sorry about the delay in posting the next part. i've recently moved into a new house and things have just been utter chaos! we thought we'd go ahead and post a bit more...you know...in the spirit of the holidays! merry christmas, happy hannukah, happy kwanzaa, and happy whatever holiday you and your family celebrate!!
now, on to the next part! will this be the chapter that rhett finds out? guess you'll have to read on to find out!
without further ado...enjoy!!
Saving Grace...Part 6
Scarlett was quiet the entire ride to the train depot. She had put Uncle Henry’s telegram to the back of her mind until this morning. Curiosity was eating away at her. She couldn’t imagine what it was that he needed from her. As she thought of anything that he could possibly need, her heart skipped a beat. What if it had something to do with Grace? Scarlett shrugged the thought away. It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with her daughter, could it?
Once they had arrived at the train depot, Scarlett turned to Will and thanked him for driving her. It hadn’t been an inconvenience for him at all. He had some supplies that he needed to pick up in Jonesboro anyway. As he helped her down from her seat, she reminded him that she would return this evening and would need a ride home. She also wanted for him to tell Suellen that she would be home in plenty of time to help with the plans for tomorrow’s festivities.
Tomorrow, Scarlett smiled. Tomorrow Grace would be one year old. She could hardly wait for this day to end so that the celebration could begin. Whatever it is that Uncle Henry needed couldn’t possibly be anymore important than her daughter’s birthday celebration, Scarlett thought as she quietly hummed to herself as she boarded the train bound for Atlanta.
~**~
Scarlett stepped into Uncle Henry’s office. The office had never changed in all the years she had known him. The same heavy walnut furniture scattered around the room, the same books filling the shelves and the same photo of Charles taken at Harvard perched on the corner of his desk.
“Good Morning, Uncle Henry,” Scarlett spoke cheerfully.
“Good Morning,” he stood from his chair. “I see you got my telegram.”
“Yes, I did.” Scarlett pulled her tiny hands from the apple-green silk gloves. “I have to admit I am slightly curious as to why you asked to see me.”
“I hope I didn’t drag you away from anything at Tara.” He wouldn’t have cared if he had. This matter was urgent and it needed tending to immediately.
“No. I had planned on coming to Atlanta to get some supplies for Grace’s birthday party tomorrow.” Scarlett’s face lit up when she mentioned the little girl’s name.
Uncle Henry stood and moved closer to Scarlett. He leaned against the edge of the desk.
“Actually Scarlett that is why I asked you here today,” Uncle Henry cleared his throat.
“Ever since you told me of young Grace and the circumstances surrounding how she came to be,” he paused, “Well I regret having to tell you this but … first I must ask.”
“What is it Uncle Henry?” Scarlett sat forward in her chair.
“She is Rhett’s child isn’t she Scarlett? You are certain of that?” Uncle Henry hoped Scarlett had been lying. She had been known to do so a time or two in the past, plus it would make his job a might bit easier.
“Yes, she most certainly is.” The blood began to rush to her face. “Regardless of what you may have heard about me Uncle Henry I would…”
“Say no more, dear.” Uncle Henry held up his hand to stop her tirade.
Scarlett straightened the bodice of her dress. “Now I’d appreciate if you’d say whatever it is you have on your mind. You’re beginning to scare me.”
Uncle Henry stood and began to pace the room.
“It distresses me so to have to tell you this, Scarlett, but I’m afraid that since Grace is Rhett’s child and because she was conceived while you two were still legally married, separated though you may have been at the time.” He held up his forefinger to stress the point. “And in light of the fact that Rhett did not know of any possible heirs before he filed a petition of divorce…”
“What are you trying to say?” Scarlett snapped losing her patience with the elderly man.
“Your divorce to Rhett is now considered null and void.”
“What? I don’t understand.” Scarlett sat back slowly in the chair.
“Scarlett, Georgia State law dictates that a man must be made aware of any and all possible heirs before a divorce can be granted. It’s Rhett’s right and legal obligation to protect, support, and educate his children. Unfortunately, men make the law and it covers mainly their rights; therefore, any court in the land would grant him absolute custody of the child, regardless of the situation. In your case, this information was never disclosed thereby denying Rhett his legal rights rendering the divorce impotent.”
Scarlett’s heart raced like a jackrabbit’s. Her mind reeled. She began to panic. Rhett could not learn about Grace. He’d surely take the child away from her now.
“I wish I would have never known about the child Scarlett, but what’s done is done.” He lamented.
“NO!” Scarlett shouted springing to her feet. “It’s not done. No one but you and I know about Grace. If you don’t tell anyone then everything will stay the same,” Scarlett schemed.
“I wish it were that simple my dear,” Uncle Henry scratched his head. “But you see Scarlett; I represented Rhett too in this matter. I am his lawyer and I cannot ignore with good conscience what I know. If it ever got out that I knew...”
The man paused, thinking about the consequences he would face if he did indeed do what Scarlett begged of him and the truth about the child’s father eventually became public knowledge.
“I’m sorry, Scarlett but I have to tell Rhett. I wanted to speak with you first though; that is why I had you come before Rhett arrived. I wanted you and me to have an opportunity to talk first.”
Scarlett’s cat like eyes went wide. “Rhett? He’s coming here today?” She spoke numbly.
“Yes.” He said taking the pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket and flipping back the gold cover. “He’s due any minute, in fact.” Uncle Henry left the office to see if Rhett had arrived.
Scarlett bit on her thumbnail thinking. Her mind had to work fast. She wasn’t prepared to tell Rhett just yet. She tried to fool herself into thinking she’d never tell him, but in her heart, she knew that one day she would let Rhett learn of his daughter. Their daughter.
“He hasn’t arrived yet,” he said, walking back into the office and shutting the door behind him.
Scarlett leapt from her chair and sprang into action. “Henry, you must do me a favor. I beg of you. Please do not tell Rhett just now about Grace. I promise to you on my mother’s grave that I will tell him,” she said holding up her right hand. “And soon. But I need a little more time.”
“But he’s coming here today, from Charleston. What do you propose I tell him was the reason for me dragging him back to Atlanta?” He continued, “The man has a right to know Scarlett; in the eyes of the state of Georgia he is a bigamist.”
“Tell him...” Scarlett bit her bottom lip and her eyes darted back and forth.
“You can tell him the part about the divorce not being legal,” she agreed. “Just not the circumstances that made it that way. Anything else, just not about Grace.”
“You can tell him that you forgot to file the final divorce papers with the city court in time,” Scarlett desperately suggested.
There was a knock at the door. Scarlett pleaded with her green eyes.
“Oh, alright,” the old man acquiesced. “I’ll give you one week to tell him, but if you don’t I will,” he threatened.
Scarlett smiled, the dimple in her smooth white cheek appeared, and her eyes sparkled like polished emeralds. She had managed to dodge the bullet for now.
Scarlett heard Rhett’s deep voice and a sudden chill ran up her spine. She turned to greet him, but he had not noticed her yet.
He looked so handsome in his brown pin striped suit and a printed brown-silk cravat. He stood so tall and distinguished. It had been a year since she had seen him last, but he still managed to astound her. He hadn’t changed; there was only a touch more gray on the sides highlighting his raven black hair. Scarlett’s heart ached for him. She wanted so desperately to run into his strong arms and beg him to love her again.
He caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye. He did a double take, his immediate reaction was one of pure delight, but the hard indifferent façade he usually wore quickly returned.
“Scarlett,” he nodded politely to her. His coal black eyes scanned the length of her body.
Scarlett swore she saw the faint beginnings of a smile, but that to quickly fade.
“Rhett,” Scarlett replied in kind.
Her stomach began to twist and tie itself in a hundred tiny knots. She would have to act genuinely surprised when Uncle Henry informs Rhett, informs them, about the divorce. She sat quietly mentally preparing her lines in her head. She did not join in the men’s small talk. She knew Rhett could detect a liar at a hundred paces so she needed to be convincing. She said a small prayer that Uncle Henry could fool Rhett as well. That would give her a week in which to decide how to tell Rhett about Grace. She wouldn’t back down on her promise to Uncle Henry. She heard Rhett say her name and it snapped her from her daze.
“Now that I see Scarlett is here, Henry. I think the urgent matter in which you telegrammed to me about is entirely different than what I expected.” Rhett ran his long fingers along the rim of his hat.
“So if we could put the pleasantries aside, I’m curious as to why I’m here today,” Rhett raised his brow.
Rhett looked suspiciously at Scarlett. He never fully trusted Scarlett when they were married and now was no exception.
“I’ve always liked your no nonsense approach, Rhett,” Henry chuckled.
“Rhett. Scarlett. As you both know I’ve been your lawyer for many years and…” The man stood and walked from behind the desk. “I like to think in that time I’ve served you both well.”
The old man paused.
“Keeping that in mind, I have some news that I regret having to tell you both and I trust each of you will not fault me for my error.”
Rhett leaned back in his chair. Scarlett sat forward in the chair her back straight as an arrow. She stared directly ahead at the old man. She began to wring her hands then caught herself. Rhett could notice even the most subtle gestures.
“It has come to my attention the final divorce decree that I drew up for you was never filed with the City of Atlanta’s courts.”
Rhett’s head turned slightly anticipating what else Henry had left to say.
“It seems a young law clerk I had apprenticing with me last year failed to deliver the papers. I found them in an old case file just earlier this week.”
“What does this mean, Henry?” Rhett spoke through gritted teeth.
“I’m afraid it means that you and Scarlett are still married, at least by the state of Georgia’s standards.” Henry explained.
Henry positioned himself safely behind the large walnut desk.
“Impossible!” Rhett shot up from the chair. “I have papers that say otherwise.”
“Those were only your and Scarlett’s copies,” he continued. “The original copy has to be kept on record at the court house.”
“Then file it,” Rhett instructed.
“I wish it were that easy.” Henry scratched behind his ear. “You see a document such as that has a limited amount of time to be deemed valid and in this case it’s a year.”
Henry looked at Scarlett. “Unfortunately that year has just come to an end.”
Rhett paced the room in long strides trying to control his anger. Scarlett watched as the whole scene played out before her. Rhett was so taken aback that he hadn’t even concerned himself with Scarlett’s reaction to the matter. She would let Rhett do all the ranting and raving, it would serve her better if she remained silent appearing so shocked she was unable to speak. She felt guilty for letting Henry bear the burden of her deception. She would make it up to him some how.
“Do you know what this means, Henry?” He said pointing his finger at the elderly counselor. “This means that either my current marriage isn’t legal or I’m guilty of bigamy.” Rhett shook his head dumbfounded. “This situation must be resolved immediately. How long Henry?”
“A week? Ten days?” He speculated. “Long enough to write up a fresh document for you and Scarlett to sign.”
“Fine, I want this taken care of immediately. You have seven days to rectify this situation and dissolve this marriage,” Rhett ordered. “I can be reached at the National Hotel.”
Rhett walked to the door and turned back.
“I expect that this matter will be kept is this room,” he stared at Scarlett. “I can’t be held accountable for my actions if the current Mrs. Rhett Butler learned of these unfortunate circumstances.”
Scarlett heard the outer door to the office slam behind Rhett. He was gone, running as he had always done before.