A Dire Situation

Chapter Sixteen

Belle had been watching Scarlett all night and she had to admit she was pleased with the way she was handling herself. Only a few times had she dipped in a bit far over her head, but each time she had graciously allowed herself to be saved by Dottie and she had carried on flawlessly as though there had never been a bump in the situation.

As the night wore on Belle's feelings towards Scarlett took on a few dramatic changes. At first she was glad that she was coping so well, but then she began to feel, well Belle Watling was never threatened by anything or anyone, but there was something about the alluring power Scarlett seemed to hold that unsettled her some what.

One nagging thought kept plaguing on her mind, one nagging thought that centred around one figure. That of Rhett Butler.

Belle had always thought that she had held a special place in Rhett's heart. He had always said that she was so different from other women and that was why he liked her.

But Scarlett was different too. Different in a way that Belle thought was much more exciting than she herself was.

Oh certainly Belle was doing things that other women would never let themselves dream about. She was running her own business. And such a scandalous business! And she didn't rely on any man to pull her through. But Scarlett had that something extra.

Scarlett had been born a lady. And whether Scarlett herself would be willing to admit it or not, the marks of that heritage, that training, were ingrained into her every move. She had a grace and lazy effortless appeal that could only come from having a privileged upbringing.

Belle knew that Scarlett had been through a lot in her young life, but an aura of pure innocence still seemed to radiate from her person. The kind of innocence that came from an indulged and ideal childhood. The kind of innocence and naivety that Belle could never attain. It was something that could not be taught. Belle knew far too much of the world to ever appear innocent.

And these qualities were the ones that Belle knew she lacked. Lacking these things made her just like the rest of the girls who worked for her, who knew of the unpleasant things in the world that would never be discussed where Scarlett had come from. Lacking these things was what made her hard, cold.

And Scarlett for all her fierce determination would never be hard.

So although Rhett thought Belle was different, he thought Scarlett was more so. She was an enigma, an intensely complicated and intriguing woman. She had such a mystery about her that made men fall over themselves to discover. For this Belle resented her.

For although Rhett found Belle interesting, her interest was at face value. Whereas Scarlett. Well, Rhett was damn near captivated with her. Belle knew this. He desired to know what that alluring quality she possessed was.

Belle didn't love Rhett. She would never allow herself to love any man. But if, just if there were to be any man she would consider breaking her own rule for, she knew it would be Rhett Butler.

So much had Rhett been on her mind that night, as she watched Scarlett make her debut as an apprentice whore in order to repay her debt to her, that it seemed nothing less than natural when Captain Butler himself burst through her front door, the one he used so often, demanding a drink.

Rhett was angry. Angry at himself. He had worked himself into a state of frenzy with thought all the way back from Tara.

'Damn Scarlett' he thought. 'Why does she have this power over me? This effect? It's absurd.'

And right he was in thinking it was absurd. For Rhett Butler had never been infatuated with anybody. Certainly beautiful women had held certain charms with him before but never with such compelling force. He had always been able to walk away. But not this time. Not when it came to her.

And now? Well now she was in trouble and Rhett knew it was his entire fault. Not Ashley's. God knows he had tried and tried to blame Ashley Wilkes but when it all came down to it, it was he, Rhett who was in the wrong.

If there was one thing Rhett needed right now it was a drink. So with little else on his mind he stormed through the front door of Belle's saloon and demanded just that.

Upon seeing Rhett Butler crash through the door so cool and confidant though with an air of dangerous abandon about him, several emotions swept through Scarlett at once. Anger and humiliation as she remembered the scandalous proposition she had made him, a slight excitement that, although she always tried her best to hide it, always came with seeing Rhett as he was so vibrant and unmistakably handsome. And there was another feeling, one she did not wish to identify because she had a horrible sneaking suspicion that it was relief, that although Rhett had let her down before he would be able to help her now, some how he could get her out of the compromising mess she had made for herself. He just looked so confidant, so capable.

It had been so long since Scarlett had had a strong capable man in her life. Charles had been scared of his own shadow, and now that her pa had lost his mind there was no one left who she felt could protect her.

She thought she had had that faith in Ashley once but somehow deep down she knew she had never really relied on him. He was just the same as Charles really; cowardice covered by big words and big shows of gallantry. Nothing real about them, nothing practical. And it seems she had always been right for Ashley had proven himself to be useless beyond comparison. No real man would have allowed her to go to Atlanta and do what she was doing. And she knew Ashley knew. Oh how she hated him now. Now that she saw him for the pretence he was. Scarlett had never been one to admire fantasy, and that was all Ashley had ever been.

But Rhett. Well Rhett had always been there to aid her, in times of real need. Despite turning her down for the money he had helped her when Atlanta was besieged, and he had really, what can only be described as, saved her from herself when he taught her that long time ago when the world was different that with enough courage one could do without a reputation.

As Scarlett had thought back on that lesson while she worked her fingers raw at Tara she realised that if Rhett had never advised her so, she'd be starving and striving with dignity like the rest of the respectable ladies of the South. But one cannot survive on pride alone and Scarlett realised that perhaps without knowing it, Rhett had given her the tools to survive.

And why? Because he cared? Scarlett doubted it very much, though she did like the sound of it.

But she was frightened of him too. He was so unpredictable.

Before Scarlett could make any sense of her conflicting emotions she heard Belle cry from across the room. "Why Rhett Butler, where have you been keeping yourself?" And a second later Dottie was pushing her by the shoulders down to the ground and under behind the bar.

She offered no explanation for her actions as she did so, but Scarlett was so perplexed she felt it best to just trust and go with the situation.

After what seemed like a lifetime of crouching on the polished floor Scarlett finally managed to mutter "Dottie, what's going on?"

"Shh" she replied. "We won't talk about it now. I've got to get you up to your room."

Scarlett considered and realised that Belle must have planned this escape in advance in order to protect her in case Rhett ever showed up. Which was always a possibility. This was one of his most regular haunts.

Dottie chanced a quick glance over the edge of the bar.

"Okay" she whispered pulling Scarlett up gently by the arm. "Let's go. Hurry now."

Scarlett did as she was told. She was thankful she was heading to the quiet of her chamber; she needed to sort out all that was running through her mind and make sense of it.

Belle had to admit, she prided herself on being quick witted but it had taken her some time to react appropriately when Rhett had first burst in.

It was the energy that radiated from him. Sometimes it overcame her for a minute, especially when she hadn't seen him for a while. She was thankful now that she had had the good sense to organise a strategy in case such a scenario ever ensued.

"Why Rhett Butler where have you been keeping yourself." She had cried when she'd finally gathered her wits about her, trying her best to sound her casual, welcoming self.

In reality she was petrified. What if he'd seen Scarlett? What if he became angry at her, Belle? She didn't think she could bear it if Rhett hated her. He was such a constant in her life.

She risked the quickest of lances over to the corner where she knew Scarlett had been standing and saw that she was now out of sight. She'd have to remember to thank Dottie later for being so swift to react.

She then turned her full attention back to Rhett who was rapidly making his way through the bawdy crowd towards her.

"Belle!" he cried "I'm in a devil of a mood. Fix me up will you love" he chucked her affectionately under the chin like a teasing brother would to do to a sister but Belle savoured the contact.

"Well of course Captain" replied Belle warmly signalling to old Tom behind the bar.

"Captain Butler's usual Tom. Make it a double and one for me too. Bring them up to the private parlour."

She then addressed Rhett. "You've been keeping to yourself for so long Mr Butler I dare say I wouldn't mind some time alone to chat with you. And besides I'm sure you don't want to stay down here and mix with this bunch of low lives and drunkards."

Rhett looked slightly ill at ease for a moment but then his face resumed the cool mask of practised nonchalance Belle knew so well and he replied with a charming, clipped bow "It would be a pleasure Miss Watling"

She extended an arm which he took and she led them both up the stairs to her private sitting room.

Rhett's mind felt like a jigsaw puzzle and he couldn't for the life of him put the pieces together.

When he'd first walked into Belle's saloon he could have sworn he'd seen Scarlett standing by the bar absorbed in an engaging conversation.

He'd laughed bitterly to himself then. She was plaguing him and he'd been a fool to think he'd have any chance to escape her.

When Belle called him over he was slightly disappointed for when he looked back the image of Scarlett was gone and for some reason he no longer felt like seeking comfort with Belle and wished he'd thought to drown his sorrows alone at the Atlanta Hotel instead.

But he was here now, so he thought to make the best of it. And Belle would listen to him he consoled himself as he walked with her arm and arm up the staircase.

'How different this scene is to the one I witnessed at Tara only this afternoon' he thought cynically. 'Tara was destitute and Belle's was thriving more and more after the miserable conclusion of the war'

He allowed his mind to wander freely over the oddities of those who thrived under war and those who perished and those who merely tried every day to keep on surviving.

Belle led him into the parlour and he moved over and sank into one of the plush leather armchairs. Belle sat herself down opposite him and the pair were silent as old Tom followed them in, set down their drinks and exited with a sharp nod of his head.

With a slight scowl on his face Rhett reached forward and took his drink, violently throwing it down his throat.

Belle reached over to pick hers up yet chose to nurse it for the time being.

Rhett was in no mood to initiate conversation so he instead waited for Belle to say something first.

'Women are good at that' he thought derisively.

"So, Rhett" Belle began. Somewhat uneasily he noticed.

"Where have you been keeping yourself? I haven't seen you in the longest time honey. I came to see you at the jail. Why didn't you let me come in? But you've been out for a while now. I'd been expecting to see you."

Rhett grunted. These weren't the sorts of things he was in the mood to discuss. The jail only made him think of Scarlett which was a most painful memory.

"I've only been out a few days" he muttered by way of response "I've had business to attend I'm sorry. And I'm sorry too that I didn't let you in. I guess I just was of no disposition for visitors that day."

"Don't apologise honey" Belle cooed. "Of course I wasn't offended, just curious. But you might as well out with it." She demanded, changing tactics quickly. "What on God's earth has happened to but put you in such a bitter mood?"

Rhett sighed. He knew this was coming. Belle never was one to beat around the bush.

He'd come for a chat. He figured he might as well ease some of his mind by talking about it.

So Rhett broke into his bitter lamentations. He described the entire story to Belle.

How Scarlett had came to him. How she'd been so desperate. How he's laughingly refused her. How he regretted it. How he'd gone looking for her. His run in with Ashley Wilkes.

By the end of his tale he near racking with sobs.

Belle felt betrayed.

She had bought Rhett in here in he hopes of having a talk with one of her oldest friends but things had taken on a nasty turn.

It appeared all Rhett could think about was Scarlett O'Hara.

Belle was staggered by all the information she had received from Rhett's mournful tale.

Firstly, Rhett had admitted Scarlett to see him within in his cell and yet had refused to see her.

Secondly, Scarlett had not come directly to Belle for assistance but instead used her as a second resort after Rhett refused her.

And thirdly, it seemed from the way Rhett was carrying on right now that he saw Scarlett O'Hara as some kind of saint.

Everything she did it appeared was for honourable reasons, including offering herself to him for money. And she did it with such nobility, such pride.

It was enough to make Belle feel sick. She felt rejected, second best. A feeling that Belle Watling did not like and did not feel too often.

Just seeing Rhett sitting there with his head woefully shaking in his hands, crying over poor, poor, innocent Scarlett O'Hara made her angrier than she had ever felt in her life.

Had she, Belle, never experienced such loss and devastation? Had she never been refused help?

She knew it hurt her most because it was obvious to anyone who cared to look that Rhett Butler was tortuously in love with Scarlett O'Hara and that was a pain she could not bear to face. Especially not without a fight.

So with all the bitterness that had been building inside her throughout the night, Belle resolved to set things straight.

Once she'd gotten up and into her room and Dottie had left her, Scarlett finally felt as though she was free to think.

Elizabeth cam in and helped her out of her beautiful gown and into a stunning sheer negligee that Scarlett assumed with fearful thought was for wearing when she was officially 'on the job'. The material was so delicately translucent that every inch of Scarlett's body was accentuated.

Feeling more than slightly embarrassed, she dismissed Elizabeth and curled up under her covers with her thoughts.

She didn't think Rhett had seen her when he'd first burst through the door this evening. But she'd seen him. Or more she'd felt him. She'd felt his strong, powerful presence and it had somehow enveloped her in its irresistible folds.

She was a woman that despite all her personal strength, liked to feel as though she was protected. Rhett gave her that security and she relished it.

She'd been glad Dottie was there. So enraptured was she with the figure of Rhett that she had entirely forgotten to react. She'd even forgotten that only a few short days ago she had suffered what was possibly the most humiliating moment of her life at the hands of the man she could now not tear her eyes from. She was surprised to discover that she wasn't angry at him anymore.

'How odd it is' she considered 'that I was pleased to see Rhett as he walked through the door tonight. Especially after the warning I gave Belle that he was under no circumstances to know of the arrangement.'

Not that she wasn't glad he hadn't caught her. On the contrary. She would have been petrified. Who knows how he would have reacted.

'Perhaps he would not have cared. After all I'm of no real concern to him. But perhaps he would have and he would have screamed and raged at me'

Scarlett could not decide which of the two possibilities would have been worse. This upset her a little.

'Why should she care if Rhett didn't care for her?' But she did, she knew she did and that was the problem.

Before she had time to delve further into her analysis of thought her bedroom door swung open with a mighty crash and there before her was none other than the man who had been on her mind all evening.

As she stared at Rhett's figure casting its dark, strong silhouette over the floor of her

bedroom, Scarlett felt her body come alive and quiver with a tremor of anticipation.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this story so far, and especially to all the wonderful people who have reviewed. I hope this part isn't too much of a let down, I'm almost to scared to write it in case it doesn't turn out the way you all want it too. The next part ought to be up soon and it will have the confrontation we've been waiting for. Please review to let me know what you think. I am more than open to your suggestions.