Chapter 122
"You see", continued Suellen, quietly. "Rhett asked me about Frank as well- about why I still held a grudge when I was happily married now to Will-"
"We made up over that-"
"Yes, but Rhett didn't know that. Honestly Scarlett, it isn't as bad as you think. You see, I've always known about you and Ashley- And believe me, I know why there is no truth to what Rhett insinuated- because.. because I know these things better than you-"
Scarlett felt too depressed to speak.
"Scarlett, I saw you ride out with Ashley several times. I've heard the way Ashley used to speak to you. And Sis, that's actually the natural way people fall in love. I..I never blamed you- or anything...not with Ashley Wilkes. I told all this to Rhett. I told him why I couldn't have loved Frank-"
"What?" asked Scarlett, genuinely puzzled.
"I mean, I thought I knew Frank- but we were so far away from each other. And there was Will. He rode with me whenever I went to town- You see, when we went together-"
Suellen looked shyly at Scarlett and Scarlett could suddenly see herself- the way she looked when she thought Ashley had followed her around out of love.
"So, I was right- that is the way we fall in love, isn't it?" asked Scarlett, her eyebrows rushing together in a frown. "So, you said all this to Rhett? You think its natural for me to have felt what I did?"
Suellen nodded and shrugged. Scarlett suddenly reached out and squeezed her hand. Then she couldn't help smiling in relief. Suellen began to smile too.
"Did..er.. Rhett seem satisfied with what you said? Did he sound angry or anything?"
"No. Not at all. I took him outside on our porch and showed him our old trails. I think he understood when he saw it for himself-"
Suddenly Scarlett's cheeks grew red with embarrassment when she remembered how she had stammered and stuttered to explain the same things- And Rhett had known all along.. damn him!
"It all seems so silly now, doesn't it, Sis? All these things feel like they happened so long ago-" said Suellen. She regarded Scarlett curiously.
"What is it?" asked Scarlett, sharply.
"Nothing, I-" Suellen's mouth twitched suspiciously. "Wha.. what's he like?"
"Who?"
"Rhett Butler!" Suellen blushed lightly and Scarlett looked surprised. "He's very attractive, isn't he? You must have told him about me- and..and the farm- I hope it was something nice?"
Scarlett vaguely nodded, remembering how she had explained Suellen's hateful letter to Rhett. She looked very guilty. Then she grinned- It did all seem silly now.
"Is.. is he always so.. so intense- His eyes looked very piercing-" said Suellen.
"Rhett? Oh yes.. he's always like that. But he doesn't actually do anything with that intensity- He just stands around and smokes-"
Suellen put a hand over her mouth and laughed. Scarlett began to laugh too.