Chapter 5
Maxwell Kessler was a very hungry man. Today was the barbecue, and he'd been saving room in eager anticipation. He had just arrived at Twelve Oaks, and was now walking towards a smiling Scarlett.
"There you are, Maxwell," she said. "You haven't been near me all day; I only wore this old dress because I thought you'd like it!"
She was wearing a dark green dress with puffed shoulders.
"Honey, you can pull off any look."
"Fiddle-see-dee!" Scarlett said playfully. "Come here and sit with me, you silly old thing!"
Maxwell sat next to Scarlett on the small bench and gently took her hand.
"I had a nasty dream last night."
Maxwell stroked Scarlett's hand with his thumb. "Oh?"
"I… I married Charles Hamilton in this dream… to spite Ashley."
"Oh God," Max laughed. "Honey's fiancé? And… Why in the deuce would anyone marry their cousin? It's… meaning no disrespect to Ashley, of course, but it's just plain wrong. Anyway, you were saying?"
"And then he died and I married Frank Kennedy… and the Yankees decided to go to war with us and won, and they killed him!"
"Boy… sounds like you need to write a book!"
"Ugh… I know." Scarlett huffed.
"Mmm… I need food. You want anything, sugar?"
Scarlett shook her head. "No, not now… and uh… don't call me sugar. I don't like that one."
"Alright."
As Maxwell are and mingled, he saw him… the notorious Captain Rhett Butler. Rhett looked to be lost in thought, so Maxwell decided to leave him to it. He finished his food and noticed that Scarlett was trying to fend off Charles Hamilton and another man Max didn't recognize.
He walked over and sighed. "Don't you morons know she's taken?" He said to himself.
"Oh… thank God you're here, Max… I…". Scarlett swayed. "I don't feel at all well…". She sighed as she fell back. Charles and the other man gasped as Maxwell caught her.
"M… Miss Scarlett!" Charles cried softly.
Maxwell shook Scarlett gently, stroking her cheek. "Honey…"
He carefully picked her up, carrying her to the library and placing her on the sofa.
"Scarlett…" he said gently, shaking her again. "Wake up, sweetheart!"
Scarlett opened her eyes and smiled. "I simply had to get away from those besotted men," she said, sitting up, "I saw you coming, so I decided to feign a swoon."
"Smooth, Miss," said a voice from the doorway, "very smooth."
"Captain Butler," said Maxwell, "how are you? Enjoying yourself?"
"Oh, I suppose I am. I'm guessing you've heard of me if you know my name."
"I'm Captain Maxwell Kessler, and yes I have. But I believe everybody deserves a fair shake."
"A fine thing to say… most people don't believe that. I was just going to take a rest, but I see this room's occupied, so I'll leave."
"I recommend the fried chicken if you're hungry," said Scarlett.
Rhett smiled and nodded, leaving.
"While we're alone, there's something I need to discuss with you."
"What is it? It can't be another tour coming."
"I'm not supposed to head west until next month, no. But… Scarlett I… you know I love you, yes?"
"Of course… and I love you."
"I… I made a promise to myself that… that I wouldn't get married until the Indians cooled their heels. But… the more I'm with you, the more I realize that… that I might not ever know peace. I'm a soldier. Warfare is my profession."
Scarlett felt her heart start to break. "You're… you're leaving me…?"
Maxwell shook his head, wiping away a tear falling down Scarlett's cheek. "No," he said softly, "never! Scarlett…" he sighed. "Katie… why don't you like Katie?"
"I only like it if it comes from you," she said, leaning into his touch.
"I love you… and I need you. You're beautiful, yes, but you have the strongest heart and the most resilient soul I've known. You're intelligent, you speak your mind, and… well I know firsthand that you're not afraid to be direct, even when it hurts. I need a wife, and not just any wife. I want an equal… a partner with as much say in the affairs of my home as I've got, and… and…"
Scarlett teared up again. "You told me about the first girl you courted," she said softly. "How heartbroken you were when she ran off with that Savannah lawyer. I… I know I'll never replace her but…"
"She's gone, sweetheart. If she doesn't want me, then that's her loss. No one can replace anybody, Scarlett." He kissed her forehead. "Don't… don't compare yourself to other people. It isn't fair. Not to you."
Scarlett smiled gently. "So many people expect me to be some wallflower," she said gently, "but not you."
He sighed. "Scarlett, I… will you marry me?"
Scarlett almost couldn't believe her ears. She blushed, her mouth falling open in surprise. "Maxwell… I… what?"
Maxwell took Scarlett's face in his hand very gently.
"Marry me, Katie," he whispered… "please…"
