A/N – When I wrote this, I was feeling quite cynical and it's my feelings about the scenario that are being projecting through Scarlett.

I've always found that I prefer description over dialogue. In the places where I skip over what was said, it is because I believe that any verbal addition I offer, will not match Margaret Mitchell's own tone. Therefore, I'm not brave enough to attempt it, lol.

Thanks for reading this far. I hope to have a few more reviews before I continue.

Melody-Rose-20

No-one could deny that Scarlett O'Hara was not conventionally beautiful. Her chin was too pointed and her eyes were too vivacious. She had a way about her that caused women to clutch onto their beaux and for mother's to whisper that perhaps they should not spend time in her company. They felt threatened by her. There was a darkness inhabited in the young woman's soul. It caught the attention of all the people who met her.

She had been the childhood companion of all the county children. By the age of six, she could she could climb trees better than all the boys together. By the age of ten, she was an accomplished jumper and rider. Mrs Tarleton had often proclaimed that she would be proud to claim as her own child.

At the age of fourteen, the county boys had begun to notice those womanly curves and the intoxicating aroma of lemon verbena. In short, they forgot about their own Belles, whose lavender scent was also appealing.

With Scarlett, They forgot their civilised manners and became more primal than their mothers would care for. If she was in another man's company, they would nurture a jealous rage. However, that was forgotten as soon as she was back in their company.

During the summer of her fifteenth year, Scarlett visited Savannah and came back a changed woman. I'm not saying that she abandoned her beaux for more sedate leisure activities. She merely kept her distance once the men were becoming more possessive. Even Ashley Wilkes felt the distance. It was not so bad because he already had a fiancé. A Miss Melanie Hamilton of Atlanta. A cousin. She was much plainer than Scarlett, but she would be a much better companion for his life. They would be content. If he married Scarlett, he would never be sure of her attention. She was too flirtatious and uneducated. They would never sit together during a quiet evening and compare Dickens's or Thackeray's work. She did not care for books. She was merely the daughter of an Irish immigrant and a runaway Robillard who had settled in matrimony. No, Melanie was a far better choice.

The news that Ashley was to marry Miss Melanie tore at her young heart. She fled from the Tarletons, who had arrived not long ago. Gerald O'Hara's confirmation of the match dug the knife wound deeper. For the past year, she had clung to the hope that Ashley cared for her. That he wasn't like all the men who claimed devotion, yet really only desired her enough to propose marriage. That day, a part of Scarlett died. Perhaps it would never breathe again.

The next day shone brightly and glorious. She wore her white and green day dress and braced herself for Mammy's lecture. It was swift and relatively painless, almost as if the woman knew of her lamb's inner torment.

During the carriage ride, Suellen preened over the fact that Mr Kennedy would dance attendance all day one her.

"Has he asked you to marry him yet?"

Suellen was brought out of her reverie to scowl at her sister.

"So what if he hasn't. At least I have a beau!"

"I wouldn't want Old Frank pawing at me if he had a million dollars! You're welcome to that old maid in britches."

"Girls, whist now. Don't be talking like that in front of the baby."

The Baby, or Careen, was the girl's thirteen year old sister. She looked up in awe of Scarlett, who had always been a wonder to look at. Suellen despised the eldest sister but Careen adored her and would do anything to have half the vitality that flowed through her. Perhaps then Brent Tarleton would notice her!

They arrived in relative harmony and Suellen leapt forward to meet Frank Kennedy's arm. Unfortunately, Scarlett had also caught his eye.

"Why Mr Kennedy, how kind you are. And how dashing those new set of whiskers look!"

"Why thank-you Miss Scarlett."

"Be a dear and help baby out of the carriage. And take care of my darling sister Suellen. She's been so impatient to see you!"

Behind the man's back, the sisters scrunched their noses at each other in mutual spite. To the unknown observer, it was a refreshing change from the monotony of young people in all their finery greeting each and every person as if they hadn't seen each other for years and not just yesterday. Two coal black eyes followed her as she glided into the hallway, charming everyone she went by. The men were powerless in her wake. The women could only stand and glare.

When she reached Ashley Wilkes, her demeanour changed to assessing. Her eyebrows were raised and she allowed the man to escort her over to a Mr Charles and Miss Melanie Hamilton.

"Here she is. Melanie, Charles, you remember Miss Scarlett O'Hara?"

"Of course Ashley. How do you do Miss O'Hara?"

"Call me Scarlett, Melanie, everyone else does. Why I declare, is this your brother?"

The young buck took the proffered hand in his.

"Why Miss O'Hara..."

"Shame on you Melanie, for bringing your brother here. Miss Honey is a lucky woman."

At the reminder of his fiancé's name, the buck softly frowned and she used the time to escape. He had to laugh. Oh yes, he could see her game. She played the enchantress before reminding them that she wasn't theirs and never would be.

Scarlett had met with a girl called Cathleen Calvert. They walked upstairs, where he stood at the base and a fresh drink in his hand. They were talking about her behaviour when he saw her straighten up, turn around and caught him staring.

"Cathleen, who is that man standing there? The nasty dark one?"

"My dear, don't you know? That's Rhett Butler, he's from Charleston."

"Whatever's the matter with him?"

"Dear, he isn't received!"

Cathleen proceeded to give Scarlett the usual gossip. He found that he could not keep his eyes off her. She was so alluring. No wonder those fools were so transfixed. He could feel a familiar stirring in his loins at the mere thought of what she would do if he took her in his arms.

The BBQ was in full attendance. Servants went from each group offering refreshment. Beaux stood in attendance with their belles, all the while sending looks of admiration at Scarlett O'Hara. The belle in question sat demurely picking at a plate of food along with her younger sister. To the untrained eye, she was unaware of the attention but Rhett saw right through her charade. She was well aware of the stir she was making.

The girls were fast asleep, enjoying their dreams of the day when they would lose their names for the sake of marriage. The men were left to enjoy their brandy and cigars, never dreaming that one of their own would be breaking protocol by sneaking away from her watchful Mammy. Scarlett O'Hara had often been described as an opportunist by those who knew of her. She could not miss this chance to talk to Ashley. She crept downstairs and lay in wait for the very man to step away from the large gathering of men.

She called out to him, "Ashley!"

The man in question turned, surprised at the sight of her. She took hold of his arm and led him into the library.

"Scarlett, what are you doing down here? Why aren't you with the other girls?"

A rare moment of shyness attacked the young belle. "I..."

"What is it? Have you a secret to tell me?"

"Oh, Ashley, I love you."

She had hoped for a more graceful way of saying those cherished words but it was too late.

"Scarlett..."

"I love you I do."

"Well, Scarlett..."

It seemed that Ashley had been struck by the same illness. Scarlett had always been a passionate creature and these awkward silences were not to her liking. Luckily, Ashley recovered rather promptly.

"Is that what today has been about? You've been intent on collecting hearts. Well you've always had mine. You cut your teeth on it."

"Please, don't tease me now. Have I your heart, my darling, I love you..."

"Please don't carry on like this. You'll hate me for hearing them."

Her plea was full of passion, combined with a tinge of desperation.

"I could never hate you, darling. I know you must care for me. You do, don't you?"

"Of course I care. We must go away and forget we ever said such things."

"But Ashley, why? Surely..."

"Scarlett, you know very well that I'm to marry Melanie Hamilton. It will be announced tonight at the ball, even though I'm sure everyone already knows."

"But you can't marry her. Not if you care for me?" A little anger had entered her tone.

"Darling, why must you make me say things that will hurt you? It's not enough that we care for each other. Why we're nothing alike. My dear, you have such passion for living. You can't deny that you would put up with hours of solitude."

"I could..."

"Don't Scarlett. Let's not quarrel. We'll only say something we will later regret."

"So you're telling me that you would rather marry that silly little fool and raise a patch of mealy faced brats..."

"Don't say such things about Melanie. She's like me, we're of the same blood and we understand each other."

"Then what was I? Something to keep you amused before you settled down?"

"Be fair Scarlett, I never at any point..."

"You did, it's true. You low down cad. I'll hate you until I die."

With all her strength, she pulled back her hand and slapped the face of her once proud and distinguished lover. His face bore the ugly mark of a red handprint. Instead of upbraiding her, he kissed the offending hand and quit the room, dignity intact.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was distraught. Everything had gone so wrong. Instead of the impassioned proposal, she had been left feeling the fool.

No-one made a fool out of Scarlett O'Hara!

Her hand caught on some ornamental vase. The coolness of its touch offended her because it reminded her of the man who had brought about her humiliation. She wanted to wreck havoc on the very place that would forever remind her of the worst day of her life. Her hand gripped the vase and she lunged it away from her.

It crashed into the opposite wall with a resounding crash, followed by a long drawn out whistle. She stepped back in fright as the body of Rhett Butler arose from the settee.

"It's bad enough to have my nap disturbed, why should my life be at risk?"

"Sir, you should have made your presence known."

"But you were the intruder." His black eyes assessed her quivering form, before returning to her face. "But don't worry, your secret is safe."

"Sir, you are no gentleman."

"And you miss, are no lady. But I don't hold that against you. Ladies hold no charm for me."

"First you take a low common advantage of me, and then you insult me."

"I meant it as a compliment. I hope to see more of you when you're free of the elegant Mr Wilkes. He doesn't strike me as half good enough for a woman with your, what was it? Your passion for living?"

"You're jealous because you could never match up to Ashley Wilkes. Good day."

Her exit was followed by the sound of his laughter.

From the library, she began the trek up the stairs, only to hear voices heading in her direction. It was imperative that she wasn't discovered, which led to her hiding opposite the banisters. They did not notice her; they were too wrapped in their own conversations, leaving her to make her escape. It was as they had turned a corner that she heard her name.

"Miss Scarlett!"

Charles Hamilton rushed over to her. He was ecstatic that he had caught her alone and would take this as a God-given opportunity. He led her over to the window seat, where she lowered herself. He had often remarked to himself how Miss Scarlett possessed the very essence of gentility. He loved her little movements and the way her eyes grew wide. He would never understand that those cherished gestures were nought more than those of a young girl, practised in the arts of attracting the 'stronger' sex.

That morning, Scarlett had set out to get a proposal of marriage. She had never planned for anyone beside her beloved Ashley to propose. In fact, hearing those traitorous words on the lips of the man she had often resembled to that of a calf, unleashed a tide of rage in her delicate body.

"Do you mean to tell me, Charles Hamilton, that you would break the heart of my friend, Honey Wilkes? You know very well that she loves you. You can't expect me to accept your ridiculous proposal. In fact, we shall forget this conversation ever happened."

Charles Hamilton found that his love for the belle had intensified further at the sight of her impassioned face.

"Miss Scarlett, I..."

"Sir, do not speak. Whatever you have to say will serve no purpose. You are betrothed to Honey Wilkes and you will honour that agreement. Do not waste your hopes on me."

"But Miss Scarlett..."

With that, she walked away, not caring that she may have offended the gentleman more by her revealing her lesser known nature. That fine afternoon, amidst the announcement that the War Between the States had commenced, one disheartened gentleman sought the approval and the permission of Mr Wilkes, to marry his youngest daughter, Miss Honey. Whether due to the hive of activity or from a genuine want, Mr Stuart Tarleton sought Mr Wilkes' permission to marry his eldest daughter, Miss India.

Gossip was rife within the County. What had happened to bring about not one announcement of engagement, but three? It was no surprise that Ashley Wilkes announced his engagement to Melanie Hamilton or that Charles Hamilton had decided to marry Miss Honey Wilkes. But Stuart Tarleton and Miss India? Of course it had been suggested that there was an attachment, but it was also thought that the Tarleton buck was keen on the eldest O'Hara. What had happened?

Two weeks later, three families forged a permanent alliance. As per Southern custom, the Tarletons, Wilkes and Hamiltons would be forever tied to each other. Everyone watched in delight as the couples said the words that would commit them to each other, never knowing that one Southern Belle was hiding an overwhelming hurt and disappointed at the loss of her first love.