So. It's been a long time since I've updated anything, and I'm very happy that I updated this story. I hope that it doesn't take me this long to update again, that was just mean! Feedback on the chapter appreciated! I'm anxious to know what everyone thinks of this chapter that kept me up writing when I should have been sleeping last night! Ah, I just realized I haven't updated this story since AUGUST. AUGUST, people! Pitiful.
Chapter 4 of Georgia Rain
Scarlett tossed her head and smiled at her current dancing partner, but it was Leif who was occupying her thoughts.
Well, Leif, and that horrid Butler man who had all the ill breeding to catch them in such a compromising situation.
Hopefully he wouldn't say anything about the incident he had witnessed. She pictured her mother's face after she had found out through the county gossip that her eldest daughter was off gallivanting with a man practically betrothed to another. That just wouldn't do at all. She must talk to the man, make him understand the dire need for discretion in such a situation. Oh, but to face him again after he had embarrassed her so! She wasn't entirely sure that she could. As the song ended, she felt a hand at her elbow and looked up into the face of that very odious man himself. She sharply sucked in a breath of air and felt her cheeks begin to burn.
"Mr. Butler," she managed, but it was all that she could will out. The very fact that he had come to her in such a public setting after their last encounter made her blood boil.
Yet, she had to admire the genius of it. He must know that she could not throw a temper tantrum in the middle of a ball, and there he had her perfectly cornered.
"Miss O'Hara," he stated smilingly, "would you do me the honor of having such a beautiful woman as my partner for the next dance?"
"You know very well I can't refuse you," she whispered dangerously. "You must also know how I really feel about dancing with you. Of all the nerve…" she started, but let her words trail off as she noticed Leif's eyes on her, questioning her outburst. She quieted and looked Rhett in the eye, letting him put his hand about her waist to begin the dance.
"So all it takes to quiet that temper is one look from your love?" he mocked, laughing quietly.
"I can't believe the nerve you must have to speak to me in such a manner. Have you no sense at all, Mr. Butler?" He laughed again, and she found the sound very irritating.
"I often wonder that same thing. But come now, Miss O'Hara. You couldn't have expected me to miss the opportunity to talk to such an interesting character, could you?"
"Excuse me? I don't like you referring to me as a character. It portrays me in a very bad light."
"In contrast to that glow your halo casts about your head?" he replied and smiled that even more irksome smile.
"Mr. Butler, I will try one last time," Scarlett said, gritting her teeth to keep from shouting out in frustration. "You are perfectly aware that I had no desire to be near you ever again, let alone dance with you. You cornered me in the midst of society, and I do not appreciate it. I would very much prefer that we continue this dance in silence," she finished angrily. "Oh, and one other thing," she added, changing gears and smiling up at him innocently.
"How could I deny such an angel anything?" he joked.
"Oh, do be serious for a minute. You must promise me not to say anything about what you, er, witnessed this afternoon."
"You mean your little rendezvous with the neighbor boy?"
"Shh!" She quieted him strongly, casting about a quick look to make sure no one had overheard his loudly stated remark. "Yes, that. I'd be grateful if you would never mention it again. It's not something that we're ready to share with our families yet," she responded, proud of her handling of the situation.
His lips turned up at the corners as she finished her speech. "My lips are sealed, Miss O'Hara," he replied, much to her mortification giving her a slight wink.
"Good," was her terse reply, and it was the last word she exchanged with him the entire evening.
As the families departed Twelve Oaks, Scarlett quietly conferred with Leif. "What was that Butler man talking to you about?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing," she lied, brushing off his concerned look. "Will I see you again tonight?"
"Of course. Shall we make it the same place and time as before?"
"Nothing would make me happier," she replied, and quickly followed her family to say goodbye to the rest of the Calvert family.
Scarlett quietly crept down the stairs of Tara, taking care not to step on her dress. She silently opened the front door and began walking towards the old barn where she was supposed to meet Leif. She looked up at the midnight sky and saw that it was eerily clear, devoid of stars. She felt a drop of moisture land on her cheek and realized it was beginning to rain. Not wanting to get soaked, she began to walk faster. Like she had known it would, it didn't take long for the rain to begin falling faster and harder, drenching her and covering the dusty road. She saw the barn ahead in the distance and began to run towards it, seeing a lone horse out front.
"Leif!" she called, giggling as the rain soaked her to the bone. The man was stepping down from his mount and she saw him lean his head back and laugh at the sight of her so bedraggled. Reaching him, she threw her arms around his waist and he hugged her close, nuzzling her neck.
"You're beautiful soaked, Scarlett," he told her, his voice hoarse. "You're always beautiful." The two stood hugging in the rain for another moment, holding each other close, wanting the moment to last a lifetime. At the clap of thunder, Leif's horse started and the two took it as a cue to move inside the dilapidated barn. At the shelter, the horse quieted and the two young people climbed to the loft of the barn. Leif, following Scarlett's lead, called up to her, "You know, it's probably dangerous to be up this high in a storm."
"Yes, but it's dangerous for us to be out here in the first place, so what's the harm?"
"You, Scarlett, are fearless," he replied, dropping down next to her in the hay.
"No, not fearless," she said, sidling up next to him. He took her in his arms and played with a wet tendril of hair which had escaped Mammy's handiwork.
"And what are you afraid of?" he asked softly.
It took her a moment to reply, but when she did, her voice was equally quiet. "This. Us. Not having everything stay exactly as it is right now."
"Things change, Scarlett. It's just the way the world works," he said into her hair.
"I know, but I don't want them to," she said childishly, and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips. He returned her kiss hungrily, and soon Scarlett was peeling off her wet garments.
"Let me help you," he said gently, tugging the clinging last remaining garment from her body. He kissed her again, and before she knew it she was lost in the swirls of passion only lovers experience.
As the two lay cuddled together in the hay, the thunder once again struck. It was accompanied by a flash of lighting that illuminated the barn. "We should go," Leif said, kissing her again. "It's late, and it's not good weather to be in this old place."
"Okay," she replied, feeling an inexplicable pang of loneliness and sadness come over her as she left his arms to redress herself. She climbed down the flimsy ladder and stepped outside into the night. It was still raining. She watched as Leif mounted his horse and blew her a goodbye kiss. He galloped off, but somehow she stood there, transfixed. At a sudden clap of thunder and flash of lightning, she screamed and then watched in horror as Leif's horse reared, throwing him harshly onto the earth.
She began to run towards the spot where he lay, not noticing the rain pick up harder again. Mud sloshed into her shoes and covered the hemline of her dress, splattering above it as well, but she felt only the distance between herself and Leif. Breathing heavy, her insides were screaming, "No!" over and over again. He hadn't stood back up. After an eternity, she reached the spot where Leif lay sprawled in the mud, his face staring up at the sky.
"Leif!" she cried, sinking to her knees at his head. "Leif! Are you okay? Leif!" she screamed at him as if it would help.
"Scarlett," he managed to say, and she quieted at the choked sound of his voice. "Scarlett. I'll be okay. Go home, Scarlett."
"Leif, no! I can't leave you here! Not here alone! I won't do it, I can't! Leif!" her cries were becoming hysterical as she sat cradling his head.
"Scarlett, you must go home. I'll be okay, I promise. Please," he said again.
"No!" she cried, her tears running down her face, mixing with the rain. "I won't leave you! I can't live without you!" she cried, but before she had finished her sentence he had closed his eyes. "Leif," she whispered brokenly, kissing his forehead as the rain and tears fell upon his face.
So…thoughts? I want reviews, pronto! Pretty please? Again, I apologize for the long interval between updates, and hopefully it won't be that long again! I know a lot of you are anxious for updates on my other stories as well, but this is the one that began to flow last night. Hope to hear from all my readers via REVIEWS!