Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter 6 – Bleeding Love
The journey to Charleston was uneventful, punctuated only by Ella's sniffles and Scarlett's sighs. The trip felt like it took twice as long as usual for no one was in the mood for conversation which only served to agitate Scarlett further. As they piled into the carriage that Eleanor Butler had sent for them, Scarlett found herself wishing that she could've left this form of punishment rest solely in Rhett's hands but she knew that wouldn't have been right and that as Ella's mother, she had the responsibility of seeing this through. As they traveled through the familiar streets of Charleston, she felt herself struggling with her feelings of anger towards Ella and the feeling of compassion that welled deep inside her. She knew what it was like to fall in love for the first time; she knew how it hurt when you realized that your romantic daydreams weren't going to come true. Those musings lead her to take Ella's hand in her own and squeeze it gently hoping to offer some measure of comfort. Surprisingly Ella returned the gesture earning Scarlett a somewhat scathing look from her husband. She sent him a sharp look of her own which he ignored in favor of staring out the window.
It was growing late in the day when they finally arrived at the home of Rhett's mother. After their hurried greetings they were ushered into the dining room for dinner where Rhett told the entire tale of Ella's folly causing her cheeks to flame with embarrassment.
"It's alright, dear; we all do foolish things when we're in love," Eleanor told her gently hoping to ease the sting of Rhett's words.
Ella nodded but remained silent while Scarlett gave Eleanor a grateful look. Eleanor studied her daughter-in-law as she sat picking at the food on her plate. She could tell that Scarlett wasn't overly comfortable with the idea of Ella being away from home and personally she felt her son was being overly harsh and she intended to tell him so as soon as Ella was upstairs for the evening. For now however she would engage in the awkward small talk that Scarlett was so desperately trying to carry on. She didn't know if Scarlett was rambling on in effort to ease the tension in the air or to keep the war that was raging between Ella and Rhett from erupting at her table.
When the dishes were cleared away, Ella asked to be excused from the table. Before Rhett or Scarlett could speak Eleanor jumped in and granted permission.
"Of course dear, I'll have Franny take you to your room; I'm sure you're tired from your trip."
Ella smiled gratefully, "Yes I do feel tired."
"Give her a room without a window," Rhett stated casually.
"Rhett, please don't do this now we're all tired," Scarlett pleaded.
"Don't pay him any attention, Scarlett," his Mother replied as she rang for the maid. "Besides, he knows I don't have any rooms without windows."
"I believe I'll sit in the library for awhile," Rhett remarked as he stood from the table. "Will you join me Scarlett?"
"No," she answered knowing that if she did, they'd most likely argue and she didn't feel up to it especially when they were guests in his mother's home. "I'll think I'll go on up to bed."
The look he gave her told her that he knew what she was doing but he didn't speak of it as he came towards her and kissed her cheek.
"I'll be up later," he told her before leaving the room.
Eleanor patted her arm, "Don't worry everything will work out."
"I hope so," she answered as she followed Ella from the dining room. "I surely hope so."
Rhett settled into the comfort of the library hoping to enjoy an hour or two of peace before going to bed. He had found that day's newspaper and had poured himself a glass of brandy. He took a soothing sip before sitting the crystal glass on the stand and settled down into the comfortable arm chair next to it. He opened the paper and felt a sense of contentment wash over him for a moment, ending when he realized that his mother had entered the room. He sighed and lowered the paper, folding it neatly on his lap.
"Does this mean you've decided to tell me your opinion on these matters? I know you were dying to during dinner," he said as he looked over at the chair she now occupied.
Eleanor smiled, "I suppose you could say that."
He took another sip of brandy before speaking again, "Well go on, tell me what's on your mind, Mother."
She laughed softly. "I know it isn't any of my business how you raise your family, Rhett," she began.
"I never said that," he interrupted.
"No, but you're thinking it," she answered.
He smirked, "What makes you say that?"
"The look you've had on your face all evening, daring me to say something," she retorted.
He laughed, "Apparently my facial expressions hold no merit with you, Mother; you've already decided to tell me what you think."
Her brown eyes sparkled warmly, "I'm afraid I've grown immune to your expressions, Rhett; it's one of the hazards of being your, Mother."
He grinned, "Alright, Mother; have your say before this newspaper becomes outdated."
"Don't you think you're being a little hard on Ella?"
"No, I don't," he stated firmly his voice losing its air of humor.
"Rhett, have you forgotten what it's like to be that age?"
He shot her a pointed look, "No I haven't forgotten and that's why we're here."
"Do you really think it's necessary to lock her away at that school where she knows no one?" Eleanor asked.
"She'll have Scarlett's sister there, you know Carreen is a nun and she teaches at the school. I do feel this is necessary; you don't know all of the mischief Ella has been into this past year, Mother; and it's time to stop coddling her and make her learn a lesson."
"If you insist on having her attend school here in Charleston, then at least let her stay here with me. I think that would be a much easier solution. She can go to school and I can take care of her which would probably make Scarlett feel better about this whole ordeal," Eleanor told him.
"Mother, are you serious? She's here as punishment not to be pampered. If I were to let her live here with you, I may as well take her back to Atlanta and allow Scarlett to continue babying her. She's supposed to learn something from this, not get rewarded with a pleasant change of scenery."
"How is it going to look when people find out that my granddaughter is boarding at school instead of living here with me?" she shot back.
"Mother, you should know by now that I don't care what people say and besides, I doubt they'll give it much thought with Ella only being your step-granddaughter."
"The only steps in this house are those that lead to the upper floors. Ella and Wade are as much my grandchildren as Bonnie, Joy and James," she stated sternly.
"I know that, Mother; I was only making a point. Ella needs discipline and I don't think she'd get that living here full time and in saying that I mean no offense to you."
She was quiet for a moment, "Fine; she'll stay at school through the week and come here for the weekends."
"Mother!" Rhett exclaimed in exasperation.
"I'm not taking no for an answer on this, Rhett. I won't allow you to shut her away like a common criminal. She'll feel unloved and unwanted and that will only make things worse in the end. She's going to need some measure of affection in her life and as her grandmother, I'm going to be the one to give it to her," Eleanor demanded.
Rhett clenched his hands trying to contain his aggravation. He knew when he was beat and that even if he went through the charade of fighting it his Mother would still win in the end.
"Fine; I'll arrange things so that Ella may spend the weekends with you."
She smiled and stood from her chair leaning over to kiss his cheek, "I knew you'd see things my way."
He gave her a tight lipped smile, "May I read my paper now?"
"Of course dear, I'll be going to bed now," she answered as she turned and left the room.
Rhett shut his eyes for a moment trying to drain the tension from his body. Why did the women in his life have to cause him so much trouble?
The next morning, the three of them set out for school run by the Sisters of Mercy Convent. The school rarely allowed enrollment after classes had begun for the term but a sizable donation from Rhett had them welcoming Ella with open arms. The headmistress, also the Mother Superior, sent for Carreen upon Scarlett's request and she and Ella set off on a tour with her while Rhett concluded his business in the office.
Carreen could hardly contain the feeling of happiness of seeing her sister and niece. She had been feeling so lonely for so long that she craved the kind of contact with her family that letters couldn't breech. She led Scarlett and Ella through the hallways pointing out the various rooms Ella needed to know. Finally they climbed a set of stairs leading to the rooms where most of the students boarded. They followed Carreen down the long hallway until she stopped at the end in front of a door.
"This will be your room, Ella," she said warmly; giving every effort to making her niece feel comfortable as she turned the knob and opened the door.
Ella stepped inside the room and saw that her trunk and bags had already been delivered. The room was small, reminding her more of her mother's walk-in closet at home than a bedroom. It was sparse and drab looking in comparison to the ivory and lavender colored room she was used to. A simple bed made up with crisp white blankets sat at one end of the room with a small night table next to it. A small wooden desk and chair sat against the wall beneath a high window that was adorned with a modest curtain. Against the wall opposite the bed rested a wardrobe and a small bookcase. A blue and white rag rug covered the center of the hardwood floor. Ella took in the image and finding it distasteful she turned to Scarlett.
"I want to go home," she stated quietly.
"It won't be so bad once you get used to it, Ella," Scarlett answered as she stepped into the room. "To be honest I didn't expect it to be this nice."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Ella asked.
"You know very well why," Scarlett replied her jaw set firmly.
"You would've never done this to me if Uncle Rhett hadn't made you!"
"That's enough, Ella," she responded harshness settling into her tone. "Rhett doesn't make me do anything I don't want to do and you ought to know that. We love you and we feel this is what's best for you right now."
"No! You only want what's best for you! You shouldn't be allowed to send me away for falling in love! I've heard all about you, Mother; about all your beaus and three husbands and Uncle Ashley, no one sent you away! You weren't punished," Ella raged.
Scarlett's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare you stand there and tell me I wasn't punished! Do you think there was some kind of joy in raising Wade alone during the war? Do you think I enjoyed knowing that your father died because he was defending me? Do you think that doesn't haunt me? Do you think it's easy to live with that guilt when you're looking down into the eyes of another one of your children that's been robbed of its father? Don't you think I felt punished when I had a miscarriage and then again when I had to bury your sister? Have you forgotten the pain and anguish we all went through when Rhett left or the fact that you wanted him to come home as much as I did? I may not have been sent away, Ella; but I promise you I've paid a high price for my mistakes. I've been punished and you're going to stay here and be punished for your misdeeds so you don't have to suffer the way I have!"
Ella dropped her gaze and turned away from her wishing she hadn't said anything. If she had any chance of getting out there it was through her mother and angering her wouldn't help.
Carreen who had remained in the doorway entered the room and touched Scarlett's arm gently to gain her attention. "I'm sure she'll be fine once she settles in and meets the other girls" she assured.
Scarlett nodded bringing a hand up to grasp her sister's for a moment as she watched Ella throw herself down on the bed.
"I do believe she has a touch of Suellen in her," she remarked a slight smile on her lips as she calmed herself down.
Carreen smiled, "I'd say she's a little of both of you."
"God help us all if she is the combination of Suellen and I."
A laugh bubbled inside of Carreen but the strict teachings of the convent slammed forward in her mind and she pushed the feeling down along with the reminders of her own regrets that she couldn't afford to think of now.
"I shall say extra prayers for all of us then," she answered. "But I admit I was under the impression from your letters and Sue's that the two of you had mended your fences."
Scarlett pulled off her gloves and laid them along with her hat, aside as she moved to begin Ella's unpacking.
"I suppose we have in many ways," she replied. "We get along much better than we used to but I believe it's partly because we are both finally content with our lives and probably because we've finally grown up and realized how childish we had been acting but that's not to say that we don't still have our disagreements."
"I'm glad the two of you are more comfortable with each other now," Carreen responded. "I do wish I could see Suellen, it's been so long. I'm always thankful when you come to see me when you're in Charleston, Scarlett," she confessed as she helped her sister lift the plain gowns from the trunk that Ella would have to wear at school.
"You don't have to thank me, Carreen; It was never my intention to just abandon you here and forget about you. As for Suellen, perhaps I can get her to come along with me on one of my visits so you can see her," Scarlett stated before turning to her daughter. "Don't just sit there, Ella; start getting your things unpacked."
Ella said nothing but she obediently slid off the bed and made her way to the box containing her books and began to organize them and place them on the bookcase.
"I know you do not want to be here, Ella; but I am glad for the chance to get to know you better," Carreen told her.
Ella favored her with a soft smile, "Thank you," she murmured. "Am I allowed to call you, Aunt Carreen?"
"Not in school or church, there you must address me as Sister Mary Frances; but during times when we visit with each other privately you may call me Aunt Carreen. I confess that I sometimes miss the sound of my real name," she added in a whisper.
Ella nodded and returned to her tasks. Carreen turned her attention back to Scarlett; wanting to soak up every moment she had with her sister. It was always nice to have her near even if it was for a short while.
"How is Wade?" she asked.
"He's doing well; he has another year to go before he finishes his studies. He didn't come home for the summer; he did some traveling with Beau and he spends some time working in a law office. He's finally found his way back to Atlanta for a week, he told me I'm lucky classes are starting a little later this term or he wouldn't be able to fit me in his schedule," she replied with a slight roll of her eyes as she mentioned his comment.
"It's hard to be believe he's all grown up already," Carreen remarked.
"I can't believe he's in Boston living among Yankees," Scarlett replied as she folded garments and placed them in the drawer of the wardrobe.
"Yankees are people too, Scarlett," Carreen reminded her.
"I know but I don't want my son turning into one."
"What she really means is she doesn't want him marrying one," Ella threw in.
"I never said that," Scarlett said in defense.
Before Ella could respond Carreen changed the subject to prevent another argument.
"What about Joy and James?"
"They're both fine. Joy is glad to be in school and James is always into mischief."
"If I recall correctly," Carreen stated; "You never enjoyed school."
Scarlett laughed lightly, "No I never was one for book learning; I suppose Ella and Joy get that from you Carreen."
Carreen smiled somewhat sadly at the comment but turned her back quickly so that Scarlett didn't catch the full depth of the expression. They made small talk as they finished unpacking Ella's belongings and putting them away. They both stood in the middle of the room giving it a final look to make sure everything was in its place as Ella began to pace nervously.
"Will she have to begin classes today? I'm sure she'd have time to join the afternoon classes," Scarlett asked as she glanced at the small clock on Ella's stand.
Carreen shook her head. "No, the Mother Superior will give her today to settle in and to become familiar with her surroundings. She'll begin classes tomorrow morning."
Scarlett nodded, "Well then I guess that's all. I'm sure Rhett has finished up in the office by now."
"Ella and I will walk you out," her sister told her.
The three women walked through the school silently, coming to the doors that led outside. Scarlett could see Rhett through the glass standing by the carriage waiting patiently as they joined him outside. Scarlett turned to her sister and embraced her.
"Take good care of her for me," she whispered.
"I will," Carreen promised. "I'll keep in contact with you so you'll know how she's doing."
"I hope so, I have a feeling my daughter is going to be a poor correspondent for awhile."
"Don't worry, Scarlett; she'll be fine."
Scarlett smiled slightly and turned toward Ella. She wrapped her daughter in her embrace and held her tightly for a moment before kissing her cheek.
"Goodbye, Ella."
"Don't do this, Mother," she pleaded. "Don't leave me here."
Scarlett took her hand and squeezed it. "Everything will be fine you'll see and we can write to each other besides I'll be back in a few weeks to celebrate your birthday with you. I may even pull Joy out of school for the day so I can bring her and James with me."
"Don't bother," Ella exclaimed her throat tightening as the reality of the situation set in. She had convinced herself that this whole trip was a charade and that she'd be going back to Atlanta but now she was waking up realizing they were leaving her after all.
Scarlett took in her pained expression, "You don't mean that, Ella."
"Yes I do, if you're going to abandon me than do it completely; don't bother coming around for my birthday acting like you care."
"I am not abandoning you, Ella. Once you get settled and focused on your studies the time will pass quickly. Atlanta isn't that far away if you need me all you have to do is send a wire and I'll be on the next train."
Ella's face flushed with anger and her eyes brimmed with tears that she didn't want to shed.
"I won't need you! Maybe I'll just stay here and never come back to Atlanta, it isn't like anybody would care."
"You know that isn't true, we love you, Ella; whether you want to believe it or not," Scarlett stated firmly.
By that time Rhett had moved from the carriage and joined the three of them in front of the building.
"Don't blame us for this, Ella; blame yourself. You're the one who caused this trouble. If you think you're grown up enough to be married than you should be grown up enough to accept your punishment. If you need us we'll be here as quickly as possible," Rhett told her.
"I will never need you for anything," she spat bitterly.
"That's fine," he answered. "Come, Scarlett; it's time to go or we'll miss our train."
She kissed Ella's cheek once more and gave her sister an apologetic look as she whispered goodbye.
Rhett said goodbye to Carreen and then kissed Ella's forehead before walking away. As they moved toward the carriage Ella cried out. "Mama! Please don't leave me here please!" she cried causing Scarlett to stop in her tracks.
Before she could turn around Rhett gripped her elbow, "Get in the carriage, Scarlett," he demanded.
"But, Rhett," she began to say.
"Get In," he repeated firmly as he practically forced her into the carriage.
Scarlett felt helpless as her daughter cried out to her and her husband demanded she ignore it. She cast a glance out the window at Ella's stricken expression. Carreen had wrapped an arm around her pulling her close to her side in effort to lend her some comfort.
"Mama," Ella continued to cry as Rhett climbed into the carriage and signaled the driver to leave.
Once they pulled away from the school Scarlett allowed her head to fall into her hands and released her own cries that she had been holding back. Rhett watched as her small frame shook with sobs. He ran a hand over his face and sighed deeply. He knew he was doing the right thing for Ella but he couldn't help but feel like shooting himself as he moved to Scarlett's side and held her allowing her tears to soak the shoulder of his suit jacket.