«Alone?» she cried, aghast.
«They are matrons», said the doctor testily. «And Mrs. Meade is just two houses away. Good Heavens, Miss Pitty! This is war time. We can’t think of the proprieties now. We must think of Miss Melly».
He stamped out of the room. Scarlett joined him.
«I shall talk frankly to you, Miss Scarlett», he began. «You seem to be a young woman of common sense. I doubt if Miss Melly can stand the trip. She is going to have a difficult time, so I don’t want any ignorant darky midwife with her. And now, Miss, you stay with Miss Melly till the baby comes. Not afraid, are you?»
«Oh, no!» lied Scarlett, stoutly.
«That’s a brave girl. The baby will be here in another five weeks, but you never can tell. It may come any day».
So Aunt Pittypat went to Macon, she took Uncle Peter and Cookie with her. The carriage and horse she donated to the hospital in a burst of patriotism which she immediately regretted. And Scarlett and Melanie were left alone with Wade and Prissy in a house.
Chapter XIV
In those first days of the siege, when the Yankees crashed here and there against the defenses of the city, Scarlett was very frightened. She silently cursed Melanie. The doctor had forbidden Melanie to walk and Scarlett had to stay with her. What will she do if the baby comes?
These matters she discussed with Prissy in whispers one evening. Prissy calmed her fears,
«Miss Scarlett, I can manage. I know all about birthing. Just leave it to me».
As Scarlett lay on her pillow, there always rose the memory of Ashley’s face with a little smile on his lips: «You’ll take care of Melanie, won’t you? You’re so strong. Promise me». And she had promised. Somewhere, Ashley lay dead.
Wade irritated Scarlett. He was afraid to go to bed at night, afraid of the dark, afraid to sleep.
It was not often that Scarlett was alone those days and she did not like it. When she was alone she had to think and thoughts were not pleasant.
«Oh, Ashley!» she sobbed, dropping her head into her hands.
She heard the front gate click and she hastily raised her head. She saw Rhett Butler
«So you are here. Why did you stay?»
«To keep Melanie company».
«Damn it», he said, and in the lamplight she saw that he was frowning. «Is Mrs. Wilkes still here? It’s quite dangerous for her in her condition. So you stayed with Mrs. Wilkes! This is the strangest situation I ever encountered!»
«I see nothing strange about it», she answered uncomfortably.
«No? My impression is that you can hardly endure Mrs. Wilkes. You think her silly and stupid and her patriotic notions bore you».
«Because she’s Charlie’s sister… and like a sister to me», answered Scarlett with dignity.
«You mean because she’s Ashley’s Wilkes’ widow».
«I had a letter from Tara today. The Yankees are close to home and my little sister is ill with typhoid. I want to go home! But I can’t».
«Well, don’t cry about it», he said. «You are much safer here in Atlanta than at Tara. The Yankees won’t hurt you and typhoid will».
She laughed nervously.
«Don’t giggle», he said, and taking her hand, he turned it over and kissed her palm. Something vital, electric, leaped from him to her at the touch of his warm mouth, something that caressed her whole body thrillingly. His lips traveled to her wrist. She tried to draw back her hand.
She wasn’t in love with him, she told herself confusedly. She was in love with Ashley. But how to explain this feeling?
He laughed softly.
«Don’t pull away! I won’t hurt you!»
«Hurt me? I’m not afraid of you, Rhett Butler, or of any man!» she cried.
«An admirable sentiment, but please lower your voice. Mrs. Wilkes might hear you. And compose yourself. Scarlett, you do like me, don’t you?»
That was more like what she was expecting.
«Well, sometimes», she answered cautiously. «When you aren’t acting like a varmint».
«I think you like me because I am a varmint».
This was not the turn she had anticipated.
«That’s not true! I like nice men… gentlemen».
He kissed her palm again.
«But you like me. Could you ever love me, Scarlett? May I call you ‘dear,’ Mrs. Hamilton? I shall call you ‘dear’ whether you like it or not».
«You don’t love me?»
«No, indeed. Did you hope that I did?»
«Don’t be so presumptuous!»
«You hoped! You are charming and talented. No, I don’t love you. But I like you tremendously… for the elasticity of your conscience, for the selfishness which you don’t hide, and for the shrewd practicality. I like you because I have those same qualities in me. I realize you still cherish the memory of the godlike and woodenheaded Mr. Wilkes. But there must be room in your heart for me too. Scarlett, I am making you a declaration. I have wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you, in the hall of Twelve Oaks. I want you more than I have ever wanted any woman. And I’ve waited longer for you than I’ve ever waited for any woman».
She was breathless with surprise at his last words. In spite of all his insults, he did love her.
«Are you asking me to marry you?»
He dropped her hand and laughed loudly.
«Good Lord, no! Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t a marrying man?»
«But… but… what…»
He rose to his feet and made her a burlesque bow.
«Dear», he said quietly, «I am asking you to be my mistress».
Mistress!
She was vilely insulted. He thinks her such a fool! Rage, vanity and disappointment threw her mind into a turmoil. She blurted out the first words which came to her lips…
«Mistress! What will I get out of that except a passel of brats[18]?»
Then she realized what she had said. She pressed her handkerchief to her mouth. He laughed.
«That’s why I like you! You are the only frank woman I know, the only woman who looks on the practical side of matters. You don’t think about sin and morality. Any other woman will swoon first and then show me the door».
Scarlett leaped to her feet, her face red with shame. How could she say such a thing! She must scream. She must faint. She must turn coldly away in silence. Too late now!
«I will show you the door», she shouted. «Get out! How dare you say such things to me! Get out and don’t ever come back here. I’ll… I’ll tell my father and he’ll kill you!»
He picked up his hat and bowed. His teeth were showing in a smile beneath his mustache. He was not ashamed, he was amused at what she had said, and he was watching her with alert interest.
Oh, he was detestable! She grabbed hold of the door to shut it with a bang, but the hook was too heavy for her.
«May I help you?» he asked.
She stormed up the stairs. And he slammed the door for her.
Chapter