Chapter 10: Blissful Missteps
The happy news of Melanie's pregnancy was quickly overshadowed by the startling news that Ashley was "Missing-believed killed." Melanie telegraphed Colonel Sloan a dozen times and finally a letter arrived, then when "Missing-believed captured" appeared on the casualty lists, joy and hope reanimated the sad household. Melanie could hardly be dragged away from the telegraph office and she met every train hoping for letters.
She was sick, her pregnancy making itself felt in many unpleasant ways, but she refused to obey Dr. Meade's commands and stay in bed. A feverish energy possessed her and would not let her be still; and at night, long after Scarlett had gone to bed, she could hear her walking the floor in the next room.
One afternoon, she came home from town, driven by the frightened Uncle Peter and supported by Rhett. She had fainted at the telegraph office, and Rhett, passing by and observing the excitement, had escorted her home. He carried her up the stairs to her bedroom, and the alarmed household fled hither and yon for hot bricks, blankets, and whisky.
When Scarlett heard Rhett had brought Melanie home, she flew up the stairs with a hot brick wrapped in flannel, but when she found Rhett patting Melanie's hand, Scarlett stood at the door, unsure of what to say or do.
"Scarlett," Melanie said, holding out her hand to her sister-in-law. "Isn't Captain Butler sweet? He brought me home from the station." She said weakly.
Scarlett walked up to the bed and busied herself, situating the hot brick under Melanie's feet. "Save your strength, Melly. You should rest."
"Yes, I'm quite tired. You'll see to Captain Butler, won't you, Scarlett?" she asked weakly.
"Of course, Melly. But now you need to rest."
Rhett followed her out of the room, and when Scarlett had quietly closed the door behind her, they stood in the hallway awkwardly, neither sure what to say.
She couldn't meet his eyes. For all longing she had to see his face again, she couldn't seem to raise her gaze any higher than the starched white shirt that stretched handsomely across his broad chest. She noticed a brown hair on his lapel that must have landed there while he was carrying Melly up the stairs. She longed to reach out and tidy it, but she tangled her fingers in the pleats of her skirt to keep them in place.
Rhett cleared his throat. He looked down at her cooly, his mask firmly in place while his heart raced. "I feel the need to apologize for my conduct the last time I visited," he said, watching carefully for her reply. "What I said was unnecessary and hurtful."
Scarlett's head shot up, and she took a deep, steadying breath. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest at his words, and she exhaled in relief. She was eternally grateful that she had not been forced to apologize first and smiled genuinely, now unable to take her eyes away from his. "I believe I may have been out of line as well," she said quietly, taking an unconscious step toward him.
A long silence stretched between them, neither knowing what to say. "I'm sorry, Rhett," she said awkwardly, "I was very upset when I found out about your friend. I have no say over who you do or do not associate with. I shouldn't have said anything." She looked down demurely, "A lady wouldn't have said anything."
"Don't pretend to be a lady, Scarlett. I know better." Scarlett looked at him, about to object, but he cut her off, "Don't think that I hold that against you. I've never cared much for ladies." He was a fool, but he couldn't help himself. He had desperately missed seeing those green eyes blazing.
Scarlett grew angry and, not knowing what to say, turned on her heel and began down the stairs.
"Scarlett," Rhett protested, grabbing onto her arm and stopping her. She turned to look up at him, waiting for him to continue, but he had nothing to say. He descended one step, stepping so close that her skirts wrapped around him. They searched each other's faces urging the other to say something, but neither did.
Finally, he leaned down and captured her lips forcefully. Scarlett did not hesitate to wrap her arms around Rhett's neck and hold onto him, not wanting to let go again. His wide hands spread across her back, and he wrapped her securely in his arms. She pressed herself against him, and for the moment, she let herself forget that he didn't love her.
Running his hands along Scarlett's face, Rhett pulled back slightly to look at her. "I'm so sorry, darling," he whispered, "There was never anyone else. Never. Only you." He paused for only a moment, but unable to voice his true feelings, he dropped his head down again and kissed her compellingly. "Where is your room?" he whispered into her ear.
Her eyes remained closed, "Up stairs," she whispered back, unthinking.
She felt his deep laughter against her chest and realized her mistake. She stepped up to the top of the stairs, "This way," she said, taking his hand and guiding the way.
Tiptoeing down the hall, they entered her room. Rhett pulled Scarlett against him and raked a hand through her hair, pulling it free from its confines. Desperately, she pulled on his lapels, trying to bring him closer to her. His hands flew across her body wildly, and Rhett loosened the top buttons of her dress and began trailing hot kisses down her neck to the top of her corset.
Swept up in the moment, Scarlett pushed Rhett's suit jacket down his arms, desperate to feel the warmth of his skin against her own. "I need you." She said urgently, pulling his mouth down to hers.
With his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, Rhett backed Scarlett up until her legs bumped into the side of her bed and they both tumbled down. His hands ran up and down her body, and he covered her neck and chest with kisses. Scarlett could barely breathe, and her body was becoming warmer and warmer with every touch.
Rhett's hands strayed down to her legs and began to tug the hem of her dress up. Skimming her leg with his warm hand, he made her shiver. She gasped, drawing Rhett's attention to her face. Taking her face into his hands, he kissed her sweetly, making her heart swell.
When his hand found her hip, he slipped it under her bottom and pulled her against himself. Warm, strong, and hard, Scarlett felt a pressure start to build that she did not understand.
His hand moved to her inner thigh. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, he parted her drawers and touched her intimately. Scarlett had never felt anything like what Rhett was doing to her. She wiggled and bucked under his talented manipulation until her body. Strung so tightly that when it snapped, she thought she would fly off the bed. She had to bite her lip to keep herself from screaming for the whole house to hear.
Once Scarlett had caught her breath, she looked up at Rhett, astounded. "What-well, I mean – that was…"
Running his hand along her face, Rhett chuckled at her reaction and leaned down to kiss her gently. "That my dear, was only the beginning."
"Beginning of what? I mean, was that – we didn't – oh my God! What have I done?" Scarlett untangled herself from Rhett's grasp and leaped off the bed, "Oh my God, Rhett! Did we just – I mean, am I…"
Sitting up slowly, Rhett grinned, "No, my dear, your virginity is intact. Your innocence may be a little questionable, but your virginity is safe."
Scarlett's shoulders sagged with relief, "Then what did we just do?"
He stood up from the bed and walked over to her straightening his shirt, "I told you, my dear, that was only the beginning. Don't you see how good we could be together?"
Scarlett's heart jumped into her throat, and her stomach felt painfully empty, but still, she had to bring herself to ask, "Rhett, are you asking me to marry you?"
His immediate laugh made her feel physically ill, "Scarlett, haven't you learned by now that I'm not a marrying man?" He put his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, "Now that you've seen what we can do together, how could you say no?"
It took Scarlett a moment to recover from his statement, but when she did, she hit her fist against his chest, "You're a skunk Rhett Butler!" she exclaimed before he covered her mouth with his hand.
"Quiet! Do you want the whole house to hear? You knew going in that I would never marry you, so don't try to play the innocent now. We can have a lot of fun, Scarlett. I'll show you the world, buy you all the latest fashions. This war is going to get very ugly soon, and a girl like you should be sipping Champaign in France or nibbling chocolates in Spain, not bathing lice-covered soldiers and patching two-year-old gowns."
"With you?" she asked mockingly.
"Yes, ma'am! This could be only the beginning."
"You're a despicable man Rhett Butler, and I don't care if I never see you again!" She shrieked in a harsh whisper.
"Oh, I'll be back," he said, putting his coat on and walking out the door.