Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Twelve

Rhett and Scarlett were staying in the guest bedroom. As they were getting ready for bed, he said, 'Was this your childhood room? It looks kind of sterile."

"No, this is the guest bedroom. Careen has my old room."

"Are we guests?"

In a sad voice, Scarlett said, "Yes, we are."

Rhett didn't say anymore. He just got in the bed naked. Scarlett got into the bed naked also. After all Rhett was going to take her nightgown off anyway. After eight months of marriage, he still could not get enough of his wife.

The family went to Twelve Oaks. India, and Mr. Wilkes were on their porch greeting their guests. While Gerald had rode his horse over Rhett had ridden in the carriage with the ladies. As they rode along Scarlett pointed out landmarks. After they had arrived, Rhett got out of the carriage like a gentleman. He helped everyone out of the carriage. Scarlett was the last one out. She whispered to Rhett, "That woman there is named India. She doesn't like me. In fact, I think she hates me."

Rhett just smiled. He had already figured out that the women of Clayton County didn't like his wife, but the men certainly did. Rhett took Scarlett's arm and tucked it in his arm. He was laying claim to his wife, and he wanted everyone to know it.

India said snidely, "Congratulations on your marriage. I couldn't believe it when we heard you had married a man who lived in Charleston. Of course, considering the circumstances it is understandable."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Did I speak out of turn? We have all heard about the incident. How you had to get married because you foolishly when on a buggy ride with a man without a chaperon."

"Good day, India."

As Rhett and Scarlett walked away, she said, "Her suitor stopped calling on her and started calling on me. She thinks I deliberately stole him away."

"Did you?"

Scarlett giggled and said, "Yes."

Rhett was glad there was a smile on her face once again. He had a feeling that it was going to be a long day.

Several men approached Scarlett. She introduced her husband to everyone. She saw all the young women and some of the young men looking at her with censure. Scarlett said to Rhett, "They are being more judgmental than the matrons of Charleston. And that is saying a lot."

"I think, Honey, that this is a case of them being glad that you have fallen off your high perch. They don't know that you snagged the most eligible bachelor in Charleston. They just know you had to get married. That you did something improper and got caught."

"How did they all find out?"

"I don't know. Someone must have told them."

"Suellen."

"Probably. All she would have had to do was tell one young lady and it would soon be all over the county."

"It wasn't my .. our fault. The buggy wheel broke."

"I know, Sweetheart. Come along, let's visit with the matrons. They will be proud of us for doing the right thing."

Rhett had been right. All the matrons who had always looked down on Scarlett were looking at her with admiration. A lot of the young women continued to give her judgmental looks, but now a lot of them were smirking at her.

Some of the young men even gave her judgmental looks. Of course, there were a lot more who had come over to talk to Scarlett. Rhett ran them all off.

While Rhett and Scarlett were eating their dinner, Melanie and Ashley came over to them. Ashley said, "Scarlett, this is my cousin Melanie Hamilton, Melly this is my neighbor, Scarlett O'Hara."

"Scarlett Butler. Ashley, this is my husband, Rhett Butler."

Very superiorly Ashley said, "Yes, I heard you had to get married."

Melanie said, "Ashley! You shouldn't speak about it. They did the right thing."

Scarlett said, "What do you mean by that?"

Ashley carried on in spite of Melanie's censure. He said, "My dear, if you had done the right thing and had a chaperon with you none of this would have happened to you. I knew your reckless nature would get you in trouble one day."

Rhett stood up and Scarlett was pleased to see that he was two inches taller than Ashley. Rhett said, "Mr. Wilkes, is it?"

"Yes."

"One of the things I like about my wife is her fun loving, free spirit. She has a passion for living. Yes, occasionally she might make a faux pas. Nonetheless, I would much rather live with someone like her than a silly ninny who can't do anything, but what is sanctioned by a bunch of dried-up old prudes."

Ashley said, "You are wrong, Mr. Butler. There is no excuse for not behaving properly."

Scarlett stood up and said, "Like you know how to behave properly. If you had told me two years ago when you started calling on me that you were committed elsewhere, I wouldn't have continued to receive you. I would have done the proper thing. You behaved ungentlemanly. Did you know that, Melanie? That your fiancé came to see me every week for two years. He read me romantic poetry."

Melanie was stunned. Rhett was smiling. He was enjoying the show. It was one of the reasons he loved this woman, she was so filled with passion.

Ashley said, "I was not calling on you. I never did anything to make you think I was calling on you."

"How do you know you didn't unless you made sure you didn't? You knew the impression you were creating. Don't you dare lecture me on behaving properly. I got a gentleman in Rhett. Go away. Rhett and I want to enjoy our meal in peace." Ashley's face was crimson. He was stunned. He had never expected to be called out for his behavior. As Ashley and Melanie continued to stand there, Scarlett sighed and said, "What did you think I was going to do Ashley? Behave like a proper lady and not call you out on your behavior. Don't you know that India has already informed Melanie of your behavior over the last two years? Melanie is behaving as a proper lady. You better marry her quick because she is the only person who will marry you once this gets all over Clayton County. That you were cheating on your fiancé by calling on another woman."

Melanie was beet red. She turned and ran into the house.

Rhett turned and said, "Mr. Wilkes, just in case you haven't noticed, everyone has stopped talking so they can hear what my wife is saying to you. Were you planning on shaming my wife by throwing her over for another woman when everyone in the county knew you had been calling on her for the last two years?"

"It is no more than she deserves after shaming India by stealing Stuart Tarleton away from her."

"Mr. Wilkes, have you never heard the saying two wrongs don't make a right. Maybe Scarlett shouldn't have stolen that man from your sister, but shaming Scarlett is not going to make anything right. Furthermore, did Scarlett hold a gun to that young man's head and make him start calling on her. I don't think so."

Scarlett said to Rhett as she put her plate on the table, "I am no longer hungry. Can we return to Tara?"

"Yes. Let's go back to Tara."

"Thank you, Dear."

Scarlett saw her mother and walked over to her. Ellen along with everyone else had heard everything. Everyone had seen Melanie running in to the main house. Ellen was in a state of shock. Scarlett said, "Mother, Rhett and I are taking the carriage back to Tara. We will send it back for you, and the girls."

"Of course, Dear."

On the way to Tara, Rhett said, "Do you want to stay this next week?"

"No. I don't know if I ever want to come back."

"But we will in order to visit your family and Miss Calvert."

Scarlett smiled sadly at Rhett. She finally said, "Yes, we will."

Rhett and Scarlett were quiet for a while. Finally, she said, "We did the right thing even though we hadn't done anything wrong, why are we still being condemned?"

"Because people in proper society are just disapproving hypocrites. They want to tear someone else down to make themselves feel better. They got great satisfaction out of hurting you because you were the belle of five counties."

"Do men like hurting you because you were the most eligible bachelor?"

"Yes, they were quite happy that I had to get married to get myself out of a scandal. Although, I am still the lucky one. I got the belle of five counties as my wife."

"I guess I am the lucky one. I snagged the most eligible bachelor in Charleston, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did my dear."

"My husband, who is going to be a millionaire."

"Yes, he is going to be."

An hour later Gerald, Ellen, Suellen, and Careen returned to Tara. Rhett and Scarlett were sitting in the parlor talking when the O'Haras returned from Twelve Oaks. The family joined them.

Scarlett said, "Why are you back so soon?"

Ellen said, "The barbecue was cancelled. Melanie cancelled her engagement to Ashley. She and her brother Charlie are returning to Atlanta as soon as they can get packed and into Jonesboro to catch the train."

Rhett said, "If I were Ashley, I would not attend any family reunions for a long time. That is going to be an awkward situation."

Everyone laughed.

Gerald said, "Scarlett, I believe you are right. There isn't a girl in Clayton County that would marry Ashley now."

Scarlett said, "Emmy Slattery might." Everyone laughed but Rhett. Scarlett turned to her husband and said, "Emmy is a piece of white trash."

Rhett smiled.

Ellen said, "I think she has higher standards than to marry Ashley."

Scarlett reached out and took Rhett's hand. She said, "Rhett and I are going to return to Charleston the day after tomorrow. We can't take all these people judging us. By the way, Suellen, do you know how everyone found out I had to get married?"

Suellen looked shocked then guilty. She said, "I have no idea. I didn't have anything to do with it."

Gerald said, "Susan Eleanor, stop lying. I don't understand why you are always trying to hurt Scarlett."

Ellen said, "Go to your room. I will be up to talk to you in a little while."

Rhett said, "It is just as well we are returning early. I need to check on my businesses."

Gerald said, "Of course. Of course."

Ellen said, "Of course, Dear. I'm going to go talk to the cook about supper."

Later Ellen had sat down with Suellen, Ellen said, "How did you do it?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Susan Eleanor, I have always known when you are lying, and you are lying now. Besides, you are the only person who could have done it. I know neither your father nor Careen would have done it. They both love Scarlett too much to hurt her in that way. I know I didn't tell anyone. I will never understand why you are so jealous of Scarlett."

"I'm not jealous of Scarlett."

"Yes, you are, and you always have been. And I don't know why? Tell me how you did it? Or you can stay in your room until you are ready to tell me."

Suellen sighed. She quietly said, "I walked over to Twelve Oaks."

"By yourself!?"

"No, Prissy walked with me."

Ellen thought, 'Not much better, but I need the story right now." Ellen said, "Go on."

Quietly Suellen said, "I walked over to Twelve Oaks, and I told India what had happened."

Ellen closed her eyes. She thought, 'That would have done it. India told everyone else. I'm sure that piece of gossip flew around the county in record time.' Ellen stood up and said, "After supper you will say the rosary, twice."

"Yes ma'am. Can I leave my room?"

"Yes, but you might want to avoid Scarlett. She justifiably is not happy with you right now."

Scarlett and Suellen avoided each other for the next two days. The only time they saw each other was at mealtimes. At that time there was no interaction between the sisters, except a few angry looks from Scarlett towards Suellen.