During the time that Scarlett was in Charleston, the minds and tongues of the Old Guard of Atlanta were not at rest. The first round of speculation was over the whereabouts of one Scarlett Butler. The wagging tongues had lost their energy over the long absence of her husband over the past few months but indignation over his absence from the funeral of one of the most beloved citizens, Melanie Wilkes, still had life. And then Scarlett had left abruptly. As the weeks passed, theories abounded until Pittypat Hamilton revealed a juicy tidbit about her niece by marriage being in Charleston to visit her missing husband. Conjecture over those circumstances was losing strength as well as the ladies waited for more news.
"I just don't understand why she followed him to Charleston," Mrs. Merriweather confided to long time confidant, Mrs. Elsing. "It isn't the first time he has disappeared abruptly and she has never followed him before. Whatever do you think it could be about?"
Mrs. Elsing nodded in agreement and then offered her own theory. "I always knew that something was amiss in that marriage. Their show of a perfect family when dear little Bonnie was alive was just that, a show. I will credit them with trying for the child's sake, but it would have fallen apart eventually, even if the child had survived. I've heard rumors that he went off, chasing after one of that Whatling woman's girls. Acting like a fool, if you ask me…"
"Oh, I don't know," said Mrs. Merriweather. "Can you blame him after the way Scarlett behaved?" The women nodded knowingly. They were sitting in the Elsing parlor and were soon joined by Mrs. Meade.
"I've just had a letter from my mother's cousin, Cora Billings, who lives in Charleston. I had written her some months ago and she was replying. I had mentioned some time back that Captain Butler had left Atlanta mysteriously. She informs me that he is in Charleston. He turned up there shortly after Melanie Wilkes' death and was staying at his mother's house."
"I thought he must have gone back to Charleston…" Mrs. Elsing said, self-importantly.
The others patiently endured her smugness and then Mrs. Merriweather looked to Mrs. Meade. "Is there anything else? What is he doing there?"
"Cousin Cora informs me that he continued his embarrassing behavior, drinking and gambling and visiting…those houses, frequently. His mother and sister were mortified by his behavior but dear old Mrs. Butler couldn't bear to send him away. He was at one of those places when it caught fire and he was badly burned. Cora said there is a story around town that he was hurt while saving one of the…girls. She says he was badly burned and nearly died. He hasn't left his mother's house since the…accident."
"Oh my," said Mrs. Merriweather. "How terrible. He's such a handsome man. What a shame…"
"Yes, what a shame," echoed Mrs. Elsing.
"There's more," added Mrs. Meade, somewhat superciliously. "Just who do you suppose showed up on Mrs. Butler's doorstep? And rumor has it that she took charge of his nursing…not to supervise but to actually perform even the most onerous tasks."
"Scarlett?" asked Mrs. Merriweather, surprised. "I find that beyond belief. That just doesn't sound like Scarlett."
"No, it doesn't," added Mrs. Meade. "Why, I remember what a time Dr. Meade had getting her to help at the hospital during the war. He would ask her to perform the simplest nursing duties with the wounded but would find her with the ones who needed no help, flirting usually." All three heads nodded in agreement.
"How serious are the wounds?" asked Mrs. Whiting, curiously.
"Well, Cora wrote that the right half of his body was severely burned, flames all over him…"
"Oh dear…"
"Is he expected to survive?" asked Mrs. Merriweather.
"Cora says he is doing much better. Cora's maid, Neddie, is friends with the sister of one of the Butler's maids, Emma. It seems that Emma helps with the care of Captain Butler and he is improving. He won't allow visitors, however, to his rooms. Only Emma, Scarlett, his mother and sister, and the doctor are allowed to see him. The wounds must be horrific."
"Poor soul…"
And so the news of Rhett Butler's unfortunate accident spread through the Old Guard of Atlanta. They waited for more news, curious about the health of the miscreant, Rhett Butler, and the actions of his wife. And even more, they wondered if the pair would ever return to Atlanta. While no one in the group liked or respected their behavior, the Old Guard always derived certain entertainment from their abominable behavior and was missing the distraction.
But Scarlett and Rhett were aware of none of the gossip in Atlanta; not that either really cared about the wagging tongues anyway. While Scarlett had in her earlier years worried about what others may say, she had long ago left those concerns behind, doing as she pleased. Rhett had never cared, except for those precious few years when Bonnie was alive and he'd wanted acceptance for her sake. But when she died, he no longer cared about anyone's opinion. Besides, alone in Charleston together, they were slowly building their own world, one without concerns of public opinion or polite society. Their afternoon on the beach had renewed their relationship, giving physical expression to the feelings both harbored. The freedom they had experienced on the beach seemed to give them freedom with one another, each finally unafraid to tell the other how much they were loved.
Rhett was amazed at the changes in Scarlett. As they woke each morning, her firmly wrapped in his arms, she would giggle. As he watched her on this morning, he smiled, waiting for her inevitable yawn, which would be followed by the giggle. It warmed him that she would still giggle that way, looking for all the world like the misbehaving girl/woman that he had first fallen for all those years ago. It made him feel years younger too. So much so that on this particular morning, he felt the need to demonstrate his new found vitality. Stifling her giggle with a kiss, he felt his need rising and the playful beginning to their morning soon turned into a heated one.
Rhett's insecurities about his appearance faded to almost nothing at night as they made love in the dark. But in the bright light of the early morning, he was very aware of his deformity. He gasped as her lips left his and began to trail kissed and nibbles across his face to the area behind his ear, a spot she knew all too well aroused him even more. He always tensed when she was attentive to the areas of his scarring but he was learning to trust her responses. She had never shied or turned away from him and seemed to accept the melted skin as normal. Besides, what she did to his ear…it made him forget worldly concerns quickly, just as he was forgetting now.
He entangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her to him, needing the warmth that only she provided him. She was kissing again, traveling down his neck and teasing his chest, nibbling on his nipples causing him to squirm. This time her giggle was quite naughty and he couldn't help but join the mirth as he rolled her over, suddenly turning the tables on her and attacking her breasts. He felt himself harden as his eyes took in her milky white mounds, topped with the twin dark circles that surrounded her peaks.
Scarlett watched as his dark eyes darkened even more with lust. She felt pride in his reaction to her and she also felt need. His predatory look excited her and created a warm, wet reaction in her. His lips were warm and wet on her nipples. Her hands went to his head, caressing the back of it as she held him to her. He knew just how to lick and suckle to produce a reaction deep within her until she began to squirm beneath him. As he continued to tease her with his tongue and lips, she arched towards him, needing him. She lifted her head, her tongue teasing his ear until he moaned. He stopped licking her and nuzzled closer, letting her have full access to that side of his face. She felt him weakening, his muscles going limp as he gave into her attentions. Lifting her knee, she rubbed against his manhood, feeling its hardness and reveling in the sensation it created in her. "Rhett," she whispered as he grunted in response to her.
He lifted himself, gazing at the length of her body, following her curves to the apex of her legs. Bringing his hand to the area, he gently opened her legs, his eyes widening as he inhaled her wonderfully musky scent. Drawn to her mound, his fingers began to explore, gently working through her hair in search of her treasure. He smirked as his fingers pried open her lips, entering her warm moist hidden valley. She moaned, spreading her legs even more, giving him better access. "Rhett, please," she whimpered as another warm flush rushed through her. He glanced up, studying her face. Her eyes were closed, her expression revealing her pleasure. Leaning down, he blew a gentle breath across her mound, sending another thrilling sensation through her. His fingers were sweet torture for her as they stroked deep within her valley, spreading her wetness, her arousal creating more. Easing himself down, he began to tease and kiss her inner thighs. The sensation was so intense, Scarlett was grasping the sheets as she squirmed, her moans making Rhett tingle with anticipation. "Rhett Butler if you don't…"
"Don't what?" he asked smugly. "What is it that I am not doing…to provide you pleasure?"
"Oh Rhett…its too much…I can't…ah, I need you to…"
"…to what, my dear? What is it you would have me do?"
His obvious amusement at her state infuriated her but her need was greater than her irritation. "You know what I want…"
His chuckle was salacious. "Indeed I do, my pet… but what if…"
"Rhett," she managed between clinched teeth.
"Mmmm," he replied, his own emotions suddenly becoming more intense. "But I'm enjoying this," he teased.
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled with desire as she looked at him. "Because you sound almost as frustrated as I feel," she shot.
"Careful, my pet. Such vehemence could cool my interest…" He was smirking again.
"Damn you Rhett, if you don't…don't….right this minute …I'll, why I'll…"
"Do what? And what exactly is it you would have me do?"
His teasing was maddening to her. "You know what I want," she purred. "And you want it too. And if you don't…right now…Well, it will be a very long day for you, my darling," she said ominously.
Her heart softened as she watched it grow on his face, the grin; the smug, sassy looking grin that always made her feel naughty, the one he had given her from the bottom of the steps that day at Twelve Oaks.
And then, swift as a cat, he was on her. Her hands went his back as he covered her, her fingers seeking his skin and then slowly working down to his buttocks. He dangled over her, and then rested his manhood in her crevice, slipping it through her moisture before his tip stopping at her opening. She began to arch towards him again and then he entered her, sliding his length deep within. He felt her fingernails dig into his cheeks as he sank deeper into her. Her obvious desire for him heartened him as he pushed even deeper, burying his face in her neck as he went. My god, she feels so good. This is…is…oh god, so hot…
His strokes were long and gentle at first with Scarlett lifting herself to meet him in perfect rhythm. "Oh Rhett," she moaned softly as her fingers cupped his cheeks again. He sank deep within and she tightened herself around him, almost sending him into frenzy. He was finding it more and more difficult to control his reactions to her as he continued to stroke her tunnel, her muscles massaging his length erotically. Then she began to stroke against him, her own body's impulses taking the lead as she ground against him. It was too much for him and he began to pump harder, meeting her thrusts, their pelvic bones crashing against each other as she impaled herself on him. Their motions became more and more frantic, both gasping for breath as baser instincts took control, propelling them towards climax. It happened almost simultaneously, her release triggering his. Even as he spent the last of his seed, he felt the need to stroke within her, relishing the lasting warmness of her body. Her muscles continued to milk his rod as they descended back to the bed, her actions causing a sensation that he couldn't define but it was somewhere between sheer ecstasy and a tickle. Finally, he could stand it no longer and writhed against her, almost giggling.
Once they had disengaged, she shuffled away to use the chamber pot and then returned to the bed, snuggling into him. He held her and began running his fingers over her, enjoying the feel of her warm, silky skin. She purred into him, loving the sensation of his touch. Her fingers began to draw circles on his chest, tightening in diameter until she was circling his nipple again. Rhett grunted, feeling pleasure at her artistry.
It wasn't long until she had aroused him again. As he thrust into her again, he marveled at this still new relationship with his wife. And as he spilled his seed into her the second time, he sore to himself that he would do whatever it took to preserve this new life.
He dozed off after they separated but awakened to her giggles. This started with a giggle…"What amuses you so?" he asked. "As if I don't already know…"
"Oh Rhett," she cooed. "I was just thinking….I think…we…"
"You think what, my pet?"
"Well, it was different…I think we, now don't go and get all morose on me…but I think we made…a baby." She watched carefully to see his reaction.
His eyes widened and he started to speak but then decided to hold his tongue. He'd made no secret that after losing his heart with Bonnie he wanted no more children. Maybe it could be different this time…He held his arm around her, lost in thought. "We'll see," he finally said after a few minutes.
GWTWGWTWGWTWGWTW
I hope you are still enjoying. I must say, the reviews and comments ya'll leave are heady. After each post and the resulting reviews, I become quite insufferable, lol. I tried to incorporate some smut, since several have politley requested it. So, now where to next? Hmmm, the wheels are turning...