Scarlett visited the mills often. This displeased the Atlanta matrons. But, they restrained themselves. They ignored her business because she lived alone. Although more and more often they hinted that it was time for her to get married and devote herself to her family. Scarlett reacted little to such statements. She smiled sweetly and nodded, not wanting to anger the old dragons.
It's been a few weeks since Rhett promised to find someone for Scarlett to accompany her to the mills. Of course, she wasn't thrilled about it, she preferred to ride alone or in a Rett. But he had been out of town for the past few weeks and she missed his company.
She didn't want to think about why she missed him. Rhett's taunts always annoyed her. But, lately, they had quarreled less. She really liked it. It was nice to just talk to him and laugh, he was the only person she could talk to openly and not be afraid of being judged. It was a pleasant change after numerous sewing circles.
The man Rhett hired was named Archie. As Scarlett later found out, he was a former convict who was convicted of murdering his wife. When she first heard about it, she was horrified. At first, Scarlett thought Rhett was joking. Then, she saw he was serious. Rhett convinced her that he trusted this man and reluctantly she agreed.
He was short but muscular with a long red beard and dark eyes. He was a taciturn man and all their trips were always in silence. Though Scarlett felt safe with Archie, she couldn't wait for Rhett to return to Atlanta.
And just as often as Scarlett appeared at the sawmills, so too did Gregory Clark at Aunt Pittypat's house. He began to bring flowers and sweets, showing interest in Scarlett. She never refused cavaliers. For the first time since the war, she felt like the southern beauty she once was.
He was a pleasant man who could keep up a conversation and showered her with compliments. Scarlett, in turn, could not refuse to flirt lightly with him. But despite this, she did not love him. It was just a balm for her wounded ego after Ashley's rejection.
But despite his courtship, he only dared to kiss her hand when they met and said goodbye. He did not even try to kiss her on the lips. She lacked the fervor and passion that Rhett had. He was confident in himself and always seemed to take everything he wanted from this life. Gregory treated her with deep respect, but he clearly lacked recklessness.
The Atlanta ladies gossiped with delight about her and Gregory. Scarlett knew it. They were just as happy to say, to her face, that Gregory Clark was better company for her than Rhett Butler. Mrs. Merriweather and other matrons went further. They even pushed her to consider marrying him.
Scarlett was angry at their meddling. But, she didn't want a fight. The only person who didn't seem to be trying to get her to do anything was Melanie. She was always there for her. She tried to fight them off, assuring them that Scarlett could solve everything on her own.
Melanie was hosting a dinner tonight, to which Scarlett was invited. She was standing in the middle of the living room and was surprised to see Gregory. He was busy talking to India. She was trying to charm him with her sour smile. But, he kept glancing at her and smiling.
She wanted to laugh at the fact that even now, after the war, India could not keep a man's attention on her. Scarlett saw Melanie enter the room and walked towards her.
"Melly, did you invite Gregory? What for?" they only met a few times and it really surprised Scarlett.
"Oh, he's a very nice man, dear, I thought he might keep you company today." She smiled sincerely. But, Scarlett noticed she was nervous. She kept clutching her dress.
"Melanie, are you all right?"
It seemed that she was getting even more nervous, but she tried not to show it.
"Of course, Scarlett, I'm just worried that dinner will go well." Scarlett raised an eyebrow skeptically.
Melanie was raised as a real lady. She was taught never to show her face in public if something happened in her house. Her behavior confused Scarlett.
A moment later she heard a knock on the door and Rhett Butler appeared on the threshold…
Melanie hurried to him, and Scarlett stood in shock. She suddenly realized that her two "cavaliers" would meet in a room today.
Scarlett was glad to see Rhett. He hadn't been in Atlanta for a few weeks. But, she didn't expect to see him here today. "So Mellie invited Rhett too," she looked at Melanie in surprise, but Melanie tried to avoid her gaze.
Rhett went straight to her.
"Good evening Scarlett, glad to see you." He was smiling sincerely and she couldn't help but smile back.
"Good evening, Rhett. "You're back..." She didn't finish. Rhett looked over her shoulder and lost interest in her. His face changed and acquired an unreadable expression. Scarlett followed his gaze and saw Gregory approaching them.
"Captain Butler, I didn't know you'd be here either." His face expressed displeasure, which he didn't even try to hide. But Rhett had similar feelings. His greeting was just as formal.
"Mr. Clark, this is a surprise for me too, it's going to be a very interesting evening." Scarlett saw the cheeky smile on his face. She felt out of place, the atmosphere between them was heating up and she tried to defuse it.
"Rhett, so where did you meet Mr. Clark?"
But he didn't have time to answer because Gregory interrupted him, addressing her.
"Captain Butler and I crossed paths at an event, Scarlett," he replied evasively. His answer made Rhett laugh, and he looked at Gregory threateningly.
"Yes, Scarlett. I robbed Mr. Clark at the card table at Belle Watling's."
"Oh..." she didn't even know what to say. Rhett looked amused, clearly enjoying Gregory's discomfort. Scarlett saw him turn pale, not expecting Rhett to say something like that.
Gregory cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
"Hmm... yes, it seems that it was there…Scarlett. Excuse me, I'll be out for a minute." She could only nod, but without waiting for her answer, he left the room.
Scarlett looked at Rhett, who looked too smug.
"And what was that?" she was annoyed and demanded an explanation.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Scarlett, I just answered your question. But Mr. Clark seemed to find it too shocking. I don't think he liked the fact that now you know about his visits to Bell." He looked absolutely calm.
"Rhett, why did you do that? Gregory was clearly embarrassed." She looked at him reproachfully.
Of course, the fact that Gregory visits the same place as Rhett shocked Scarlett. He didn't seem like a brothel-goer. But, she didn't know who went to such places. She had always known only about Rhett, and only because he had never hidden it. She shrank inwardly. It was disgusting to imagine that Gregory slept with those terrible women.
"Gregory?" Rhett raised his eyebrows.
"Mr. Clark..." she corrected herself with a frown.
"Well, Mr. Clark is trying to take away what belongs to me, Scarlett. He was looking at her strangely, but he looked serious. This aroused her curiosity."
"Is he competing with you for Belle Watling's attention, Rhett?" As soon as she said that, she regretted it. His face twisted into a strange grimace.
But she felt uneasy too. This terrible woman was so important to Rhett that he was ready to embarrass Gregory in front of her. She didn't want to believe it, and she hoped Rhett would say something that would change her mind.
The next second, he laughed.
"No, dear. And it's such a big enterprise, and I'm so interested in it that I'm not going to let him get it."
"Men are always so possessive..." she rolled her eyes, which elicited another laugh from Rhett. He wanted to say something else, but Gregory appeared in front of them. He looked calm and at ease.
"I'm sorry that I had to leave you, Scarlett," he said, ignoring Rhett beside her. "May I escort you to the table, it seems Mrs. Wilkes is ready to announce the start of dinner"
Scarlett looked around. The three of them were the centre of attention. Only Uncle Henry and Aunt Pittypat were not interested in them. They were discussing something among themselves.
India is eagerly watching them. They want to hear their talk. They want to tell the ladies of Atlanta all the details tomorrow. Melanie had a strange smile on her face, and Ashley looked unhappy. To avoid gossip, she agreed to Gregory's proposal. He led her to the table, lightly touching her back.
Melanie was arranging the guests. So, she sat at the head of the table. Scarlett and Rhett were on her right and left, sitting opposite each other. Gregory sat next to Scarlett, and India sat next to Rhett. The other seats were taken by Aunt Pitty, Uncle Henry, and Ashley, who was sitting across from Melanie.
Once at the table, Scarlett felt very uncomfortable. Rhett, sitting across from her, glared at her and she realized it was going to be a long dinner.
Melanie was chatting with Rhett about his trip. Gregory, next to her, was talking politely with Aunt Pitty. Scarlett was focused on her plate, studying the food. And so she would have sat. But India, who could not attract Gregory's attention, decided to take it out on Scarlett.
"How are things at your mills, Scarlett? You spend almost all your free time there, instead of doing more feminine things." She tried to pronounce it as sweetly as possible, but her twisted face spoke for itself.
Scarlett jerked. She hadn't expected anyone to talk to her. But, seeing India's face and hearing the question made her angry. How dare she talk so mockingly about what she was doing. It was her brainchild. It made her proud and rich. So, she would not allow anyone to disparage her work.
"Thank you India, everything is fine. Things are going very well. "Follow my example. Do something better than spreading gossip to all of Atlanta.""
"At least I'm not flaunting myself in front of the whole city," she spat.
But Scarlett did not remain in debt for her comment.
"Well, maybe you should, although with a face like that it's unlikely to help you." She looked at Rhett and saw how he was smiling, he was clearly amused by this skirmish.
At that moment, Melanie intervened.
"India, don't be like that. "Scarlett is proud of her mills. She's good at running a business. "She's grateful for your help, really, Ashley." She looked at her husband across the table. He was slightly embarrassed, but he nodded.
"Of course, dear. Scarlett has done a lot for all of us and she deserves respect for what she does."
India shrank back in her chair. She saw she would find no allies against Scarlett at this table.
"To tell the truth, I was surprised to see Miss O'Hara driving a buggy in the city. I was even more surprised to learn I'd buy the materials for my new house from her." Now all eyes were on Gregory. "Here in Georgia, the views are more liberal than in Florida, as far as women are concerned. I probably agree more with Ms. Wilkes that a woman shouldn't do something like that."
Scarlett's eyebrows shot up. She was shocked that Gregory shared India's views.
She was about to say something rude, but she heard Rhett's voice, flat and loud.
"On the contrary, I think that there is nothing terrible about it when a woman can do what she wants. It's better than her wasting away at home, doing the duty assigned to her by society..." Gregory interrupted him.
"Would you take the same view if it was your wife, Captain Butler? For example, I do not accept this," his face expressed dissatisfaction.
"If she were happy at the same time, then yes." She felt the air grow heavier from the tension between the two men next to her.
And again Melanie came to the rescue, who turned the topic to the events of the upcoming ball. She behaved so calmly as if the verbal altercation had not happened a few minutes ago. But Scarlett was not as unflappable as Melanie. She was seething internally.
How could Gregory share India's views? He had seemed nice to her, but something in his tone displeased her. On the other hand, Rhett stood up for her and she was touched by such a gesture.
She wanted to tell him that, but she couldn't address him directly. And then she stepped into the general conversation about the upcoming ball. She slowly moved her foot under the table to where Rhett was sitting. She carefully placed it between his legs, touching her ankle to his leg.
He tensed for a second and looked at her. She smiled. He lifted the corner of his lips in response and returned to the conversation with Melanie. She wanted to take her foot away, but she felt him pinching her between his legs without letting go. Scarlett looked at him in surprise, but Rhett didn't even look at her. She pulled her leg again, but he wouldn't let go again.
A second later, he apologized to Melanie for dropping the napkin and leaned under the table to pick it up. At that moment, Scarlett felt his fingers stroking her leg through her stocking. It was so gentle and so pleasant. She grabbed the glass to somehow mask her embarrassment. But the next second, Rhett was back in his seat and continuing the casual conversation.
Scarlett felt uncomfortable sitting next to Gregory. She was surprised to find that he was now talking to India, glancing at Scarlett from time to time. She was unpleasantly surprised by this side of him. They had been in contact long enough for him to know she owned a business. But, he had never shared his thoughts about it.
And now she found out that he was just like everyone else in this city. It seemed to her that it was hypocrisy. He saw her only as a beautiful girl. She shouldn't have brains. All she could do was stay home and have children. And what she was doing was nothing more than a whim that could easily be taken away from her if some man wanted to do it.
He tried to talk to her several times. But, Scarlett did not try to converse with him. She knew it was rude. But, she was in no mood for small talk tonight.
The rest of the dinner passed quite calmly and it was time to return home. Gregory left the Wilkes house first, thanking him for the invitation. Scarlett wanted to be alone with Rhett. But, she had to return with her aunt and uncle. She was unlikely to succeed. She was disappointed when Rhett left right after Gregory.
She said goodbye to Melanie, apologizing for what happened to India. But, she ignored it and kept saying how glad she was that Scarlett came to dinner. Without waiting for Aunt Pitty, Scarlett went out onto the porch. She stopped when she saw Rhett waiting for her on the steps.
"Rhett? Why are you still here?"
"We didn't have time to say goodbye to Scarlett." He approached her taking off his hat.
"Thank you, Rhett," she decided to get ahead of him.
"For what?" he asked this question, but he didn't look surprised.
"You know... what happened at the table," she didn't want to go into it, they didn't have much time.
"Well, Scarlett, as always I come to the rescue of my lady." her heart skipped a beat at the word "my." She looked into his eyes, trying to figure out if he was joking or not. There was a smile on his lips, but he wasn't laughing.
And when her eyes fell on his lips, she suddenly wanted to kiss him. Her body instinctively leaned towards him, but she suddenly stopped herself. She couldn't afford it. He would just laugh at her for such an outburst. But as soon as she started to pull away, he put his arm around her and his lips pressed against hers. She eagerly moved closer and opened her lips invitingly, wanting him to deepen the kiss.
It seemed he could read her body's signals. The next second, his tongue met hers. She moaned softly into his mouth and put a hand on his neck. Her tongue caressed him, timidly and shyly, but apparently, he didn't mind it. Scarlett didn't want it to end, but they heard voices outside the door, and they had to pull away from each other.
"Thank you..." that's all she could whisper.
"I'm always at your service, Miss O'Hara." He smiled slyly and put on his hat, heading for his carriage. Scarlett could only smile after him.
She turned to go back into the house and saw Ashley and India on the doorstep.
