Thanks to all those who read and those who leave feedback. It is very important for me to know your opinion. Today is my birthday and I decided to share a new chapter of this story and the second one that I am writing about Clark Gable. You can find it on the AO3 website if you don't know about it yet. The wedding bells are already ringing. So let's put on our best outfits and go to Rhett and Scarlett's wedding.
June 1866
The next few days were tough. In the morning, Scarlett slipped home unnoticed. A few hours later, Rhett came to escort her to Dr. Meade and Captain Jeffery.
Dr. Meade checked her. Fortunately, he found no serious injuries. But some bruises were supposed to fade before the wedding. And then she had to do the most difficult thing, to testify and tell how everything happened. That was the last time she saw Emma because she decided to leave Atlanta and return to her parents. Stanton was awaiting trial, and then prison. But it took more than a day. It was likely Scarlett needed to tell this story more than once, maybe even in court.
But the only thing she wanted to do was forget about what happened that night. The wedding day was approaching, and Scarlett asked Mammy to come to Atlanta to help her. Mammy disliked Scarlett's act. She expressed her dissatisfaction at every chance. She remembered her late mother, who would never have allowed Scarlett to marry Rhett. But Scarlett didn't care, if she didn't listen to the old cats, then Mammy wasn't going to listen either.
And now the day has come. Scarlett woke up in a bad mood because she had barely slept the previous night.
She paced the room, trying to control her thoughts. For the first time since Rhett's proposal, she was questioning her choice. A few months ago, she had decided to defy everyone and marry him. Now, on the eve of the wedding, she was filled with doubts.
Rhett was her good friend. She could share all her problems and sorrows with him. No one else could comfort her like he could. She feared that, once they married, it would all disappear. She couldn't see how a husband and wife could be friends. So, she feared losing him once she wore the wedding ring.
She even had the idea of canceling the wedding, but she couldn't even imagine how Rhett would react then. Of course, the Old Guard would be delighted. It would give them more to gossip about. But she didn't know what would happen to Rhett. He would probably call her a coward, take the ring, and she would never see him again.
No, Scarlett O'Hara was not a coward and never will be, she has handled worse things than a wedding.
Preparations began in the morning. Melanie came to Mammy's aid, who had listened to Scarlett's grumbling all this time. Everything seemed to annoy her. The weather was too hot, her hair was pulled too tight, and the sleeves on the dress were too narrow. She was driving everyone crazy, especially herself.
Scarlett was nervous, she couldn't quite believe that today was her wedding. For the past few years, she had imagined marrying Ashley. She would walk down the aisle to admiring glances. In the end, Ashley would be waiting for her. She would smile, take her hand, and swear to love her forever.
But the reality was different, today she was marrying a completely different man, the complete opposite of Ashley, and she had no idea what this marriage would bring her, except for a huge amount of money.
The last hook on her dress was fastened. Melanie was adjusting the folds of her skirt.
"Dear, you are so beautiful. Captain Butler won't be able to take his eyes off you," Melanie said admiringly.
Scarlett wanted to contradict her and say she was exaggerating. But she turned to the mirror and saw her full-height reflection. She looked beautiful. Her hair was arranged in an intricate bun, and a veil framed her face like a halo. The white dress, embroidered with flowers and small pearls, sat perfectly on her. It emphasized her figure. But her face looked slightly pale.
Melanie took her hand.
"Scarlett, darling, I know you're worried, but you shouldn't do this. Everything will be fine, and Captain Butler will be by your side. It's such a wonderful day. Let yourself enjoy it."
Scarlett knew Melanie was right, but she still felt uneasy.
They arrived at the church around 3 o'clock. Melanie left her to take a seat inside. Scarlett was ready to walk down the aisle.
At some point, she heard music. The doors in front of her opened. They revealed the church's decor and the people inside. She could see flowers and candles decorating the room. There weren't many guests, and they all turned to see her walking down the aisle. But the central figure of all this was, of course, Rhett.
He stood next to the priest. He wore a black suit with a small, elegant flower in his buttonhole. She later realized it matched the flowers in her bouquet.
She saw him smile when he saw her, and as she walked slowly down the aisle, he was the one her gaze focused on. She looked into his black eyes, shining with joy, and all the excitement melted away as if it should have been so.
When she came and stood in front of him, he took her hand and did not let go for the whole ceremony. It was one of the few moments when Rhett didn't seem to hide his emotions, he smiled at her sincerely and said enthusiastically.
"I will" When it's time to answer the priest's question.
For Scarlett, the ceremony was a blur. She tried to focus on the priest's oath and timed her "I will" with his. But it felt like a dream. It was as if this was not happening to her.
It was only when Rhett bent down and left a chaste if too long, kiss on her lips that she realized it was over. Here it is. She officially became Mrs. Butler.
She put her hand in the crook of Rhett's elbow and turned to the guests, and then she could finally see the general mood. Melanie, closest to her, smiled and wiped away tears. Ashley tried to look happy, but his frown and furrowed brow betrayed him. Although all the other guests were smiling, they seemed to treat the whole thing as a farce.
Rhett helped her into the carriage to go to the banquet. Once they drove away from the church, he moved closer and pulled her into his arms.
"You look so beautiful today, Mrs. Butler. The most beautiful bride I've ever seen," he said, making her blush, but she was flattered by his compliment.
His gaze slid over her face as if trying to find something there, and when their eyes met, she managed to read the poorly restrained passion in them. Rhett bent over her and captured her lips with his in a gentle, long kiss.
Scarlett pulled away first, catching her breath.
"You're very emotional today, Captain Butler," she jokingly remarked. "You should temper your ardor, we're almost there."
She straightened her hair and veil, which had disheveled under Ret's hands.
He laughed softly.
"It's our wedding day, shouldn't the groom behave like this?"
Scarlett shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know, this is my first wedding. I think I'll have more experience during the second one."
At that time, the carriage stopped, and she tried to get out first, but Rhett stopped her.
"During the second wedding? We got married and you're already thinking of getting married a second time. And where will your first husband go, Mrs. Butler?" He tried to look serious, but the amusement in his eyes gave him away.
"I don't know Rhett, but you're not young anymore, who knows what might happen?"
She turned around again to get out of the carriage, but then turned around and adjusted the flower in his buttonhole.
"We're keeping the guests waiting, Rhett, hurry up."
And when she got out of the carriage, she heard his loud laughter. Rhett jumped out and abruptly pressed her back against his chest, whispering in her ear:
"Don't worry, darling, I have enough strength and energy in me to make you forget about other men."
And as abruptly as he pulled her to him, Rhett released her. He then gallantly offered his arm to escort her into the hall.
Scarlett couldn't imagine what Rhett had planned for their wedding banquet. But when they entered the hall, her breath caught in her throat.
There was a small stage in the far corner where, as Rhett had promised her, the orchestra was playing. One part of the hall had small round tables. Guests were seated at them. The other part was empty, intended for future dances.
Each table was decorated with a small bouquet and candles, which made the room quite cozy.
Rhett led her to their table, where Melanie and Ashley were sitting next to them. During the ceremony, Scarlett tried to avoid looking at Ashley, because, despite all her southern upbringing, she could read in his eyes disapproval of all this. Since the day everyone found out about the engagement, they hadn't brought up her wedding. Ashley had expressed his opinion on it. Now, sitting at the same table, Scarlett felt uncomfortable.
Ashley gave rather dry congratulations to her and Rhett. But, Melanie chattered on, admiring the ceremony, the hall, and the newlyweds. Scarlett did not understand why Rhett had seated the guests this way. She would have felt better with Aunt Pitty and Uncle Henry, for example, as her sisters could not be there today. Even Suellen's sour face was better than Ashley's sullen one.
When the dishes were served, Scarlett expected some delights. But there were none. Everything was served on beautiful, expensive dishes. The food looked appetizing. But there were no delicacies. But, Rhett did not skimp on the food or the alcohol. They were served the best champagne for the ladies and stronger drinks for the men.
All the while, she could feel Rhett's hand. It alternately clutched her own under the table and lay possessively on her hip. Several times, she cast him questioning glances. He only smiled and complimented her.
And with each such compliment, Ashley, who was sitting across from her, became gloomier. She wanted to ask him what was going on, but she couldn't ask him openly. At some point, Melanie noticed this and asked if he was all right, to which he replied that he was unwell.
At some point in the evening, the first dance of the bride and groom was announced. Rhett spun her around to the rhythm of the wedding waltz, moving all over the dance floor. Then, other couples joined them. After a few dances, they left the dance floor, and Scarlett finally had the opportunity to observe the guests.
They all seemed to enjoy the evening. Even the matrons laughed, drank punch, and didn't give them disapproving looks. It seems that Rhett's plan to win over the Old Guard with a simple wedding worked. She was about to tell him that, but Ashley came up to them and, to Scarlett's surprise, asked her to dance.
She felt surprised. She looked at Rhett. His face was emotionless. Then, he smiled and gently urged her to take the offered hand.
They waltzed around the room in awkward silence. She didn't try to start a conversation, and Ashley didn't say anything either. When she looked at his face, it seemed to her as if he was struggling with himself to say something, but did not dare.
Scarlett got distracted. She tried to find Rhett with her eyes. He was not where she had left him. Then, she saw him on the dance floor with Melanie. He was telling her something, and she was blushing. This made Scarlett frown.
But Ashley distracted her, drawing her into a conversation.
"Scarlett, we haven't had a chance to talk before. But... dear, you still have a chance to change everything." These words were not easy for him.
Scarlett didn't understand what he was talking about.
"Ashley, what are you talking about?"
"You can still cancel this marriage and get rid of Captain Butler." Scarlett was shocked to hear such a statement.
"Don't you think it's a little late?" she tried to make a joke, but Ashley didn't appreciate it and was quite serious.
"No, Scarlett, you can still do it. If you and he don't... if you don't let him... don't let him touch you tonight, then you can annul the marriage." He looked confused as he said this, but there was determination in his eyes.
"Ashley... how can you say something like that?" Scarlett was outraged. She could never have thought that Ashley, a true gentleman, could talk about such things.
"Oh, dear. You're so innocent, I can't imagine what terrible things he can do to you. He is not worthy to own such a gentle and beautiful girl like you. He will defame you with his dirty hands. It drives me crazy..." She thought for a second that he was not himself, what could have happened to him?
"You don't understand what you're talking about, he's a good man, he'll never hurt me..." she was sure of it, saying these words. Not once had Rhett given her any reason to doubt herself about it.
Ashley interrupted her without even listening to the rest.
"And you know him so well that you'll give your hand to be cut off for this? No, Scarlett, you don't know who he is, he's a terrible man who tries to seem good, and you've fallen into his net. He's going to ruin you, dear. You have to refuse him today..." he squeezed her waist tighter.
Scarlett wanted to answer, but the music ended and they remained standing on the dance floor. Tearing her eyes away from his face, she saw Rhett next to her. Fear seized her. Scarlett blushed. She did not know how much he could hear of their talk, or if he had heard them at all.
She studied his face, trying to catch a hint of it, but Rhett's face showed no emotion.
"Darling, can I take you to the next dance?" Rhett offered her his arm, but Scarlett felt her temples begin to pound and her head spin. She needed a few minutes of peace to think about what had happened.
"Sorry, Rhett, I need to get some fresh air, I'm not feeling very well."
And without looking at Rhett or Ashley, she left the hall and sat down on a bench in a small garden. The cool air blew pleasantly over her flushed face. She couldn't believe Ashley would go so far as to talk to her about canceling her wedding night with Rhett. She had never allowed such a possibility at all. And why would she annul the marriage so that what?
She was trying to think through everything Ashley had said to her. Scarlett didn't want to believe that Rhett could force her to do something she didn't want to do. Up to this point, nothing like this had happened. He never forced her to do anything she didn't like. But, he wasn't her husband then, as he is now. All these thoughts confused her, and so did Ashley's behavior. At first, he said he wouldn't leave Melanie for her. Now, he asks her to leave her husband, whom she had managed to marry.
It all reminded her of a cheap play. She didn't understand the plot, but she played one of the main roles.
Scarlett covered her face with her hands, she suddenly felt so tired. She wanted this day to end. She wanted the people in the hall to leave and for silence to remain.
Her ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps, and she looked up when she saw Rhett.
"Are you okay, Scarlett?" he was watching her closely.
"Yes, Rhett, I have a headache, don't worry." She stood up, heading to meet him.
Rhett put his arm around her, pulling her to him. There was a smile on his face, but his eyes were too focused.
"You look worried, darling, did Mr. Wilkes say something to you?"
Scarlett swallowed. She frantically wondered if Rhett knew something. Was he trying to get her to confirm it? Or was he guessing?
"No... he didn't say anything, nothing like that. We were talking about our last barbecue at Twelve Oaks..."
As soon as those words left her mouth, she was ready to curse herself, remembering the scene in the library.
"Really?" Rhett seemed genuinely surprised. "Indeed, this is the most appropriate time to remember how my wife confessed her love to him that day."
"Oh, Rhett, don't be so rude. He didn't say that. We didn't discuss that incident, the general impression". She hoped Rhett would still believe her, despite her poor lying skills.
He did not elaborate on this topic, although the seriousness did not leave his gaze. Scarlett stood on tiptoe and reached out to kiss him, a very light, almost weightless kiss to try to distract him.
"Let's go back to the hall, there's a cake waiting for us. I chose it, remember? You should try it."
She didn't want to analyze Ashley's behavior or his intentions. She didn't want to think about that conversation anymore. It was her wedding day. Scarlett didn't marry for love. She didn't want to spoil the evening with thoughts about it or anything else. No matter how worried she was about the upcoming night, she wasn't planning on canceling. Everything would be as it should be. No more and no less.
After returning to the hall, the guests stayed for an hour. When dusk covered Atlanta, they left for home, one by one. They again congratulated the newlyweds before leaving. After another quarter of an hour, only she and Rhett were left in the hall. Their first night together was ahead of them…
We will meet again with Edward and Emma in the next chapters.