Chapter 6

Scarlett arrived at the Butler residence on a cool winter's evening, dressed in a chic, palmetto-green and white printed challis dress that showed off her nineteen-inch waist to perfection. Her hair was braided and twisted into a netted bun covered by a stylish peaked bonnet-a Paris creation that Rhett had bought her years ago. Mammy carried a hatbox and hoarsely chided Prissy to mind Ella and Wade. Wade, tall for his thirteen years, looked well turned out in his new suit. His blond hair was combed down and his expression was rather mature and serious with only his wide blue eyes betraying his shyness. Ella, dressed in broadcloth and carrying her favorite doll, stood impatiently next to her mother. Mrs. Butler and Rosemary Butler were already at the porch, welcoming the party with bright smiles and fond endearments. A tall house servant, Ben, expertly carried all their bags into the house.

Scarlett trembled in her seat with nervous excitement of seeing Rhett again. Did he know that she, Scarlett, whom he had expressly forbidden to accompany him to his hometown was now sitting, bold as brass, in the little parlor room of his house? What would he say when he saw her? Would he lose his temper and order her back to Atlanta or would he remain aloof and nonchalant, not caring a thing about her? At any moment she expected to hear his light footfall on the carpeted stairs and his pleasant, resonating voice overlaid with the lazy Charlestonian drawl. She fidgeted in her seat, stole furtive glances towards the parlor room doorway and tugged at her white gloves distractedly.

Across the room, two very charming ladies conversed with her. Mrs. Butler was in every way a fine Southern lady for she walked and talked with a quality of grace very like her own Mother, Ellen Robbillard. And she followed the old Southern custom of conversing in such a way that the person they spoke to felt good about themselves. With quiet, soft-spoken words, she affirmed Scarlett as a fine, high-spirited woman who had survived the war and saved her planation. But unlike Ellen, Mrs. Butler had a sense of humor and her eyes often twinkled in merriment. "Just like Rhett, only.. Rhett had something sinister in his merriment. Mrs. Butler does not." mused Scarlett, with interest. She hastened to promise Mrs. Butler that she would stay with them for at least a year. Rosemary was definitely an old maid and Scarlett had a strong suspicion that the man she would marry was old, short and balding. Old maids often caught only such men. But Rosemary didn't seem to mind. She seemed grateful to be free from the control of her father about whom Rhett had spoken several bitter things.

"Does Rhett know that I am here?" ventured Scarlett, at last.

"We decided to keep it a surprise" said Rosemary, with a sudden laugh. "He hasn't left his room all day so he has no idea that you have arrived-"

Scarlett's heart began to thump harder and harder. So, Rhett was at the house. He was upstairs and he didn't know of her presence here! "I think I will go and meet him",said Scarlett, anxiously suppressing her giddiness , in case she should faint.

"A moment, dear", said Mrs. Butler, reaching into a book on the mantle piece and drawing out a letter. "This is a letter from the old gentleman-Rhett's father. Rhett wouldn't read it when I gave it to him so perhaps you could persuade him-"

Scarlett stared curiously at the fat envelope that Mrs. Butler placed into her hands. But she was in no mood to inquire after the letter or the old gentleman. All that mattered was that she was going to see Rhett!

Scarlett slipped noiselessly into Rhett's room and in that tense, breathless moment, her green cat-in-the-dark eyes nearly missed him as he sat lounging in the high-backed chair by the window, in a cloud of cigar smoke and a heavy book on his lap. He was wearing his silk dressing gown and colors from the shadows and gaslight, interplayed on his swarthy brown face. But when his bold, black eyes fell on her, his brow furrowed and cleared rapidly and the corner of his mouth slanted upwards in genuine, happy surprise. A wave of excitement and relief washed over Scarlett as she caught Rhett's expression. "Oh, he is glad to see me!" she cried to herself and half-half, half-stumbled across the wide floor. "Rhett! Oh darling, I missed you so-" He was happy to see her! There was no mistaking his expression. He was surprised and thrilled that she should seek him out. These past few months, he had often thought of her and pinned in secret for her love, just as she had pinned away for him and pride kept him from visiting her. But now that they have found each other again, everything will be all right! Scarlett reached Rhett's side, her bosom heaving under tight stays from exhilaration but as her eyes shyly met his, her expression froze for a cold, blank mask had quickly come over his face.

"I must say this is an unexpected surprise" drawled Rhett, smoothly. His eyes held her in impertinent appraisal. "And how is Ashley faring these days?"

For a moment, Scarlett blinked stupidly at her cynical husband, hardly believing the heartless question that came so easily out of his mouth. Then, Scarlett's lips began to curl at the unfairness of it all. She knew she had seen love in his eyes just a moment before. The sight of her was like the sight of an oasis to a thirsty wanderer. But why was he so far away now? Why was he still harping on about Ashley?

"Hang Ashley.. what do I care about him.. I hate him.I wish I never knew Ashley-" thought Scarlett, almost livid with fury. But as she struggled for composure, she remembered her promise to herself. Scarlett bit her tongue and steeled herself until her eyes turned emerald in the gaslight. "Rhett, you've got to stop this bitterness over Ashley." She twisted her hands and took a few steps closer until her face appeared clearly in the yellow of the gaslight. "It.. it never was so much as what I wanted to do for Ashley but about what he could do for me..."

"Rhett, that evening when Melly died, I went to Ashley for comfort. I was afraid and I thought he would take me in his arms and assure me that the world was all right. But instead,I found him, utterly broken, confessing like a guilty child that he never told Melly how much he loved her. She was his unchanging dream or something and he never told Melly how much she meant to him-" Scarlett gripped the armrest of Rhett's chair so tight that her knuckles turned white. "That was how I understood that his world..books, music and art meant more to him than the real, warm love of a woman.. and Melly! My God! She was the most unselfish person. She never demanded anything from him and we both know how much she supported Ashley in everything and if he couldn't love her then.."

Rhett raised his glance and a quiet look of interest came into his eyes. Scarlett's voice faltered. "How could Ashley possibly love me? I have a fiery temper, I wake up crying from nightmares, and.. and.. as you said-" Scarlett's cheeks grew hot but she pressed on. After all, Rhett was as coarse and earthy as her. "I do need kissing badly- Ashley couldn't possibly love me the way-" Scarlett flushed under Rhett's steady gaze. His face was unreadable. Would he gloat over her? Would he eye her in contempt? As the silence grew unbearable, Scarlett whispered, "I spoke the truth,Rhett. Don't tease me now with your silence-"

"Tease you?" echoed Rhett, softly. "Why should I tease you?" He cast his book aside and he lifted her onto his lap. "I am relieved to know that you are capable of some analysis after all. I am proud that you have understood and admitted something about yourself- something I tried to tell you before but you were too stubborn to admit." His voice dropped a little and his eyes ran appreciatively across Scarlett's face. "Besides, who isn't in need of kissing?"

"Kiss me, Rhett" mumbled Scarlett and almost before those words had time to leave her mouth, she felt Rhett's hot breath on her face. His moustache tickled her lips as he began to kiss her, as slowly and as fully as he had done so many times before. Scarlett's arms found their way about his shoulders and she eagerly returned his kisses. When he drew back, she smiled at him, her cheeks dimpling sweetly. "Everything is all right now. We love each other and that's all that matters-"

To this, Rhett remained silent and Scarlett's eyebrows rose in confusion. "You do love me, don't you, Rhett?"

"My feelings haven't changed from the last time we had our little chat at your charming Peachtree house-"

"But. but you kissed me-" replied Scarlett, stunned at the hardness of her husband's heart. Surely he was joking. He was trying to be mean to her, that's all! But Rhett seemed unmoved and maddeningly devoid of any of the emotion that shook Scarlett's hands and turned her lips white. "You kissed me-"

"Yes, I did. I admit I am quite glad to see you. But it isn't love,Scarlett. I wish you would keep bringing up that subject-"

"Bringing up-" Scarlett choked on her words for she was too angry and confused to speak. Her chest heaved silently and Rhett watched her in a detached air. After a long pause, she said, "All right, I won't pursue the matter. I won't be so tempestuous or demanding as you think I am. Perhaps over time, you will find the courage to say that you love me-"

Rhett didn't answer but his old cynical amusement had returned.

"What were you reading?"

"Genealogy, my pet. I was looking up some of the families in Charleston. Turns out, my crime of killing during a duel has still not been pardoned. I am still dismissed from social gatherings and frankly I am at a loss as to how to make amends-"

Scarlett handed the letter se was supposed to give. "Perhaps this would make a difference. Your mother asked you to read it. It was written by your father before he died-" Rhett stared at the envelope. His expression had changed but she couldn't tell exactly how. His face suddenly grew tighter and his mouth was set in a grim line. He picked up the letter as if it were some disgusting object and after placing Scarlett on one of the chairs nearby, he stuck the letter into the tallest crevice above the shelves and casually sauntered out of the room.