Chapter 17. February 21, 4 pm, Scarlett's Tea party
The same day, Charleston, February 21st 1876, 5 East Battery, Magnolias' Mansion, 4 :00 a.m.
The two Vayton properties were only a few dozen feet apart. Scarlett took advantage of this brief interlude to think over the three days spent in Charleston.
When she had left the train station on her arrival, she asked the driver to stop in front of a cold appearance building. She only stayed inside for a few minutes.
Then, there was the sour welcome of their aunts, probably not very happy that their niece had inherited their father's fortune, leaving them with only the bare minimum.
Finally, there was the providential meeting with Duncan Vayton - A Character...
Upon arriving in front of the Magnolias' Mansion, Scarlett admired the beautiful Charlestonian house with its three levels of piazzas, and noted, at a glance, the vast surface of the adjoining garden. Indeed, the wealth of Vayton family reflected on their two true palaces settled on the coveted Battery front.
Eleonor Butler also lives on The Battery. On which side? Is it close to Duncan's Fashion headquarters or to the Vaytons' home? I cannot believe that I have no idea of it!
During their six years of marriage, Rhett had never even thought to tell her the exact address of his mother's home. He had never expressed any desire to take her with him to Charleston on a trip. Or maybe she did not remember. No formal introduction to his family. It had taken the death of their precious Bonnie for Eleonor Butler to finally deign to meet her in Atlanta.
He wanted to hide me as if an O'Hara did not belong to the same social rank as a Butler. Or maybe he was afraid to display what he had brilliantly helped to destroy, my respectability. Well, it no longer matters.
Deep inside her, a small voice wondered if her former husband was in Charleston right now, perhaps just a few feet away from her...
ooo
The buggy stopped in the yard of the property. Duncan quickly got out and joined her.
"Will you allow me? " he asked.
God! How sweet his eyes are! Scarlett thought.
Without waiting for an answer, he helped her raise. Then he embraced her waist to lift her and deposit her delicately on the ground. His fingers remained a few seconds too much around her. Scarlett disengaged herself while smiling.
They entered the house through the side door. The grandeur of the hall impressed her.
"My office is on the second floor. " They went up the stairs.
The room was large and illuminated by two French windows overlooking the piazza. Scarlett did not dwell on the decoration. It had been a long day, and now she was anxious to complete her stock order.
He made her take a seat on the chair facing his desk, and easily found the French wholesaler's catalog stored in a drawer.
Scarlett browsed it briefly, admiring the reproduction of the small engravings illustrating the most attractive items.
"The tariff is exclusively for merchants. This establishment gives La Mode Duncan Paris a 10% discount. Since I will be placing your order on my behalf, you will automatically benefit of it. »
The Atlanta business woman nodded her head and thanked him for the business gesture.
"Unfortunately, the prices are in French francs. The conversion rate is complicated because it is based on the price of gold. The basis is 2.06 francs for 1 dollar. (*1). I will be happy to assist you in making the conversion, while you make your selection. »
His offer seemed sincere, with no ulterior motive of any presumption of intellectual weakness.
Scarlett gave a wry little pout. "Here is a side of me you do not know yet. Numbers are my passion. Keeping track of my business's accounting is a therapy to soothe me. It sounds a little unfeminine, I am afraid.»
Duncan was staring at her. "You, unfeminine? Scarlett..." He stopped, unable to hide his confusion.
The young woman enjoyed it. How fun this cat-and-mouse game was!
"Take your time to select the items that interest you. Here is a notebook and a pencil for you to take notes. In the meantime, I will notify my mother of your presence so that we can have tea together - or rather coffee as you prefer."
ooo
He left her and opened the door on his right to the boudoir on the same floor. Melina and Cathleen were there. He kissed them affectionately on the cheek.
"Mother, I know you are about to have your snack. Could you please alert Netty to prepare more mignardises and coffee? I have a client in my office that I would like you to meet. »
He said no more. His intonation had become more dragging in the last sentence.
The two women looked at each other and expressed surprise. Cathleen nodded and went to warn the cook.
She was intrigued. This was the first time her son had invited one of his professional acquaintances to share in the family's tea party. Then she thought about the blankets Duncan had brought with him this morning, "so his client would not catch a cold on the trip to the spinning mills."
She was curious to find out what all the attention was about!
ooo
Duncan returned to his office. On the table laid two sheets of paper, one with scribbled calculations, and the other with an annotated list. Scarlett was finishing it.
He made no noise, for fear of distracting her. To him, Scarlett O'Hara was a chameleon, moving from the child-woman marveling at new dresses; to the entrepreneur absorbing barely discovered techniques; to the hands-on manager juggling rate conversions, discounts, and profit margins; and eventually to that fatal embodiment of femininity with a simple blink of the eye or a movement of the hips. As for the eroticism that emanated from her every pore...
Duncan gripped the back of Scarlett's chair tightly to restrain the urge to touch her.
"Have you found what might be a good fit for your store? »
Scarlett turned to him, "Yes. Their items are exactly what I want for The Boutique Robillard."
She showed him the details of her order. She had included the references, the quantity required per article, the price in francs, and the correspondence in dollars with discount deducted.
"Tomorrow morning, before I leave for the station, I will go to my bank's branch to transfer the corresponding amount to your account. I will add an extra hundred francs to make up for any exchange rate variations. Could you tell me the cost of transportation, since you will be consolidating my items in your boxes? Do you have any idea of the customs fees to be paid? »
"Scarlett, there is no question of you paying the freight. Please accept my offer as a commercial gesture. I am pleased that you are choosing quality accessories to go with my ready-to-wear line and the stylish clothing of Johnson Ltd. Please do not add an extra charge to your order. When your crate is delivered, I will let you know the actual customs fees. »
He added: "My purpose is to facilitate the opening of your store, under good conditions. Starting tomorrow morning, I will send your purchase order by several telegrams, if necessary. My associate Roger Dax will pay your purchases directly to the Parisian supplier to take possession of them and proceed with their packing. As you can see, the process will be carried out quickly! »
"So everything is set! Have I ever praised you for your ability to smooth out the smallest difficulty? Here is what I need: first, fans with ivory frames and delicately painted leaves. I hesitated, I confess, to opt for bone frames, which are much cheaper to buy, and difficult to differentiate from ivory ones. However, since I have the honor of representing your sublime line of dresses, I must sell only high quality, even in accessories. You agree with me, don't you? »
Duncan nodded and smiled in agreement.
"There are about fifteen lace sunshades with the mahogany or boxwood handle engraved, indispensable in our sweltering Atlanta climate. Two or three umbrellas for testing the products, no more, because I do not think they will stand out enough from those produced in America. Hats made in Paris, of course. "Scarlett paused. She thought about the one she had left downstairs in the hall…
"I included a series of printed silk scarves. I am not interested in wool shawls because they are in every store here. I chose a set of silk gloves and mittens in fine Calais lace. There are also some lovely beaded reticules, inlaid ball clutches, and a few leather purses. I almost forgot, the most important thing for the seamstresses: spools of silk and finely braided cotton thread, mother-of-pearl buttons whose illustrated engraving would make me want to wear them as necklaces, and ribbons, meters and meters of silk, lace and velvet ribbons. How I look forward to being the first user! »
"Finally, the necessary hair accessories, from hatpins to the head in mother of pearl, bronze, coral or colored stone. Not to mention the essential hairpins." Scarlett seemed to be rolling out her wish list of gifts she was dreaming of, so excited did she seem.
"If you only knew how much the women missed those tiny accessories during the war! Fortunately, I had a blockade-breaker friend who never failed to bring some for me and our social circle in Atlanta."
She paused. Her gaze wandered off into the distance.
Duncan had a flash of memory, thinking of his neighbor Butler, also a blockade breaker. How many women did he impress by giving them the trinkets that were unavailable during the war?
Who was she dreaming of at this moment? Of this adventurer who had crossed her path? A flare-up of jealousy made him swallow his saliva with difficulty, so much his throat was knotted.
Scarlett put her order back on the desk, satisfied with her choices of Parisian items, at a price that would allow for good profit margins.
"Ah, I almost forgot the indispensable items for me: pocket mirrors and boar's hair brushes with silver, ivory, or engraved brass handles.»
Scarlett stared at the handsome designer with a knowing look: "I am going to tell you a secret. I am afraid it might be too personal, though... »
Duncan tried to calm his breathing. The frivolities she had selected for her business must have been similar to those she used in her intimate life and in her bedroom.
"My hair is so recalcitrant after being trapped in a bun during the day that I have to spend hours detangling it. Only brushes with a special bristle seem to tame it."
She gave him a mischievous look. "This is definitely a private anecdote; even more we have only known each other for twenty-four hours. Anyway… Let me reveal to you my little fad, which is to force me to pass the brush one hundred times until my relaxed hair asks grace! Isn't it ridiculous?" She laughs heartily.
The young man did not dare anymore to look at her in the eyes. The eroticism was released from her words and the induced images were starting to affect a special part of his body.
Almost in a whisper, he said, "I would dream of being the one to have the honor of making your hair crackle under my fingers. »
Silence fell between them.
Duncan immediately regretted that he had opened up so honestly, without any safeguards.
Scarlett sensed that the atmosphere was getting decidedly too intimate. "This day has been rewarding and very enjoyable. It's time for me to take my leave now. »
"Please, Scarlett! Will you have tea with us? My mother and sister are eager to meet a young business woman.»
As a sign of assent, she followed him.
ooooOOoooo
The door to the drawing room opened before Scarlett. At a glance, she appreciated the harmony of the room ; the curves of the front windows and the shimmering colors of the walls ; and the famous Aubusson tapestry she had heard so much about in magazines, which covered the seats with gallant figures surrounded by garlands of flowers. A elegant day bed was an invitation to relaxation. A grand piano occupied a wall.
Scarlett gave her warmest look to the friendly-looking lady who came toward her, and to the girl, probably Duncan's sister, who widened her eyes in surprise.
"Scarlett, it is my pleasure that you meet my mother, Cathleen Vayton. And this is my little sister Melina. »
Then he looked at Cathleen: "Mother, I have the honor to introduce to you Mrs. Scarlett O'Hara. You are looking at the most successful business woman in Atlanta!»
That one accepted the compliment with delight.
Cathleen asked the Georgian to sit in a cabriolet chair. She chose her favorite armchair to sit across from the visitor. Duncan sat back a bit so he could watch their conversation.
At first glance, the Widow Vayton gauged the seductive power of the young woman. She was looking at her son out of the corner of her eye, and… she could not recognize him! The confident, nonchalant-looking seducer was suddenly turning into a nervous, shy young man! He never took his eyes off Mrs. O'Hara.
Scarlett thanked Mrs. Vayton for her hospitability and said she was charmed by Magnolias' Mansion.
"Yes, my son had a lucky hand in getting us to live in this little paradise. Atlanta is a beautiful city too. I had the opportunity, long ago, to visit it. »
Scarlett was always ready to promote her city. "It has changed a lot in recent years. After the war, so many new buildings were built! »
Duncan added with enthousiasm, "Scarlett has been a big part of its growth, Mother. The lumber from her mills built many of the houses. »
Cathleen was sensing pride in his tone. Addressing the young woman, she said, "You run sawmills? How brave of you! »
She smiled modestly. "I used to. Indeed, the sawmills have been my great pride. I also run a hardware store, which I decided to sell - even though I am sentimentally attached to it. I will soon open a high-quality women's clothing store. »
Duncan's mother was increasingly taken aback. "I am impressed! So that is why, in preparation for this opening, you visited my son's spinning mills today. »
Duncan answered for her. "Yes, Scarlett has been able to build up the fabric and clothing inventory ».
He stared intently at the young woman, "Most importantly, she is doing me the great honor of representing La Mode Duncan in Atlanta by selling my ready-to-wear line.»
Pleased with the compliment, Scarlett thanked him.
His ready-to-wear line? He had completely abandoned the idea of clothes accessible to the middle class in favor of Haute Couture! Cathleen thought about it, and understood less and less. Or rather, she was getting the impression that her son was no longer acting logically.
In the meantime, the butler had set up the trays of desserts and drinks.
Melina stood up to serve the tea and coffee. She could not believe her eyes. Her older brother, usually so energetic, was almost shy! Could he be in love? She looked at the visitor and admired her outfit. She was really pretty. Duncan's taste, obviously!
Scarlett could see the hour passing. It had been a long day, and she needed to spend some time with her aunts before leaving them the next day.
Cathleen wanted to know more about the business woman her son was watching in awe.
She made a guess, then it would be Scarlett's turn to confirm it or not: "Isn't it too hard for you to run your businesses and deal with your activities as a mother?"
The latter answered naturally. "My children have always been used to seeing their mother work. »
The Widow Vayton watched her son's reaction to her question. He had turned pale. He was gesticulating uncomfortably in the chair.
Cathleen pushed the indiscretion a little further: "They must be very proud to have such a brave mother. How many of them do you have? »
Immediately, Scarlett replied, "Three." Then she stopped and bit her lower lip.
Cathleen noted this moment of hesitation.
The young woman continued: "I had three children, but my little girl died." All her confidence was vanished in a bit. She seemed lost.
As a mother herself, Cathleen showed her compassion: "I feel so sorry for you!"
So did Melina: "How sad!»
Scarlett thanked them with a movement of lips. Then she picked herself up and straightened her head.
"My son Wade is thirteen years old. God! How time flies... And my daughter Ella Lorena is nine. "She proudly concluded, "They are nice children. »
Cathleen made sure to note the different emotions and reactions that were so visibly evident on her face. What nerve! she thought, admiringly.
During this exchange, Duncan was remaining silent. When he heard that Scarlett had children, he gasped. His reaction was unreasonable, though. Of course, a beautiful young woman like her could only be married with a family. Then she told about her little girl. What a suffering she had experienced! His heart was bleeding for her.
"Scarlett, what an absolute tragedy to have lost your child! I have never met anyone as brave as you in the face of adversity!" Duncan's emotion was palpable. He moved closer to her. Seeking her eyes, he wanted to take some of her pain. He trapped both of her hands in his, wanting to instill a comforting warmth in her.
Both Vayton women were taken aback by this prolonged display of affection, which was totally uncharacteristic of a professional encounter. Their beloved Duncan was bewitched!
As for Scarlett, she was moved by this display of empathy. This man was truly charming.
It was time to leave these warm people. "Mrs. Vayton, I want to thank you and your family for your hospitality. I would be happy to welcome you to Atlanta, should you ever visit again. »
The three women embraced, and then Duncan led Scarlett down the stairs. He helped her put on her coat, and then they went outside.
ooooOOoooo
He remained silent until they reached the courtyard. A weight, as heavy as a rock, was compressing his chest. He was feeling drawn into a spiral that reminded him of another one.
I am in love!
This observation imposed itself on him brutally, like an obviousness. Another reality jumped out at him: she was leaving tomorrow for Atlanta. If he did not react, he would not see her again for a long time.
What could he do when a threatening shadow was standing in his way? There is a Mr. O'Hara, father of Scarlett's children, who must be waiting for her in Atlanta, he worried.
He had to make up his mind to push through the obstacles if he wanted to see her again soon.
"Scarlett, I have to travel to Atlanta shortly to inspect one of the newly renovated Vayton & Sons Ltd properties. I will take advantage of this trip to bring you the dress rectified to your measurements. »
"I shall be delighted. On this occasion, I will show you the space I have chosen for my new store. »
Approaching the buggy, Scarlett adjusted her hat. "I think I forgot my scarf in the fitting room of your workshop. »
Duncan reassured her. "I am going to ask Blanche to look for it, and I shall bring it to you with the dress.»
"Thank you. You are my guardian angel, Duncan. I have had an exciting and rewarding day thanks to you - even if my wallet suffered! »
She laughed, followed by her companion, won by this communicative gaiety.
Her laughter flew in the air!
ooooOOoooo
End notes :
(*1) Converting rate Dollar / Franc in 1875: in 1865 the franc was pegged to 0.290322581 grams of gold. The dollar was at 18.94 per troy ounce in 1875. A troy ounce is 31.1 grams, which gives us a value of $.60 per gram, which gives us a rate of FR 2.06 to 1 USD. Source: ask metalfilter com 275442/Historical-Value-of-French-Franc-in-comparison-to-US-dollar1.