Scarlett had decided to forgo the rest of the season. She couldn't bear being away from Cat and Ballyhara so long, no matter how popular she had been in Dublin. What a scandal her unexpected disappearance must have caused! On the train ride home she had briefly thought of what people might be saying, but quickly put that out of her mind.
Scarlett had been at the Big House for some days now, and she and Cat were spending quality time together. Granted on every Monday she had business to attend to, she would take Cat along with her and the little girl would sit there quietly listening, her dark head cocked to one side, as if noting every word spoken, and storing it for future reference.
One sunny day, Cat pleaded with Scarlett to go on a ride with her. Scarlett laughingly allowed herself to be dragged out to the stables by an enthusiastic Cat, who hadn't been riding for a while.
"Where would you like to ride, my darling?"
"Let's go through the town today, Momma. I want to see what everyone is doing."
"All right, dear."
Scarlett had her horse saddled up with a saddle that allowed her to sit astride, as was the one Cat was riding. The were halfway through the town when Cat suddenly turned into a boreen, yelling back at her mother that she couldn't be caught. Scarlett paced herself deliberately slower than the girl, although not enough so that Cat would notice. Cat hated it when people let her win on purpose, but Ree's short legs simply were not able to move faster than Starlight's, one of Scarlett's newest hunting horses.
The girl and her mother slowed up their pace after the reached the end of the hedge, and Cat and Ree were declared champions. Scarlett smiled somewhat wistfully at Cat, thinking back to another time...no, she refused to let herself live in the past. Bonnie was gone, and Scarlett had Cat to take care of.
As the two ladies trotted merrily down the boreen, catching their breath and laughing at each other's flushed face, Scarlett noticed two figures on horseback ahead on the trail. At first she figured they were more of the men that had come to take residence in the hotel, but then she noticed the grandeur of the horses the two men rode.
"Cat," Scarlett whispered hoarsely, "go back to the house."
"But Momma," Cat replied, disregarding her mother's low tone, "I want to meet the men."
Scarlett looked fearfully at the two men, but they were preoccupied with the town, one man pointing out different buildings to the other and speaking briefly of them. The other man smiled, and Scarlett's heart nearly stopped.
"Katie O'Hara, go back to the house this instant. Go make two- no four glasses of tea, the men may want something to drink."
Cat, dazed at the use of her given name, turned and headed toward the house, now reassured that she would meet the men.
Just as Cat entered the sheltered part of the boreen, the men faced Scarlett, and she realized that she had been sitting there, staring at them, waiting until they noticed her. When the finally did, she snapped into action, gently tugging at Starlight's reins, easing her into a brisk trot.
"Welcome," she called out before she was too near them, "this, as you undoubtably know, is Ballyhara." She was now in clear view of the men, and smiled charmingly, pride showing in her eyes, and dimples playing on her face.
"Why, is that you, Scarlett?" John Morland's English voice was unmistakable.
Although Scarlett had known who it was, she pretended she was surprised. "Why, John Morland, Bart, is that really you? Don't tell me you came all the way out here just to see me!" She really let her dimples play at this point, not looking at Rhett, who was on the horse next to Bart's.
"But of course, Miss O'Hara, and to show our friend Rhett Butler around. I told him that you built a town with your own hands. He didn't really believe me, no matter what he may claim, and I was a little insistent on his coming down here with me to see it. But whatever are you doing here? Why aren't you in Dublin, the Season's not done early, is it?"
Scarlett glanced at Rhett, dipped her head, then continued on to Bart:
"No, it's not over yet. I just missed Ballyhara so much I couldn't bear be away from it a moment longer!"
"I don’t blame you. Such a town one would not want to remain away from for long," Rhett said, entering the conversation for the first time since they had first encountered. She smiled at him gratefully, pride still gleaming in her eyes.
"Now, do tell me Rhett," she said, batting her eyelashes, "what ever have you been doing with yourself?"
"Not much. Life in Charleston is good, although I am getting a little bored." Scarlett was confused until she remembered the letter she had received from Bart, informing her that Anne had died in childbirth. Her face was still smiling and sweet, although now a slightly sympathetic expression showed on her face.
But inside her head, Scarlett was screaming. Her heart had jumped up into her throat, leaving her chest rattling emptily. None of this, of course, was observed by the two men.
"I'm glad to hear that, Rhett. And I'm terribly sorry about your loss." Scarlett said this sincerely, and both men nodded their heads, as if in approval.
"Do come into the house. I am sure you must be thirsty, coming all the way from Dunsany on a day such as this." Scarlett's forehead wrinkled, "Although it's not quite like a Georgia day."
Rhett and Bart both laughed, and followed her to the Big House.
Once inside, she showed them to the parlor. Rhett seemed almost in awe of the house, it was nothing like their Atlanta nightmare. Scarlett remembered that it was his first time in her house, and mentioned giving both men a tour. Bart's eyes lit up, and he spoke to Rhett like a spell-bound young boy.
"You simply must see the stables, Rhett. They're positively grand." Rhett and Scarlett glanced at each other, and both had to suppress laughter.
"Of course, Bart, if the hostess doesn't mind."
"That's no problem at all. Although I am disappointed in you, Bart. I was sure you were impressed with the architecture of the house." Bart snapped out of his trance and muttered something, and both Rhett and Scarlett laughed. "I was just teasing you, Bart. I know you love my stables."
She sat the men down, then had Cat bring in the tea. Scarlett asked the men if they would like anything with theirs, but they politely declined.
Cat sat down on the settee next to Scarlett, her eyes focused on the two men in front of her. Scarlett noticed this, and Rhett and Bart's questioning glances, and hastily spoke up.
"You must forgive me, gentlemen. Cat, meet Sir John Morland and Rhett Butler. Men, this beautiful young lady is my daughter, Katie Colum, or better known as Cat." She was looking at Rhett as she said this, and hoped he interpreted her look. He obviously had, for his face went white, then flushed beatifically, and then returned to normal, and he tried to hide his previous reactions.
"And how old are you, Miss O'Hara?" Bart said, the question directed to Cat.
"Not quite four yet, and what about you, sir?" Cat asked this with childish innocence, although Scarlett could almost swear she saw a twinkle of mischief in her daughter's eyes.
"Now Cat, that's not a polite thing to say." Scarlett's was a poor attempt at chastisement, for both Bart and Rhett were roaring heartily with laughter.
"No problem, miss. And do call me Bart. My age is fifty-two years."
"And you, sir?"
"Rhett, and I am forty-nine years old." Rhett's voice came out a bit strangled, but he quickly corrected it.
"Now it's your turn, Momma." Scarlett blushed, and noticed Rhett looking at her from the corner of her eye, eyebrows up, as interested, and the mocking light that she had missed so much was there, also. Scarlett boldly met the challenge in his eyes, and stated plainly:
"Thirty-two. And you, my dear, already knew that."
Cat giggled merrily, and Rhett's glance returned to her.
"And how do you like Ireland?" Rhett's question was made sincerely, and Scarlett felt her heart breaking at the scene between the two.
"Rhett, you speak as if she doesn't live here." Scarlett wasn't sure she liked the direction of this conversation, but the look in Rhett's eyes quieted her fears.
"I like it very much. Momma gave me my own horse, and it's name is Ree. I also have my very own tower. I can show it to you if you would like."
Poor Bart had been sitting there with one thing on his mind-- the stables. Scarlett noticed the look in his eyes, and suggested to Cat more than to the men:
"Let's take them on a tour, Kitty-Cat. I'm sure the men also would like to see Ree and the rest of the horses." Bart's face relaxed and Scarlett nearly let a giggle escape.
"Okay, Momma." Cat stood up, took Bart by the had and led him to the stables, leaving Rhett and Scarlett behind.
"What the hell-" Rhett began.
"Please Rhett, watch your language. Cat is only three."
"What is going on?"
"Well, Rhett," Scarlett began, trepidation slowly building in her chest, "I- I-"
"You didn't let me know I had a child." Rhett looked ready to kill Scarlett, and for a moment she wished that Bart and Cat were still in the room.
"I had a child, a daughter, for three years, that I never knew about?"
"Rhett, I was going to tell you, but-"
"Pray continue, Mrs. Butler."
"That's one of the reasons, Rhett."
"What?"
"Unless you have forgotten, I am no longer Mrs. Butler. I am Miss O'Hara now, a divorced woman."
Rhett's face lost its color for the second time that day, and he placed his head in his hands. Scarlett thought about the servants that were probably listening at the door, but she no longer cared. Rhett had found out about Cat, and now he was going to try to take her from her, Scarlett just knew it.
"Rhett, you can't take her, you mustn't! I'd be lost without her, and I won't let you do it! She's my life, Rhett, and I won't let her go without a fight!"
Rhett raised his head, and looked at Scarlett's tear-streaked face.
"What makes you think I want to take her away from you?"
"Oh Rhett, you know! You adore children, especially your own, and I know me not telling you about her wasn't right, but Rhett, can't you just forget about that for the time being? I'm sorry Rhett, but there were so many things!"
"Like what," he said, prodding her on. He had to know why she would keep something of this size from him.
"Well, after we, well, you know, you said you didn't love me! And then you left, and I went to Savannah, where I found out I was pregnant. I just was waiting for you to come get me, because I didn't believe you didn't love me, and you never came, and I went to Ireland, and now you really must hate me for this!"
Scarlett was sobbing, and Rhett sat there looking at her. He felt numb as the enormous amount of what she had just said hit him. She didn't even have to finish the story. She'd come to Ireland, and before she could come back and tell him, he had divorced her and remarried. Rhett pulled the handkerchief out of his pocket and moved to the spot where his daughter had just sat. He put his arm around the weeping Scarlett's back and turned her face into his chest, offering her the handkerchief.
"No, Scarlett, I don't hate you." His voice was soft, and Scarlett looked up at him. She had hardly realized that his arms were around her, that his face was so close to hers, that...that Cat was standing in the doorway with Bart, watching the whole scene.
Scarlett nearly jumped out of Rhett's arms, and at first he looked almost hurt, but covered it up, and looked at Scarlett.
From behind him, in the doorway, Bart and Cat said at the same time "Rhett?" "Momma?"
Scarlett nearly burst into laughter at the scene, and Rhett looked shocked to see them standing there. But he was only thinking about one thing- how good it felt to have Scarlett back in his arms. Scarlett was looking at him, and his feelings were reflected in her eyes. Then, completely forgetting the observers, Rhett stood swiftly, took Scarlett in his arms and kissed her.
Rhett finally remembered the people watching them, and pulled away from Scarlett. He grinned sheepishly at the two others, then said:
"I guess we have something we've been holding back." Rhett's eyes were now on Scarlett, one question burning in his eyes.
"Yes," Scarlett said. She then covered the reply by saying, " I suppose we have."
Rhett moved Scarlett towards the settee they had just been sitting on, and gestured for Bart to sit across from them. Cat climbed right up into her mother's lap, her eyes asking different questions.
"Cat," Scarlett said softly, "I'd like you to meet your father."
Cat eyed Rhett appraisingly, then climbed into his lap. The joy of acceptance was obvious in his eyes. He then noticed Bart's slack-jawed stare and explained.
"Scarlett and I were married a few years ago, and had been married for a while. We got a divorce-" Scarlett cleared her throat, and Rhett corrected himself, "Okay, I divorced her, but, but, I guess I never stopped loving her."
Scarlett gazed up into Rhett's eyes, and saw that his words were the truth.
"So that's how you two really knew each other! Well I never!" Bart guffawed, and Cat simply looked up at Rhett and said:
"Why didn't you come see me?"
Rhett looked hurt for a moment, but Scarlett quickly jumped in. "Because your momma did a bad thing. I loved you so much I wanted to keep you to myself." Scarlett looked downright ashamed of herself, which she was. Cat snuggled into Rhett's chest and said:
"I like sharing better."
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