Belle Watling was grumbling to herself as she made her way back to the jail. She desperately wished that the task at hand had fallen on anyone else's shoulders but her own. It had taken her two and half weeks to come up with the three hundred dollars that Rhett wanted. She hadn't thought it would take her that long to come up with the money. Just as she was about to send her servant Ol' Joe to give the money to Mrs. Hamilton she heard patrons in her saloon laughing about her and Frank Kennedy. The patron was telling everyone about how the pair had eloped the day before even though he was engaged to Scarlett's sister. As everyone in the bar laughed at the latest town gossip; dread pooled in Belle's stomach. She didn't know what Rhett would do to her when he found out that it had taken her one day too long to get the money together. Rhett would probably figure that she had done it on purpose. She hadn't but she didn't know if Rhett would believe it or not.
Belle herself had mixed emotions about Atlanta's newest newlyweds. She was happy about the thought that maybe Rhett would seek comfort in her bed. But she knew that Scarlett being married would not stop Rhett from loving her.
At the jail the guards tried to stop her from going directly to see Rhett.
"Mrs. Watling, we have to ask him if he is willing to see you first."
"I's gonna go ter see him whether or not he wanna sees me." Belle pushed her way past the guard to where Rhett was being held. She saw him lying on his cot, foolishly grinning at two small objects that he held in his hands. Belle couldn't see what he was holding but she figured it had something to do with Scarlett. At the obvious look of joy on Rhett's face, Belle was tempted to run away. Let some other poor fool be the one to break the news to him. But he was her dearest friend and like it or not he should hear the horrible news from a friendly person. She cleared her throat so that he was aware of her presence. He quickly stowed the objects back into his pocket.
"Belle! It took you so long to come back. Please tell me you sent the money off to Scarlett."
"Well, Rhett, tha thang is…It tooks me a while to gets the money together…An' af'er I's did I's foun' out… She went off an' marry dat Frank Kennedy which owns dat sto'." Belle saw Rhett's joy evaporate so quickly she knew he was barely holding himself together.
"Leave." That was the only thing he said to Belle as he turned around and went back to his cot. Belle hurried out of the jail. She knew she should offer her friend some comforting words or advice but she was worried if she lingered too long she would tell Rhett she had taken one day too long.
Rhett turned his back so that anyone looking inside his cell couldn't see his face. He cried harder than he could remember crying in years. He hadn't even cried like this when his father made it clear to him that he was no longer a part of the Butler family. He had been wondering why Scarlett had never come back to see him after that first visit. He thought she would come to see him every day until he had the tax money for her. He wondered how long she had waited before she married Frank. It escaped Rhett's notice until now that Belle had not told him how long it had taken her to get the money. He knew Scarlett was going to do something like this when she failed to promise him she wouldn't do anything rash.
Scarlett hadn't thought anything could be worse than her first marriage, but being married to Frank proved her wrong. His endless nagging and fussing was worse than how Mammy treated her.
"At least Charles was handsome," she would think whenever she would look at her new husband. She could never understand why Suellen had been in such a hurry to marry Frank. Suellen was no great beauty, but even she could have done better than Frank. Another advantage that Charles had over Frank was the fact that he had left her two weeks into their marriage. Being married to Frank almost made her wish the war would start again just so she could be rid of him.
The worst part of being married to Frank was having to have marital relations with him. Now that Scarlett knew what it could be like between a man and a woman, she didn't want Frank anywhere near her. But his endless fussing about the fact that it was his right as her husband would wear her down and she bestowed her favors on him as less as possible. The only saving grace about the time spent in the marital bed with Frank was the fact that he would take his pleasure as quickly as possible and leave her alone afterwards.
Whenever Scarlett could find a moment to be completely alone she would find herself crying over Rhett. He had asked her not to do anything before he could get back to her about the tax money. But as the time was passing her by she began to panic. When she had less than a week left to pay the taxes she convinced Frank to elope with her. She had heard that he had been released from jail a couple of weeks ago. She was upset that he hadn't come to see her yet. She was a married woman now and she knew that the days of him calling on the house whenever he felt like it was over but she hoped they could retain something of a friendship. She wondered if he would still allow her to come to his hotel room. Rhett didn't seem like the type of person to let wedding vows come between him and what he wanted. She couldn't bear the thought of never making love to him again.
When she first asked Frank for the tax money after they were married she was scared that he was going to tell her no. He had his eye on a sawmill that he wanted to purchase. If he gave her the money he couldn't afford the sawmill. The thought that she had married this man and he wasn't going to pay the taxes almost made her sick to her stomach. But finally after a couple of days of tears and threats he backed down and gave her the money. Scarlett wondered why he couldn't afford both. The store seemed to do good business. When she asked him about it, he accidently let it slip that many of his customers didn't make faithful payments on their tabs. Scarlett didn't know much about business but she knew well enough to stop extending credit to people that were failing to pay their bill. Scarlett was dying to get to the store to go over Frank's books to find out who owed the money and how much.
When a cold made Frank too sick to go to the store Scarlett finally saw her chance. Before Frank could stop her from going, she escaped out of the house and went to the store. As Scarlett poured over Frank's books she wasn't surprised about the names that she saw in the ledger. Frank was giving credit to everybody in the old guard. She made note of the amounts and the names, if Frank wouldn't go after these people Scarlett didn't have any problems badgering them.
The door blew open and Rhett swept into the store. Scarlett quickly dismissed the clerk that was working in the store. As soon as they were alone, Scarlett tried to wrap Rhett into an embrace but he held her at arm's length.
"You are forgetting yourself, Mrs. Kennedy." He said laughingly but without any real humor.
Scarlett wanted to weep. She had missed him so much. She had longed to crawl into his arms. She knew that it was wrong she was married to another, but she was in love with the man that was standing in front of her.
Rhett took a seat next to the one Scarlett had occupied when he entered the store. He made a production out of pulling out a cigar and lighting it. He needed a few moments to compose himself. He wanted nothing more to gather her in his arms too, but he had more honor in himself than he would ever admit to anyone.
"Belle had the money for you." Scarlett gasped. She had sold herself into her marriage when she hadn't needed to.
"She won't tell me how long she had the money but I asked you to wait. I knew she would come through for me." Scarlett was frightened by the barely controlled rage in Rhett's voice.
"Rhett, I know but I was so scared I was going to lose everything. I couldn't stand the thought of my family being turned out on the street." Rhett tried to remain unmoved by the tears he could see forming in her eyes. He wondered if she realized or even cared that by doing what she did to save Tara she had lost him. Rhett realized that by saving Tara she had been able to save and keep Ashley under her care. He was regretting coming here to see her. He should have just left town when he was released.
"He gave you the money for the taxes? The wolves are no longer at the door?" Scarlett nodded her head; she was completely miserable. For the first time in quite some time Scarlett wished Rhett would leave.
"How did your dear sister feel about your nuptials?"
"She was very happy for us," Scarlett lied. Rhett let out a hearty laugh.
"That's very unselfish of her." The pair sat in silence for several minutes as if neither of them trusted themselves to speak.
Scarlett wondered if Rhett would give the money to her to buy the sawmill. If she waited for Frank to earn the money himself the mill would long be sold off to someone else.
"Rhett, would you loan me money for a sawmill?"
"What in the world are you going to do with a sawmill?"
"Well, make money of course. Frank learned about it some time ago but he couldn't afford the taxes and the mill."
"And how is dear Frank going to feel about you buying the sawmill and getting the money from me no less."
"If he were a better businessman I wouldn't have to go behind his back and buy it. And I'll let him know that it is a loan that will be paid back with interest."
"I'll give you the money and expect no payment. Call it back pay. You can tell Frank whatever you wish about the why I gave you the money. There is one string attached though, my dear. My money will not be used in any way to support Ashley Wilkes." Scarlett stared at Rhett and wondered if he realized he mentioned Ashley far more often than she did. Scarlett tried to think of a subtle way of letting Rhett know that Ashley was no longer in her heart without revealing her true feelings for him.
"Ashley is none of my concern."
"He's living at Tara on your charity."
"Oh, that's mostly Melanie's doing. She simply refuses to leave while there is so much work to do there. Yes, I suppose I let them live there longer than necessary because I fear that they would all starve if it was up to Ashley to support them."
Rhett had never heard Scarlett utter one word against the magnificent Ashley Wilkes in the entire time they had been acquainted. He wondered what had occurred between the two of them that had tarnished Scarlett's opinion of Ashley. "Maybe she's finally growing up," Rhett thought to himself.
When the clerk returned back to the store Scarlett dragged Rhett out to the mill fearing that he would change his mind about giving her the money.
After purchasing the mill and taking Scarlett back to her house, Rhett drove out to the Chattahoochee River. He stood on the banks of the river and watched the water rush past him. He knew there was nothing to keep him in Atlanta anymore. He knew that Frank was older than her and not in the best health, but he could still live for a decade or more. Rhett couldn't wait that long to be with her again. He didn't know where to go. He still wasn't welcome in Charleston and he couldn't live in Atlanta full time with her married to someone else. He figured he could make a home for himself in New York or Boston. Rhett was tired of traveling and he was surprised at finding himself wishing he had a reason to settle down. But the only person he ever wanted to settle down with settled for someone else.
Rhett pulled the engagement ring he had bought for Scarlett out of his pocket. He laughed at the ring jeeringly. He should have asked her that night at Rough and Ready. He let his own fears overcome him and now she sold herself into marriage. He didn't even know if their engagement would have stopped her from marrying Frank anyway. Frank's engagement hadn't stopped her or Frank. Rhett took one last look at the ring before hurling it as hard as he could into the rushing river. He would sell off the business interests he had in Atlanta and leave the town and her behind forever.
Several days after Rhett had purchased the mill for her, Scarlett was working in Frank's store. Frank was still sick, so she was taking the opportunity to try to get his store in better shape. As she was organizing merchandise in the window, she saw Rhett walking down the street. She told the store clerk that she wasn't feeling well and that she was going to go home. Discreetly as she could Scarlett followed Rhett through the streets of Atlanta. She felt like a complete fool and she didn't know what she would do if he turned around and saw her. Before he was about to enter his hotel Scarlett shouted his name; she couldn't follow him in there without being seen by other people following him to his room.
Rhett turned around at the sound of her voice. He let out a frustrated groan. He was due to leave Atlanta tomorrow and he had hoped to avoid her. He sidled up next to her ear, so that other passersby couldn't hear their conversation.
"Go home to your husband, Mrs. Kennedy."
"Rhett, please tell me your room number. I only want to speak to you for a few moments alone."
"You can say what you have to say out here on the street." Scarlett reached up and put her hand on Rhett's arm. She knew it was inappropriate to touch a man that wasn't her husband in public but she was desperate to be alone with him. He shrank away from her touch as if it hurt him.
"I'll stand outside here all day, Rhett. I don't care if I compromise my reputation to do so."
Rhett sighed. He knew she was just stubborn and foolish enough to do it.
"Room 301. I'll leave it unlocked just let yourself in." He turned on his heels and entered the hotel.
Moments after he entered his room, Scarlett came charging in after him.
"Say what you have to say and get out." Scarlett was taken aback by his tone. She foolishly thought that they could start up where they left off before she had fled from Atlanta. She could tell now that Rhett had no intentions on bedding a married woman.
She went over to where he was standing and tried to wrap him in an embrace. His body was stiff and he forcefully pushed her away.
"I wanted to tell you that I've missed you, terribly."
A soft chuckle was the only response she received from Rhett.
"Scarlett, what do you think is going to happen between us now that you are married?" Scarlett blushed; she wasn't able to talk about these things as easily as Rhett was.
"I was hoping it could go back to the way it was. I can manage to get away without anyone noticing for a few hours in the day."
"You belong to Frank now. I can't have you in my bed from time to time then watch you go off and be a wife to someone else. It wouldn't be the same anyway, I'm leaving town permanently."
"Oh, Rhett, no! You can't leave. Where are you going?"
"I can leave and I am. I'm not telling you where, my dear. You don't seem like the letter writing type, but I need to make a clean break from you."
A loud sob ripped from Scarlett's throat. Tears began flowing from her eyes without hesitation. Fiercely she wrapped her arms around Rhett again. She couldn't get him to lower his head far enough to kiss him on the lips, so she began to plant kisses on his neck. If he was determined to leave and never see her again, she was determined to have beautiful memories of their last time together.
Rhett tried to steel himself from her advances. He knew it was best for his heart if he stopped her and kicked her out of his hotel room. But his body was betraying him. Finally, he couldn't hold back anymore, he captured her lips savagely. He knew he was being rougher with her than he had in the past but it was going to be their last time and he was felt completely betrayed by her. He wanted to rip her clothing off of her so that she was forced to walk the streets of Atlanta in shame.
Scarlett wasn't used to the force and brutality that Rhett was kissing her with he was usually so tender and gentle with her. Part of her was frightened by his behavior but another part of her was being awakened by his animalistic behavior. She found herself trying to answer his forcefulness with her own.
Rhett was surprised that Scarlett wasn't shying away for his ardor. In fact, she seemed to be reveling in this new aspect of their love making. Rhett yelped in surprise when she bit his lip with more force than her typical soft nibbling that he was used to. The fervor that they found themselves in made him wish even more that they had been the pair that had gotten married. Never before in all of his years had he experienced that passion that was exploding between the two of them. They undressed each other as quickly as they could manage. Rhett began cursing the fact that ladies felt it necessary to wrap themselves in layer upon layer of clothing. When they were finally both naked Rhett was surprised when Scarlett pushed him back onto the bed. Her movements over his body were frantic as if she were afraid that he would disappear at any second. Rhett rolled them over so that he was on top of her. This was going to be the last time they would be spending in each other's arms he wanted them to take their time.
Slowly he took his index finger and traced every inch of Scarlett's body. He didn't want to forget a single part of her when he was gone. He watched her shiver in anticipation. Every so often he would have to command her to reopen her eyes. After committing the feel of her skin to his memory Rhett worked on memorizing her taste. Rhett made sure not to miss any part of her body. He kissed her fingers, her hair, stomach and legs. He took his time kissing the parts that he knew they both enjoyed the most. He loved the way her body writhed underneath him as he licked and sucked on her nipples. When he found himself between her legs he tortured her as slowly as he could with his tongue. Every time he brought her to the brink of her climax he would back off until she calmed down a little. He could tell by her moans and pants that she loved and hated the way he was treating her body. When his restraint met its breaking point he allowed himself to enter her body. All thoughts of taking his time with her body left his mind. He thrust into her with a force that seemed to shock both of them. After only a few strokes Rhett released himself inside her. He knew she hadn't had her release yet so he stroked her with his fingers until she let out her patented Scarlett scream. Rhett wondered how he could live the rest of his life without ever hearing that sound again.
Scarlett tried to grab his hand so he could hold her for a while before she had to leave. He immediately rolled out of the bed and turned his back to her. They said each other's names in unison.
"You first, Rhett."
"Scarlett, please gather your clothing and leave. I'll lace you but you need to go now." Rhett turned his back to Scarlett so she couldn't see the tears gathering in his eyes.
Scarlett had tears gathering in her own eyes. She had been about to tell Rhett that she was in love with him. She wanted to tell him that if he would give Frank the tax money back, she would run away with him as long as he promised to take her far away from Atlanta. But she knew now that he was done with her; he never wanted to see her again.
"What were you going to say, Scarlett?" He asked her after she had been silent for several minutes.
"I was just going to ask you to lace me up." He could tell by the tone of her voice that she was lying to him but he couldn't bring himself to ask her why. The two of them dressed in complete silence. After she was dressed she gave Rhett a small wave before she slipped away in the hotel's hallway.
Rhett watched her walk down the street from the window in his hotel room.
"Goodbye, my love," he said to the retreating figure.
Belle took one look at Rhett's face as he walked into her saloon and she could tell her good friend was hurting bad. She sent him directly to her private quarters. She had one of her girls take over working behind the bar so she could go join Rhett. Belle was shocked that Rhett was weeping when she entered the room. It was her intent to find out what Scarlett had done to him now but she figured all Rhett wanted now was a shoulder to cry on. He would unburden his heart when he was ready.
As soon as Belle walked into the room, Rhett wrapped his arms around her middle and put his head on her stomach. Belle gently stroked his hair while he cried. Rhett felt like he had been crying for several hours before he finally found his voice.
"I had sex with her again." He had already told Belle his plans to leave Atlanta and that he was trying to avoid Scarlett until he did.
Belle looked at him with round eyes. She didn't know why the news surprised her. She was already aware of the brief affair that the two had had but an extra marital affair was a whole 'nother animal. Belle felt angry at Scarlett. Belle couldn't understand how it could miss Scarlett's attention how sensitive Rhett could be. She blamed Scarlett for going to Rhett and seducing him. Belle thought that Scarlett should have been able to see that being with her when he couldn't be with her would tear him apart.
"Wells, ya done wif her now. Ya's leaving town termorra. Ya's neva gonna have ta see her again." The words brought a fresh sob from Rhett and made him cling tighter to Belle. Rhett held tight onto Belle for several hours before finally leaving to get some sleep. Before returning to his hotel Rhett found himself standing outside of Scarlett's house. All of the curtains had been drawn and all Rhett could see was soft lamp light flickering behind them. He stood there staring for several minutes before finally moving on.
Scarlett wiped the tears from her eyes as she turned away from the window. She wondered if that would be the last time she would ever catch a glimpse of Rhett Butler.