Rhett was right when he said that the situation in the city was heating. For the first time, a few weeks after their conversation, rumors spread around the city that on the other side of Atlanta, the Yankees had made the first searches in the homes of Southerners.
The situation was deteriorating not only in the city but also in the state itself, and all this was because of political events in the country. Of course, women were not privy to all this. But you didn't have to be a skilled politician to understand that Georgia was being pushed more and more. Martial law was imposed in the state and the government further tightened the rules.
Scarlett has been living with the fear of the unknown all this time. It was a scary time, and fear consumed Scarlett. Maybe it was only now that she realized that she only lived in the house with Aunt Pitty and there was no man who could protect them. There was Uncle Peter, of course, but he wouldn't have been able to help if something had happened. Trips to the mills scared her even more. She had never considered herself a coward, but she didn't want to take any chances now.
Everyone knew about the campground on Decatur Road. There lived the poor and criminals who were hiding from the Yankee soldiers. Residents of Atlanta who had to use this road had their pistols ready. Scarlett's skin crawled with unease, even with Archie by her side, and in the past week, she adamantly refused to step foot in the mills.
Archie brought her the ledgers she worked with at home several times a week. She even tried to come home before dark if she went out somewhere in the city.
And after a while, her fears were justified. The news of a woman being attacked on Decatur Road spread like wildfire throughout the entire city. When Scarlett found out about this, she felt sick. For a second, she imagined that it could have been her.
The men behaved even more strangely. They went to political meetings. Scarlett and the other women spent evenings at one of their homes. The old matrons whispered to each other from time to time, never telling everyone else about these conversations, but Scarlett could hear snatches of these conversations that were dedicated to the Clan.
Scarlett recalled the discussion with Rhett. He had warned about something like this before and as always turned out to be right.
One evening, she found herself at Melanie's house with India, Suellen, and Mrs. Meade. Ashley and Frank were absent as usual, spending time at a political meeting. There was a warm, relaxed atmosphere between the ladies. And Scarlett even enjoyed spending time with them. It distracted her from her fears of staying in the house only with her aunt.
There was tension in the room tonight. She glanced at the women sitting at the table from time to time and saw how they were trying to concentrate on sewing, and at first glance, they were doing just that, but if you looked closely, you could see how Suellen's hands were shaking and how angry India looked.
Scarlett felt that something strange was happening, something that scared the women who were in this room. And the general tension was transmitted to Scarlett. She threw her sewing on the table.
"Can anyone tell me what's going on here?" She exclaimed indignantly.
India glared at her.
"It's amazing how ignorant you are and don't pay attention to what's going on around you." She literally spat these words in her face.
Scarlett was angry.
"So tell me if I'm as stupid as you think I am."
Melanie interrupted them.
"India is enough! This is not the time or place for such conversations!"
Scarlett had never seen Melanie so agitated. She seemed to have lost her composure.
After that, there was a complete, disturbing silence in the room. The only sounds were the crackle of wood in the fireplace and the ticking of the clock. Something was wrong and everyone in the room knew what was going on, but no one wanted to tell her. At some point, she jumped up and threw her sewing on the table.
"That's it, I'm going home. I'm tired of being here and seeing that you all know something, but no one bothered to tell me!"
"Scarlett, dear, you'd better stay here," Melanie begged her.
"Let her Melanie go! There's nothing for someone like her to do here! India screamed.
Scarlett wanted to hit her.
"Someone like me? Come on, tell me what kind of person you think I am!"
"An unscrupulous woman who drives around the city exposing herself. You have no sense of decency or good breeding. You have done everything to disgrace us, the noble women of the South, by working, even how you work. You're driving around these woods, giving every rabble a reason to attack you..."
"India, keep silent!" Melanie screamed. But Scarlett was already furious, and she wasn't going to end this dialogue.
"Let her speak, Melanie. I always knew she hated me. After all, she needs someone to pour out all her venom and frustration at the fact that no one needs her anymore!"
"And you prefer to hang out with this scallywag Butler, whom no southern family accepts. Yes, and you encourage him, I saw you two on the porch. You clearly shared a very personal moment! That's where you belong, among people like him!"
"India, don't you dare say that about Captain Butler! He saved my life and your nephew's. Have some respect," Melanie interjected.
"I know it's Melanie, but that doesn't mean I have to close my eyes to who he is!" India did not let up.
"It's none of your business who I spend time with or what's between Captain Butler and me. You don't know anything. All you can do is spread gossip!" Scarlett was about to throw her sewing in her face when she heard Suellen's voice.
"She's right, Scarlett. Our men have to risk their lives for the likes of you. Because of that woman on the road. I'd be glad if it was you, you'd get what you deserved!" she was yelling at Scarlett, ready to pounce on her.
"Be silent!" Mrs. Meade's voice rang out. "Someone is coming to the house"
There was silence in the room, and they heard a loud knock on the door.
Melanie went to the door and asked in a trembling voice who it was.
"Captain Butler" came from the other side and Melanie quickly opened the door.
The sight of Rhett scared Scarlett. The only time she'd seen him like this was when they'd fled Atlanta. His face showed no emotion, but his whole appearance and the energy emanating from him made her shudder. He ignored those in the room and grabbed Melanie by the shoulders.
"Where did they go. Tell me, their lives are at stake!"
India quickly walked over to them and stood next to Melanie.
"Don't tell him anything, he's a Yankee spy!"
Rhett didn't even look at her.
"Mrs. Wilkes, tell me, maybe it's not too late to save them."
"How do you know?"
"I've been drinking with several Yankee captains. They knew something was being prepared. They weren't just waiting and now your husband and others will fall into a trap."
"Get out of here. We don't need your help!" India was outraged.
"Hhhh, India," Melanie said firmly, and turning to Rhett, she said. "On the Decatur Road, on the burned-out Sullivan plantation"
"I'll do everything I can..." he rushed out of the house without even looking back, and they heard the sound of hooves retreating into the night.
A wave of fear overcame Scarlett. So it was true. Ashley and the others were in the Clan and they decided to crack down on the residents of the Tent Camp for that attack. Her head was spinning. She was afraid of what was going on there now. Most likely a shootout. The Yankee soldiers will not spare anyone. Maybe someone has already been killed. And if Rhett doesn't make it in time…Rhett…What if something happens to him? He could have been captured or even killed because of these stupid idiots who decided to lynch them. Didn't they realize that they couldn't get away with it and the Yankees would find them, anyway?
Everyone went back to sewing, glancing nervously at each other. No one else dared to speak. After a while, they heard the sound of hooves. Melanie opened the door again, but this time the Yankee captain and his soldiers appeared in the doorway. She recognized the captain as Rhett's friend Tom Jeffery, who had bought materials for the house from her.
He noticed her and bowed.
"Miss O'Hara, good evening. Which one of you is Mrs. Wilkes?" he looked around at everyone in the room.
"It's me. What do you want? Melanie replied.
"I'd like to talk to Mr. Wilkes."
"He's not here. He's at a meeting at Mr. Kennedy's store." The captain frowned.
"He's not there, Mrs. Wilkes, and there's no meeting either. We'll wait outside until he comes back."
He left the house, and they heard him giving commands to surround the house, guarding all windows and doors. Melanie sat down at the table, picked up a book, and began to read.
Time dragged painfully slowly. An hour passed, or maybe more, Scarlett did not know. She did not even listen to what Melanie was reading about. Her thoughts were spinning feverishly in her head, her temples were throbbing. All she wanted to do was get out of this house, but she couldn't.
Suddenly, Melanie stopped talking, and they heard someone singing in the street. Listening, she recognized Rhett Butler's voice, and it seemed he was drunk. Several other voices, which belonged to Ashley and Dr. Meade, joined him.
None of the women moved and listened to what was happening on the street.
"These two are under arrest," Scarlett heard and was overcome with fear. But then the doors opened and Rhett appeared on the threshold, trying to stumble into the room, he supported Ashley with two hands, who was wrapped in his cape and could barely stand on his feet. Dr. Meade, who seemed even more drunk followed them.
"Rhett, I have to arrest Mr. Wilkes and Dr. Meade," Captain Jeffery protested.
Melanie intervened.
"Captain Butler, you got my husband drunk again, I already warned you…Take him there, put him in a chair," she said irritably, which surprised Scarlett very much, because she had never seen Melanie like this.
"No, Mrs. Wilkes, your husband has been arrested and he will come with us." The captain looked annoyed.
"Oh, Captain, for what? Because my husband got drunk? If everyone in Atlanta was going to jail for this, the Yankees wouldn't get out of jail."
Rhett, with an uncertain step, led Ashley to the table and sat him down on a chair. He bent his head over the table, lowering her into his arms.
"They are not arrested because of drunkenness. I am not a police officer to keep an eye on it. They are arrested for the attack on the Tent Camp. Mr. Wilkes and others were there today, started shooting and killed several people."
Rhett laughed out loud, swaying and leaning on the back of the chair where Ashley was sitting.
"Tom, these gentlemen were definitely not involved in this. They spent time elsewhere."
Scarlett watched Rhett closely. Yes, he seemed drunk, but studying him, she realized that this was not the case. It was a game that was played out in front of the Yankees and it seems that Melanie knew this and also took part in it.
"Captain Butler, please tell me where my husband was," Melanie said coldly.
"Yes, Rhett, I'm also very interested in where Mr. Wilkes was," the captain addressed him.
"Let's go outside Tom, I don't want to say this in front of the ladies," Rhett tried to get the captain out, but Melanie intervened.
"No, Captain Butler, speak here. I want to hear it too," she insisted.
Rhett hesitated, trying to look awkward.
"Mr. Wilkes and I had a very interesting evening with others…At Belle Watling's, we played cards, drank champagne, and had a little fun with the girls..."
Everyone in the room let out a sigh. Scarlett was in shock. Rhett and Ashley spent time at Watling's. It seemed unthinkable.
"That's it, Butler. Now I don't have to go home," said Dr. Meade, who was sitting across from Ashley at the table.
Scarlett saw Melanie turn pale and stagger but remained standing in place.
"Well..." she seemed deeply offended.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilkes, I didn't realize…" the captain looked confused. "Rhett, do you give me your word as a gentleman that they spent the evening at Belle's?"
"Of course Tom, you can ask Belle and her girls. They'll confirm."
It seems Captain Jeffery looked a little confused in this situation.
"Okay, sleep it off tonight, and tomorrow the three of you will come to me. And don't think about running away. There will be posts set up around the city. Mrs. Wilkes, ladies, I'm sorry again."
He bowed and left the house, closing the door behind him. For several minutes, no one moved in the room, listening. Soon the hoofbeats died down and movement began in the room. Melanie and Dr. Meade ran up to Ashley at the same time. The doctor pulled off his cape and Scarlett saw a huge red spot on his shoulder, Ashley was injured. The realization that he might die came to her.
Rhett easily picked up Ashley, who was already unconscious and carried him into the bedroom. Melanie, India, and the doctor followed him. Scarlett followed them, hearing Rhett's voice.
"Miss India, go and warn everyone else if you are not afraid to move around the city at night."
"No, Captain Butler, I'm not afraid. And I want to apologize for what I told you earlier, you saved my brother's life, although I didn't despise you any less."
"I appreciate your honesty, Ms. Wilkes." Scarlett saw India leave the bedroom, put on a dark cape and slip out the door.
Scarlett silently watched Dr. Mead treat Ashley's wound and listened to the quiet conversation between Melanie and Rhett.
"I'm sorry, Miss Melly... Mrs. Wilkes."
"No, no, I would be honored if you would call me by my first name, Captain Butler, you saved my husband."
"When I got there, the shooting was in full swing. Your husband was already wounded. I couldn't think of anything better than to take them to Belle. She's an old friend of mine and I'm sure she won't give us away," he said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, Captain Butler. I understand everything. The most important thing is that he and everyone else are fine..."
Scarlett had been watching him closely all this time and caught herself thinking that she was trying to make sure Rhett wasn't injured. She was so deep in her thoughts that it took her a moment to notice that he was looking at her intently for the first time that evening. She caught his eye and saw him nod his head towards the door. Scarlett followed him, and Suellen and Mrs. Meade were still in the living room, talking quietly about something. Rhett followed on to the front door and finally stopped.
"Scarlett, are you okay? Don't worry, your precious gentleman will be fine, I'm sure," he said a little mockingly.
Of course, Scarlett was worried about Ashley and didn't want him to die, but she didn't want to run around him at all.
She could see that Rhett looked worried and didn't even try to hide it, it had been a long evening.
"Oh, Rhett, it doesn't matter now. He has Melanie." Rhett looked at her in surprise but said nothing and scratched his head.
His jacket shifted, and Scarlett saw a red stain on his shirt. Without thinking, she reached out and touched her fingers to his chest, where she saw blood.
"Rhett, are you hurt? What is it?" she asked excitedly. Scarlett could feel his heartbeat under her fingers.
"No dear, I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about." He put his hand on top of hers and squeezed gently. "It's Mr. Wilkes's blood, not mine."
The moment was too personal. Rhett didn't say anything, just looked into her eyes, as if trying to see something in her face. But they were interrupted. Suellen came up to them with a quick step, and Scarlett took her hand away from Rhett.
It was obvious that she was not very pleased to address Rhett, but she overcame herself.
"Captain Butler... may I ask? About Frank, was he with you too? Where is he now?" She looked at him hopefully. And then Scarlett noticed that Frank really wasn't with them. She looked at Rhett and saw that his face had become gloomy, Scarlett seemed to understand what he would say next.
"No, Mrs. Kennedy, he wasn't with us. I'm sorry, he was shot in the head and is lying on Decatur Road right now."
Scarlett was scared when she saw Suellen's face. At first, Suellen's face was distorted with pain, and then she flew into a rage. She was shaking like she had a fever.
"It's your fault!" She looked at Scarlett. "It's all because of you! If you hadn't gone to your mills, nothing would have happened! You killed my husband. India was right, you didn't just disgrace all of us, now all our men will hang because of you."
She lunged at Scarlett, who instinctively took a step back, but Rhett stood in front of her, blocking her from Suellen.
"Mrs. Kennedy, please calm down." He grabbed her hands, preventing her from rushing at Scarlett.
"Don't touch me, you vile scoundrel. You and my sister are worth each other." Rhett released her but didn't move away.
"Stop it, Suellen, it's not my fault that this happened. I'm sorry for you, but you don't have to blame me for all the deadly sins." Scarlett was angry. "Frank should have known what he was doing."
"Don't you dare say his name!"
Melanie came out of the room at the noise, not understanding what was going on.
"What's wrong Suellen, why are you screaming like that?"
Suellen fell into Melanie's arms.
"He's dead, Frank's dead." Suellen burst into tears on her shoulder.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry..."
Scarlett couldn't stay there anymore. The emotions of that day took over. She just wanted to go to bed and forget that day. She touched Rhett's back, who was still standing like a shield between her and Suellen.
"Rhett, could you walk me home? I know it's on the next street, but I don't want to go alone."
"Of course, Scarlett." he turned around, opening the doors for her.
Scarlett didn't want to talk to anyone else. She didn't even say goodbye and just walked out the door, going down the porch. She heard Rhett following her.
"I hope you didn't take what she said to heart, Scarlett," he whispered.
They walked side by side down a quiet street.
"I think she's gone crazy. She always disliked me, but here she crossed all boundaries. Frank is an idiot, just like everyone else who decided to do what they did today. God, Rhett, what were you thinking? You could have died too," she protested, and in response, she heard him laugh.
"Where's your patriotism, Scarlett? I thought you would thank me for saving your gentleman's life. But I'm still pleased that you're worried about me."
"You know as well as I do that they all acted very stupidly tonight and put all of us at risk. Rhett, do you think the captain believed your story?"
"Don't worry, the Yankees will believe my words because they consider me their buddy and Bell will confirm our alibi, so I won't worry."
Scarlett shuddered when he talked about that woman, but she didn't say anything. They reached Aunt Pitty's house and Scarlett was glad of it. She turned to Rhett.
"Thank you for seeing me off, Rhett."
"Scarlett, I hope you will give up trips to the mills soon."
"I haven't been there for a week and I'm not planning to yet."
"That's good. You made the right decision. Okay, I think I should go. It's getting late."
He looked tired, although Scarlett wasn't feeling any better.
"Yes, of course. Goodnight Rhett."
"Goodnight, Scarlett. Sweet dreams"
Scarlett went up to her room and, after undressing, fell into bed and fell asleep.
