The news that Bonnie gave shocked Melanie and filled her head with numerous questions. How could this have happened? Was Scarlett really... dead? The only way she would be able to find out is if she went to the Butler's mansion and talked to Captain Butler. Oh Captain Butler would be distraught as well!
Melly, entered her house carrying Bonnie in her arms, as she went to find her husband. Ashley needed to know she was going to see Scarlett, and he needed to watch Bonnie until she sent for someone to come get the child. Melanie found her husband sitting in the library as usual reading a volume out of their collection of Shakespeare that consisted of numerous plays.
Ashley looked up when he heard the door creak open and saw his wife. It shocked him to see Bonnie Butler in his wife's arms, and it shocked him more to see the child in tears. He didn't hear Scarlett greet Melly nor did he hear anyone ring at the door.
"Melly, what's the matter with Bonnie? Is Scarlett here?" Ashley said as he slowly raised to go to them.
She shook her head 'no' and said, "Bonnie and Captain Butler arrived home today. Though Bonnie says that something happened to Scarlett." She couldn't bear to say Scarlett was dead until she knew more of the situation, and if it were true. "I must go to her, Ashley. Please, keep an eye on Bonnie until I come to get her or someone to get her."
Ashley lifted Bonnie out of his wife's arms, letting the child cling to him. It upset him that Rhett Butler had done something to Scarlett. Whatever it was was bad enough to have got their child so upset that she left without anyone with her. He would kill any man that harmed Scarlett, including he husband. Ever since the war had ended, Ashley felt it to be his responsibility to look after Scarlett and protect her under any circumstance.
"Oh, Ashley, please don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing bad. I shall be home for supper." Melly gave her husband a light kiss on the cheek and gave Bonnie an assuring rub on the back before leaving her house to the Butler mansion.
Sitting back down with Bonnie Butler in his lap still clinging to him and resting her head on his chest under his chin, he picked up the book he had placed down a few minutes prior being interrupted. He flipped through the pages trying to find a play that wouldn't upset the child further. Finally he landed on 'Much Ado About Nothing', hoping Bonnie would calm down some, and even take a nap that was much needed for her.
Arriving at the Butler's house, Melanie noticed that Dr. Meade's carriage was parked in front of the house. If Dr. Meade had to be called for Scarlett, Melanie knew whatever happened had to be serious. The only other time she could ever remember Scarlett needing the assistance of any doctor was when Bonnie was born.
Melanie did the un-ladylike thing and walked into the house making her way up the grand staircase without knocking at the front door and waiting to be let in. At the bottom of the stairs, there was a large area of deep crimson that vividly stood out among the surrounding crimson carpet.
"Maybe Bonnie was right, and Scarlett is dead," Melly thought as she steadily made her way passed servants carrying soapy water and scrub brushes to get the blood up from the carpet.
As she made her way to Scarlett's room, she saw Rhett sitting in what looked to be an uncomfortable chair across from Scarlett's bedroom door. His head was bent down resting in his hands. Every few seconds Melanie could hear a sniffle and assumed that Rhett was crying. Never in all her life did she expect to witness the strong, handsome, Rhett Butler crying. It was heart wrenching to stand there, watching this; Melanie blushed slightly as she realized how improper it was to see a man not your husband crying.
Wearily Melanie made her way to Captain Butler to ask him if he knew how Scarlett was. "Captain Butler?" His already blood shot eyes darted up at hearing Melly's voice. "How's Scarlett?"
For a while there was silence between them. Rhett didn't know how to answer that, for he didn't know how his wife was doing. "I…I don't know…Dr. Meade's in with her now." Rhett's voice was quiet, knowing that if he spoke in his normal tone he wouldn't be able to get through what he had just said without breaking.
"I'll go see if Dr. Meade needs any help. When I can I'll tell you what I know," Melly stated sincerely.
Scarlett's room was dark and stuffy. The heavy velvet curtains were drawn shut, closing in the dark and the hot air of July. There were kerosene lamps all about the room to give Dr. Meade enough light to see what he was doing.
Scarlett's small body laid atop the bed in a fresh white nightgown. There was a cool rag on her forehead to try and keep the fever down. Scarlett was pale, it almost looked as if she were really dead. If it weren't for the very shallow rising and falling of her chest, Melly would have thought that her friend was really and truly dead.
Dr. Mead leaned over her with beads of sweat forming and sliding down his face. His Camman's binaural stethoscope placed over Scarlett's right lung and his head resting on the opposite end of the stethoscope.
"How is she," Melanie asked when Dr. Meade lifted his head.
"Not good. It's a wonder she even survived the fall at all. I don't think she'll make it through the night," Dr. Meade answered truthfully. He had seen Scarlett suffering during the war and after, never had he imagined she would die so young when she was so full of life.
"What do you mean fall? Where?" Melanie asked wondering what had truly happened.
"From what I know she fell from the top of the stairs. The majority of her ribs are fractured along with her left arm. And her ankles are sprained. Scarlett also lost the baby a long with a lot of blood. The next few hours are crucial for her. She already has a high fever. And there could be some internal bleeding. I fear her back may be broken as well but I am not going to risk turning her over to examine her spine which will possibly cause more damage." The old doctor explained. He knew Melanie wouldn't leave her sister-in-law until she knew she was out of danger.
"I'll go help Mammy gather supplies. Excuse me." Melanie retreated out the door and was met by Rhett. When the door opened he had stop pacing the floor and looked at her pleadingly. "I'm sorry to say this Captain Butler, I'm afraid it's not looking good."
"Oh God! It's all my fault." Rhett cried out taking a seat again and raking his hands through his hair as he comprehended what Melanie was saying. If she died all he would have left would be a broken heart and Bonnie. Bonnie! He had forgotten all about her. Rhett just had to find her, if anything happened to his darling little girl who knows what he would do. "Bonnie?" Rhett chocked out thinking of where he should start his searching.
"Bonnie is fine Captain Butler. Bonnie went running by my house, she was awfully upset. She's at my house with Ashley and Beau. She thinks Scarlett's dead. In a few hour's I'll go home and explain what happened to her. I will also have Prissy send some of her belongings over for a few days." Melanie's soothing voice calmed Rhett.
'At least there's one less thing I have to worry about,' Rhett thought. "Thank you Miss Melly. I don't know what we would do without you," Rhett said. "What did Dr. Meade say about Scarlett's injuries?"
"There is no need for me to make you more worried than you are…" Melanie started. The last thing she wanted was for Rhett to get drunk and do something he would regret.
"Please Miss Melly. You're the only one that will tell me anything." Rhett's pleas were so heart wrenching. Tears were beckoning to reveal if Melanie didn't tell him. "I need to know." His voice was ragged as he tried to hold back the tears.
Melanie's heart went out to him. Ever since Rhett started calling on Scarlett during the war, she knew he was in love with Scarlett. The love he felt for her was unlike anything Melanie had witnessed. She knew that if anything happened to Scarlett, Rhett would be beside himself, as he is now. But if Scarlett died, only God would know what would happen to him in his grieve.
"Dr. Meade says she lost the baby," Melly paused after saying that knowing how devastated Rhett would be, considering his love for children. "Her ribs are fractured, along with one of her arms. Scarlett has a high fever. Dr. Meade says the next few hours are critical." Melanie didn't know if she should tell him of Scarlett's bruised face, and the other bruises she saw on her arms. "If you'll excuse me Captain Butler, but I need to go help Mammy. Please take care of yourself. She will be fine in a few weeks." Melanie's voice was calm as normal.
"I have to see her," Rhett said a loud more to himself than anyone else. His long legs made the few short strides to the door that led into his wife's room. Rhett placed his large tan hand on the ornate door knob, and froze when he felt Melly's small delicate hand on his forearm.