Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW
Chapter Six
When they were one day away from Charleston the ship received a telegraph which was addressed to Scarlett but the purser wisely gave it to Rhett instead. Scarlett's father had passed away. Rhett didn't want to tell her. Until he told her the man was still alive to Scarlett. Rhett walked back to their cabin and when Scarlett saw him, she said, "What happened? Is Wade alright?"
Rhett thought so much for my poker face. He said, "Wade is alright. Please sit down." She didn't argue. She just sat down on the bed. Rhett sat down next to her and said, "Your Pa is dead." Before Rhett even said ...is dead Scarlett was crying. Rhett held her until she stopped crying. Then she sat up and said, "Am I cursed? Why does everyone I love die? You aren't going anywhere without me from now on."
When Rhett didn't answer Scarlett said, "Did you hear me? I'm going to be stuck to you like glue."
And Rhett replied with a smile, "Whatever makes you happy." Being stuck to her like glue made him happy but also, she had just admitted that she loved him even though he didn't think she knew she did.
When they docked in Charleston Rhett sent a note to his mother telling her about Mr. O'Hara. He and Scarlett would be back within three weeks. His mother sent her condolences.
The three of them got on the train to Jonesboro that same day. Rhett sent a telegram to Tara telling them of their arrival date. Scarlett thought how nice it was that Rhett took care of all the details and then got them a private car. The entire train trip Scarlett cried and held Rhett's hand. He was beginning to worry about her until they arrived at the Jonesboro station. Once they arrived at the Jonesboro station Scarlett got up and put on her public face. Rhett realized that was the face she had worn around him for most of their other marriage. He had always thought she hadn't cared but the truth was her mask was as good as his.
Ashley was there with the old carriage to meet them. Ashley was hovering around Scarlett and Rhett was getting mad when she asked Rhett to see her to the carriage. Rhett put her in the carriage with Wade. Rhett climbed up to sit beside Ashley as he drove the carriage to Tara.
Ashley informed Rhett the funeral was that afternoon. They couldn't wait any longer. They had just been waiting on Scarlett's arrival.
Scarlett and Rhett went to her childhood room and freshened up. Randomly Scarlett said, "It was in this very bed that Charles took my virginity. You'll have to replace those painful memories with pleasurable ones."
Rhett was confused but just said, "Let's go downstairs. "
Through the entire afternoon Rhett never left Scarlett's side. She did not cry at the funeral or anytime afterwards. Rhett thought she really hates to cry in public. She thinks it will make her look weak. Rhett was pressed upon to give the eulogy being the oldest male relative. He told of the only time he had actually met with the man and how much love his daughter had for him. Old Mrs. Fontaine took Scarlett's hand and led her away saying, "If you don't hear the dirt hitting the coffin, he's not really dead." Old Mrs. Fontaine left Scarlett on the porch. Rhett found her there and took her upstairs to her room. In their room Rhett made Scarlett get undressed. He laid her in the bed and covered her up. When Rhett got up to leave Scarlett said, "What's wrong with Ashley?"
Rhett tensed and wondered ... Even in pain she is thinking about him.
Scarlett went on, "He looks so washed out and dead. Why is he still here? Why has he not moved to Atlanta and gotten a job? Why is he still content to live off our kindness? Pa was trapped in the past but Ashley acts like he wants to live in the past. Why is he denying reality? I guess we can't kick him out. Melly and Beau would starve." And with that she went to sleep.
Rhett thought finally she sees Ashley as he really is. A relieved Rhett left the room and ran into Melly.
Melly asks, "Is she alright?"
Rhett says, "She is alright. She is taking her father's death very hard but she will recover. Is there any food? I would like to fix her a tray."
Melanie replied, "Yes, Captain Butler, come this way."
Rhett got the food and checked on Wade. Fortunately, Miss Melly wanted him to spend time with her. Rhett spoke with several people and found out how Mr. O'Hara died. Scarlett was not going to take how her father died well.
Later that night after everyone was asleep Scarlett had a nightmare. Rhett was able to get her back to sleep. He hoped she was not going to start having nightmares again. He held her close and hoped that would make her feel secure.
The next morning when Scarlett awoke, she looked at Rhett's face and knew he had more bad news. She looked at him and said, "Just tell me."
Rhett squared his shoulders and said, "Most people in the county blame Suellen for your Pa's death.
Scarlett didn't react. She just said, "What did she do?"
Rhett told her, "There is a union oath that men can take and get thousands of dollars from the government. A man just has to swear he didn't support the Confederacy. Since your father didn't have any sons in the Confederate army there is a good possibility that the Yankees would believe he was a unionist all along especially with him not being a native southerner. Suellen had convinced him to take the oath. While they were at the Yankee office, he had a moment of clarity and realized what Suellen was trying to do. He stole a horse and tried to make the horse jumped the fence. Your Pa ...
Scarlett put her hand on Rhett's arm and said, "Please stop. ... I just want to sleep and be numb but the bad news keeps forcing its way in. Thank you for everything you are doing. You are allowing me to grieve for my Pa. You are taking care of everything. With you here I don't have to be strong."
Scarlett laid there for a few minutes holding Rhett's hand.
She sat up and got out of the bed. Scarlett looked at Rhett and said, "Let's get this all straightened out and go back to our sanctuary in London. You must take care of your mother and sister in Charleston but then we can go home. Are we the only ones who can make decisions?"
Rhett stood up and held out his hand and said, "Let's get you dressed."
Scarlett smiled and complied.
Rhett stood back and watched his little general dispersing her troops. He loved to watch her in this mode. It was the same mode she used with the household staff in London.
Scarlett found Suellen in her room and told Suellen to send Frank a telegram. She told Suellen to tell him: "Come to Tara tomorrow with a priest. We need to get married tomorrow. She couldn't stay in the county anymore. She will explain later." Scarlett told Suellen to get Will to drive her into Jonesboro and for her to do it now.
Next, she talked to Careen in her room. Scarlett bluntly asked her "Do you still want to be a nun?"
Careen said, "Yes."
Scarlett said, "Baby, do you understand you are giving up ever having a husband and children. I know you loved Brent but there are other men who can make you a good husband. I know Will would love to be your husband.
Careen said, "If something were to happened to Rhett would you ever want to marry someone else?
"No," Scarlett said and gave Careen a sad little smile. "When we go back to Charleston, we will get you settled at the convent. You will have to sell me your third of Tara for your dowry to the church are you alright with that?"
Careen said, "Yes. Gladly"
That statement broke Scarlett's heart. She had done anything possible to save Tara and Careen was willing to throw it away to be a nun.
Scarlett would talk to Rhett about the money for Tara later but when she looked at Rhett he wondered about the funny look on her face.
Next Scarlett went to talk to Ashley in the barn. Unknown to Scarlett Rhett was following her. Rhett did not think Scarlett still had feelings of love for Ashley but he doubted he would ever feel comfortable leaving them alone together.
Scarlett told Ashley, "You need to leave."
Ashley replied, "I have a job offer to work in a bank in New York. We don't have the money to pay for the train tickets. I also need money for a suit for my first day. Do you think you can lend me the money?"
Scarlett said, "I don't have any money but I can ask Rhett to lend you the money."
Ashley looked sheepishly and said, "I really don't want to take money from him."
"Why not?" Scarlett demanded.
"Because he got his money in a less than honorable way. He is a brutal and coarse man. I know I have to be courteous to him because he saved Melly and Beau's lives but it makes me cringe. And when I think of him being married to you and sullying your goodness, I am sick with despair." Ashley bemoaned.
Scarlett couldn't believe what Ashley was saying. Rhett had saved Tara. Rhett had married her when he could have made her his mistress. Rhett who was always trying to make her happy. Rhett who loved her. Scarlett looked at this weak man and wondered what she had ever seen in him.
Scarlett yelled at Ashley, "You ungrateful man. Even though Rhett saved your family's lives you begrudge him common courtesy. Rhett got his money by running the blockade, a dangerous but honorable action. He brought in a lot of items the Confederacy needed. He has lots of money because he is smart and sees opportunities. He takes advantage of those opportunities. You don't want to take his tainted money but you have had no problem living off the things his money bought. Everything here at Tara is because of Rhett's money. He sends money every month to help with expenses. So, when Rhett offers you the money so you can move to New York you better be the most grateful man on the planet but don't ever ask us for money again. One more thing I like his coarse side and he can sully me anywhere he wants any time he wants." With that Scarlett walked away muttering to herself.
Rhett walked back to the house smiling thinking he be glad to give Mr. Wilkes the money. He would be happy for Mr. Wilkes to be living in New York. If the Wilkes were in New York maybe Scarlett and he could move back to the south. He would like to be close to his mother.
The next two weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Frank Kennedy arrived with a priest and Suellen was married and on her way to Atlanta. Scarlett was glad to see them go. Scarlett commented to Rhett that there wasn't enough brandy in the world for her to have relations with Frank. She didn't know why Rhett thought it was so funny he couldn't stop laughing.
Careen got all her clothes together in a carpet bag and telegrammed the convent of her arrival date.
They were in Scarlett's old bedroom and she was sitting on the bed fully dressed. Scarlett was hesitant to ask Rhett about giving Ashley some money or buying Careen's share of Tara. She remembered what he said at the Firehouse that day. 'Ask me straight forward and I will probably give it to you but if you try to use your southern belle ways the answer will be no.' It was so hard to just ask.
Rhett at first thought he would have fun with her when she asked him for money for Ashley but she was obviously so uncomfortable he couldn't bring himself to tease her. "Do you need help getting undressed?" He asked.
"No!" She exclaimed. "I want to be completely dressed for this discussion."
"Alright." Rhett said.
Scarlett thought I will do the easy one first. She said, "Careen needs money for her dowry to the church. She is willing to sell her share of Tara. Can you negotiate with the church and her dowry? And can you buy her share of Tara?"
Rhett said, "Yes and yes. Although I still don't want a farm my wife is awfully fond of the place."
In a rush Scarlett said, "If it was just for him, I would have said no but there is Melly and Beau to think about also. Ashley has been offered a job in New York and they need money for the train tickets and some new clothes and new shoes. I think twenty dollars would be more than enough. If you say no I will understand and I will accept your decision."
"Scarlett, thank you for asking me and not trying any tricks. Yes, we will give the Wilkes family some money so they can go to New York but not a penny for their return trip."
"Thank you Rhett. I agree no money for his return trip." Scarlett said and hugged him.
Rhett hugged her and smiled. And thought 'Goodbye Mr. Wilkes.'
The next morning Scarlett gave Melly the money for their trip to New York. Melly cried. Scarlett said, "You are the sister of my heart. I will always be here for you."
Rhett told Scarlett they needed to talk to Will. When they saw Will they asked him into the little office. They asked him to be the overseer of Tara. They said he could live in the house. He said, "I would just as soon build my own little house. Something that is mine."
Scarlett said, "No. Will you deserve to live in this house."
Will said, "Miss Scarlett, I don't want to live in this house. This is the O'Hara house. I want my own home."
Scarlett said, "But Will ..."
Rhett said, "Let him be. We will talk about it later. Will, we will form a partnership. You will supply the labor and management and we will supply the money. We will split the profits.
Scarlett said, "Rhett..."
Will said, "I agree Mr. Butler."
Rhett said, "Call me Rhett."
They shook hands and Will left.
Scarlett angrily said, "Who said you could make decisions in regard to Tara?"
Rhett coldly said, "I did since it is going to be my money that keeps this White Elephant afloat."
Scarlett screamed, "White Elephant? And half? You are impossible. How did you get so rich making poor business decisions like this?"
"Scarlett, if you can calm down. I will explain it to you." Rhett said even colder.
"Not now you won't because I don't feel like being calm when my husband is giving away my home." Scarlett declared. And she walked out of the office and started walking around Tara. After about two hours Scarlett came back to the house. She saw Rhett and said, "I'm ready to listen but this better be good."
Rhett had promised himself this time he would talk to her not at her. He admitted that before he deliberately spoke over her head just to make her feel stupid. He did this to hurt her the way she hurt him the difference was she didn't intend to hurt him.
They went to her room and he explained to Scarlett that a man needs to have his own home and to have a stake in the profits. A man works better and harder when the farm is his own. And they needed him to feel like Tara was his in part especially with them being in England. Rhett said, "Scarlett, he loves Tara almost as much as you do. It couldn't be in better hands."
She accepted what Rhett said as the truth, told him alright, then got up to get ready for supper. Rhett knew she had accepted the truth of what he was saying she just didn't like giving away any part of Tara even if it was just figuratively.
At supper Ashley announced that he was going to Atlanta to work for Frank Kennedy. He told them that Frank had bought a sawmill and Ashley was going to run it for him. Everyone was happy for the Wilkes. Rhett hoped Ashley was a better business man this time around. Scarlett and Rhett had their fake smiles on. Scarlett put her hand in Rhett's hand. Rhett enclosed hers in his hand. They looked at each other and knew the other's thoughts. Scarlett excused herself and went to her room. Rhett went to sit on the porch with Will to smoke and drink whisky. There wasn't much conversation. When Rhett got up to go to bed Will said, "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I hope Miss Scarlett is happy about it too."
Rhett said, "Take care of her precious Tara and she will be." At that they both laughed which was a little forced. They both knew Scarlett would hand them their behinds if anything went wrong.
When Rhett entered the room was dark except for a small lamp burning. Rhett didn't say anything he wanted her to speak first. When he sat on the bed she said, "I can't think of anything bad enough to call him. He took your money and now he doesn't need it but you won't get it back. What a gentleman he is? What a liar? I'm sorry I ask you to give him the money."
"I'm really sorry he isn't going to New York. It could have been his job not charity from Frank." Rhett said.
"Do you think Melanie ask Suellen to ask Frank for a job for Ashley?" Scarlett said amazed.
"Miss Melly wouldn't tell her husband "no" but she would manipulate the situation. She would do it with the best of intentions but that's how she would do it." Rhett said. "Fortunately, my wife would just tell me she wasn't moving to New York."
Rhett kissed her and laid down next to her.
Scarlett giggled and said "Are you mad about the money?"
Rhett said, "No but I don't like Mr. Wilkes getting any of my money. He was once a beau of my wife."
Scarlett rolled Rhett over and laid on his chest. She said, "The key word there is "once." My heart belongs to someone else." She started kissing him.
"Do I know him?" Rhett said trying to sound casual.
"I'll never tell." Scarlett teased but she did. And so, did he. She smiled and said, "Only a man crazy about me would put up with me."
Rhett fell asleep happier than he had ever been.
Within two days everyone had left Tara. The Wilkes left the next day with Scarlett and Melanie promising to write. It certainly was quieter with them gone. They had taken Prissy, Pork and Dulcey with them to Atlanta. The servants were looking for paying jobs. Scarlett and Rhett both asked Mammy to come with them to England. Mammy would have none of it. She wasn't getting on a ship that would sink in the middle of the ocean. No sir! Not her! Besides Mr. Will needed someone to take care of him. They accepted her answer with sadness.
Scarlett's green hat and Wade's sword were in the trunk this time. Rhett had gotten a quart jar and filled it with Tara dirt and Tara cotton. When he gave it to her he said, "This way you will always have part of Tara with you." Scarlett smiled and kissed him and said, "You are so kind to me."