Hello, everyone. I first thought of my story as of a completed one shot piece. But then I felt there are more things to tell. So, here is Chapter 3. Please, please, comment and tell me what you think.

In the morning, Rhett entered the dining room, dressed in his usual manner – casually, but always impeccable. The servants, chatting around, stopped talking and turned their heads towards him. Rhett smiled and greeted everyone. In a minute, there was no one there, except Mrs Fitz.

She gave a cold look to Rhett and nodded silently. She loved and admired Scarlett. She adored little Cat. So, she cannot accept the man, who abandoned his pregnant wife to marry someone else – this was what Column explained her. Not that way, but she figured it was something like that. And he was so heartless, he not even once visited his beautiful little daughter, not even a Christmas card, no birthday presents. How could Scarlett forgive him that? Can she be so much in love? Think only, she nearly gave her life away to bring their baby into this world, the baby, who resembles her father so much. And the father had never appeared back then. And now here he was. Smiling, getting access to Mrs. O's bedroom right away. Mrs. Fitz knew Scarlett was proud and stubborn, and not really a forgiving person. So, this kind of Scarlett's behaviour was something Mrs. Fitz couldn't apprehend.

- Good morning, Mrs. Fitzpatrick.

- Mr. Butler. – she answered in a dry formal manner, A little too formal and too dry.

- Is Cat awake?

- Yes, sir. And she's already had her breakfast.

Rhett paused for a moment.

- What does she usually have for breakfast? What does she like most?

This question seemed a little confusing to Mrs. Fitz. She didn't expect it from such careless and irresponsible father as this man.

- Well, she likes oatmeal, and a big mug of sweet tea, some honey, scrambled eggs. She likes milk too.

- Thanks. I'll remember that. – he smiled to his thoughts, - And where is she now?

- She was going to Grain. She's probably there now.

- Grain?

- Yes, sir...she's...well...Cat's friend.

- Is this a girl who lives not far from here?

- I'd better be... – Mrs. Fitz frowned. She didn't like that Cat was so close with this...She didn't even let her think the word "witch". – Grain lives in the wood.

- Excuse me, where?

- In the wood.

- Has Cat gone there? Alone? Good Lord, are you kidding me? With so many people in this house, why she was let go there? - Rhett couldn't believe his ears.

- She always does. Miss Scarlett let her. She doesn't mind.

- Doesn't mind a little girl going to the wood, alone? - Rhett felt he's getting furious.

- It's quite safe, sir. And why would you care, after all? - the last words slipped from Mrs. Fitz' tongue. It was too late to take them back.

Rhett stopped and looked into the woman's eyes. It was a cold look, but straight and confident.

- I care, because I'm her father. And I worry, because my daughter has a friend, who god knows why lives in the wood. She goes there alone. I believe I have the reason to worry. – his voice was ice-cold, but deep and calm, just like his look.

- I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean it that way.

- I'm sure you did. But I don't think Miss Scarlett or myself should give a detailed explanation to everyone here about the circumstances of our private life and particularly of Cat's birth. We are her parents, and three of us are the family. Is that clear, ma'm?

- Quite clear, Mr. Butler, sir. Quite clear.

- Will you be so kind to spread this information among other staff in the house? May I hope for not being asked the same question – why would I care – by other people here?

- Sure, sir. And I apologized, and I meant that. I didn't want to interfere with anything. It's just...- Mrs. Fitz suddenly felt tears in her eyes. She couldn't be quiet. Not her. - Mrs. O' is a family for me too. And you have no idea what she had gone through to bring little miss to this world. She needed you, called you... – Sorrowful reprimand was hanging in the air.

Rhett pulled the chair and made a gesture, inviting Ms. Fitz to sit down.

- Scarlett won't tell me much about the night Cathie was born. Will you?

Mrs. Fitz looked at him. He was serious and focused. No anger or annoyance because of her words. He did want to know. She sat down and started telling him about that night. Omitting too graphic anatomical details, but giving a thorough picture of what was happening. She was watching Mr. Butler's face sometimes. He must be a really good poker player, she thought. His face was emotionless. But his eyes were giving him away this time. He did care. And Mrs. Fitz saw he cared too much to bare listening sometimes.

- So, when Miss Scarlett opened her eyes in two days, it was like a miracle. It was the happiest day, - she ended up her story.

- So, the old wise woman Grain is Cat's friend now?

- Yes. Not that any of us in the house, except Miss Scarlett, like it, but Miss Cat is a little stubborn thing. It's very difficult to bend her when she's determined.

Rhett leaned against the back of the seat and smiled more to himself.

- Why would she be stubborn, indeed.

- Well, taking after her mother, I suppose. – Mrs. Fitz liked this man more now. She felt he had his reasons not to be here for all these years. And felt that Mrs. Scarlett knew about these reasons and that is why was so forgiving. She also realized that if that her suggestions about the reasons were true, then Mr. Butler's somehow covering Miss Scarlett and doesn't want to use these reasons as an excuse. This was something she would respect him for. One day, maybe.

- Well, I have to admit, stubbornness is our family feature. – he smiled. – Could you tell me how to get to Grain's house, Mrs. Fitzpatick? Or hut, or whatever she lives in? I think it's time for me to pay her a visit. After all, I owe her the lives of my two favourite creatures of all.

Mrs. Fitz smiled, sincerely. It was so difficult to resist this man's charms. Miss Scarlett didn't even try, though. Miss Fitz was thankful to heavens for her good ear. Otherwise, she could have entered the dining room last night at most inappropriate moment. Dining room. Good Lord, what they were thinking about?

- I'll give you directions, sir.