Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW
Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.
Chapter Seven
Later that night, Ashley was nervous and uncomfortable around Scarlett. When supper was over, Ashley said, "Scarlett, Melanie, Beau and I will be moving to Atlanta in the next couple of days."
"Not yet, Ashley. I need you to stay here at the plantation for a little bit longer. I am going into Atlanta to try to raise the money for the taxes probably the day after tomorrow. I need you and Melly to stay here to be a chaperon to Suellen and Careen. When I return, you can then move to Atlanta."
Melanie said, "Of course, dear. Anything we can do to help."
Scarlett smiled. Delivering Melanie's baby and getting her out of Atlanta had certainly worked well for her. She had known Melly was the type to be eternally grateful to Scarlett for her actions. She had done it for she needed Melly to defend her iffy actions. She certainly wasn't going to live in the country the rest of her life. She would just have to keep Melanie in Atlanta until she decided she no longer wanted to live in the South.
Two days later with a new velvet dress in her trunk, Scarlett and Mammy were on their way to Atlanta. Scarlett and Mammy had made the dress out of her mother's drapes. Scarlett had known that in order to get the money out of Rhett she would have to look like she was worth three hundred dollars. She had to look better than she ever had before. She had to look excellent. She could not show up in rags.
When they got to the Hamilton House, PittyPat was so happy to see Scarlett. She didn't stop talking the entire evening. Most of it was stuff Scarlett didn't care about but she did find out that Rhett had been arrested for shooting a freedman. Scarlett gently questioned her aunt about Rhett and his location. PittyPat believed he was being held down by the courthouse. The hard part would be getting away from Mammy. Mammy believed she was going to do something improper. Mammy was right. She was. She wished she could have left Mammy at Tara and brought Prissy. Simple minded Prissy but Mammy would not be put off. Scarlett was going to have to deal with Mammy but that would have to wait.
One good thing that came out of her conversation with Ashley was him talking about her hands. He yammered on about every blister being a badge of honor. He pointed out all the calluses on her hand like they were something she should be proud about.
No, they were something she would have to be sure that Rhett didn't see. He couldn't know how desperate she was to get the money although she didn't know why she was so intent on saving Tara. She had never believed she had cared about anything but herself. Surprise! She cared deeply about Tara, and she cared about her family except Suellen. She would have to nip these tender feelings in the bud.
The next morning, Scarlett pretended to be sick until everyone left the house. She got herself dressed and searched through her room at Hamilton House. She was so pleased to find the yellow shawl Rhett had given her. That would certainly make him happy. Unfortunately, she hadn't found any gloves in her room. She went across the hall and searched through Aunt PittyPat's room. She didn't find any gloves, but she did find a rabbit fur muff. Finally, she was ready to leave. She got a ride downtown by a friendly old lady in a wagon. Scarlett was equally friendly.
When she got to the courthouse, she was at a loss of where to even start looking for Rhett. She saw the Fire House. It was all boarded up. She saw the sentry outside and she approached him. When she was about two feet away, the private said, "Stop! Don't come any closer."
"I think my brother is being held inside."
"What is his name?"
"Rhett Butler."
"Yes ma'am. He is inside but you will have to get one of the captains' permission to enter the prison."
Scarlett put a distressed look on her face. In an uneasy voice she said, "Where would I find one of these captains?"
The young man smiled at her and said, "I will escort you over there. Bill, I will be -right back."
The other man smiled and waved. As the private was walking her to a lovely house, Scarlett felt such sadness. It was the Crawford's house. She had always admired the architecture and décor of the home. It had been a lovely home. Now it was the Yankee headquarters.
She shook it off. Everyone was going to lose a lot more now that the Yankees had their foot on the Souths' neck.
After they entered the building, Scarlett saw there was a man sitting at a big desk in the middle of the room. The private said to the man, "Captain Reidland, Butler has another visitor."
"Is it another sister?" The way the captain had stressed the word sister it was plain that Reidland didn't believe these women were Rhett's sisters.
"This one actually may be. She is obviously a lady."
Scarlett gave the private a smile a queen would give a commoner who had pleased her. It made the private feel good.
Reidland said, "You are right. She is a lady. Have a seat. Private, go see if Mr. Butler wants to see his sister. What is your name?"
"Scarlett Hamilton."
After the private had left the room, the captain said, "You would be the first one he wants to see."
Scarlett gave the captain her queenly smile. It made the captain feel good.
Soon she heard Rhett's voice and that made her feel good. When he walked into the room and saw Scarlett smiling at him so big Rhett was so happy. She had forgiven him for Rough and Ready. She had forgiven him for asking her to be his mistress. She was here to see him. She looked beautiful yet she was too thin. He saw the yellow shawl that he had given her. That made him feel extremely happy.
Rhett walked over to her and hugged her. He then kissed her cheek. He then hugged her again. He said, "My baby sister, how kind of you to come visit with me."
When Rhett started to kiss her again, Scarlett said to the captain, "Can we have some privacy?"
"Of course," The captain stood up and opened the door to what had once been the butler's pantry. It was a ridiculously small room. It didn't even have a chair in it.
As soon as the door was closed, Rhett kissed her the way he had kissed her at Rough and Ready. Scarlett was now confident she would get the money. She was sure he had told her he had loved her that night also. She pushed him away and playfully said, "You shouldn't take such liberties."
Rhett smiled and said, "How long have you been in Atlanta?"
"I arrived yesterday. As soon as I found out you were in jail, I had to come see you."
"So, you have forgiven me for leaving you at Rough and Ready?"
"No, I will never forgive you for that. That was so dang stupid."
"You are right it was dang stupid which just proves I can be just as stupid as any other Southerner."
"What are you talking about?"
"Joining the Confederate army and staying until the end of the war."
"I was talking about leaving me at Rough and Ready?"
"That I don't regret. I had faith in you. You got home safe and sound, so my faith was justified."
Scarlett stared at the man. She could tell he really didn't feel any guilt. She had planned on using his guilt against him, but she now knew that like her he didn't have a conscience. No, they would never feel guilty for their actions.
"Is it true they might hang you?"
"Is there a touch of excitement in your voice? If they can get a little bit more evidence on me yes."
Suddenly Scarlett knew she would never be able to con this man in front of her. He was just too suspicious of other people. Like her he didn't have very many tender feelings. He might love her, but he would still be suspicious of her just as she would always be suspicious of him.
Scarlett smiled and said, "I need a loan of three hundred dollars to pay extra taxes on Tara."
"Let it go."
"I don't know why but I can't let it go."
"It is the Irish in you. The Irish set such store by owning a particular piece of land and their family. If we had been Irish, my father would never have disowned me no matter what hardship the family would have had to endure."
"You are probably right. Will you loan me the money?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot access my money, or the Yankees would confiscate it."
Scarlett had been pacing back and forth in the little room. She had been coming close to Rhett then moving away. She paused in her pacing and stared at Rhett. She knew that according to Aunt PittyPat they had all the evidence they needed to convict him for shooting that man. Suddenly she knew that wasn't why they were holding him. They wanted something more out of him. She said, "What do they want?"
"What do you mean?"
"Rhett, they have enough evidence to hang you, but they haven't so they must want some information out of you. Let me guess. Where the Confederate gold is? No, that was just a rumor started by powerful men to cover up their having stolen money from the Confederate government. Or maybe they are trying to get you to confess with the promise of a lighter sentence. I think that is it. No. I know. They want to know who your Yankee partners were in your questionable activities during the war. Maybe," She tilted her head while staring at him. Despite his face showing no emotions. She continued, "Yeah. That is it. They don't want you. They want bigger fish," She paused and looked at Rhett. She continued, "Bigger fish who are in the North."
"Scarlett, I never knew you had such an imagination. You should write novels. You could make a fortune."
"I'm sure it would be nowhere near as large as yours. How much are you worth now, Rhett? A million? Two?"
"Scarlett, if I was worth that much money it would be amazing considering I was thrown out on the street with just the money in my pockets."
"Then it is amazing," Scarlett smiled as another thought popped into her head. She said, "I'll bet all your money is in a bank in London under another name."
"A person would be very clever if he was to do that."
"You look so pleased with yourself which means that is exactly what you did. Your lawyer in London has access to that account. As soon as you send him a telegram saying you are pardoned, he will wire you the money. Very clever. As much as I enjoy visiting with you, I must leave."
"You don't have to leave so soon."
Scarlett walked over and stood a few inches away from Rhett. She hugged him and she kissed him passionately. She pressed her body up against him. She kissed him until she felt his body responding to her. She said, "Yes, I do. I must find someone to give me three hundred dollars. I wanted it to be you but alas you don't have the money."
When Scarlett leaned forward to give Rhett a peck on the lips, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her in a punishing way. She was such a tease. When he finally stopped kissing her, he said, "What were you going to give me for giving you three hundred dollars?"
Scarlett broke out of his arms and walked across the room. She opened the door, and said, "The only thing I have that you would want. Myself."
She walked through the door and closed the door behind her. By the time, Rhett got the door open Scarlett was almost out the front door. Nonetheless, Rhett shouted out, "I thought that would only give you a passel of brats."
Scarlett turned around and flashed him a big smile, she said, "Sweet dreams, my skunk."
As Scarlett had walked out of the building the captain and the private, in fact, all the men in the room knew the woman had not been Butler's sister. They also didn't think she was a whore. Although, if she was a whore, she was an enormously expensive one. A whore so expensive none of them would ever even be able to dream about affording her.
