Rhett and "Impression, Rising Sun"
Charleston, December 1873
Sitting back in a comfortable chair, Rhett nervously inhaled the smoke from his cigar, a sheaf of documents in one hand. The other was gripping the armrest firmly. Without taking any notice, his fingers were mechanically scratching the already worn leather of the good old Chesterfield.
He had wanted so strongly this divorce certificate! As soon as he returned from Atlanta and his altercation with Scarlett, he had gone straight to his notary's office after leaving the station to give him the form signed by Scarlett O'Hara. Do not flinch! Break the bond now!
Then the waiting for the official notification began. For the next three weeks, his nervousness put Eleonor and Rosemary to the test. They could not enter the library. The place reeked of alcohol and the ashes of burnt cigars. At the slightest signal from old butler Michael to open the front door, Rhett would appear, looking for a courier to deliver the envelope.
He hoped for it, he dreaded it, he looked forward to it, and he hoped it would never happen... How many times had he had to restrain himself from rushing to his solicitor's office and ordering him to cancel his divorce petition? His constant changes of mind had finally caused him stomach cramps.
Thank God, I held out! Free at last! Rhett Butler chuckled to himself.
To be honest, he had doubted. Scarlett had clouded his judgment with her incongruous declaration of love when Mrs Wilkes died. After twelve years of desperate waiting! But no, it was too late. The little pest had succeeded in drying up his capacity for emotion. In any case, Bonnie had taken all his love with her.
That Scarlett should cry in turn is only fair!
Anyway, did she really love him? From the speed with which she had accepted the end of their marriage, he doubted it.
When he arrived in Atlanta last November with the divorce form in his pocket, Rhett anticipated many months - even years - of struggle before Scarlett agreed to stop calling herself Mrs Butler.
Dumbfounded, he had seen her stand up, take the pen with a determined air and sign "Scarlett O'Hara" at the bottom of the document. Without a fight.
A twinge of guilt surprised him, but he quickly banished this emotional reflex. Ah, if it had been for Ashley... All those long years during which she had waited patiently for this vain puppet! But in the case of Rhett, her "great love" miraculously revealed according to her, two months had been enough for the distraught lover to annihilate her patience and probably change her love target again.
Definitely, no, there is nothing to regret. No more Mrs. Scarlett Butler. The rope with which you strangled me for twelve years is cut. It is over, Scarlett! A clean, sharp break. Brutality suits you so well! From now on, there will be no more ties between us. No more enduring your whims and cruelty, no more being in your presence, no more drowning in your emerald eyes, no more wrapping your long locks of hair around my neck, no more being able to touch you... Never again, Scarlett...
He celebrated his new status as a divorced man with his stash of whisky and shut himself up in his room for three days.
A week later, judging it best to avoid the ire of a mother outraged by his "abandonment of wife and children", he had run away - "as usual", Scarlett could have said. Of course not, I am not running away. I am just going to enjoy my life as a fresh single!
ooooOOoooo
Paris, January 1874
He left for London where his English partner was waiting for him. It was while talking to industrialists that he got the idea of starting a new venture. We will see when I get back to Charleston. I have time to work on my project.
Then he crossed the Channel to spend a few weeks in Paris, his favorite European capital. There, too, Rhett, the wealthy business man, planned to do some money and invest in successful ventures.
As on his previous visits to the French capital, Rhett, the art lover, admired the architecture of the Eternal City and its museums. He made a few days' foray into the provinces to visit the châteaux of the Loire.
Rhett, the Epicurean, enjoyed the sophisticated gastronomy, the Parisian life and its nightly shows.
Rhett, the jouster, found above all his refined places of priced pleasures. The seductive American with the enticing smile was welcomed with open arms, of course.
Every evening he greedily chose his playmate for a few hours, never for the whole night. On Tuesday, this one was chosen because her blond hair contrasted with Scarlett's hair, which was as black as darkness; on Wednesday, this one accompanied him because her skin was the color of gingerbread, contrasting with the pearly whiteness of Scarlett's body; on Thursday, he preferred the third one because her hips were wide, contrasting with Scarlett's slim waist. It was unconscious. He did not even notice.
At social functions with friends, he was often placed next to young girls to be married. In France, his situation as a divorced man did not seem to panic the families of high society. On the other hand, his bank account was certainly attractive.
Jacqueline, a pretty young person with blonde curls, had been his date on trips to the theatre and the opera. She blushed. Rhett, who had been out of the habit of dating "maiden" since a certain barbecue, was flushed. Had the 16-year-old Scarlett blushed at Twelve Oaks in 1861? No, certainly not to him, but perhaps to Ashley...
He admired the young Frenchwoman's literary and artistic knowledge. It was a change from his former wife, whom he had taken to slyly mocking because of her poor school education!
After a few discreet caresses exchanged, kind words spoken, the prospect that the lady would probably become a perfect housewife, submissive to her husband, cultured, pleasant, loving and... so boring, he grew weary. "To my great regret," he confided to her apologetically, "my duties call me back to America."
ooooOOoooo
Rhett Butler, a great aesthete since his adolescence, took advantage of his stay in Paris to indulge in more cerebral pleasures. On 15 April 1874, following the advice of his friend Jean, he went to 35 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, to the studios of the famous photographer Nadar.
Thirty artists had gathered for the first time to show their paintings, sculptures, and engravings for a month. Most of the exhibitors were unknown to Rhett. Their common denominator was an innovative, provocative, and revolutionary style, according to the art journalists. One of the critics, in mockery, later called them "Impressionists".
He did not linger long in front of Berthe Morisot's painting, "The Cradle": a young mother leaning tenderly over her sleeping baby. Scarlett had never taken the time to admire her precious Bonnie in her little bed.
Rhett stood petrified before a painting entitled "Impression, Rising Sun".
The author of the work, Claude Monet, observing this elegantly dressed American, took care to comment on his creation, as the effect of the mist on the port of Le Havre.
Rhett thanked him warmly. A disturbing emotion made his imagination wander.
He was mysteriously caught up in the scene: an orange sky, symbol of fire, of burning passion; in the background, port buildings and boats reflected in the water, with blue pigments similar to the eyes of his dear little girl; finally the sea, a gradation of green hues: water green, like a tear-fogged eyelid; pale green surrounded by a thousand shining sequins, like eyes flooded with sweetness after love; emerald green, a hard, raging green, heralding flashes of anger, Scarlett's last look on that November day in 1873.
He inquired about the price and immediately reserved the painting, making sure that it would be shipped to him in Charleston as soon as the exhibition was over. He cut his visit short.
On the way back to the hotel, he stopped at his travel agent's and booked his place on the first boat to leave for America the next day.
Rhett was looking forward to seeing "Impression, Rising Sun" in his armchair in Charleston. Perhaps he would install it in his room so that he could not take his eyes off it until he fell asleep.
ooooOOoooo
Charleston, May 1874
When he returned, his mother embraced him affectionately. As usual, her favorite son spoiled her and Rosemary. Packages were piled up in the hallway, between Parisian-style trinkets and boxes of chocolate pralines.
I am finally turning the page! he rejoiced with conviction.
He immediately contacted his solicitor to check that he had not received any letters from Atlanta sent by Henry Hamilton, Scarlett's solicitor, and uncle by marriage. Not that I care in the least, by the way! he convinced himself.
Eventually, he had to take care of his fortune. These were difficult times and Rhett had to take a serious look at his investments.
He couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled the ironic coincidence between the resounding financial crash on the New York Stock Exchange in September 1873, triggering a string of industrial bankruptcies, and the day Rhett left Scarlett and Atlanta.
The Nothern Pacific Railway was ruined that day, followed by eighty-nine other railways. Fortunately, Rhett had divested himself of the company and sold all his shares earlier that year. One of his partners who had speculated on the rail frenzy had not had the same reflex. Overnight he was ruined.
Yes, divorcing Scarlett has seemed like an earthquake, even on the New York Stock Exchange, he tried to quip. And I am afraid I shall continue to feel the seismic tremors for some time to come, he admitted bitterly.
The former war profiteer Rhett Butler had proved to be quite adept at managing the improperly earned Confederate money. Of course, large sums had been invested in hedge funds. So he too had suffered some losses. But nothing that would threaten his fortune.
When Bonnie was born, in order to protect the future of his beloved daughter, he embarked on a vast real estate project in New York, in Yankee country. In this bustling city, every piece of land was now prohibitively expensive. In 1869, Rhett acquired a large area of wasteland in a fast-growing district. He had built buildings of about ten storeys.
Rhett demanded that his high-end properties be equipped with all the comforts of new technology, lifts, good ventilation and sanitation. Central heating fed by a low-pressure steam circuit ensured comfort for the lucky occupants. To make the most of every precious yard, the ground floors opened onto large glass galleries with shops.
In short, Rhett Butler's property portfolio on that May 1874 was impressive.
Fortunately, I took the precaution a long time ago to convert my financial liquidity into gold bars! the businessman congratulated himself once again. Unlike many of his acquaintances, who had to endure the catastrophe caused by the decision of the US Congress and its Coinage Act. (*2) Overnight, their fortune in bundles of money was deflated.
Thanks to his foresight, flair, and experience, Charlestonian Rhett Butler managed to weather the financial and economic crisis without much damage. Rhett was very rich.
Rich enough to continue paying Scarlett's expensive pension.
Deep down he knew he would continue to protect her financially well beyond the five years agreed in the divorce. He laughed under his breath at his incomprehensible and in no way deserved show of generosity toward his former wife.
Former wife... It's been seven months, and I still cannot get used to it... Rhett shrugged. Scarlett, you can continue to squander part of my fortune without fear of running out!
He hoped, with a childish reflex, that Clayton's former county belle would hear him in Atlanta.
ooooOOoooo
End notes:
(*1) The first exhibit of the "Impressionist painters, in the showroom of the photographer Nadar, in 35 boulevard des Capucines, Paris, from the 15th April to 15th May 1874 - source Atelier de Nadar, /l-atelier-de-nadar/
(*2) Coinage Act: On 12 February 1873, the US Congress voted to change the monetary standard from silver to gold.