Chapter 118

Scarlett's spirit revived considerably as she went home with Rosemary. She felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. The idea of following her spirit appealed to her since she knew Rhett was like this as well. She remembered how many times he had sailed in and out of her life with various excuses. Now that she had finally been allowed to have her freedom, she began to feel happier about the world. She had always been expected to be someone and now she could be just as she pleased.

"Rosemary, when you come to Atlanta, if you do.. you must come to Tara as well-" she said, liking the pleasantness in her own voice.

Rosemary turned to her in surprise which quickly dissolved into pleasure. "Oh of course, Scarlett. I would love to visit your plantation-"

"They've arranged a lovely train to take people from Atlanta to Jonnesbro. Perhaps the station would seem a bit shabby but my brother-in-law has a fine little chaise now and you would love the view of the wild open country. You know, all those novels you read where the heroines roam the moors or the countryside. Well, our Clayton County has places just like it. And when you come down to Tara, I'll take you on a tour of the place myself!"

"Oh, that's very kind of you, Scarlett. I've never been on a cotton plantation! It sounds thrilling!" replied Rosemary, warmly. "Now that you mentioned my novels, I would like to make a few sketches- I am a bit of an artist when it comes to watercolors-"

"Well, I didn't know that. You never told me-" replied Scarlett. "I don't paint or anything but I'd like to keep you company just the same. When we were young, we used to roam on our horses down forest paths and carriage roads. We were four great families in all. And when one of us threw a barbeque party, we'd all attend and then the next few months, we would slowly begin planning our own barbeque party at home- and that's how life was-"

"Scarlett, I would love to paint a scene like that! It sounds positively inspired!" said Rosemary. "We never had anything like this here except for the formal balls that you see. And if you wanted to help out, you would have to have been in some club or you would have had to know some people-"

"It was like that when I first came to Atlanta- there were three cats-er.. I mean, three ladies here who ran everything. And we had to mind them all the time-"

"I bet you missed Tara very much-"

"Oh yes, I did! But Atlanta was always growing- people came there to make their fortunes. Life at Tara wasn't like that. But someday I'll bring some of Tara to Atlanta- somehow.. the new city needs a bit of the old country to make it a proper place."

Rosemary grew quiet and thoughtful for a while. Then she turned lightly to Scarlett. "You know, Scarlett- I would love to come but it would be such a new experience. I haven't traveled as well as my brothers. My eldest brother always had an eye for adventure and was a bit reckless. And my closest brother always had his family to think of-"

Scarlett could clearly see that Rosemary was looking to her for reassurance and in seconds a flash of irritation crossed her face. For all the warmth she had shown, surely this woman could pull herself together! But something drew her to Rosemary- perhaps it was her expression- sometimes she gave that wide-eyed look that seemed so much like Melanie.

She opened her mouth to tell Rosemary that she was being silly to miss opportunities like this when she suddenly felt her Mother frowning at her. Scarlett could feel her Mother's spirit and somehow it did not seemed pleased. Dipping her head in shame, she slipped her arm around Rosemary's waist and hugged her lightly. "I do understand,dear- believe me, I do- But I would so love to have your company-" she said, as generously as possible.

Rosemary's eyes shone in happiness. "Oh Scarlett, how very kind! And I do love your company too. I hadn't told you before- but I have admired you ever since you came here. I can't tell you how refreshing a person you are after all the stuck up people I meet here- I..I have been wanting to tell you. But you always looked so anxious that I..I didn't know how it would be received-"

Scarlett smiled in embarrassment and pleasure. In her mind's eye, she could imagine her Mother's spirit at peace and for the first time she felt peaceful as well.