Chapter 31:

Sorry about the HUGE mistake in copy/paste last night, but here is a READABLE chapter, ENJOY!

I want to end this, but it seems the story has other plans, old plots finish and new one pop up. So here is another chapter. Thanks for the reviews, and there will be more chapters (I'm hoping one a week) until the story is told.

The winter snow had settled on the ground in Charleston, as the social season of evening gowns, formal dinners and balls started shortly after the new year of 1880. The days of gloom, fog and then snow, had the children at the Butler house impatient and grouchy, as well as the adults with a huge lack of patience. Scarlett checked her reflection in the mirror smoothing her rouge and adjusting her emerald earrings. Rhett appeared in the mirror behind her and pinched her cheek, "Best investment I ever made."

Scarlett turned, "Me or the earrings?"

Rhett's teeth gleamed, "The earrings of course!"

"Fine," she spit back at him, and stood gathering her cape.

She felt the heat from the fireplace blocked by Rhett as he took her cape and held it out, whispering in her ear, "And that dress, was the second best investment."

Scarlett twirled showing off one of her newest gowns she picked for the twelfth night Mayor Dinner. It was silk in the deepest greens with an underskirt of peacock blue velvet trimmed in silver and ivory braiding pull a top a bustle of the same silk and velvet gathered with a silk ivory bow. Rhett traced the low bodice with his lips as the tiny lace ruffles tickled his chin, as he reached her bare shoulder, Scarlett gave out a sigh, "So, the earrings and the dress are a good investment, and not the woman in it?"

Rhett chuckled, and took her hand, "You my dear are more than an investment, you are an indentured slavery."

Now it was Scarlett who laughed, "So, when do you plan to work off my investment?"

Rhett placed the heavy fur cape over her bare shoulders, and whispered in her ear, "Never, I'm working for free."

Scarlett chuckled, with his reference to money, just then there were footsteps outside the door bounding up the stairs, and a pitiful cry from the baby. Rhett pulled the door open with Scarlett on his heels, "What is going on up here, Prissy?"

The door to the nursery across the hall slammed shut vibrating the walls on the second floor. Rhett opened the door, to see Prissy coddling the baby, her eyes huge, as Vella wrestled with Rosalie to free her of her pink velvet pinafore covered in mud, and wet hair covered her face slathered with dirt.

"Is Miss Rosalie hurt?"

"No, sir, she just don't listen. She went play on the patio with Ms Ella on the ice, and instead of staying with her sister, she went run out to the pond, and slipped in the mud, almost broke the ice."

Scarlett's hand went to her throat, "Did she fall in?"

"No, Ma'am, she slipped jist befo' she got to the pond."

"And John, why is he crying?"

"I 'spect hearing his sister burst in the room, and looking like a swamp monster."

Rosalie slapped at Vella, and Rhett raised his voice, "Don't you dare!"

Rosalie peered up at her father through matted curls. Scarlett took in the sight, "Where is her coat?"

"I took it off," pouted Rosalie.

Scarlett shook her head, "If everybody's safe, give her a bath and put her to bed. Rhett, let's go."

"But!" called Rosalie, "I wanted hot chocolate with Ella."

"No, there is none for you tonight. That will teach you next time to stay on the patio. But, give her some tea to warm her up." Rhett stated before he closed the door.

Downstairs, Ella was perched on the parlor chair sipping her chocolate, and raced over to Scarlett, "Rosalie-"

"I know Ella, she's getting a bath."

Rhett gestured for his mother who rose from the settee next to Ella's cup of chocolate and joined them, "I saw the child, she was a mess."

Rhett agreed and helped her on with her cape, "Yes, I know well."

"She has so much fervor, I could not believe it. All she said was 'I wanted to skate.'"

Scarlett mused, "Hmm, I guess she gets her hardhead from both of us."

Mrs. Butler eyed Scarlett, "Did you do such a thing as a child, Rhett was always very obedient until he was about twelve."

"I probably did worse, but Rosalie is going to bed without chocolate tonight."

The mood changed in the carriage as they headed to the Mayor's house. The Mayor had been an acquaintance of Mrs. Butler since childhood, and he was starting off the Social Season with a Twelfth Night Ball at his house.

Mrs. Butler inquired, "I suppose you have been to one of these in New Orleans?"

Scarlett smiled, "We went once as a guest of some friends our first year, but it wasn't something we wanted to continue. Especially, since we had decided to come to Charleston for the Season, now that Ella is coming of age."

"Yes, Ella. My goodness, it wont be long until we will be presenting her into society. You didn't want to do it in New Orleans?"

Rhett smiled, "We have new money, and we don't have an old enough name. Not to mention, the refined people in New Orleans speak only French or Spanish. So, Ella would most likely marry a Yankee, if we get her a English speaking husband."

"Oh, dear! New Orleans sounds worse than Atlanta."

Scarlett chuckled, "It probably is, that's why we live in the country. Rhett has business associates in the city that we visit occasionally, but most of our time is spent at Belle Rose."

Mrs. Butler rested back, "Yes, I agree, it is your little piece of paradise, and I'm sure you get most of your energy for society out in the Season here."

Scarlett closed her eyes, "You know, ten years ago, I would have gone crazy, but now, I have a peace that I get from my children and husband."

Rhett reached over and took her hand, "Yes, and her month orders to Harper's Bazaar."

The group laughed and Scarlett swatted him.

At the dinner, the tables were garnished with ribbons of silver and blue wrapped around bouquets of flowers wrapped around candles. The music quartet was playing old favorites from before and during the war, and the food was simple and elegant. Scarlett felt this was typical southern pride. The Mayor probably couldn't afford this, but he did his best to impress his guests. Mrs. Butler had not sit at the table for about 6 dances, until Rhett cut in and encouraged his mother to take a rest. Many friends and family members had come to town for the season and especially to visit the Mayor.

Charleston had tried to do a bal masque without the masks, and costumes, but they did include a tableau, which consisted of several groups of youngsters depicting greek gods and goddesses telling stories of trials and tribulations, as well as perseverance. The names were familiar to Scarlett who had heard them from stories told at her Fayetteville School as well as Ashley's house, but to her the stories were all the same, and she soon lost interest. Rhett noticed and smiled, "The greek gods bore you, my pet?"

Scarlett waved him away, "Shush, some of these people are trying to listen."

Rhett put his mouth close to her ear, "The tableau is not a risqué as in New Orleans, but I must say, they are giving it an effort."

Scarlett had to agree, the costumes were beautiful, and the young people, who were about Wade's age were giving an honest effort. Scarlett thought of Wade, and saw the faces of these girls, and said a quicl prayer, "Dear God, please let him find a pretty southern girl, and not some Yankee."

Rhett noticed her eyes closed and her mouth moving in prayer, "Sudden religious fervor?"

Scarlett said her Amen, and turned, "I just hope Wade does not stay in New York and marry some Yankee girl."

"Didn't Beau and Wade promise they would come down and take over for Uncle Henry when he retires?"

"Yes, but-"

"Scarlett, he will, and even if he brings some Yankee girl with him. You can't plan who your children fall in love with, he's an adult. But, I think Wade will be older when he marries."

"He told you that?"

"No, I know these young ambitious young men, they are bachelors for a while, as long as we don't have another war."

Scarlett narrowed her eyes at Rhett, "You mean like Charlie and me?"

"Wade seems to have more of your good sense and maybe some of Henry's. I don't think he is going to let his heart rule his mind, as long as he doesn't marry for spite. But, Scarlett, let us abandon this conversation until another time. I want to show off my beautiful wife."

Scarlett and Rhett joined the couples on the dance floor. The waltz was as beautiful as the first one they danced to in Atlanta, and for the rest of the evening, their children were very far off in their minds. Older men who were friends of the Butlers, asked to dance with Rhett Butler's wife, many had moved to other cities after the war, and had not been back to Charleston since Rhett had been received back into Society, so it was a reunion all the way around.

Scarlett sat with Mrs. Butler just as Rhett went to gather some punch for the ladies. Mrs. Butler smiled with Scarlett, "Darling, you are a pretty sight out there. You and Rhett make quite a handsome couple."

Scarlett felt her face blush, "Thank you."

As the two ladies sipped their punch, the Mayor came to the stage, and gave his evening speech to end the ball, and the mass of people exited the house wishing the Mayor a good evening.

Back in the carriage, the ice was thicker on the road. Scarlett said aloud, "I guess the mail won't come again tomorrow."

Rhett offered, "I can send a telegram to Henry to see if the deal went through. By now the new owner should be in his office, you did say you would sell after January 2nd, and it is already the 7th."

Scarlett thought about it, "Yes, that is true. Please would you send a telegram to Henry tomorrow morning."

Mrs. Butler asked, "His Sister Mary Joseph coming over for luncheon tomorrow?"

Scarlett nodded, "Yes, she is and Aunt Pauline and Eulalie will be coming as well."

Rhett chuckled, "Perhaps, Rosalie and I may make ourselves scarce."

Mrs. Butler admonished her son, "You will do no such thing. Those ladies are Scarlett's family and the entire family will receive them."

"But, Mother, you know Rose is a perfect hellion."

"Perhaps, missing her chocolate tonight will teach her a lesson."

Scarlett didn't say a word, she had complained about Rhett's parenting before, and it was a constant struggle to correct Bonnie without hurting her and Rhett's feelings. Mrs. Butler looked over at Scarlett, "Dear, what do you think?"

Scarlett took a breath, "Rosalie is so very different from Ella, I would say it would teach her a lesson, but I will have a talk with her before the guests arrive."

Rhett glowered quietly, he knew that Scarlett's talk would probably consists of a spanking threat, a harsh word and a cold steel look, but it had worked on the train, so he would monitor it, as long as she didn't actually spank her.

"Rhett, have you or Scarlett ever gave her an old fashion spanking? Or perhaps her Mammy?"

"No," Rhett spit out, "Scarlett has spanked her other children, but not mine."

Scarlett felt hot flush on her face, and her mind went blank. Mrs. Butler looked at her son, and stated, "Well, perhaps that is exactly what she should do!"

Rhett didn't answer, and Scarlett's face told it all, her jaw dropped and her eyes big as saucers, "Mrs. Butler, you know how involved Rhett is-"

"Nonsense, he just remembers the whippings his father gave him with a belt. I'm not saying a whipping, but a few taps with a switch, it is the way we all grew up. I'm sure that is how you did with your older children."

Scarlett felt dizzy for a second, and answered quietly, "I have never spanked Ella. She was such a quiet and scary child, she never had the gumption to get into much trouble."

Rhett spoke, "Scarlett hit her son once."

Scarlett glared at him, she had not wanted to remember that time at Tara. She was so hungry, scared and tired. Every day was the same hell warding off hunger, complaints and death while she waited for the Yankees to come back. Scarlett had craved Melanie's calmness and loving touch that had been so much like the mother she mourned, or had no time to mourn. She looked at Wade's pinched colorless face each day, as he looked at her with Charles' eyes begging to be loved, cuddled and fed. Wade had been a weight around her ankle, just as if she was serving a life prison, but now he was an anchor pulling her down. Walking in Melly's room and hearing the laughing and giggling first made her jealous, that anybody could find any joy in the situation they had found themselves, and all the fear and anger had exploded and her hand had swung and struck her child as he made played upon Melly's bed.

Mrs. Butler saw Scarlett's face drain and her eyes were in another time and place, as she touched her hand, "And I'm sure he deserved it, boys are such trouble, and you being on your own a new bride, mother and widow."

Scarlett batted back tears and shook her head, "I was so very tired, and frustrated."

Rhett turned his back, his mood had changed, and slipped out the carriage as they stopped in front of the house. As they walked up the stairs together, Mrs. Butler felt the shift in the air, and said, "I hope he won't be any trouble to you tonight. I believe I opened an old wound, forgive me."

Scarlett bit her lip and shook her head trying to hold back the tears that battled her eyes.

Her room was empty, and Prissy began helping her undress, and as she washed her face, she heard the door open and close, and the scent of cigar filled the room. Scarlett stepped out from behind the screen, and saw Rhett sprawled across the chaise lounge. She headed for the door, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to look in on-"

"They're asleep with Vella, all is well in there."

Scarlett preceded to get in the bed, when Rhett's shoes gave a loud clunk to the floor, that made her jump, "Whatever are you doing?"

"You are going to bed? It's early."

"We have the luncheon tomorrow, and I need to get up early."

"I want to set something straight with you before you go to sleep."

Scarlett looked warily at Rhett, his eyes were half closed concentrating on his cigar, and she sighed, "What?"

"What? You have to ask? Did you not hear my Mother?"

"Rhett, all old people give their two cents about raising children. Mammy gives me advice all the time."

"Mammy is kind, my Mother is so naïve and weak."

"So, your mad your Mother told me about your "whippings"? I should be mad you told her about Wade!"

Rhett was up and standing next to the bed, digging his hands in his pockets, his cigar sizzled in the carpet as he stomped it out, "My whippings were lasting scars for weeks, you want to see one I still have?"

"Rhett, everybody got the switch at my house, if it wasn't Mammy, it was Pa. We didn't have brothers, but the Tarleton twins would get whippings not that it helped. What did you want me to do, tell her to shut up?"

"No, I just don't want you to take any of her advice. I would never do anything my Father did to any child. I don't care if we have brats that spit and run wild in the swamps, I will not lay hands on my children to give them welts and scars."

Scarlett saw the pain in his face, but she was hurt, "And you think I would do something like that?"

"Just, don't listen to her, promise me."

"When have I ever listened to anybody? I probably need a switch taken to me."

Rhett did not chuckle, he ran his hand through his hair, turned on his heel, "Go to sleep, I'm going to stay up for awhile."

Scarlett's last vision was Rhett's back to her, arms folded across his chest, and the alert breathing of a man, who escaped sleep as demons chased him.