Scarlett and The Boutique Robillard
Atlanta, May 1876
Scarlett stood on the pavement, checking the wrought-iron sign that had just been installed above the freshly painted storefront. "The Boutique Robillard", a simple name, a French touch, easy for the customer to remember.
She had set her sights on this building, whose vast spaces had just been vacated. With its large display windows, its Corinthian columns separating the exhibition areas, and four small private fitting rooms, the shop was reminiscent of the splendor of a plantation reception hall of the past.
The lighting was provided by beautiful gilt bronze wall lights with cut crystal tulips. Three large, finely chiseled bronze and brass arms with gas spouts hidden under crystal cups, surrounded an impressive white milk glass lampshade. They enlightened the cream burlap-covered walls and made the flamed mahogany veneer of the shop furniture glisten.
Elegance and femininity, that was the atmosphere Scarlett wanted to create in her new business. Clearly, the gamble paid off.
"Mrs. O'Hara, could you tell me where the fans should be placed? "Emma Whising interrupted Scarlett in her contemplation. This dynamic young widow was delighted to have been hired. Another sales clerk, a seamstress, a retoucher, and a delivery man completed the staff brigade.
"The three glass cabinets are for fashion accessories. Place fans, umbrellas, and parasols in the first cabinet. Highlight silk gloves and mittens. Hair accessories, brushes, silver combs, and hairpins should also be displayed there. Devote an entire display case to leather purses, pearl reticules, and embroidered ball pouches. The largest glass cabinet is for hats, bonnets, and capelines."
Scarlett sighed with contentment. What a rebirth in her life since that fateful day in November 1873!
She had decided to stop dwelling on the past.
A few minutes of introspection would be enough for her to sweep away almost three years.
First the shock of the divorce. The clean and frank break with Rhett, the love of her life, well, of her old life. It is true that he had greatly facilitated her task to turn the page: by crudely mocking her physical appearance deteriorated by lack of appetite, alcohol abuse, and the absence of her husband, Rhett had brilliantly succeeded in making her feel ashamed. She, Scarlett O'Hara, had become uglier than the least of the whores, he had made her understand. What the hell! The affront had to be addressed. Solange Robillard's granddaugther was going to straighten her head, and quickly!
The day after Rhett left, she ordered Dilcey to throw out all the liquor bottles stored in the house, the wine cellar and the kitchen. A strict schedule of meal times in the dining room with her children was put in place. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were calibrated to ensure balanced meals with fresh vegetables and fruits. As in Tara during the war, there was no question of leaving the table before finishing one's plate. This had always been the rule for Ella and Wade. To the surprise of her children, this was now also the rule for their mother.
Thanks to this diet cooking, her graceful curves started to be restored and her figure slowly sculpted.
To gain back her skin's elasticity, Scarlett took a daily walk with her children. Ella Lorena was reluctant the first few days, not being used to long walks. But soon the outing was a time of discovery, play, and laughter. The O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy family was coming back to life. The two children's faces were slightly tanned by the sun. Scarlett took care to bring an umbrella to preserve her pearly complexion. Her cheeks were flushed with physical exertion and fresh air.
How sweet it was to take care of one's body again! The relaxing scented baths were followed by the application of regenerating creams and ointments. The texture of her skin became softer and smoother. The beautiful hair that Rhett used to like to wrap around his neck at night at the beginning of their marriage had become dull, the tips brittle. It took Prissy's careful handling to untangle the long tresses and massage them with castor oil. Her nails were treated in the same way to strengthen them.
The physical discipline she had been practicing for many months was eventually rewarded when, on a sunny morning, Scarlett gazed at her reflection in the large mirror in her bedroom. The young woman in front of her radiated health and beauty. Her first battle was won!
"Mrs. O'Hara, should I sort the clothes by color or size?" Emma asked.
"Choose one of each item from the display shelves. You will carefully arrange the other sizes inside the drawers of the counters. Above all, do not forget to protect each piece with tissue paper. »
Emma set about her task, marveling at the quality of the interior design of the furniture, which was covered in bird's eye maple veneer. The rich purple hues of the sideboards and wardrobes contrasted beautifully with the golden sheen of the wood inside. At first glance, the clientele was assured of the presence of luxury in every detail.
Scarlett resumed her rambling. Her biggest battle, of course, had been to fight the infamy of divorce. News of the Butler couple's scandalous separation had spread like wildfire through the honorable society of Atlanta and the surrounding counties. How could they not be offended? It was the first divorce to occur in this Georgian city.
Two camps were facing each other: the ladies of the Sewing Circle - headed by Mrs. Merriweather, Mrs. Meade, and Mrs. India Wilkes - had welcomed Captain Butler's decision. „The good man had loved his little Bonnie so much! For years he had endured his wife's disgusting attitude towards Ashley Wilkes without flinching." "Serves her right," said Mrs. Easling. "This will bring the arrogant, pretentious Scarlett down from her pedestal. »
These well-born ladies agreed that, sadly, her offspring could no longer be invited to their grandchildren's parties and birthdays. "It is a shame about poor Wade Hampton Hamilton and Elena Lorena Kennedy, but it is all about the goodwill of our society. »
Yet a minority had sided with Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy. How could such a boor as Butler dare to abandon his wife and children? All of Atlanta knew of this vermin's degrading association with Belle Watling, the most notorious brothel keeper in the state of Georgia. If Ellen and Gerald O'Hara had been alive, they would never have accepted the misalliance of a Robillard with a banished man from his native Charleston.
The first to be scandalized by the news was, of course, Scarlett's solicitor who had to deal with the formalities of the divorce. Henry Hamilton, Wade Hampton's great uncle, was incensed that this Scalawag could jeopardize the future of Charles Hamilton's heir by damaging his mother's reputation. A divorcee's son! How was this brave little boy going to endure the offense?
"Butler gone? Good riddance! "Ashley Wilkes was the first to think so and to say so loudly.
He had taken the time to analyze his cowardly behavior when India had created the scandal on his birthday. Instead of defending Scarlett and assuring everyone that nothing had happened between them two at the sawmill, he had taken refuge, as usual, behind the fragile figure of his wife. Melanie had proudly protected her dear sister until her last breath.
Since the war, Scarlett had bravely helped the Wilkes family. When his beloved Melly died, she took charge, as she had in the past. She organized a funeral worthy of the greatest lady Atlanta had ever known.
Today, it was up to him to protect 'his' delightful Scarlett who had had the misfortune to meet this sad sire at Twelve Oaks. Scarlett, so full of passion, whom this Butler had broken.
Ashley's support warmed his childhood friend's heart. She had been delighted to find that he had defended her against her sister India at a meeting of the ladies of the sewing room in his house. "This is my home, India. In my presence and under my roof, I forbid anyone to criticize the sister my Melly loved so deeply." His unexpected tirade and determined tone had stunned those present at the meeting. His words were widely reported among their friends and acquaintances.
What had hurt the former Mrs. Butler most was the disastrous impact of the divorce on Wade and Ella. „Divorce". It was a word Wade had already heard spoken in hushed tones around him, like a threat hanging over Peachtree Street. More than once, the young boy had had to raise his voice at a classmate who had made fun of his mother. He had even come to blows, much to Scarlett's dismay. For Ella Lorena, the word 'divorce' meant nothing. She just noticed that her friends Bridget and Karen had not invited her to their birthday parties.
Above all, they missed Uncle Rhett. He had always told them that he considered them his children. Finally, he had abandoned them, without any explanation, simply by bringing them presents in November. As if the two children were no more valuable than two packages.
This drama brought the mother and the two children together. A valve had fallen off.
The little girl with the red curls was no longer afraid to tell her mother about her daily activities and games, without her mother scolding her for being too noisy.
As for Wade, he tried to anticipate his mother's every wish. He would bring her a glass of water before she asked for it. He would carry her parasol when she did not need it in the street. Above all, he would hug her tenderly. In gratitude, his mother would stroke his hair gently, sometimes slipping a kiss in.
Yes, the divorce was finally good for their family.
For her children's sake, and because Scarlett O'Hara had never given up in the face of adversity, she put all her newfound energy into her "redemption" with the Old Guard. Oh, how hard it has been! The Merriweather ladies and other paragons of virtue blocked her first gestures of peace.
Scarlett pretended not to notice. Remembering her past experience in Bonnie's time, she was aware that her money would not be enough to secure their good graces. She volunteered to buy and transport the raw materials needed to distribute meals to the needy affected by the financial collapse of 1873 which was beginning to distress the middle classes. She made a point of sharing the Old Guard Ladies' long embroidery sessions to supply the charity stall at Christmas. Magically, some debts pending at Kennedy's shop disappeared from the shelves, 'through accounting errors'. At other times, prices of items coveted by the ladies were abruptly lowered, 'due to end of stock'. This was never openly mentioned.
Scarlett's good deeds combined with an apparent less stormy behavior slowly began to bear fruit.
One day, a blue hand-decorated cardboard card invited Ella Lorena Kennedy to share the Merriweather grandson's birthday cake. The child was overjoyed. Her mother had tears in her eyes. Her biggest battle was won!
With a clearing of her throat, Emma allowed herself to interrupt her boss's reverie once again. "Peter arranged the rolls of fabric on the scroll racks. He placed the most precious silk textures high up to protect them from soiling. He did well, didn't he? On the other hand, I arranged the lace rolls, ribbons, buttons, and thread spools in the beautiful haberdashery cabinet, as you asked me to. I love its little drawers with glass knobs!"
Scarlett smiled at the enthusiasm of her young saleswoman. Let's hope that she will show the same smiling look to the most reluctant customers! concluded the new owner of "The Boutique Robillard".
She had been dreaming about this shop for three months. When her body regained its beauty, and her reputation was restored, she finally took the time to think about her future. How could she continue to live without passion?
Her bank account was now well-filled. Thanks to the terms of the divorce settlement. As soon as the funds were transferred from Charleston, she opened two savings accounts for Wade and Ella. This would come in handy when they decided to embark on life's adventure.
Their"Uncle Rhett," who always boasted that he considered my children his own, will ultimately leave only a trace in Ella and Wade's lives, some dollars to make them forget his abandonment.
With her children's financial security assured, she could now move on from the Kennedy shop. It no longer gave her any excitement. Hugh Easling bought it. After many years, and thanks to the constant supervision of his boss Mrs. Butler, he had finally learned to manage it properly. To please the Old Guard, she gave him her "first child" with easy payment terms.
The land belonging to her first husband Charles Hamilton, including the houses she had built, was also sold at a comfortable price for Scarlett.
She also sold the second sawmill. Her first sawmill, Ashley now owned it. It had hurt so much that she had given it up on Rhett's advice. It was her baby, the one that had allowed her to support her family. How long would it take Ashley to destroy what she had worked so hard to build? Poor Ashley, she would always have to be a protective and discreet support. She would cling on her promise to Melly.
As for Beau, a third savings account was already reserved for him. Scarlett was amused that Rhett would finally contribute to the cost of raising his former rival's son. This money would be managed by Ashley, providing Melly's child with all the comforts a member of Southern society had a right to expect - a pony, Melly had made her promise on her deathbed - payment for his education, his future Grand Tour in Europe. Melly, from Heaven where she was watching her together with her dear Bonnie, could be satisfied.
Of course, theoretically, I would not need to work anymore. But will I become a matron devoted to her social works? What a horror! I have to find a new passion that makes me want to fight every morning.
Fate was waiting for her in Savannah.
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Savannah, February 1876
In February 1876, she made an emergency visit to her mother's hometown upon learning of the sudden death of her grandfather Robillard. The same man who had broken young Ellen's heart by preventing her from marrying her cousin and only love Philip. Scarlett had no reason to mourn the death of the cantankerous old man who had refused to help her financially during the war, when they were struggling not to starve in Tara.
She had visited him several times, accompanied by two of her children - not Bonnie, Rhett wouldn't have wanted her to deprive her of his father, even if only for a week. The meetings between the French aristocrat and the Franco-Irish descendant were... interesting. Two beasts gauging their strengths: Pierre Robillard, full of himself, a master of pithy phrases, scornful of those around him, and amusing himself by persecuting the two daughters he had left, Aunts Eulalie and Pauline. Opposite him was his granddaughter, Scarlett, the eldest daughter of his beloved child, Ellen. Ellen who had betrayed him by marrying an Irish peasant. Indomitable and fierce Scarlett, whose beauty and temperament reminded him with a twinge of his only love, his wife Solange Robillard.
After several explosive confrontations, Scarlett had become convinced that her grandfather hated her.
In a final "thumbing of the nose", he ended up leaving her his entire fortune - an opulent one - simply by giving his two daughters a comfortable monthly pension that would protect them until their death. This was fair, because until now it had been Scarlett who had supported her ungrateful aunts, even during the war, while she had struggled to keep everyone in Tara alive. The Family had always been sacred to this Irish descendant.
Pierre Robillard rewarded her for this.
This unexpected generosity suddenly allowed her to reject Rhett's money out of hand.
Her departing husband had carelessly boasted that he would 'generously' give her a pension for five years to thank her for getting rid of her.
As soon as the Robillard estate was settled, Scarlett informed Rhett Butler's solicitor of her decision to refuse the pension. The money that had already been paid since the day of the divorce was returned to him in full.
Free, I am free, Rhett, and I do not need you! The last link between the two former friends - spouses - lovers - was definitely cut.
On the last day of her stay in Savannah, she treated herself to a visit to the city's fine shops.
The coquettish Scarlett suddenly stopped in front of an ocher-painted antebellum shop, with the sign "La Mode Duncan". In the display windows, wooden mannequins wore the prettiest dresses the elegant Atlanta woman had ever seen.
She pushed open the sandblasted glass door, engraved with the sign "Duncan Vayton".
The manager of the establishment greeted the beautiful young lady with respect, quickly understanding that she was not going to be satisfied with buying a single item. He explained that the owner was a young fashion designer based in Paris, Rue de la Paix. Back in his native South, he had decided to give the Ladies of Savannah the benefit of his best creations.
"I am a business owner myself, back home in Georgia. I have a hunch that the rich people of Atlanta would quickly fall in love with such quality clothing. Would it be possible for me to meet with your landlord to discuss my project? »
"With great pleasure, Ms. O'Hara. Mr. Duncan Vayton will be delighted to meet you. »
That day Scarlett knew that, eventually, she had found her new 'baby' - a fashion shop.
It also marked the beginning of a relationship between two enthusiasts, Scarlett O'Hara and the Prince of High Fashion, Duncan Vayton.
Yes, it has taken courage to get through the past thirty-one months. There have been many shocks, disappointments, pain, and tears too. I, Scarlett, had to show humility – Rhett, you would have laughed about it, in another time - courage and resilience. But it was worth it. Almost three years later, I have survived. Rhett, you did not get me down! Scarlett O'Hara is up and ready to fight!
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