Just a shortie to keep you entertained...I OWN NOTHING...that should keep the lawyers happy.
After a morning spent packing three essential trunks of clothes and knickknacks Scarlett was nearly ready to leave. Rhett and John Moreland's valet had finished packing his trunk hours before and now Rhett sat drinking coffee in one of her wingback chairs before the fire.
The Prince of Wales occupied the other chair, his coffee untouched and quite cold. 'Much like his wife', he thought angrily.
He forced himself to speak, keeping the anger at his shrew of a wife from his voice "Scarlett, my darling, do you want me to send the rest of your things to Osborne House?"
Rhett ignored the use of that endearment directed to his wife by another man. It was clear watching the two of them together that Scarlett had been right when she had told him the love between herself and Bertie was the kind found between a devoted brother and sister and not a pair of enraptured lovers. "She's packing enough for three woman."
Bertie smiled slightly "You haven't seen the half of it my friend, we've kept court in nine different houses this year and that doesn't include our suites at Whitehall or Richmond. You're lovely clothes horse" he ducked as a painted silk fan was flung at his royal head from across the room, "has items at many of these establishments as well. There is an inventory list so that nothing disappears of course, but it's going to be a daunting task to have all of Scarlett's belongs gathered together."
"Can I help it if I'm fashionable?" asked Scarlett radiating mock indignation as she emerged from Bess' nursery with an armful of clothes.
His own voice stern Bertie answered curtly "For a woman who only wears black, white and red in public you have entirely too many dresses." His grin however ruined the impact of his stern tone.
"Well you kept buying me frocks to try to lure me out of mourning," she giggled "You and Rhett have even more in common than I thought."
Bertie raised an eyebrow. "Dancing slippers?"
Rhett shrugged "A Paris Hat."
The Prince laughed "You escaped lightly I bought her twenty gowns when the House of Worth reopened last year."
Rhett smiled, liking this man more and more. "And she didn't wear a single one?"
"No, she wore them to dinner when it was just the two of us."
"She's a terribly head hearted little thing isn't she?" replied Rhett.
"She hasn't suddenly gone deaf, mind your manners both of you." Scarlett chastised from the other room.
Both Bertie and Rhett shrugged, they exchanged smiles.
Rhett spoke in a low voice meant for the Prince only. "I haven't thanked you for what you've done for my family. I am in your debut forever.
Bertie looked across the room to where Scarlett was speaking to three footmen about the remaining items waiting to be packed. "Rhett, it's I that owe you a great debt. Many time I thought that I should have at least told Scarlett to go to see you in America. I regret that knowing what I know now."
"Well if we each owe one another a debt then that cancels them out don't you think?"
"Good in that
"
Finally the trucks were packed and Bess' nursery dismantled and the suite that Scarlett had occupied so often over the last year was now stripped of her presence.
Scarlett turned slowly to survey the room, it wasn't her own any more and that was a sobering thought. She would be looked upon as the cast off mistress of the Prince of Wales. The only thing that mattered though was Rhett and Bess. She had her husband by her side once more so who cared what anyone thought. To the devil with anyone who looked down on her, she was happy which was better than being respectable any day.
The Prince's valet entered the room and after bowing to the prince he bent forward to whisper in the Prince's ear.
"Very good," the Prince said as he rose from his chair. "Love the carriage is ready, it's time."
Scarlett nodded and Rhett rose and went to her. "I love you."
"I know, I love you too."
Bertie came to stand next to her. "Rhett, I have to ask, David," he gestured to the valet, "can take you down the back stairs to the front door, I have to escort Scarlett down the front stairs otherwise it will be perceived as though she is simply done entertaining the Prince of Wales. I want her to be able to keep her head high and proud."
Rhett wanted to tell him 'no, she's my wife and it's my place to escort her anywhere she needs to go.' But the Prince was right; Scarlett had lived with this man for a year and a half. Most of Europe believed them to be a couple with a child. If Scarlett were to leave the house without being escorted to her carriage by the Prince every guest at the house party would fairly buzz with the news that Madame Scarlett was escorted out in secrecy so as not to further offend the Princess Alexandra. She would lose face and she had already lived that life in Atlanta mostly at his instigation. The Prince was only doing what was best for Scarlett and Rhett had to accept that.
"I'll be waiting for you," he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Then after bowing to the Prince he gestured for the valet to lead the way.
After the two men left then alone Bertie turned to face Scarlett. "I have a gift for you."
"Your friendship has been gift enough," she replied.
"As yours has been to me." He removed a box from his coat pocket. "Open it."
Scarlett took the hinged jewel box and slowly opened it. Nestled on a piece of velvet was a ring. Its centerpiece was a flawless ruby encircled by chips of garnet. She lifted it and placed it on her finger above her wedding band.
"The ruby is a symbol of freedom and contentment and the garnets mean consistency. I've wanted to give you this for a long time but a ring seemed a sort of declaration. I'm foolish to think that but nonetheless it's what I felt. But now that we may not see each other…for a while," he added hastily in response to the fleeting shock of pain he saw in her emerald eyes, "so take this as a token, if you are ever in distress send me this ring, I will come for you and Bess. I will come for you. I am not a man for woman, the sight of a well turned ankle or the expanse of exposed breast does not make my blood heated. But you are you and I love you deeply. If I were a man for woman I'd fight Rhett Butler for you with every ounce of charm I possessed."
"It is a considerable amount," she said trying to lighten their increasingly dismal mood.
"It is isn't it," he replied with a smile. "I love you Scarlett Butler, and should you ever need a Prince to rescue you or a friend to stand by you, I'll come."
"Oh Bertie, "she threw herself into his arms and they stood together for what seemed like an eon holding one another, denying the fear that they might never be together again.