Scarlett had just finished purchasing a stunning new hat in the latest fashion and decided to take a walk about Hyde Park. She was feeling lonely and a bit homesick today and thought a breath of fresh air might clear her mind. When she was younger and her mood was down, her Pa would take her into Jonesboro and purchase the finest bonnet the haberdasher had to offer. Then he would walk her about the town for what seemed like miles. Her Pa would say "that a new bonnet was like a pretty lady, they both deserved to be paraded about." Inevitably, Scarlett would forget about whatever had been troubling her. Scarlett looked back on those times with her Pa with fond remembrance. She could not believe that it had been 3 years since the death of her father and nearly 4 since her mother had passed from this earth.
Scarlett strolled the tiny pebbled path encircling the grassy park and eventually found a vacant wrought iron bench perched underneath a stately oak tree. She took comfort in its’ shade and watched as the nannies pushed the prams of their charges along the paths. Scarlett thought back to memories of her own Mammy pushing her younger sister Careen around the grounds of Tara, she and Suellen in tow. How she dearly missed her Mammy. She wanted to crawl into Mammy's ample lap and have Mammy "make it all better." How many countless times had Mammy proven to be Scarlett's savior? Mammy always knew how to right all the wrongs in Scarlett's life. Scarlett's heart ached to be with Mammy again, but that was not to be. Not now anyway. It was too soon for Scarlett to return. She still nursed a broken heart for Ashley; and besides she and Rhett had only been in England for less than 2 months.
Scarlett and Rhett had made their way to the city of London once Rhett had made contact with his British partner, Sir Randall Bragg. Sir Bragg was an accomplished and well respected English banker. He was considerably older then Rhett, but he still possessed a young and vibrant spirit. Rhett had described him as "a rare breed, a cut above the rest." Scarlett was apprehensive about meeting such a man, a man Rhett held in such high esteem and one personally knighted by the Queen of England. But on first meeting with Sir Bragg, Scarlett was immediately taken by his charm and wit. Sir Bragg was obviously someone very special to Rhett and Scarlett knew that he would prove to be an invaluable friend to her as well. He had taken it upon himself to sponsor the Butlers. This helped ease Scarlett's mind about not fitting into English society. In his own dear way, Sir Bragg had shown Scarlett how to successfully navigate the often times stormy waters of what is known as English society. In under a month's time Scarlett found herself attending parties and balls where the guest list was filled with Lords and Ladies, cousins to the Queen and possible successors to the throne. The last month had been a whirlwind of events. There had been so many dances, opening nights at the theatre, and lawn parties to attend that Scarlett never had time to think back on her old life. But now the social season was winding down. People were heading back to their summer estates in the country. There they would stay there until the winter season began. The city seemed so empty.
Rhett had been busy with his work, acquiring English specialties like chocolate, teas and silver to export back to America. He was not able to offer Scarlett the amount of personal attention that she grew accustomed to. Her days were spent idly wandering about the large brick home that Rhett had acquired for them in a section of London known as Kensington. The home belonged to Sir Bragg's cousin, Colonel Wilfred Ryan, who was stationed with his family in India. The Colonel was a highly valued officer in the Queen’s Royal Army. He and his family were not due to return to England for yet another year. The home in Kensington was beautifully furnished. It was outfitted with the finest Persian rugs, sent back during the Colonel’s last journey to India, precious Chinese pottery obtained during a tour of the Orient and remarkable Egyptian linens. Scarlett appreciated her surroundings, but felt so uncomfortable in the home Rhett had chosen for them. She felt as though she was a visitor in a museum. The items dotted around the house were lovely but they were not hers. She felt eternally the guest and just couldn't relax when she was there. Because of this Scarlett spent as much time away from the house as possible.
Scarlett had spent the most recent days visiting the sites of London. But all of the churches, towers and museums quickly bored her. She resigned herself to shopping. It was amongst the many shops and boutiques that Scarlett seemed the happiest. Her first purchase of the day had been a pair of fine eider down pillows. Scarlett knew that she couldn’t change the décor of the home that they let, but she could vastly improve its comfort level. Scarlett swore that the Colonel’s pillows had to have been carved from the same mahogany wood as the grand four poster bed. She hadn’t known a solid night’s sleep since moving into the home. Pleased with her purchase, Scarlett decided that since she bought something to rest her head upon, it would be nice to buy something to rest upon her head. It was after buying the new blue-velvet hat that Scarlett decided to walk around Hyde Park.
Scarlett sat in the shade of the oak tree, watching the children running, laughing and playing on the field in front of her. She heard the chimes of St. Andrew’s clock toll Noon. “Well only half a day behind me.” Scarlett sighed to herself. The past week seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace. Scarlett hadn’t realized how accustomed she had become to being with Rhett. He always made the day pleasant. And now that his business had taken up most of the day, she missed his company. She longed for the supper hour, for then Rhett would be home and she could curl up into his lap and listen to the events of his day. Usually it was Scarlett doing the talking, retelling bits of gossip she heard over tea, but now with most people gone from the city it was Rhett who provided the evening’s conversation. Rhett always listened attentively to Scarlett whenever she talked, never dismissing her. He hung on her every word as if she were telling him a great mystical story. Scarlett was thankful that Rhett wasn’t like the other women’s husbands. They were kind to their wives, but took no great interest in them either. The English men treated their families with such great indifference. Scarlett was sure that the other women were jealous of the relationship she and Rhett shared.
At the many galas they attended, Rhett always made sure to dance the waltzes with Scarlett. He told her, “You can dance a hundred polkas with whomever you want, but the waltzes I claim as mine alone.” The other women thought that Rhett was an incurable romantic and a husband Scarlett should be proud to have. They secretly swooned when Rhett would approach them in his black evening jacket, starched white shirt and black cravat. Scarlett noticed the reaction Rhett would have on the ladies and beamed with pride. Scarlett always knew that she and Rhett made a handsome pair and she had to concur that Rhett was a fine companion. Scarlett laughed to herself. If someone had told her that day at the Twelve Oaks barbeque that she would one day be married to Mr. Rhett Butler from Charleston, she would have thought them ill and demanded they see Dr. Fontaine immediately.
The thought of Twelve Oaks caused an ache in her heart. Twelve Oaks would always remain special to Scarlett, almost as dear as Tara was to her. With the thought of Twelve Oaks, came the memories of Ashley. “Ashley,” Scarlett thought to herself, “oh but how long has it been since I thought of my dear Ashley?” Scarlett felt a pang in her heart. She knew that her heart belonged to him. She loved him like no other person. Ashley had been above all her first love, unfortunately an unrequited love. A woman never forgets her first love, no matter how old she may be or how long she lives. Scarlett thought of Melanie, and Careen, Tara and Mammy. Oh how she missed them all, perhaps even Suellen. Scarlett lightly shook her head to remove the sad ramblings from her mind. “Oh, Scarlett what are you doing to yourself? Snap out of it. You are just feeling lonely and sorry for yourself today.” Scarlett thought. “Fiddle dee dee Scarlett, sitting her pining for the past. And missing Suellen? I’d say the cities heat is affecting you.” Scarlett laughed. She rebuked herself for letting loneliness get the best of her. She scolded herself, “Scarlett you can sit here all day and make yourself as miserable as an old pea-hen at a party, but that won’t change anything.” Scarlett was about to get up from the bench and return back home.
“Please don’t leave on my account.” a deep voiced called from behind her. Scarlett turned, “Rhett!” she exclaimed, “Oh, but how did you know where to find me?” Rhett bent down and kissed Scarlett’s cheek lightly, “Simple my dear, I just had to look for the most dashing hat in all of London and I knew my wife had to be under it.” Rhett teased. Scarlett touched her hand to her head, “Oh. Do you like it Rhett?” she asked. Rhett nodded, “I’d say it was most becoming, Scarlett. Now what are you doing sitting here alone in the park on such a fine day?” Rhett asked. Scarlett’s shoulders sagged slightly, “I was just a little tired from shopping and thought I would rest a bit here before returning home.” Scarlett said. Rhett looked at Scarlett questioningly. “Are you sure that was the reason, Scarlett?” Scarlett looked down and kicked a small pebble with the toe of her shoe, “Yes, Rhett I am sure that was the reason.” Scarlett lied. Rhett chuckled, “I thought it was perhaps that you couldn’t bear the thought of going back alone to that museum of a house we call our home.” Scarlett’s head snapped up towards Rhett, a sparkle returning to her emerald green eyes. “Rhett, oh you feel the same way about the house as I do?” Scarlett asked. Rhett laughed, “Of course I do Scarlett. Do you think I feel comfortable living amongst someone else’s belongings? “Rhett brushed the back of his hand across Scarlett’s cheek, “Now, just remember Scarlett it is just temporary lodging. We will have our own place soon, once my business is concluded and my attentions are not so divided. Perhaps by spring, can you wait that long?” Scarlett nodded her head and grasped Rhett’s hand placing it in hers, “Yes, I can wait that long, just knowing I…, I mean, WE will have a place of our own soon. Rhett that does make me very happy." Rhett quickly kissed the back of Scarlett’s hand, “Good. Now with that matter settled I don’t expect to find my wife loitering upon anymore park benches.” Rhett teased. "Now, I’d say it is time for me to tend to my wife and take her to lunch. Would you like that Scarlett?” Scarlett beamed with delight, “I would like that very much Rhett, thank you.” “Fine.” Rhett said as he took Scarlett’s arm into his. Rhett looked at Scarlett on his arm and his eyes traveled to the blue-velvet hat positioned stylishly atop Scarlett’s head. “Scarlett, I do say, I like that hat.” Rhett said. “Thank you Rhett.” Scarlett replied. Rhett continued “You know, Scarlett, a pretty hat is like a lovely lady; they both deserve to be shown off.” Scarlett tightened her grasp on Rhett’s arm and smiled warmly, “So I’ve heard."
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