Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW
Author's Notes: Thank you for all the many reviews and the feedback.
Chapter Two
When April fifteenth arrived, Scarlett went through a depression. That date would always remind Scarlett of the painful events of that day. Not only had Ashley turned her down but that unreceived jackass had taken advantage of her. She had been so naïve that day. She had honestly thought that once Ashley knew she loved him he would marry her instead of Melanie but instead she had found out that he had been trifling with her affections. She had innocently thought Mr. Butler would not do anything ungentlemanly because no man had ever not treated her with the utmost respect. She was sad for the rest of the month.
Scarlett was sitting in the window seat in the parlor. She was morosely staring out the window. Her mother saw her sitting there and asked, "Why are you sad, child?"
"I am missing Charlie more right now than usual. Him not being here for our first anniversary is making me very sad."
"At least you have Wade. A little piece of Charlie is living on. It is a blessing to have a child by the man you love after he is gone."
Scarlett stared at her mother. Her mother had said the last statement so wistfully that Scarlett knew there was a secret there. Scarlett smiled sadly and said, "It is a great comfort."
"Would you like to go to Charleston to see your Aunt Eulalie?"
"Goodness no!" As Scarlett saw the surprised look on her mother's face, she added, "I just want to stay here at Tara with you and Pa."
Ellen kissed her daughter on the head and got up to leave the room. She said, "If you change your mind let me know."
Charleston was the last place Scarlett wanted to go. If she ran into that unreceived jackass, he might find out that he had a son.
After Wade turned six-months-old Scarlett went through another depression. Wade's eyes were turning darker. Scarlett knew they were turning brown like that unreceived jackass. Charlie had brown eyes so maybe she could still get away with it. Except Charlie's eyes were a soft brown whereas Jackass's eyes were a dark brown. She remembered staring into his eyes and feeling so safe. She had to keep hoping that everyone still kept thinking this was Charlie's son. She told herself nobody would question whose child this was for she had been such a good girl up to that point in her life.
Her life was over. She had committed the awful act of giving herself to that jackass without marriage. She had a bastard child. Even if nobody else ever knew she knew. She had to pretend to mourn the loss of a man she really hadn't even liked.
Her parents had bought her some new dresses because she could no longer wear most of her old clothing. She had gained an inch in her waist. Her new dresses while stylish were in black. She had to wear black when she went out in public for a least another year. At least she was no longer in full mourning. Yet she still despaired for she looked so bad in black.
She was trying to take care of her child but every time she looked at Wade, he reminded her of that man that took advantage of her. Fortunately, her parents were thrilled with their grandson. Mammy seemed to be very fond of him also.
She could finally receive gentleman callers again, but it did her little good for there were no gentlemen in the county to call on her.
Scarlett got a letter from Melanie. Melanie said, "I would so like to meet my nephew. May Aunt PittyPat and I come down for a visit? We would just come down for the day. Just to meet Wade."
Scarlett wondered if there was tension between India and Melanie. Melanie was the mistress of Twelve Oaks, and she should be assuming her duties. Scarlett wondered if Melanie was that weak, that she would yield the power of being the mistress of Twelve Oaks without a fight. She decided that Melanie had not wanted to live in the country. She had wanted to continue living her life in Atlanta. Scarlett also decided that being the mistress of Twelve Oaks was all India had and she wasn't going to let it go easily. Therefore, Melanie had probably decided to not fight that fight until Ashley was by her side. Smart!
Scarlett had written back, "Of course, you are always welcome to see your nephew. Let me know when you all are arriving so I can have the carriage waiting."
Scarlett didn't want them to see Wade. If anyone would be able to tell that Wade wasn't Charlie's son, it would be his sister and his aunt.
Scarlett had ridden into Jonesboro to meet the train that Melanie and Aunt PittyPat were on. She had greeted the ladies warmly. They had chatted amiably on the ride to Tara. When they arrived at Tara Scarlett said, "It is not as grand as Twelve Oaks, but we like it."
Melanie said, "It is grand. It is your home."
After they were settled in the parlor, Scarlett went and got Wade. Here was the moment of truth. Was her life over or was she going to be able to keep her secret. Scarlett handed Wade over to Melanie. Melanie was agog over Wade. After a few minutes, Melanie said, "I am disappointed he doesn't look more like Charlie."
"He has Charlie's eyes."
"Yes, he does."
"Don't you think he has Charlie's jaw line?"
"Yes, I do."
"I think so, too."
"It doesn't matter. I am just so happy that a little part of Charlie is living on."
"Me too."
Scarlett relaxed about anyone ever finding out the truth. Melanie believed this child was Charlie's child. Aunt PittyPat was so ditzy she was easy to fool. Pittypat in truth was such a simple person, she would never question who Wade's father was. If Scarlett could fool them, she could fool anyone. She would never go to Charleston therefore Jackass would never see the child. All of a sudden Scarlett had hope again. Hope that she would be able to live a normal, decent life.
Melanie said, "Scarlett, you must come spend some time with us in Atlanta."
PittyPat said, "We would so enjoy your company."
Ellen said, "Go to Atlanta and visit with Mrs. Wilkes and Miss Hamilton. The change of scenery will do you good. While in Atlanta you can do your part for the war effort by nursing at the hospital."
Now that Scarlett knew that she had fooled the women she was going to go to Atlanta. She had always enjoyed being in Atlanta. She also agreed with her mother a change of scenery would do her good. There was certainly more going on in Atlanta than here. There even might be single men at the hospital that could entertain her.
Within the week Scarlett, Prissy, Wade, and the wet nurse, Joyce, took the train to Atlanta. They arrived at the Hamilton House. Scarlett was given Charlie's old bedroom which she was alright with. She would redecorate it, of course.
Scarlett had so wanted to attend the Hospital Bazaar. The only places she had gone practically were church and the hospital and neither place was somewhere she wanted to go. She had gone to the modiste and ordered two more dresses so now she had seven dresses. That was all Pa would let her buy which was fine with Scarlett after all they all looked the same.
She had just wanted to get out of the house. She had been bored. She was used to having lots of suitors. She was used to men entertaining her. She was used to attending dances and barbecues. Although she was allowed out in public a year after Charlie's death. It was frowned upon for her to be attending an event where there was going to be dancing. When she heard one of the booths would be unmanned at the bazaar, she convinced Melly for them to run the booth. Scarlett said, "We are no longer in full mourning so it would be proper for us to man the booth. It would be our patriotic duty. It is what Charlie would have wanted. We can't help him, of course, but we can help his fellow soldiers."
After much pleading Melanie finally agreed. Scarlett would later reflect it had been a big mistake for her to go to the Hospital Bazaar.
At the Hospital Bazaar one of the men being honored was famed blockade runner Rhett Butler. Scarlett had truly hoped that jackass had forgotten about her.
As Dr. Meade introduced Rhett to the crowd, he saw the green-eyed temptress that had haunted his dreams for the last year. He had a lot of sexual encounters, but no other woman had left such a lasting impression on him. She was dressed all in black, but she was not wearing the widow's weeds. Was she the widow or did one of her loved ones die? Rhett definitely wanted to find out if she was a widow or not.
After the introductions and the applause Rhett strolled over to the booth that Miss O'Hara was working. At the look of pure hate on the young lady's face Rhett knew that she remembered him. With the nonchalance of conceit and arrogance he knew she always would. Rhett also knew he had his work cut out for him to ever get back in her good graces and therefore her bed.
As Rhett walked up to the booth he said, "Is it you Miss O'Hara?"
Scarlett smiled a mean smile and said, "I don't believe I know you."
"Don't you remember? We met in the library."
"Yes, I remember now. I guess you didn't leave a very lasting impression."
"Come on now, Miss O'Hara, I am infamous."
"It is Mrs. Hamilton now."
"Did you marry before the war?"
"Yes. This is my sister-in-law, Melanie Wilkes."
Melanie said, "Captain Butler, did I meet you at my husband's estate the day the war started?"
"Yes, at a barbecue."
"You said a lot of things that inflamed the men that day. It is wonderful you are doing your part for the cause."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wilkes, but I cannot accept the honor you are bestowing on me. The only cause I believe in is the Rhett Butler cause. Did I understand correctly? You married Mr. Wilkes."
"Yes, two weeks after the war was declared. Scarlett married my brother, Charlie, the day after we got married. He died two months later."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Hamilton. There is no greater honor than to give once life for one's country."
As they were speaking a young man came around asking for donations of jewelry or other items of value. Rhett nonchalantly tossed his gold cigar case in the basket. He was annoyed because he didn't want to give it up to this lost cause but right now, he would play the part of a loyal southerner.
Melanie said, "We are in mourning. We have no jewelry on."
Scarlett looked down at her hand and saw her wedding ring. Just the ring. There was no engagement ring. Charles had said that after the war he would buy her the biggest diamond in the world. That poor sweet boy. Scarlett said, "Here you can have my wedding ring. Charlie would want me to give it to the cause."
"Mrs. Hamilton, I know how great your sacrifice is."
"No, Captain Butler, I don't believe you do. You have no idea how much I loved my husband."
"Oh Scarlett. You are so brave. Take mine too."
"Mrs. Wilkes, that is too great a sacrifice."
Melly smiled a sad smile and said, "Maybe it will do my husband more good off my finger than on it."
Melanie reached over and grasp Scarlett's hand and Scarlett grasp hers back.
Once Dr. Meade took the podium and started talking there was no more conversation between the trio and the young man moved on. Dr. Meade was droning on and on and finally he announced, "Gentleman and ladies it is always an honor to lead the reel therefore we are going to auction off the coveted position. Shout out your bid and which young lady you wish to dance with."
No one said anything.
Dr. Meade continued, "Don't be shy. Just shout your bids out."
Rene Picard bid, "Five dollars for Miss Maybelle Merriwether."
Another gentleman shouted out, "Ten dollars for Miss Fanny Elsing."
Rhett strolled out into the middle of the dance floor and shouted out, "One hundred and fifty dollars in gold to dance with Mrs. Charles Hamilton
Dr. Meade said, "She is in mourning. How about another of our fine ladies?"
"No, Mrs. Hamilton."
"She will not accept."
Melanie had cried out, "Yes she will for the cause."
Suddenly everyone was looking at Scarlett and Melanie. The women looked at each other and Scarlett said, "It is what Charlie would have wanted. For the cause."
Dr Meade said, "Are there any other bids?"
After a silence Dr Meade added, "Mrs. Hamilton thank you for your sacrifice. You will lead the reel."
All the matrons were all aflutter. They could not decide if Scarlett was behaving inappropriately or making a great sacrifice for the cause. Mrs. Meade had come down on the side of Scarlett making a great sacrifice for the cause for she knew that the hospital already needed money for supplies and medicines. Mrs. Bonner had come down on the side of it being inappropriate. The matter was settled when Mrs. Merriwether and Mrs. Elsing agreed with Mrs. Meade. Mrs. Bonner decided that she would write Scarlett's mother that very night. She felt sure Mrs. O'Hara would not agree with the other matrons.