to believing her. 'Who am I kidding? I did believe her. I was caught on her line, only she failed just before she reeled me in.'
Scarlett had almost seen through his mask then. Almost, but not quite. At least this was what Rhett hoped.
He had covered himself well, he thought. And now he was left to wonder with traces of amusement just what Scarlett would get up to now. He wasn't particularly worried for her. If he knew Scarlett, which was something he prided himself on knowing better than anyone, she wouldn't be down for long. She was bound to have more than one ace up her sleeve. He doubted she would offer what she had offered him to anyone else, although the feeling of unease over the matter lingered.
'Oh well' he sighed aloud, and rolled over. 'It shan't be long before I can find out for myself.'
Rhett knew it was really only a matter of a few days and a few hundred dollars before he saw that back of this jailhouse for good. He had strong influence and he knew it. And then he would pay Scarlett a call to see how she is getting on. He tried to fob off his concerned interest as mere want of amusement but he knew he was kidding himself yet again.
"What does this woman do to me?" He wondered for the up tenth time.
But as he drifted into a seemingly peaceful sleep many tugging thoughts plagued him. Images of Scarlett, starving and homeless. For she had been awfully thin when she came, gaunt even. And what if she was to loose Tara? To whom would she turn? For he knew that she, due to his rougeish influence, had shunted most of the polite world in Atlanta's society, and she wasn't favourably looked on in the county either he knew. His anxiety towards her welfare grew and he resolved to find her the moment he was out of jail to check up on her safety.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
At Belle's
Belle was waiting in her second most impressive parlour for Scarlett; after all she didn't want to seem to eager to please. She was trying to yet miserably falling short at masking her excitement. This would certainly be an interesting day.
Belle had thought hard over the last few hours, and discovered that she was more than interested in Scarlett; she felt she wished to befriend this girl, whom she had heard so much about. She knew that this knowledge could be her undoing should Scarlett acquire it so she resolved to keep it quiet, hide it until the appropriate moment came.
How funny she thought, that before I can make peace with the girl I have to first prove I can outwit her. Is this how all friendships work? 'Only in the underworld' she assumed.
'I have to remember though, that she is not a girl as I so frequently call her. But a woman, an equal, a rival?'
This thought troubled Belle. She had never made a secret of the fact that she enjoyed Rhett's attentions. That she loved it when she was with him. But did she want more? And if so would Scarlett soon become her competition?
Judging by Scarlett's reaction to Rhett's name, which Belle held fresh in her mind, and all she had heard and knew of Rhett, the only answer she could truthfully conclude without lying to herself was yes. It may very soon become a definite possibility.
As Belle heard a maid's voice in the distance muttering about the apparent recent arrival of 'A new girl, real pretty too.' She wiped the bland, jealous expression off her face, and prepared to receive Scarlett.
'Let the games begin' she announced aloud just before the door swung open.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hope you all enjoyed that. Please review and tune in next time Love Annie xoxo
Disclaimer: Not mine
Note: This is now both parts of the chapter. Please read, review, and enjoy Scarlettxoxo thanks for offering to betareader me. I'd love to take you up on that. I don't have an email while at school which is where I am now, but it is nearly holidays. So I'll contact you soon, that is if you still want to.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Scarlett awoke half way through the night in a cold sweat. The sheets were wet and clung to her. An anxiety like she had never felt before was tearing at her heart. She couldn't breath and didn't know where to turn. In agreeing to the sinful actions she did, she'd henceforth omitted any chance at counsel from others about her future course of action.
Scarlett had been silent at dinner, secretly anticipating, with more excitement than any lady of the time should feel, about tomorrow's events. She didn't need to listen to Pitty's idle gossip to appear polite. She ummed and ahhed in just the right places, befitting herself well into the image of the perfect guest. Listening attentively and affectionately to her hostess.
But then Aunt Pitty uttered perhaps the only word that had the slightest chance of drawing Scarlett out of her selfish and indulgent revere. It was only natural that she would bring him up. Why wouldn't she really? He was part of every day conversation in the Hamilton household. But when Aunt Pitty began her babble about Ashley Wilkes and his stunning, courageous bravery, Scarlett's stomach twisted into an impressively large array of knots. And the multitude of feelings was too much to bear.
Her mind had quickly flashed over the thought of Ashley when she had been at Belle's earlier. A quick thought in his direction and his opinion was all though. She had been far too emotional to do much else really. However now the full blast of the situation came into effect.
He would know. Of course he would know. Even if no one ever told him. He would know the minute she, Scarlett walked through the door. He would read the shamefulness off her forehead in that irritating way that he had, that way which she never seemed to master when it came to knowing him.
With that thought fresh in her mind Scarlett had hastily excused herself, and tumbled into bed. Where weary with the emotion of the day she had drifted into a fitful and restless sleep. That is until now.
Scarlett, now fully awake dripping with sweat, her face creased into millions of worry lines, which looked ridiculous on her young, soft visage began to completely examine the situation as it was and how she saw it.
Ashley would judge. She knew he would. Ashley certainly liked to seem all perfect, all knowing, and all accepting, as long as, that is, he only need accept what was like him. Scarlett knew he disregarded many of her actions, and found her, quite frankly an embarrassment at times. He could not, like Melanie, brush off gossip and scandals when it came to Scarlett. She suddenly realised that he found it most possible that she could do the things the county folk used to condemn her for. His utter lack of faith in her virtue was rather disheartening to Scarlett.
'Besides' Scarlett interjected herself now feeling rather dejected and attempting to find a focal point for her anger. 'One really could argue that this was all Ashley's fault in the first place. If he was one tenth of a man he would of killed me before handing me onto that train knowing where I was coming and what I intended to do.' For he did know, she knew he did.
'He acted like a broken man. Helpless, defenceless, accepting of the horrid fate that was loosing Tara. He acted not like a man at all. If one was to ask me.'
Scarlett had now worked herself into a frenzy, and she felt a thought coming on that was quite foreign to her. She felt on the verge of a massive self-discovery. The knowledge that was coming yet wasn't quite there filled her with adrenaline forcing her to search even further into the situation.
Throughout the night Scarlett analysed deeper than she ever thought possible of herself. She discovered truths unbeknown to her before.
Well that's what she thought. Really she had only just begun to see the obvious what Rhett and so many others had known for the longest time. Simply that she did not love Ashley, but quite the contrary. She found him most irritating an immasculine at times.
This thought intrigued Scarlett immensely. However she was now more than weary, and had accomplished quite the amount of civilised thought due to her standards and so with this in mind she concluded to rediscover the subject at a later date. This she vowed to do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next day Scarlett had forgotten many of her night's ponderings but the peacefulness of her conclusion was still ever present and it was with that in mind that she arose before the rest of the household and set off, on foot, to Belle's.
She didn't eat any breakfast. She was too nervous it seemed and she was unsure just how much her stomach could handle right now. She ordered Prissy to dress her in her second best gown. After all she didn't want to appear as though she was trying too hard to look nice, although in reality it was very important to her.
With major determination on her face she set out. Looking every bit the part of a woman on a mission.
She didn't know where this new satisfying feeling of resolve was coming from but she for now was thourghly enjoying it.
In reality she was hardening herself towards any future feelings of doubt and negativity. Though whether this would prove to be an asset or a hindrance to her was yet to be determined.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the Jail House
Rhett Butler lay on his tiny straw bunker in the old jail house, his hands behind his head, legs crossed negligently, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression upon his dark facial features which gave no immediate indication of the complex thoughts he was entertaining within himself. However upon closer inspection, into his dark, almost black eyes one could see he was truly deep in reflective thought.
He had been merely amused when Scarlett O'Hara had stormed out of this very cell only yesterday, huffing and puffing like the sky was about to fall. He had upset her, and he cared to add 'thoroughly enjoyed the process.'
Just why he had so enjoyed torturing Scarlett was something he refused to admit to himself 'which was something' he added with traces of self disdain 'that only cowards do.'
But whether he liked it or not he was a coward when it came to Scarlett O'Hara. It was certainly for this reason that he had turned down her promiscuous offer. Not out of the lack of want for what she had to offer. No, that was defiantly not the case.
And it wasn't, as he had said, because he could not reach his funds. He knew full well that he could get the money any time he pleased. He pondered briefly for a moment whether Scarlett knew this also. 'I doubt it' he thought 'for she has not the faintest trace of depth or density and she refuses to see anything unless it is directly in front of her perfect, pointed, little nose' This last he added with the air of a mother trying her hardest to chastise her favourite child, yet failing miserably.
No those were not the reasons he had turned her down. He was plainly and simply afraid of her. 'Well not so much her' he reasoned 'but the unwitting power she holds over me. That's the scariest part. She doesn't know her full effect on me.' He was petrified of her ever finding that out. That's why he was always on edge around her. Quick to retort, quick to insult, and quick to get rather mean and ugly, he knew.
She nearly did find out though. He knew it. When she had first pranced into his cell. With an air of carelessness about her, which he had always loved, and secretly admired. She had played him for a fool as soon as she opened her mouth.
Rhett was disgusted at just how close he had come to believing her. 'Who am I kidding? I did believe her. I was caught on her line, only she failed just before she reeled me in.'
Scarlett had almost seen through his mask then. Almost, but not quite. At least this was what Rhett hoped.
He had covered himself well, he thought. And now he was left to wonder with traces of amusement just what Scarlett would get up to now. He wasn't particularly worried for her. If he knew Scarlett, which was something he prided himself on knowing better than anyone, she wouldn't be down for long. She was bound to have more than one ace up her sleeve. He doubted she would offer what she had offered him to anyone else, although the feeling of unease over the matter lingered.
'Oh well' he sighed aloud, and rolled over. 'It shan't be long before I can find out for myself.'
Rhett knew it was really only a matter of a few days and a few hundred dollars before he saw that back of this jailhouse for good. He had strong influence and he knew it. And then he would pay Scarlett a call to see how she is getting on. He tried to fob off his concerned interest as mere want of amusement but he knew he was kidding himself yet again.
"What does this woman do to me?" He wondered for the up tenth time.
But as he drifted into a seemingly peaceful sleep many tugging thoughts plagued him. Images of Scarlett, starving and homeless. For she had been awfully thin when she came, gaunt even. And what if she was to loose Tara? To whom would she turn? For he knew that she, due to his rougeish influence, had shunted most of the polite world in Atlanta's society, and she wasn't favourably looked on in the county either he knew. His anxiety towards her welfare grew and he resolved to find her the moment he was out of jail to check up on her safety.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
At Belle's
Belle was waiting in her second most impressive parlour for Scarlett; after all she didn't want to seem to eager to please. She was trying to yet miserably falling short at masking her excitement. This would certainly be an interesting day.
Belle had thought hard over the last few hours, and discovered that she was more than interested in Scarlett; she felt she wished to befriend this girl, whom she had heard so much about. She knew that this knowledge could be her undoing should Scarlett acquire it so she resolved to keep it quiet, hide it until the appropriate moment came.
How funny she thought, that before I can make peace with the girl I have to first prove I can outwit her. Is this how all friendships work? 'Only in the underworld' she assumed.
'I have to remember though, that she is not a girl as I so frequently call her. But a woman, an equal, a rival?'
This thought troubled Belle. She had never made a secret of the fact that she enjoyed Rhett's attentions. That she loved it when she was with him. But did she want more? And if so would Scarlett soon become her competition?
Judging by Scarlett's reaction to Rhett's name, which Belle held fresh in her mind, and all she had heard and knew of Rhett, the only answer she could truthfully conclude without lying to herself was yes. It may very soon become a definite possibility.
As Belle heard a maid's voice in the distance muttering about the apparent recent arrival of 'A new girl, real pretty too.' She wiped the bland, jealous expression off her face, and prepared to receive Scarlett.
'Let the games begin' she announced aloud just before the door swung open.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hope you all enjoyed that. Please review and tune in next time Love Annie xoxo