Chapter Twelve

When they got to the ball Melly was bombarded by gentlemen wanting a dance with her. Melly was kind and gracious. James had left them to pursue getting dances from the most beautiful girls in attendance.

Scarlett said, "He may look like me but it is obvious he has taken up your varmint ways."

Rhett said, "I am offended that you think this flirting from one girl to another is my varmint ways. If you remember, my dear, I only had eyes for one woman. It reminds me of his mother's southern belle ways."

They looked at each other and smiled. Rhett pulled her into his arms and they started dancing. She forgot everything else. Rhett did not. He saw a man in his thirties approach his daughter and he saw Melly light up. Rhett knew that was the man that Melly wanted to married. Rhett didn't know anything about him but he looked familiar. Rhett knew that he would soon know everything about the man. He returned his attention to his demanding wife.

After the dance was over Rhett and Scarlett walked over to where Melly was standing and introduced themselves to him. The younger man bowed and extended his hand and said, "Nicholas Lefebre." In that instant Rhett knew why he looked familiar. Rhett's past had caught up to him and this man was trying to make his daughter pay for his sins. Rhett turned to Scarlett and said, "Excuse me my dear but Mr. Lefebre and I need to talk." And with that Rhett jerked the man toward the balcony doors. Cold fear was running through Rhett. He would not let this man hurt his sweet Melanie. Melly was too sweet, trusting and naïve. This man could destroy her by playing with her heart.

As soon as they got out on the balcony Rhett asked him, "How much?'

Nicholas smiled and said, "I don't want your money. I am going to destroy your daughter like you destroyed my mother. You probably thought of her as just some woman whose favors you could buy and then discard her when you were finished with her."

Rhett replied, "How did you get in here?"

Nicholas said, "Aw Rhett you of all people should know that money opens a lot of doors. Besides I do possess some ties to society. My mother was the daughter of a rich planter from the Delta. After my mother killed herself trying to abort your baby, my grandfather took me in. He had a sugar plantation. My pedigree goes back several generations. You never knew that about Yvette because you never cared enough about her to ask about her history. She was casted out of her father's house because she was pregnant with me and her beau didn't want to marry her. He wasn't ready to get married. That sounds like your story. Didn't you ruin a woman also?"

Rhett was reeling from the news but he held it together and showed no emotion. He said, "I knew Yvette had a son. Where did you live while she was my mistress?"

Nicholas said, "I lived at the house you bought her. Every time you came to call the maid would take me away. Even so I knew all about you. Did you care about her at all or was she just a woman to slack your sexual needs with?

Rhett said, "Yes I cared about her. I didn't love her but I didn't want her to die. If she had told me she was pregnant I would have provided for the child. You cannot take your vengeance out on my child."

Nicholas said, "My first thought was to seduce your wife but she is obviously madly in love with you. Then Melly landed at my feet. I was introduced to her by a mutual friend and I knew immediately that she was smitten with me. I plan to ruin her and good luck trying to prevent it." And with a cheeky little smile Nicholas walked back into the ballroom.

Rhett felt so much anger at the young man and he also felt so frustrated with the fear that he might not be able to protect his daughter. He didn't know how to prevent the younger man from ruining Melly but he would find a way. He would talk to Scarlett about it. She was really good at unusual solutions. It never occurred to Rhett to not tell Scarlett. Since they had reunited, he never kept anything from her or her him.

They danced several more dances then escorted their daughter home. Melly was on cloud nine. She innocently asked, "What did you think of Mr. Lefebre, Daddy?"

Rhett smiled at Melanie and said kindly, "He couldn't take his eyes off of my daughter so I will be investigating him further to make sure he is good enough for her."

Melanie blushed and said, "Oh Daddy."

The rest of the ride home they talked about events at the ball.

When Rhett and Scarlett were in their room Scarlett had amorous desires but Rhett threw a bucket of cold water on those desires when he said, "Melly is in trouble." Rhett then proceeded to tell her the whole painful story. Yvette had been his mistress when he lived in New Orleans in 1860. They had only been together for a few months. He had not even known she was pregnant. He came to call and the maid had told him she was sick so he was planning on inquiring about her health and leaving. When he entered the bedroom, he could tell something was seriously wrong. When he pulled the sheets back to take her to the doctor they were soaked with blood. There wasn't anything that could be done. He held her hand until she died a very short time later. He had not known anything about her son. He found that out tonight that the son had been living in the house with her.

Scarlett asked, "Is she the woman you told me about?"

Rhett nodded and wrapped Scarlett up in his arms. She knew he needed comfort much more than she did so she held him the rest of the night. Eventually Rhett fell asleep but Scarlett laid awake wondering how they would protect their sweet, innocent, trusting Melly. Melly normally was a docile person but Scarlett was afraid this would be the one time she would dig in her heels. Scarlett was remembering her stubborn devotion to Ashley. Scarlett hardly slept that night.

The next morning while they were still lying in bed Scarlett asked, "You tried to buy him off, right?"

Rhett smiled and said, "Yes I did. He appears to not be hurting for money so he is more interested in revenge."

Scarlett said, "Does he blame you for his mother's death?

Rhett said with a sad smile, "Yes. If she had not been trying to get rid of the child that I didn't want she would not have gotten an abortion. If she hadn't gotten an abortion she would not have died. She never told me. I wouldn't have married her but I would have provided for her and the child even after she ceased to be my mistress. I never in any way indicated that I wanted to get married." Rhett reached out and took Scarlett's hand. They laid there for several minutes each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Scarlett said, "Should I talk to her?"

Rhett said, "Maybe but not yet. I don't want her to know that the man she thinks she is in love with only wants her so he can bring pain to her father."

Scarlett said, "I know I'm being a romantic but is there any way he will fall in love with her and not want to hurt her."

Rhett said, "I don't think so."

Scarlett stomach growled and she said, "Enough discussion. Let's go eat breakfast."

Rhett smiled and got out of bed. He was hungry also.

The next Monday Scarlett rode with Melly and Elizabeth to school. She always rode with them to school so this was not unusual. She chatted with her daughters hoping Melly would tell her something but Melly was even more closed mouth than usual. Of course, it would be hard for Melly to get a word in with Elizabeth's endless chatter. Scarlett knew Elizabeth had inherited that trait from her but she wished the child would be quiet. Since Scarlett had a lot more patience now, she just listened to Elizabeth prattle on and studied Melly. She was the same serene child she had always been. On the way back to their home Scarlett thought maybe Bonnie could get some information out of Melly. Not that they were that close but maybe. The truth was that the person who could get the most information from Melly was Rhett. He would sit there and patiently wait for her to tell him what was on her mind. It wouldn't be proper for him to discuss these issues with Melly. Scarlett shook her head and thought 'When has Rhett ever been proper?'

When Scarlett arrived back home, she said to Rhett, "Take her riding with you. You will get the whole story from her."

Rhett agreed and he would do it this afternoon.

That afternoon Rhett greeted the girls when they got home from school and Rhett told Melly that they were going for a ride. This was not unusual Rhett would often take only one of his children with him for a ride. But Melly knew her father was going to try to get all the information about Nicholas out of her.

They had ridden out to the meadow that they both liked. Rhett said, "Don't you think Nicholas is a little old for you?"

Melly said, "No. He isn't any older than you are to Mother."

Rhett said, "What about his family situation?

Melly said, "He is illegitimate but that's not really his fault. His grandfather claimed him after his mother died and made him his heir. Then the war and his grandfather lost everything but retained enough money to give Nicholas a good education. When he was eighteen his grandfather died and he was left with nothing. He has made himself a fortune. It sounds just like your story Daddy.

Rhett pulled Melly closed and hugged her and said, "Yes. It does. Let's invite him to Sunday dinner."

Melly pulled back and said, "Really, Daddy? Thank you."

They rode back to the house. Melly happy and Rhett frustrated. They groomed the horses and went inside the house. As they walked into the house Melly said, "I'm going to send him a note right now."

Rhett just smiled.

Rhett found Scarlett in the sitting room. He shut the doors and said, "It is worse than we thought. He is so much like me that I can't really object. Neither can you. The age difference is the same as you and me. He made his money in questionable ways just like me. He has a good education and a good pedigree if you ignore the fact that he is illegitimate which Melly has romanticized.

Scarlett said, "Then we approve of the match," She held up her hands when she could see Rhett about to explode. "If we say no then that will make him forbidden fruit. If we approve then Melly will be expecting a marriage proposal. She will expect it to follow the normal course of events. She will not be tempted to give herself to him because she will do what is proper. We will chaperon them like we have never chaperoned before. We can get Bonnie to help. She is bored so this will be fun for her. It will be an excuse for her to attend all the events while Beau is studying.

Rhett looked at her and said, "Okay. I don't like it but I see your point.

Scarlett said, "Isn't there one of those quotes that says, 'Hold your friends close but your enemies closer.'

Rhett replied, "Sun Tzu. Yes, this is a good plan. Have I told you today that I love you?"

Scarlett smiled and said, "Not yet."

Rhett smiled and said, "I do love you."

Scarlett said, "I do too."