Scarlett was awoken by the sound of an early morning storm. She grabbed her blue brocade wrapper and made her way to the small window of her cabin aboard the Alice Thorndike. She had always loved, as a child, watching a summer storm with all its power and intensity sweep across Clayton County. This was Scarlett's first opportunity to witness a storm at sea. The gray sky was filled with a mass of threatening clouds, the choppy black water highlighted by the ominous bolts of lightening.
Scarlett was immediately enthralled by the sea. She now understood the grip it held over the many men who made their living upon the sea. "This is what must have drawn Rhett to make his life on the waters during the war." Scarlett thought. "What a romantic life that must have been."
She glanced over towards her sleeping husband. A flash of lightening filled the room. Scarlett touched her fingertips to her lips. She could still taste Rhett on them. A sensuous mix of tobacco, whiskey and salt from the sea air. After she had told Rhett that "she did not want to go back to Atlanta and the life she once occupied", he became more tender and physically giving towards her. He swept her into his strong arms and carried her to their bed. The passion they shared that night still had Scarlett's heart racing and mind reeling now two weeks later. Rhett never questioned why she wanted to leave. She was glad he hadn’t, but somehow she didn’t think that would have made a difference to Rhett.
At Scarlett's insistence, Rhett had helped her draw up papers that would sign the mills over to Ashley. Rhett said it was "a fine thing to do, especially since Melanie had always been such a good friend” to her. Scarlett agreed with Rhett but it was still one of the hardest things she ever had to do. By signing away the mills, she was cutting herself off from the one last remaining link to Ashley. Without the mills, she would never have cause to see or speak to Ashley again outside of social occasions. It hurt her deeply to give up like this; she still harbored a love for Ashley.
Rhett had booked them a one way passage aboard the fine Alice Thorndike the morning after their passionate exchange. They set sail for New Castle, England three days ago. Scarlett had never had occasion to sail before and she wondered if it were always this liberating. As the massive ship pulled away from the New Orleans dock, Scarlett felt many years of unhappy memories fall into the deep ocean water. Rhett held her tenderly as the vessel made her way out of the Louisiana harbor and he continued to hold her close to his broad chest as the coastline faded from view.
Looking into Scarlett's emerald eyes shining bright with golden flecks of sunlight Rhett sweetly inquired, "Are you happy, my dear?" Nestling her head under his chin, "Yes Rhett. I'm happy."
She was, at first, apprehensive about her decision to leave Atlanta and the life she held behind, but it was in moments like these, positioned safely in Rhett's arms, that she knew she had chosen the right path. There was nothing for her to go back to in Atlanta. She would always love Ashley and no one else, but she couldn't torture herself any longer watching him and Melanie together. If she could not have a life with Ashley, she would have to make her life away from him. The pain was becoming almost too much to bear at times.
A thunderous clap stirred Rhett from his sleep. He moved his hand to reach for Scarlett, to draw her near and protect her from the raging storm outside. But she was not there. A strobe of lightening silhouetted Scarlett's small body against the deep mahogany paneled walls of the cabin. He laid in silence watching the lovely figure as if it were a dream. How many nights had he laid awake aboard his own ship and imagined the same scene? During his blockading days of the war he found sleep difficult. His thoughts always ran to Scarlett. How he wished she would have agreed to join him in his travels. Though, of course she did not, he always imagined she was with him. Sharing his dinner at the captain's table and his bed at night. Now it was Scarlett doing the asking. Asking him to take her away, away to a new life.
Rhett was afraid that she would change her mind and demand they return to Georgia. His mood had been tense until they were safely situated upon the ship. He treated their first night aboard as though it were the first night of the rest of their lives. He held her lovingly through the night, afraid that if he fell asleep that when he awoke it would have all been a dream. How he had always longed to hear Scarlett beg him to take her away. To make a new beginning elsewhere. He never imagined that her decision would come so easily and so soon into their marriage. He was certain that Ashley was the cause of Scarlett’s sudden decision. Wasn’t he the reason behind almost every action she ever took? This fact caused Rhett to keep his true feelings hidden from Scarlett. Perhaps one day he would open his heart to her.
Rhett rose from the bed and made his way across the finely furnished cabin. Wrapping Scarlett in his arms and heavy woolen blanket; Scarlett leaned into Rhett's embrace. "I hope I didn't awaken you?" Scarlett asked.
Placing his head upon Scarlett's, tightening his grasp, "Well, I always thought you were a bit of a tempest, but I must confess it was a tempest of a different nature that woke me." Rhett teased.
"Why Mr. Butler, I must admit I do not know what you mean." Scarlett replied in her most coy Southern belle manner.
Rhett laughed deeply. He found great enjoyment in Scarlett's newly found playfulness.
"What has you up Scarlett? The storm?"
Scarlett nodded. "Isn't it beautiful Rhett?" Staring out into the stormy night.
"Yes, I suppose it is." Rhett responded.
"Now I know why you loved blockading during the war, Rhett. It wasn't purely for profit's sake. Blockading afforded you this." Scarlett nodded her head towards the cabin window. "The chance to be on the water and tame her power for your benefit."
"But at the time, there was something else I would have much rather tamed." Rhett stated slyly.
Scarlett turned to face Rhett, "Are you implying I need taming, Mr. Butler."
"No. No." Rhett laughed. "I much prefer you spirited. If you decide to act demurely while on this trip I will be forced to convince Captain Thorndike that you plan to stage a mutiny and make you walk the plank."
"Rhett, you are teasing. Surely that is just pirate nonsense. No one is made to walk the plank."
"I can assure you, my dear that it is not pirate nonsense." Rhett stated.
"Really?" Scarlett asked wide eyed. "Have you ever made someone...you know?"
Rhett finished her thought "Walk the plank? No, I can't say that I have, but I have...” Rhett trailed off. "Well that isn't exactly what my wife needs to hear before returning to bed."
"Rhett! I want to hear about this." Scarlett cried.
Rhett leaned towards Scarlett, whispering softly into her ear "and I want to do this...”
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