How does itfeel, my dear, to have the woman you
hate stand by you and cloakyour sins for you? She had a madimpulse to snatch off her
bonnet and toss it into the air and cryHurray!
She sat up, hugging her wrapper close to her, her
eyes searchinghis face.
What was there to laugh about in all of
this?
Sit down, he said curtly, following her into the
room.
She drew her wrapper close about her body. Ill
think of it laterwhen I can stand it.
No modest, matronly dove grays and lilacs
tonight.
The comfort of his arms helped dry her
suddentears.
Thispuzzled her, made her a little disconcerted.
She took the wet glass, silently cursing him. There was an odd hush thatcaught
Scarletts heart. He put his hands heavily upon her and pinned hershoulders to the
wall.
Weve traveled roads we never expected to travel.
Butler, he said and his voice was a littlethick.
Behind those doors lay the beauty of the olddays,
and a sad hunger for them welled up within her. There was an odd hush thatcaught
Scarletts heart.
People had been a bit cool, somewhat bewildered,
but they had beenpolite. Even in anger, he was suave andsatirical, and whisky
usually served to intensify these qualities.
She stood for a moment, listeningto the slow beat
of Ashleys heart.
There was no barrier between his eyesand hers now,
no baffling remoteness.
Everythings changed so much that it seemslike fifty
years ago.
By God, thisis one night when there are only going
to be two in my bed. Ive never known an Irishman to be a coward. She drew her
wrapper close about her body. What were they but a bunch ofhowling, clawing cats who
were jealous of her? Her mind pulled two ways, she dropped her eyes. After a long
time, he knocked on her door and she said, trying tocontrol her voice: Come
in.
Butler, he said and his voice was a littlethick. To
be sheltered by Melanies blind trust, Melanieof all people!
She heard the sound of feet outside but paid little
heed, thinkingit was the teamsters going home.
Iknow youve been physically faithful to me.