I'm back and I started working on this chapter, it's been in my head, but a plot bunny distracted me- Try reading a Word Between Gentleman! Don't forget to check out , its a great chance to write a novel in a Month! I have been busy doing some research.

Chapter 9

December had come rather quickly, and Scarlett looked forward to both the upturn in sales at the store as well as the festivities. It had been a Tuesday routine that Scarlett and Pilar would meet for tea in the afternoon either at one of their homes, or at the National Hotel. Scarlett had enjoyed her talks with Pilar, who showed genuine concern for her situation, but at the same time, truly was enjoying her husband being back home.

At one of their teas Scarlett had met the quiet, tall man, Mr. Lang and had discussed business hoping to add some exotic items to her store, especially if she can get them shipped cheap, and sell them higher. Mr. Lang was quite respectful, and had visited Kennedy's with Pilar the following day.

Atlanta's Old Guard had been quietly getting ready for the Ball and Fundraisers, so many people had not paid attention of the two friends dressed in black enjoying tea and cakes in the National Hotel. And Pilar's daily visits to the cemetery were solitary except for her driver.

Mammy had not heard any news or gossip concerning Scarlett and Pilar, so put her efforts in the other direction that was receiving more and more gossip, Rhett. Mammy was tidying up Scarlett's room and restacking the growing stack of mail on her nightstand, Mammy regarded Scarlett warily before she asked.

"Miz Scarlett, you had any news in all this mail?"

Scarlett glanced at Mammy through her mirror, and sighed, "I haven't read all of it."

"Oh."

"Mammy, ask what you need to ask."

"I was jest thinkin' wit Christmas comin' folks might be writin' you."

"Folks? You mean like Captain Butler?"

"No, I'm not meanin' him." Mammy found it hard to say his name.

"Then, who?"

"Yo' Aunts, they write?"

"Aunt Pauline wrote nothing but nonsense, and Aunt Lalie was just the same with money concerns," Scarlett noted, upset there wasn't any decent gossip about Rhett or his mother.

"Oh-"

"It isn't like Suellen will write me after she sent you here, afraid I'll "ruin" her Christmas."

"Miz Scarlett, you have to understand-"

"Well, I don't! It isn't like I'm a lunatic or a hysterical woman."

Mammy regarded Scarlett with steel eyes, unable to asnwer.

Scarlett turned on her chair, "Well, I'm not!"

Mammy looked at Scarlett afraid the flood gates would burst any time, "No, you sure is strong."

Scarlett nodded, and turned her back putting on her earrings.

Mammy headed downstairs with Scarlett's tray, and shook her head, "No, Miz Scarlett, you aint hysterical, until the lights go out at night."

Mammy had heard the pacing overhead in her Mistress' room, and had approached her door, hearing the low cries and sobs from the bedroom. Mammy had longed to open the door, and comfort her, but she had heard the stories Prissy had told her about how Scarlett had screamed and thrown things at them, and she thought best to leave her alone with her grief. Mammy wondered who she was crying for Miss Bonnie, Mista Rhett or herself. Whoever it was, Scarlett sounded like a woman at a funeral moaning in a low tone as her loved one is lowered into the ground.

When Mammy returned to dress Scarlett, she found her in the closet rifling through the dresses, and stood at the door. Scarlett's eyes were wet, and she sniffled as she turned over her ballgowns.

"Miz Scarlett, you looking for sumthin'?"

"Yes, Mammy, a ballgown. I do not want to dye one black, but I think this dark indigo could be appropriate for the Christmas Ball."

"You is gwine go?"

"Yes, I give enough money, I should enjoy the food and drink at least."

"No, I mean, Mista- he is comin' home?"

"I don't know what HE is doing, but I'm going to the ball with Pilar and her husband."

Mammy stood there silent, and then she took the gown from Scarlett.

"I don't care what you or anybody will say, I'm going to go. Have that dress aired out, and I'll get some gray rosettes we can add to the bustle to dress it up, a little."

Mammy quietly started the ritual of dressing Scarlett, and she felt Mammy's silence as disapproval.

"What? WHat is the matter?'

"Nuthin'"

"Mammy? Tell me, is it Pilar?"

"I dun tole you about dat woman, but no it's, him."

"Captain Butler? Say his name!"

"No, I can't. Did you write your Aunts back, and ask them anything?"

"Hmpf, I sent them each a check! No, I can't ask them about MY husband."

"Miz Scarlett, they already kno'"

"Why because of Suellen?"

"No, everybody else."

"Well, he said he'll come back to keep gossip down, so I'll have to wait on that!"

Mammy finished her job and left the room.

Scarlett sat at her vanity and balled up her fist, punching the table, "Damn," she spouted.

Scarlett hurried out to the carriage to meet Pilar at the Town Square, they were going to shop for ball attire today, with the ball only a week away. Pilar wanted to find some additions to put on her black gown she insisted on wearing to the Ball. Scarlett had suggested she could choose a darker gray or blue, but Pilat vowed to wear the black gown she had bought in New Orleans.

The haberdashery shop was full of people purchasing ribbons and bows for the younger girls as well as the older women. Scarlett and Pilar slipped in the small shop that was being swarmed by Atlanta's confederate daughters, sisters, wives and mothers. Pilar was overwhelmed by the cackle of women, and she shook her head at Scarlett, "Maybe we should come back another day?"

"No, it will be fine," Scarlett was surprised her nerves were calmer, but when she had an idea in her head, her spells and nerves were at bay.

Pilar held back, and let Scarlett lead the way through the crowd, as they reached the counter. A young woman tapped Scarlett's shoulder, and as she spun around it was Maybelle Picard smiling at her.

"Hello, Maybelle, how are you?"

"Fine, Scarlett, Just getting ready for the ball. Same as you."

Scarlett turned to her friend, "Yes, I'm helping Pilar pick out a few ribbons."

Maybell looked behind Scarlett and stiffened, tighten her hold on the toddler on her hip, and her smile evaporated from her face, "I see. You are bringing her to the ball?"

Scarlett sensed the coldness in Maybelle's tone, and the look in her beady eyes reminded Scarlett of Mrs. Merriweather, her mother.

Scarlett laughed, "Well, no, her husband is bringing her."

"Really?" Maybelle asked.

"Yes, and if Rhett isn't back in time, he might escort me, too."

Maybelle's face blanched, "Scarlett, do you know, do you know about her?"

Scarlett's lips pursed and she stared into Maybelles eyes with a steel stare, the whine of the baby broke their silence, and Scarlett sighed, "Yes, and she knows all about me, too. I must say we are the best of friends."

"Oh," an astonished Maybelle gasped.

"And may I add Maybelle, I always thought you were above your mother, but today, I am noticing that your expression and your waistline is resembling hers more and more."

"Scarlett, that is very mean! I'll have you know I'm five months into "my condition""

"You are being me, too. And stop your Raoul to stop spreading rumors about my friend, who knows where the Picards great grandmother's ancestors originated?"

Maybelle's youngest brat, who was a month older than Scarlett's second child would have been, now began to howl at the adults' harsh tones, and Maybelle's eyes filled with tears and she backed away from Scarlett and hurried out of the shop.

Pilar put her hand on Scarlett's arm, "Don't be so harsh, you made her cry."

"I don't care, she deserves it, they are all talking about me because my husband's not here, let her cry."

Pilar blushed with embarrassment as several women who witnessed the scene glared at Scarlett as she flounced up to the front of the counter. Pilar looked back at them, and glared back. Atlanta was a friendly city, as long as you were in the right group or accepted, if not the town was down right evil and extremely unforgiving. Pilar's mouth was dry, as she saw the grey hound India Wilkes enter the store followed by the icy wind, as she marched up to Scarlett at the counter.

Scarlett prattled on with the sales girl and as she turned to Pilar with a manic smile on her face and ribbons in her hand, India's hand met her face.

There was a collective gasp in the store, and Scarlett slowly looked up into India's thin, face that was red and blotched with anger.

"How dare you-" Scarlett shouted dropping the ribbons.

"No, Scarlett, how dare you! Insult Maybelle and her family for the likes of this-this darky!"

Scarlett fumed and the anger bubbled in her chest, and her heart started to beat frantically, "You are a BITCH!" Scarlett yelled out the word that Rhett had uttered to her in anger many times. The customers started to gather their children and mothers, and piled out of the store leaving Scarlett, Pilar and India in the center with a melee of ribbons. The store clerk started gathering the discarded items as India and Scarlett squared off.

India's jaw dropped, "How dare you talk to me, like I'm low as you!"

"No, you aren't low as me, because you are too scared to speak your mind, but who knows what goes on behind that facade of decency."

"I am decent, you are the evil, black hearted woman who has chased my brother, and now you are taking up with the likes of this."

Pilar who was silent spoke up, "This? How dare you call me this, you are a cold, evil heathen. You attend all those religious ladies groups, but you can't even follow the most important rule in the bible to "Love thy Neighbor"."

India stood back, "How dare you talk to me like that, you don't know your place! Marrying a white man, and coming here flaunting around like you're one of us!"

"I am one of you, I have money, a house, and a husband, which is more than I can say about you! Just be glad, I knew enough to tell you off, in private instead of with your audience of hypocrites."

"I'll have the police come and take you away for talking-"

"India!" the male voice was strong and steady, "Your Aunt Pitty needs you."

It was Uncle Peter, and for once the old man stood erect and was forceful. India seeing the urgency in his voice, turned and left the store running to the carriage.

The store clerk glared at the two women left in her store, and Scarlett's face blushed, "I'll take a dozen rosettes, and four yards of the gray grosgrain, and a dozen ivory rosettes, and six yards of the ivory taffeta ribbon."

Scarlett waited as her order was filled and passed the girl a large bill waving her hand, "Keep the change."

The sale clerk was about to say something, but when she saw the double tip Scarlett left, she nodded and closed the drawer.

As the two headed out the door and back to the square, women who had waited outside the store whispered and stared at the two. Mumbling about Scarlett's foul language, and the violence that India had bestowed on her. No doubt, by tonight there would be a full wrestling match that had ensued in the shop.

WHen they returned to the park, Scarlett felt her heart starting to calm, but her hands had a shakiness to them and the spell of tingling started in her head. The feeling persisted, until she stopped abruptly and told Pilar, "I need to take a rest."

Pilar stood over her and say the expression on Scarlett's face smooth into a blank stare.

"Scarlett, are you okay?"

Scarlett looked up at her friend's face, but her face was a blur as the coldness that started in her chest spread to her arms and legs. Scarlett gripped her hand, afraid she would fall out on the bench. Pilar's voice got louder, "Scarlett, Scarlett!"

Scarlett's mouth was dry and she could barely talk. Amos heard the cries of PIlar, and came over scooping Scarlett up and placing her in their carriage. In the plush carriage, Scarlett's vision was restored and her trembling hands calmed, and she could speak, "I want to go home."

"I think you need to see a doctor."

"No, no. I need to get home." The fear of not getting to her home, her bed and lay down, and be safe overwhelmed Scarlett, and tears started to stream down her face. Scarlett had felt like she was dying, and the only place she wanted to be was home, actually Tara, but Suellen had fixed it, she wouldn't be there for at least three more weeks. Scarlett hung her head and cried, unable to speak.

Scarlett had undressed and curled up in the bed trying to quell the tingling that returned intermittently to her head and hands, and finally sleep claimed her several hours after dark.

Her dinner tray was left untouched, her clothes lay in piles around the room, and the gas light still burned at her vanity, as the door was darkened by a shadow, that hung over her bed, and saw her face contorted in a frown as she slept fretfully, in the middle of a nightmare, and her arms flailed as she sat straight up in the bed, looking over to her side, seeing the tall man in a dark suit, she screamed, "Get Out! Get Out!"