Dear readers, well I share the next chapter with you:)
I love this state, while writing, it seems that you let it pass through you and give your emotions.
So, the new chapter is here. Belle, Rhett, Scarlett, and our favourites India and Tom :)
Enjoy reading!
P.S. And great thank you for your reviews! It's pleasure to read them!
Chapter 21.
The next morning, Belle paced nervously in her luxurious bedroom, glancing at the clock, at the bed covered with an expensive brocade coverlet, at the velvet couch by the window. She remembered how often she and Rhett had made love on that couch instead of the bed and clenched her hands even tighter.
During the night, Belle lay awake for a long time, remembering the entire conversation with Joe Miller, unable to believe what she had heard.
Repeating the words 'rubbish, lies, gossip' to herself, she fell asleep in the morning and now she was wandering sullenly about the room.
She hadn't dressed yet, just pulled a red silk dressing gown over her negligee. She looked at herself in the mirror, at her red hair, at her pretty face with a few wrinkles, at her figure, lush but seductive, and repeated to herself, "It can't be that he's decided to marry that girl. He's not the marrying kind, damn it! And why would he want her? He had a 'ticket' into her bed," she thought, grinning wickedly.
Belle remembered the spring night Rhett had come to her angry and upset after Mr Kennedy's wedding, remembered how they'd sat in her office, how much he'd drunk, how he'd called Scarlett a 'little fool', then 'the lady who was worth three hundred dollars'. Belle remembered how drunk he had been when he told her about the deal with this Mrs Hamilton, how she had laughed. She remembered the unexpectedly unpleasant end of that night, when he refused to sleep with her and chose the new girl with the dark hair. But she still had that trump card in her sleeve.
After that night, Rhett never brought up the subject again, but she remembered. She might not have believed him because he was drunk, very drunk. But she'd lent him the money herself, so there could be no doubt. Proud Scarlett Hamilton was as much a whore as she was.
And now all these wedding rumours she couldn't believe! "Rhett couldn't get attached to that fool, she was young and pretty, but she was so thin and what could she offer a man like him in her bed? Well, he'll come running to me after a week of their marriage!" she said to herself, brushing her hair furiously.
Nevertheless, Belle needed clarity, so she decided to act through her maid, who liked to talk with the cook in the Hamilton household. She needed to speak to the arrogant Mrs. Hamilton, to find out if the rumours were true, and in general... Belle grinned and quickly rang the bell to call the maid.
Tuesday morning passed very quickly for Scarlett. They had time to talk to India alone as Aunt Pitty went down to breakfast, and agreed that on Wednesday at noon, when she had gone to her Mrs Mead's sewing circle, India would join Scarlett at the sawmill, and from there they would go to Frank Kennedy's shop to get the necessary things for birthday party.
Rhett took care of the present, promising not to shock their aunt too much.
"Rhett, I tell you," Scarlett said, trying to be serious and ignoring his sly and mischievous look, "she's going to faint at the news of our engagement, so at least let the present make her happy."
He came out from behind his desk, pulled her towards him, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Whatever you say, Mrs Butler..."
Her heart raced and she only whispered to him, "You are impossible... And I'm still Mrs Hamilton, in case you've forgotten..."
Before she could finish her quick speech, he interrupted her with a hot kiss, hugging her tightly and then pulling away, whispering, "You're mine, Scarlett..."
"Let me go now! Tom will hear everything..."
She pulled away from him, fixed her hair and then walked out of the office, saying louder to him, "So I'll be leaving early tomorrow, Captain Butler, won't I?"
Rhett just grinned, she was such a child! Flirtatious, loved to tease him, and he was grateful to fate that she hadn't lost that lightness, that playfulness, in spite of everything.
That evening the setting sun tangled in the branches and leaves, leaving fanciful patterns on the wooden walls, Tom had left early and Scarlett was waiting for Rhett finishing his letters.
She stood at her desk, folding her papers neatly, then admired her ring for a moment and smiled.
Running her hands through her hair, she realized she'd better re-bundle it while Rhett was busy.
Quickly pulling all the hairpins out of the bundle, Scarlett stacked them on the table in front of her and tossed her hair back, running the soft strands through her fingers. Then she quickly twisted the curls into a bun at the nape of her neck and held it in one hand, reaching for the bobby pin, but suddenly she felt his strong palms on her waist and a soft, hot whisper behind her, "Wait, baby..."
Scarlett shuddered, not understanding how Rhett had managed to approach so quietly, and her hand involuntarily let go of the hair that cascaded down her shoulders.
She heard his heavy sigh, and as she felt him press her more firmly against the table, she rested her palms on the wooden surface.
With one hand Rhett stroked her hair, gently touching it, inhaling her scent, caressing her neck, and with the other he stroked her waist and she felt him knead her corset.
His closeness, his hot breath tickling her ear, his touch, all of it sent such pulses through her body that she could feel the tension building in her lower belly and the tingling in her fingertips. She closed her eyes, pressed her palms harder against the table as she felt Rhett take her hair in his hands and gently flip it to one side, over her left shoulder, and press his hot lips to the right side of her neck. At the same time, his hands began to undo the buttons of her cotton dress, and he just repeated, "You drive me crazy, all day long, Scarlett... You come to my desk to show me the bills, you bend over so I can smell the scent of your skin... You lick your plump lips so often, baby, I can't think of anything else but how badly I want to kiss you. Scarlett..." then he interrupted his speech by undoing the last button and she shivered as she felt his hot kisses on her spine, first on her skin and then where the thin undershirt was, he was kissing her through the material and it was even more exciting.
She whispered his name and it was enough for Rhett to quickly turn her around to face him, swiping away the papers and hairpins that were on the edge of the table.
Scarlett opened her eyes to meet his burning gaze and her hands reached for his waistcoat, quickly undoing a few buttons. Then her hands reached for his shirt, tentatively undoing button after button. She didn't look up, but she could feel his hard muscles under her palms and his heavy breathing.
Then she heard his hoarse whisper, "Scarlett...", looked up, but immediately he was covering her mouth with his hot lips, his hands were already pulling down the unbuttoned bodice of her dress, and her hands were diving under his shirt. Scarlett felt the warmth of his skin again, as she had once before that night in Tara, so she broke the kiss and hugged him tightly, pressing herself against his naked torso.
There was a thin fabric of her underwear between them, but it was enough to feel the warmth of his body and the pounding of his heart.
He hugged her tightly and seemed to come in his senses.
"Baby," he whispered, but she didn't look up, just remained pressed against him, with one hand gently stroking his chest.
They stood like that for a few minutes, Rhett tried to calm himself, as his body practically trembled with arousal. He distracted himself by looking at the fancy sun glare on the wall in front of him and stroking her loose hair.
Scarlett didn't open her eyes, lost in her emotions and then in her thoughts.
Finally, without raising her eyes, she whispered, "I have this reaction to... To your touches, Rhett..."
He listened intently as she continued, "When you're around, I forget everything I've been taught... And... My manners, my behaviour, it's not worthy of a lady," she finished abruptly, pulling away from him and trying to adjust the bodice of her dress.
Rhett understood everything, so he took her hand affectionately, helped her to the nearest chair, and sat down on one knee in front of her, looking lovingly into her eyes.
"Scarlett, baby," he told her in a calm voice, "there is nothing terrible about your feelings or our actions. We love each other and you're just reacting to me and I'm reacting to you. We're going to be married soon, Darling, and we're going to fall asleep together every night, wake up in the morning, and give each other as much love and warmth as we want, freely, not in bits and pieces like we do now."
She looked at him carefully and he added, "But I promise to control myself, baby, to make you comfortable. After all, it's only a matter of three weeks and you'll officially be mine," he finished with a smile and kissed her cheek tenderly.
"And you'll be mine?" she suddenly asked quietly, remembering his encounters with women in the brothel.
He looked at her earnestly, his heart sinking in tenderness at her words, and replied softly, "I have been yours for a long time."
He stroked her cheek gently, then kissed the tip of her nose and helped her up. He gently turned her back to him and began to button her dress.
"Thank you, Rhett," he heard her whisper and replied softly, "I love you."
Wednesday was hot, not only because of the weather, but also because of the amount of things Scarlett had to do at work. On the other hand, Tom and Rhett laughed at her and her activity. Finally, just before lunchtime, Rhett walked out into the yard with the words, "That stubborn girl is going to drive me crazy!" and Tom just laughed at him and at her furrowed brow.
"Scarlett," Tom said, "what's the big deal if some things don't get done? We'll finish it tomorrow and that's all..."
"I don't like it like that, Tom! If you put the work off, there'll be more of it tomorrow, you know..."
Tom just nodded, deciding not to argue and mentally asking India to come soon.
At last Scarlett heard the pounding of a horse's hooves and saw through the window the familiar face of Uncle Peter.
As India stepped out of the carriage, she greeted Rhett, who gallantly helped her, and then returned to his horse, which was standing under a tree near the same wooden basin where they had been throwing the acorns.
Scarlett smiled at that memory, decided that she would go out and give India and Tom a chance to talk in private.
When she met India at the door, Scarlett greeted her and said she would wait for her outside, then quickly slipped out into the yard.
Rhett was standing with his back to her, stroking the mane of his black horse, when he felt a light touch and a soft voice, "May 'stubborn girl' keep you company?"
He smiled and turned to meet the laughing look in her green eyes.
"But, Captain Butler, let's be careful, Uncle Peter's eye is even more watchful than Mammy's," she continued with a smile, gently stroking the horse and bringing her hand closer to his.
Rhett looked at her in silence, then gently moved his large hand to her slender one, running his thumb lovingly over her fingers and her wedding ring.
Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment at this gentle gesture, but the horse stepped over, snorting and they both quickly removed their hands.
"Scarlett," she heard his soft voice, "how about I drive you myself?"
"Rhett, no, Uncle Peter is here and India might suspect something..."
"I think she already knows everything," he replied with a grin.
"What makes you think that?"
"She's observant and Tom..."
"Tom's not a talker like you, Rhett Butler!" she said indignantly, "I asked him to keep a secret..."
Rhett smiled again and said, pointing to the ring, "Even if it isn't Tom, you're giving yourself away, baby."
"Oh..."
Scarlett touched her hair nervously, then realized she'd left her bonnet on the table.
"I've got to get back to the office, I forgot my bonnet," she said, then added, "I'll take the ring off carefully."
But, lost in her own thoughts, Scarlett quickly entered the office and witnessed an amusing scene.
Tom and India, standing so close together, apparently sharing a kiss, heard footsteps and recoiled so abruptly in different directions that Tom accidentally dropped his chair, which clattered to the wooden floor. India turned quickly away to the window and Scarlett almost laughed out loud.
"Scarlett," Tom called to her nervously as he tried to put the overturned chair down, "have you forgotten something?"
Scarlett coughed, trying to hold back her laughter, and just said, "Yes... My bonnet..."
Tom quickly went to her desk, took the bonnet and handed it to her.
"Thanks Tom... India, I'll wait for you outside," she mumbled quickly, jumping out of the house with a big smile on her face.
Rhett noticed her bright smile and raised an eyebrow questioningly, as if to say, "What's the matter?"
But she barely had time to say, "Later, Rhett..." before an embarrassed, flushed India stepped outside and walked straight to the carriage.
Scarlett smiled at Rhett again and quickly followed India.
As they drove in silence, Scarlett suddenly blushed as she imagined what would have happened if India had caught her and Rhett yesterday.
Yes, they were going to get married, but compared to that light kiss she'd barely noticed, she and Rhett had gone overboard.
So Scarlett decided to lighten the mood by talking about Aunt Pitty and her upcoming party, and wondering how many times the birthday lady would faint during the evening. India gradually came to her senses, even giving her an appreciative look, and joined in the discussion as they approached the town.
Scarlett stood outside the shop with paper bags in her hands, waiting for India, who was slow or dreamy today. She giggled again, remembering how embarrassed India had been, but also glad that she and Tom were definitely happy.
"Tom is a good man and will make a good husband for India," she thought, and at the thought of the wedding she glanced at her wedding ring, which of course she had forgotten to take off, and remembered the gentle touch of Rhett's hands... Smiling to herself, Scarlett looked up from the ring and met a pair of brown eyes whose owner was staring at her from across the street and in a second she saw Belle Watling walking straight towards her.
As she walked, Scarlett was looking at her and feeling a burning anger and jealousy towards this woman.
Not because she was a whore, for Scarlett realized with despair that she had practically sold herself to survive. No... She hated Belle because she could know Rhett better than she could. That she could know his thoughts and feelings, which Scarlett had only recently begun to touch very carefully and gently... He was really letting her into his life, sharing it with her, and that was what she valued in their relationship now. That he told her what he was thinking and feeling, without pretence or mystery. The thought that he could be honest with this woman in such way made her clench her hands in anger.
And then there were the physical relationships... God, the thought of Rhett touching this red-haired woman the way he'd touched her... And she could feel the warmth of his skin, to hear his hot whisper... These thoughts made Scarlett both angry and wanting to cry. It was a terrible feeling of jealousy, one she had never experienced before. Her feelings towards Melanie about Ashley were incomparable with these emotions.
Now she was beginning to understand a little about Rhett and his dislike of Ashley, but it didn't make it any easier.
She tried to reassure herself that it was all in the past and that after the wedding there was no way she would tolerate him going to that bar. Oh, she will scratch his face if he does... But it frightened her to think that she was so inexperienced in physical relationships. What if Rhett got bored with her? What if... These thoughts also kept her awake at night, but she pushed them away and decided she'd come back to that question later.
Now, seeing that woman in front of her, Scarlett stood up straight and held her gaze, ready to talk.
"Mrs Hamilton, good afternoon," Belle began, studying her closely.
Scarlett just nodded and adjusted the paper bags. Belle glanced at her, then noticed the glint of a gold ring in the sun and wrinkled her nose.
After a moment, however, she smiled cheekily, stepped very close to Scarlett and said, lowering her voice, "So, judging by the ring, I may congratulate you, Mrs Hamilton?"
Scarlett raised an eyebrow in question and Belle continued, "Perhaps you could share your secret, my dear?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Watling," she replied in a serious tone.
Belle smiled, then leaned over to her and said quietly, "Well, you obviously have some secret, because you've not only received three hundred dollars from a man, but also an offer of marriage... Come on, share your experience, maybe I can make my own destiny?"
Belle stared at her as she finished the last sentence. If Scarlett was shocked by the phrase, it was only in the fact that she clutched the paper bags tighter in her hands. She didn't show any emotion in her gesture or look, even though her soul missed several shots in a row.
She knew everything. He had told her everything. He had betrayed her and their agreement.
But Scarlett took a deep breath, moved only a few steps away from that woman and said, looking her straight in the eye, "I think my advice will be unnecessary for you, Miss Watling. You have made your own destiny as you see fit. And I am not used to discuss my private life with every person on the street."
Just then India came out of the shop, looking at them suspiciously, and Scarlett walked quickly towards her.
She walked away with her head held high, listening to some words and phrases from India and not hearing them at all. Everything inside her was torn apart by humiliation and betrayal.
How could he tell everything this woman? God, anyone but her! He'd put them side by side, damn it!
Scarlett quickly got into the carriage where a cheerful Uncle Peter was waiting for them, India kept saying something, occasionally looking at her suspiciously.
She sat and looked away, realizing that she couldn't afford to let her face drop here in the busy city street.
"Not here. Not here," she repeated, holding back tears of resentment, anger and humiliation.
Her eyes slid to the ring he had placed on her finger a few days ago, she remembered his tender gaze, the way he had taken her hand, the way he had timidly put it on...
Looking at the ring again, she discreetly removed it from his finger and clenched it in her fist. Her heart raced and she wanted to disappear from this city, from this state, from this country.
"I won't be able to see him. No. I'll either scratch his face or cry like a silly girl... No. I want to go home. To Tara. I want my mother," she thought, realizing that she had no one else to run to and pour out her pain.
Arriving at Peachtree Street, Scarlett walked quickly to her room, not noticing India looking at her worriedly.
Once in her bedroom, Scarlett shut the door behind her, leaned back against it and closed her eyes.
"I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't cry," she repeated several times and opened her dry eyes.
She put one hand on her chest and tried to breathe deeply, but Prissy had lased her corset so tight that morning. In her other hand she could still feel the ring and, trying not to look at it, she went to her dressing table and put it in her jewellery box. There were earrings from her mother, diamond earrings from that Yankee, a string of pearls that she had managed to keep (it had been a gift from Gerald), a comb with emeralds from ... She quickly closed the box.
Then Scarlett washed her face with cool water for a long time, and after that, looked at her reflection in the mirror. The drops of water dripped down the glass, but she didn't notice and said to herself firmly, "I won't think about it now.
Soon Scarlett was moving quickly around the room like a butterfly trapped behind glass. She moved from corner to corner, thinking fast, losing the thread of logic and acting only on emotion.
"To leave. I have to get away. Just not to see him. I need time. Get away. If we pack now, Wade and I can catch the three o'clock train and someone will pick us up at the station. I'll pay. Things. We need to pack..."
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, and Scarlett had barely said, "Come in," when India came into the room. But before she could open her mouth, Scarlett spoke quickly, "India, you can sit with Wade now, just for half an hour, while Prissy packs his things and I pack mine..."
"What things?" asked India, confused.
"We... I... We have to go to Tara," Scarlett muttered, looking away.
"Scarlett, to Tara? Now? And dinner on Friday?"
"We'll be back, we'll be back..."
"And the arrangements?"
"Melly's coming, I'll ask... Tomorrow. Or... India," Scarlett suddenly stopped her speech quietly and whispered, "please..."
India looked at her intently and just nodded, stepping out into the corridor. She was very observant, she had seen the red-haired woman, she had watched their conversation through the shop window.
She had also seen how pale Scarlett was and how silent on the way home. And now this departure, completely incomprehensible, illogical, like an escape. Something very bad and unpleasant had happened, and India realized that as a lady she should not interfere, but... With a determined movement of her eyebrows, she went to her room and quickly wrote a short note, which she handed to the cook five minutes later, and then went to Wade to the nursery, glancing nervously at the clock.