Gone With The Wind (open)

[SuthernCumfort]

JOIN US IN A TALE OF THE OLD SOUTH WROUGHT WITH PERIL AND WAR. YET ON THIS INTRIGUING JOURNEY, FIND OUT WHAT MARGARET MITCHELL COULDNT WRITE ABOUT AS SHE PENNED HER FAMEOUS NOVEL. CHARACTERS SPOTS STILL OPEN.

THE FOLLOWING ARE A LIST OF CHARACTERS TAKEN:

SCARLETT-----ME
RHETT-------MACMILLIAN
ASHLEY-----ROCK YOUR WORLD
MELANIE-----ICU1978

WE HAVE AN OOC. IF YOUR INTERESTED JUST POST IN THE OOC AND WRITE AWAY HERE. PLEASE NOTE: I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW THE STORY LINE TO THE BOOK AND MOVIE CLOSELY TAKING SOME LIBERTIES OF COURSE.

ALL THOSE WRITING AND THOSE YET TO COME ABOARD, WELCOME



Scarlett O hara was the belle of 5 counties. Chestnut hair and devilishly green eyes added to serve the purpose she needed. Attention. But not just any attention. Male attention. Growing up at Tara, she lived with her mother, father, two sisters, and a pacel of darkies. Yet, now at 18, she stood on the brink.

When told Ashley was to marry Melanie Hamilton, she was devistated. She had loved him and was sure he loved her. She had made quite a spectacle of herself at the BBQ earlier that day. Yet he seemed to take no notice. When the evening wanned and the girls took their customary rest, she quickly made her way out of the rooms and down the stairs. Ashley would be around somewhere and she could confess her love. Then he would whisk her away and all this talk of war and fighting would be over.


She stole down the stairs and into the main hallway. Seeing him, she quietly spoke his name and pulled him into the library.

 

[RockYourWorld]

While a perfect gentleman who would never speak ill of a lady, Ashley Wilkes did in fact contain such opinions of certain ladies deep within his heart. As an heir to the Wilkes estate, and lord of Twelve Oaks, young Mr. Wilkes had been taught the expected behavior of a proper gentleman, and the appropriateness of expression. The way he felt about specific women would remain forever his secret, although to him, these thoughts were always on the very tip of his tongue.

This young Scarlett O’Hara tested every fiber of his patience and took every bit of his strength to hold his tongue. The very manner, in fact, at this moment in time, when she nearly accosts him in his own home and all but bullies him into his own library is quite beyond description. And her blathering on an on about his engagement to Melanie – quite scandalous!

“Why, yes, Scarlett, what you hear is true. Melanie has agreed to be my wife. I do so very much appreciate your kind wishes…” a slap across the face ended any politeness Ashley felt towards the young monster, and again, it took all of his being not to tell this young creature just how deep into hell she could go! Instead, as the perfect gentleman he was, he turned and left the library without another word. He had been told that Mr. Rhett Butler had paid a visit, and was in the library at the time. If that were indeed the case, he would have to introduce himself later. Ashley wished to make distance between himself and young Miss O’Hara, a feeling that was strengthened further when she chose to express herself by breaking a vase against the mantel.

Done with this all, Ashley walked from the estate, on to look for his fair Melanie.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

 

[icu1978]

not feeling the least bit tired this evening melanie had snuck out of the house when the other young lady's had adjorned to the upstairs rooms for a little rest.
she knew this wasn't proper but she just couldn't be cooped up in a room with all those other girls and least of all scarlet who had acted just this side of scandalous this afternoon at the bbq. everyone of their naihbors where in atendance and had seen scarlet throwing herself at ashley every chance she could arrange.

melanie reminded herself that scarlet was her friend and she did love her as much as any sister would having grown up togethor most of their lives. but some times scarlet could try the patience of a saint. and all though many thought that she was just that for putting up with scarlet and her fits of temper for all these years melanie was in fact no saint.

walking into the gardens melanie found her favorite spot on the whole estate.
sitting under an orlander tree adn smelling the flowers and even the grass. she looked into the sky. such a beutiful night, even scarlet could not compare to the loveliness of the evening. or the growing happiness that melanie felt each time she thought of ashley.

melanie released a long sigh as she looked around the estate. scarlet must have been devistated to learn that the man she claimed to love with her whole heart had asked her best friend for her hand in marriage. she hoped that scarlet was not to deeply hurt by the news. but knowing scarlet the way that she did melanie had no doubt that scarlet would have a few things to say about it when next they met with out so many people to be witness to her tirades.

standing melanie began to slowly pace the gardens when she heard someone coming she stood perfectly still knowing if she where cuaght out here it would be on every gossips wagging tongue by morning. and lord only knew what they would say. she had always valued the fact that she had protected her reputaion so well. never cuasing scandle or gossip.. waiting she heard no other noises indicating that someone was aproaching.


deciding it was time to head back to the house melanie did just that. making her way slowly to the house.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

 

[RockYourWorld]

.....

 

[icu1978]

ooc can we please continue now?

 

[RockYourWorld]

OOC: Yes, we can!

IC:
The impetuous Scarlett O’Hara finally removed from his presence like a bothersome flea, Ashley Wilkes exited the house, greeting and briefly conversing with guests of Twelve Oaks as he went along. He was polite and genteel as he spoke, but his mind was elsewhere. His mind was on the fair Miss Melanie. He walked out the grand rear doors of the estate which lead to the gardens. He knew that, being a proper Southern lady, Melanie would be in one of the upper rooms, sequestered with the other ladies, looked over by several chaperones, of course.

But as he walked along, Ashley was shocked when he saw, right there in plain sight, his lovely fiancé. His jaw dropped. There she was, out in the evening hours, unescorted by her father or other male relative! Could it be? She was taking such a huge risk, being here under such an absolutely scandalous situation. And what could Ashley do? If he were to approach her, he would become an accomplice in this scandal, causing disgrace to his family name as she was doing to hers. Such a dilemma!

But as he looked at Melanie in the fading sunlight of the day, he saw something he had never taken notice of before. He saw….a woman. Not a lady, not a daughter, or a fiancé….but a woman. She had made her choice to be here in the garden, rules and traditions and etiquette be damned! Was Melanie a woman who was willing to take risks, to walk a different path than her contemporaries? Ashley, as a man, often had thoughts, thoughts that gentlemen were expected to keep to themselves. But seeing Melanie here, in the garden, in the cooling early evening air, these thoughts came to the forefront of his mind, allowing him to imagine the fine lines and curves of Melanie’s beautiful body.

Not allowing himself to drift further into such a mindset, Ashley shook his head and cleared it. He wished to speak to Melanie, but approaching her now would indeed be inappropriate. He retreated into the house to fetch Mr. Rhett Butler. As Mr. Butler was not betrothed to Melanie, it would be socially acceptable for him to approach Melanie, and ask her to come to Ashley.

 

[macmillian]

I quietly sat there and listened to the two young people. There was several young ladies (women) present today and I was having a good time. Tonight was going to be grand, The dancing and all the ladies in the best gowns. But now I listed to the two young people, Ashley Wilkes and a Scarlett O'Hara. Very interesting, something I would have to watch.

"Scarlett was a fine young woman. Fine indeed. I shall have to make it a point to talk and to dance with her tonight! Oh yes tonight. Indeed."

 

[icu1978]

as melany turned to return to the house she seen her maid comign out of the house and when she spoted melany standing by the orlander tree she came running.

the rotund young woman came running towards her. well more of a fast paced walk really. and as they met in the yard she smiled. " helly abby dear. where you looking for me?"

the maid gave an exsasperated sigh. " you know vera well i be lookin for you missy, you needed in the house. it be missy scarlet again. she be in one of her fits again."

melany rubed her brow. " oh dear where is she now?"

the maid pointed to the house. " she be destoying massa ashley's library she be. her maid say she be in one fine fit and asked me to come gets you seein as how your the only one who can calm that lil she devil down when she like this."

melanie gave a knod and let out a long breath she had not realised she had been holding in. she took her maids hand and helped her back up to the house.
" i think i know what caused this fit of temper abby dear and im affraid that seeing me might make it worse. but i will try."

the maid sighed and patted melany's hand. " aye you be a good girl indeed missy melany." they walked the rest of the way to the house in silence and when then entered they could hear the men arguinig in the sitting room.

melany and abby shared a look. and continued down the hall until the reached the library where when they crew closer to the door they could hear books thunking against the door and walls. breaking glass and above all else the shreaking anger of scarlette.

moving towards the door mellany taped on it " scarlette dear its melany. may i come in?"

as she waited out in the hall the room within went silent.

 

[SuthernCumfort]

Scarlett fumed, there was the meally mouthed simpleton now! How could she help? She was the reason she was mad.

"Oh Melanie go away. I am, frightfully so, a trifle upset now. Please do be a dear and just let me be" she said. Her words did nothing to hide the anger she felt.

Oh if she werent a lady she would slap the smile right off her face!!! The vase was close and as she tossed it to the air, she was quickly alerted to another prescence in the room. Turning, she met with the devilishly handsome and broodingly gracious man she had felt eyeing her earlier.

"Sir!! you dare stumble into my counsel. You should have made yourself known earlier. You have been eavsdropping on things you best let lie" her green eyes danced with hatred and fire.

She dared him address her. She knew whom he was. Of course, Cathline had told her earlier. He was Rhett Butler and, he was the worst of the worst. He was not received.

"You, sir, should best leave my prescence for I will scream" she said hesitation edging her voice now. He wasnt leaving, he was advancing.

 

[icu1978]

melany heard the terse reply from within the library and let out a sigh.
she truly felt bad for what has happened. She knew that scarlet had always claimed to be madly in love with ashley.. closing her eyes she leaned her forhead against the wooden door. thinking to herself of all the afternoons that had spent togethor. all the fun they had had. scarlett had been her dearest friend. how could she do this to her best friend she wondered.

a tear slowly made its way down her pale cheek. Raising her head melany knocked softly on the door again. " scarlet darlilng im sorry we have hurt you.... that's not what we intended... ooh scarlet i will make it better for you.. i....i (she began to sob) i shall tell ashley that i can not marry him."

there was silence inside and melany took this as acceptance. covering her mouthe with her hand she turned to run from the hall where any one walking by would see her shamefull tears. but dear abby grabed ahold of her as she tryed to make her get away " missy melany you cant be doing that.. you that that there mazzer ashley." mellany looked at her with tear streaked eyes and sarrow filled eyes." oh abby i do.. i love him so"

abby took her in her large arms and held her weeping form. " shhh shhh now missy, it'll be working out. dont you go leaving your love."

just then they heard foot steps coming down the hall the stride was long and fast aproaching. looking up she seen none other than ashley himself coming towards them. a look of concern on his face as he noticed her tears.

as he stood before them looking from melany to abby to the closed library door. his look turned to one of anger. melany turned to him " oooh ashley"

 

[RockYourWorld]

Ashley so much wanted to be as far from the wicked Scarlett O’Hara, and was indeed quite glad to see that Melanie had returned to the house. He was glad to see her, and wanted desperately to be in her company. He was also happy that she had been escorted to the house by one of her better servants, Abby, who always seemed to be watching after Melanie as if she were her own kin.

“My dear Melanie,’ Ashley said to his betrothed, aching to take her in his arms and ravish her in so many ways. But this of course, that was not to be expressed in any way. Ashley allowed his anger to dissolve, not wishing Melanie to see any displeasure in him at all.

“Melanie, let us retire to the upstairs study. We can have some privacy there. Abby can accompany us of course, and my mother and father are in the next room but one. It will be all quite proper, I assure you. But the behavior of that dreadful Scarlett O’Hara has made me yearn for your company. Please, let us go there.”

Melanie agreed, and Abby followed close by as they made their way. For some reason, it was then that Ashley’s memory came to life. This very study where he was taking Melanie had been the scene of a shocking vision for Ashley. When he was a younger man, he had walked into this study and saw his father with Cleo, a trusted slave that had hardly ever left his father’s side. There, in the study, both his father and Cleo were naked, his father standing behind her. She was bent over the back of a couch, moaning and rocking back and forth. As Ashley walked into the study, the three of them all looked at each other. After an instant of the three of them staring, Ashley withdrew from the study, leaving his father and Cleo to finish their act.

Nothing was ever said, between Ashley and his father, or between Ashley and Cleo. That’s how things were handled here at Twelve Oaks, and throughout the South, for that matter.

 

[macmillian]

"Shall I use the main hallway door or should I slip out onto the veranda like a theif in the night. No thank you Miss Scarlett O'Hara. I beleive I'll use the main door."

The Look on your face was truly amazing. You thought that you could control and order other people around. Well I wasn't one of them. You were now blushing even through you rouge. Scarlett was definatly your color as well as your name.

"You can tell everyone you were angry with me. That way you will not open yourself up to question. Good afternoon, Miss O'Hara.

When I opened the door, there was Ashley and Melanie. Ashley was surprised to see me walk out of the library.

"Good afternoon! Miss Melanie, Ashley. Miss Scarlett seems to have quieted down for now." and I turned and walked outside where the other gentlemen were congragating.

 

[icu1978]

looking from ashley to the tall elegant looking man coming out of the library in shock. but she soon recovered herself and made a slight certsy to the tall man. my but he was a handsome devil. looking to ashley and smiling she took his offered arm as he led her away from the library to the floor above where they could sit and visit for a short while before super was anounced.

she loved the feel of his large strong hands. everytime his arm would brush against her breast she would get goose flesh and a strange feeling in her belly.
as they walked she would glance up at him when she felt it safe to do so.
there seemed to be an abnormal amount of people loitering in the hall this evening.

more than likely do to miss scarlets tantrum in the library. taking a deep breath melany looked over her shoulder to the library door that was beng swung open as they reached the end of the hall. as she turned the corner with ashley melany seen scarlet come stormiing out of the library looking fit to be tied.

she was trully in a temper. but knowing scarlet she wouldn't let her anger get the better of her infront of so many people. ashley mearly shook his head and led melany on down the next hall and up some stairs.
as they entered the study abby swept mellany's skirt into the room and then let the door shut.

walking over melany chose to sit on a large chair and taking a breath she looked at ashley standing by the fire place pouring himself a drink.
" well i have to say darling that was not nearly as bad as i thought it was going to be." melany smiled at ashleys grim look. she loved this man and she knew aht she would never give him up for scarlet of annyone else who may have designs on his person.

 

[SuthernCumfort]

Scarlett stood astounded. Here was this man, keeping company with her, unwanted as it may be, walking out like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Yet as she started to open her mouth, she was aware of the audience her own actions had garnered. Shying away suddenly, she made a hasty retreat into the back hall and down the long passage way. She must get back to the sleeping rooms or she would be missed.

As she walked her slight steps on the marble flooring, she once again, devised a sure fire plan. Ashley really was the man she loved, he wanted only to hide his own feelings until Melany could leave. That was it!! She was sure of it and tonight at the ball she would behave as if the littel tiff between them was merely that.

She would dance and laugh and smile. She would be just what she was, the Belle of the Ball. Ashley would surley be jealous and see that he really wanted her, no matter what lengths she must go to in order to gain that attention.

As she slipped into the evening cooled rooms, she quickly undid her dress, and her stays and slipped beside Cathline Calvert. She worked the plan mercilessly until she dozed into a light sleep. It would be alright, everything would be alright even if it was tomorrow. After all, tomorrow was another day.

 

[SuthernCumfort]

She stood just inside the large ballrooms of Twelve Oaks in all her glory. She was by far the most beautiful woman there and she knew it.

She quickly scanned the rooms for Ashley, Melanie and of course that cad, Rhett Butler. She wanted to make herself larger than life and found the Tarleton Twins in the corner where she quickly made herself.

She laughed and joked in a fashion not fitting for a woman of her station but she didnt care, there were things she would risk for the plan she carefully concocted in her head.

Ashely would be hers one way or the other. If not hers, she would have him. That was one thing she was sure of. She would have him no matter what she had to do to get him.