Melanie paused, listening for Ashley's step.
She had been watching dust motes catch the sun. A beam shone through the gap in the velvet parlor curtains, vividly illuminating a slice of the otherwise dim room.
As each little particle floated into the two o'clock sun, they twirled and sparkled. A tiny piece of lint or ash, just pieces of dirt until, for a brief moment, the dust became a shining star.
It helped her focus on today, and not think about tomorrow.
Today, it was lovely and peaceful. God would give her the strength to face what would come, as he had before. She looked down wistfully at the little circle she had begun to knit. It was green and white, so it would not matter if the baby was a boy or girl, the cap would be fine for either.
Suddenly, she heard Ashley on the front porch. His footsteps paused, she could hear him greeting their elderly next door neighbor and her friends. Melanie picked up a thick envelope, sealed in dark red wax stamped R.B., as he entered.
"Hello dear". She took his hat and coat.
"Isn't Delilah here today?", asked Ashley as he gently helped her hoist the coat to a peg on the wall.
"No", she smiled, "Her daughter is having a baby any day now, and Delilah asked me to have afternoons off for the next little while."
Ashley kissed the top of her head. "My dear, you really should ask for someone to step in for her. You should not be alone in the house right now under", he drew a short breath, "Under your condition."
"Yes, I will." She blushed a little, and handed him the letter. "Captain Butler was by today. He asked you to read this at your earliest convenience."
Ashley cocked an eyebrow, and broke the seal with a soft "crack" which seemed to echo through the quiet house.
He read quickly, lips pursed.
"How very odd. Melly, did he say why he wanted to meet me?"
"No", Melanie paused as she thought. Had he said or done anything to indicate the purpose of the letter?
He had seemed somehow different than the brokenhearted man she had consoled only a few months ago. There was a liveliness and energy to him which reminded her of the Rhett she knew when he first married Scarlett. She was happy for him, but it was very peculiar even so.
At any rate, she was sure it was simply her feminine imagination making her overly sensitive.
"He simply said that it was urgent, and you should read it at your earliest convenience."
Ashley tucked the letter in his pocket. "Well, let's have an early dinner, then I'll go see what Captain Butler needs and be back before sunset. The sun is almost at aphelion. The time its orbit is furthest from the earth."
"I hope our new baby takes after you. It's a marvel you remember so much of what you read."
Ashley smiled down on her, unknowingly furrowing his brow as he did. All they could do is hope.
Rhett impatiently paced before the Fair Haired Lady. He raised his hand as soon as he saw Ashley at the end of the street. This was not a side of town Ashley was well acquainted with, and it had taken him longer than expected.
"Thank you for coming", Rhett extended his hand, and Ashley took it firmly.
He had not seen Rhett since Bonnie's funeral. On the way over, in the back of his mind, he had a small, silly, but still persistent worry Rhett had finally decided to duel him over Scarlett.
It was hard to admit, very embarrassing and unpleasant, but Rhett was no one's fool. There was no way he had lived with Scarlett this long and not known her feelings toward the neighbor of her youth. Perhaps grief had driven him to vengeance? Why would he want to meet Ashley in such a rough part of town where he could easily be robbed, or worse?
But, he never had any real problem with the man. They both moved in the same political circles. Rhett had redeemed himself on the battlefield, a fact which had to be uncovered. It was not spoken of by himself, such was the man's apparent modesty for his heroic actions. And yet, many of his friends thought of Rhett as a scalawag before, during, and after the war.
Yes, Rhett was a paradox and a mystery to Ashley.
Rhett looked at Ashley. "I'd like to ask for about thirty minutes of your time tonight, Major Wilkes."
"I can give you thirty minutes, Captain Butler", Ashley looked Rhett in the eyes, "I must admit, I am very intrigued at your choice of location."
Rhett gestured to the alley. "Allow me to lead the way".