In this story Rhett's unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, drinking and stress) catches up with him and he develops a bleeding stomach ulcer on the very night of Melanie's miscarriage.

It was a very pale, subdued Rhett who met Scarlett off the train on her return from Marietta. Scarlett's heart thumped painfully when she saw him and she thought that perhaps Melly was dead already, that she was too late.

'No', he said tiredly, in answer to her question, 'she is not gone yet. She is waiting for you.'

He handed her up into the carriage then climbed in beside her. It seemed to require more effort than usual and Scarlett surveyed him curiously.

'Are you alright Rhett?' she asked suddenly.

Rhett shot her a sharp look, surprised that she would notice or care how he was. But her face did show some concern so he answered blandly, 'I am a little indisposed today, how astute of you to notice.'

The conversation turned then to Melly and before long they arrived outside the Wilkes' little home. 'Will you come in with me Rhett?', Scarlett asked, suddenly afraid and wishing for his strong, calm presence beside her.

'No', he answered, I am going home. I will send the carriage back for you.'

'Oh' she sighed, and the disappointment in her voice made Rhett feel uncomfortable. Perhaps if he did not feel so ill he may have been persuaded to go in with her, but in truth he was lightheaded and nauseated, and longing to lie down. He rested his head back and closed his eyes. He should never have come out, but he had not felt quite this bad when he set out.

Scarlett hesitated uncertainly. Melly was ill, probably dying, wanting to see her. But Rhett looked ill too, and that unsettled her in a way she couldn't understand. Rhett was never ill! Melly had others who would look after her needs, but who would look after Rhett?

Rhett opened his eyes and turned his head towards her. 'Go, Scarlett, quickly', he said impatiently, desperate now to get home as soon as possible. 'Will you be alright Rhett?' she asked uncertainly. He looked at her curiously. 'I will feel better once I am lying down', he growled. 'Please go'.

Reluctantly she alighted from the carriage and forced herself to walk towards the Wilkes' house, dreading what she would find there. Unconsciously she squared her shoulders and raised her chin, looking at that moment more like her mother than she realised. Rhett would have appreciated her courage, had he been looking, but he had already given the order to drive on and was thinking of nothing but getting to the comfort and privacy of his own bedroom as soon as possible.

Scarlett was quickly and quietly ushered to Melly's bedside. A faint smile moved the corners of Melly's mouth as she recognised her visitor. 'Scarlett', she whispered with relief. Scarlett sat down and gently placed her hand over Melly's cold, still one. 'Hello Melly', she said shakily, afraid to say anything more that might threaten the peacefulness of Melly's last moments, wishing desperately that it was not true, that she was not dying, but unable to contradict the evidence of her own eyes.

'Scarlett', Melly said with effort, 'please . . . please look after Ashley and Beau for me'. 'Yes, of course, Melly', Scarlett responded, swallowing hard. 'And dear', she continued, her voice little more than a whisper, 'please be kind to Captain Butler, he loves you so'. 'Rhett?' said Scarlett with surprise, frowning. 'Yes, indeed', Melly answered with a gentle smile. Then the door opened and Dr Meade ushered her out into the parlour. There she was confronted by a sea of faces, all tear stained, all looking just as lost and hopeless as she felt herself. And Ashley looked the most lost of all. There was no comfort for her to be had here, she realised. Silently she slipped out and set out for home.

She longed for Rhett's strong arms and broad chest. Did he really love her? Then she remembered that he was unwell, and her heart sank.

She was out of breath when she got home. She had walked, not wanting to wait for the carriage, and needing some space to get her thoughts straight. Now she paused in the front foyer of their house as she peeled off her gloves and hung up her hat. As her breath quietened, she listened for some sound that might be a clue to where Rhett was. But the house was silent. She looked in the dining room, the study, the library, the parlour. He was not there and she concluded that he must have gone to bed. Slowly she made her way up the grand staircase. She paused outside Rhett's room. Still she heard nothing. Cautiously she knocked on his door. She was relieved to hear his voice answering her knock. Entering, she saw him lying in bed. His appearance frightened her. He looked very pale and tired, and he lay very still, even when she came near. His dark eyes were fixed on her though, as hers were on him. 'Rhett', she began, then she got such a large painful lump in her throat that she could say no more. Tears filled her eyes. 'What is it my dear? Has Mrs Wilkes passed on?' he asked gently. 'Melly?' answered Scarlett. 'No, not yet, but I think it will not be long'. 'I had no idea that you cared about her so much', answered Rhett quietly, observing her distress.

Scarlett struggled to put her thoughts into words. Her only friend was dying, and there was no one to comfort her, no one to be strong for her. Even Rhett was looking weak and helpless. And she was confused by Melly's last words. Did Rhett really love her? If only it were true! But he had been so cold towards her for so long that she thought Melly must be mistaken.

She looked at him again. 'You do look ill Rhett', she frowned. 'Can I do anything for you?'

'Would you be so kind as to get me a drink of water?' he asked. 'Yes, of course', she answered, and hastened to comply.

After he had drunk, he lay back and closed his eyes. Scarlett sighed. Perhaps she should leave him to sleep. She rose quietly and walked towards the door, shutting it quietly behind her as she left. Then she stood there, leaning against his door, feeling very lonely, wondering what to do next.

Suddenly she heard his bed creak, followed by the sound of vomiting, then a heavy thud. She rushed back in to find him lying unconscious on the floor, and it was evident that he had just vomited a large amount of blood. Scarlett screamed. The servants came running. She stood there unable to move while they lifted Rhett back onto the bed and cleaned up the mess. 'This cannot be happening to me', she said to herself dazedly. Then somehow Dr Meade was there. She looked at him in surprise. Had he left Melanie's death bed to attend Rhett? He looked very sombre as he examined Rhett. Then she heard his stern voice, 'Captain Butler, you are gravely ill, is there anyone you would like sent for?'

'Scarlett', he murmured. 'I want my wife'. Scarlett's heart thumped painfully in her chest. Melly was right, he did care for her! Dr Meade nodded to her then quietly left the room. Gingerly she came to Rhett's side, her eyes full of tears. She clasped his hand, and it was cold, like Melly's had been. 'Don't leave me Rhett', she pleaded. 'Please, I can't live without you'.

'Scarlett', he murmured again, and at that she thrust herself onto his shoulder, her arms clinging to him. She had managed not to cry for Melly, but now she could not hold back her sobs. Her body shook as she cried desolately. 'Shhh', he murmured, as he made a huge effort to lift his arms to hold her. 'Don't cry my dear'. And he patted her tenderly.

Eventually her sobbing eased to the hiccup stage and she sat up and blew her nose. 'I am sorry, Rhett', she said.

'Stay with me', he murmured. 'Of course', she replied. And she sat at his side, holding his hand, while he dozed. Every now and then he vomited some more blood, while Scarlett held a bowl to his mouth. Each time he seemed a little weaker than the time before. Eventually he drifted off into a deep sleep. Scarlett wondered if he was unconscious.