Author's Note : I'm sorry I've kept you waiting so long for this chapter! I was totally at loss on what to write in this chapter. The chapter always came out unsatisfactory so I had to rewrite it over and over again until I get this somewhat decent chapter. Well, I guess that's what I get for not outlining beforehand. I know there's must be a reason why I always outline before I start a new story; and not going for impulsive writing like this one. Besides, I got distracted by my original work. If you're interested in reading it, go to my profile page and find a link to my fictionpress account.

My thanks for last chapter go to : Tuduvant, Myra2003, missysammy, Cornorama, Tohru12, the yellow flower, Aroon1190, Aquarius Angel, , Laura Butler, and Annie3. Thanks for your reviews! You guys are awesome!

I also want to know your opinion. Should I change this story's rating into M because of last chapter? Or is it okay to stay in T rating? Please let me know…

So this is my best shot on Chapter 4…

Chapter 4

In The Land of Ireland

Scarlett was humming lightly as she dabbed the rose-scented cologne between the fold of her dress. The last few weeks had been the best weeks she had ever experienced in a long time. Since she came back to Ballyhara after the unfortunate accident at Morland's Hunt, Luke had been visiting her frequently — or almost daily to be exact. He would come everyday and brought her flowers, or laces, or ribbons, or other little trinkets. And while he insisted that it was his way to say sorry for causing her misfortune, Scarlett couldn't help but thrilled by the idea of once again being lavished with attentions and gifts by a man. It seemed to be a lifetime ago when she was the belle of the country, when man would fight to get her attention. Why, the last time she remembered a guy treated her that way was during the war, when Rhett would bring her all those delicacies from the places he frequented during his blockade running.

Rhett, she thought as her humming stopped suddenly. His name still brought a round of fresh pain to her chest. After all this time, she thought she was finally over him, freed from the longing for his touch, for his love. She thought that she had accepted that he was a husband of another woman. But apparently, she was wrong. Her heart was still fluttering rapidly when she saw him on the dock. Her head was still reeling when she unceremoniously met him at the fair. And it was him in her head when she tumbled from that horse.

No, she shook her head stubbornly, trying to clear her head from the image of him, I won't think about him now. It would do me no good. She had promised herself to have a good time and she wouldn't let the thought of Rhett ruined it. After all, she would meet Luke today and he had promised to take her for a walk. It had been a month since her accident yet both Luke and Mrs. Fitz were adamant about her staying inside. Only after a lot of begging and persuading from her side, Luke finally relented and agreed to take her out.

"Is Luke going to be here, Momma?" A sudden sound of Cat's childish voice came from the doorway, pulling her from her thought.

Smiling, Scarlett turned to face her daughter, "Yes Kitty Cat, he is."

"I'm glad," she told her in a solemn tone, "He promised to have a tea with me."

"I'm sure he did, honey. Actually, he might be on his very way here while we're talking. Why don't you wait for him downstairs?" Scarlett suggested, "I'll be down in a moment."

Scarlett watched as Cat sprinted from her room. When she finally out of her sight, Scarlett turned back to her mirror, checking her appearance for the last time.

When Scarlett came down moments later, she saw Luke sitting together with her daughter in the morning room. A silver tray filled with tea and cookies was set on the table in front of them.

"What a nice weather we have today, Miss O'Hara," Luke said to Cat in conversational tone, his hand holding a steaming cup of tea.

"I agree with you, Lord Fenton," replied Cat, her face serious as she attempted to mimic the adults.

"What are you planning to do in this lovely day?"

"I don't know," Cat's face scrunched up, "but I have a new story book and Colum brought me a new doll yesterday. Maybe I will read her the book."

"Sounds like a very fine idea, Miss Cat," Luke nodded, his expression held no mockery for her childish response.

"And what would you do today, milord?" Cat asked back, her voice eager.

"I'm going to take your Momma for a walk. Is that okay with you?" Luke answered as he glanced to Scarlett, acknowledging her presence for the first time.

"I have no problem with that," she shrugged.

Luke stood and approached Scarlett. He brushed his lips against her knuckles. "You look absolutely stunning in that deep blue dress, Scarlett," he said.

Scarlett blushed. She had always dressed carefully before she met Luke, taking her time to choose the best outfit. Somehow, she felt the need to impress him.

"Oh Luke, you do know how to flatter a woman," she replied.

"Only to a woman worth flattering, I'm afraid," he smiled. "Are you ready for your first trip outside the house after your recovery, Scarlett?"

"I'm more than ready."

She let him took her hand and led her outside the house. They were walking together towards the back of the Big House when suddenly Scarlett's step faltered.

The stable, she thought. Colors drained from her face as her blood ran cold.

"Luke…," she started, hoping that her voice wasn't as unsteady as she thought.

"Yes, Scarlett?" asked Luke in a concerned voice. "Is something wrong?"

Everything is wrong, she couldn't help but thinking. Pa died in a horse accident. Bonnie died in a horse accident. And just a month ago, she fell from the very animal. How could he think that she would willingly go back into horse riding again? Fate had spared her life that last time and though she might be brave enough to do that again, she wasn't foolish enough to tempt the fate twice.

"No," she finally answered. "Nothing. I'm just thinking that maybe we should walk around instead of taking a horse."

Luke lifted his brow. Slowly, a knowing smile was formed on his lips. "Are you scared, Scarlett?" he finally asked, his tone amused.

"No, not at all." Never been the one to admit weakness, she denied quickly. "It's just that we have such a lovely weather today and we should make the most of it. I suggest we go walking around the garden."

"Admit it, Scarlett. You're scared."

"No, I'm not– ," she stopped when she saw Luke's grin widened. "Oh okay! Maybe I'm scared! A little bit." Scarlett let out grudgingly.

Luke's grin transformed into a tender smile at her confession. "Do you trust me, Scarlett?" he asked softly.

"What?" She blinked, perplexed from the sudden turn of topic.

"Do you trust me?"

"Well, yes," she answered in confusion. "But I don't see the relevance of me trusting you and me riding the horse."

"Scarlett, I swear I won't let anything happen to you," Luke said firmly in his deep velvety voice. "Do you trust me?"

The strange thing was she did trust him.

After he saw her nodded, Luke mounted on his black gelding with ease. Scarlett started to walk towards Half Moon, but suddenly stopped by Luke hands on her shoulder.

"You're not riding Half Moon today. You ride with me."

Scarlett was confused for a moment. Suddenly her eyes widened when the meaning of his words sunk in.

"You mean the two of us together on your horse?" She said in a voice full with incredulity.

"That's what I'm saying."

"But what if the people saw us? They certainly will gossip about us!"

"Then so be it!" Luke laughed. "Isn't that part of the fun?" He added with a wink.

Slowly, her lips were curved in a smile. "You're right. Let's have some fun."

She took his outstretched hand and mounted the horse to seat sidesaddle in front of him. Luke's arms inevitably circled her body when he reached for the reins. 'Fiddle-dee-dee!' she thought. 'What would the people say if they see us riding together like this?' Yet she felt a surge of excitement for once again not doing what considered appropriate by the society. Even if Ireland was not as uptight as her home country, she still sometimes felt bound by her rules and obligations as The O'Hara. And somehow, she missed that feeling, the feeling of superiority when she did something that knew she ought not to do.

Scarlett relaxed her back and couldn't help but notice the heat that permeated through the back of her dress from the warm body behind her. She smiled inwardly. It was nice to once again have a capable man at her side. She never noticed it before, but she missed the physical companion of a male from her earlier marriages.

Or from my last marriage in particular, she admitted silently.

With a sigh, Scarlett closed her eyes, savoring every moment of it. For the rest of the day, she and Luke went riding, enjoying each other company.

"Momma, could we go to the Boyne?"

"But Cat darling, you've just recovered from your fever."

"But I'm good now. Please, momma?" Cat widened her eyes.

Scarlett sighed. Cat already knew she couldn't get anything out of Scarlett by whining, but she also knew perfectly well that Scarlett could never say no to that hopeful expression. That manipulative little girl, she thought endearingly.

"Okay. Tomorrow we can have lunch by the Boyne."

"Thank you so much, Momma!" Cat said gleefully, hopping up and down. "Could Luke come too?"

Scarlett glanced at Luke. "Well, if he doesn't mind, then I guess he could come and join us."

"I don't mind at all." Luke smiled as he picked Cat up and let her sit on his shoulder. "Anything for you, princess."

The next day the three of three came to sit by the Boyne, eating their big lunch. They brought a huge variety of foods and fruits and sweets and punch; all of which specially prepared by the Cook under Cat's personal request.

"Momma, may I go swimming?" Cat asked as they finished their lunch.

"Swimming? I don't know you can swim."

"I can't, but Luke's going to teach me," she said eagerly. "You promise me, don't you Luke?"

"Yes, darling. But you must ask your momma first."

"May I, momma?"

Scarlett contemplated for a second. What harm could it be if Cat learned how to swim? It was true that she just recovered from the fever, but now she was as healthy as a young girl allowed to be. And though swimming in Boyne could be dangerous, she trusted Luke to take care of her daughter.

"Yes, you may, Kitty Cat. But stay on the shallow part! Don't go too far."

"Don't worry, momma!" Cat barely said as she dragged Luke to the Boyne.

Scarlett smiled as she watched them from the shaded part where they sat earlier. 'We should have done this earlier,' she thought. They were having such a good time. Cat and Luke was laughing freely, splashing water to each other faces. Once in a while, Luke would pick her up and pretending to drop her to the water. A little daredevil that she was, Cat wasn't scared. The more Luke tried to toss her, the more she laughed. Still laughing, suddenly Cat tugged on his rolled sleeve, motioning him to bend down to her height. She whispered something that made him smiled wickedly.

Scarlett straightened her back in alert as they started to approach her, both of them grinning widely.

"Join us, momma!" Cat said excitedly when she came into hearing range.

'What a tempting idea,' Scarlett thought. Unfortunately, she wasn't to keen on having to come back to the Big House dripping all over the place. "I don't think so, dear. I think I'll just wait here."

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Scarlett. Come and join us!" added Luke.

But Scarlett kept her resolve.

Luke sighed at her stubbornness. "Scarlett, since you don't seem to be cooperative, I guess I have to do it my way." He suddenly grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Scarlett was shocked beyond words. But when she gathered she wits back, she started kicking and yelling, "How dare you manhandle me, Luke! Put me down! Put me down this instant, you cad!"

Luke just laughed at her shouting. He kept moving in his steady pace while Cat was running and giggling beside them. "Throw momma in! Oh, throw momma in, Luke!"

"No, no, no! Don't you dare Luke, don't you dare!"

"I'm sorry Scarlett," Luke replied in mocked solemn tone, "You leave us no choice."

Suddenly, he dropped Scarlett in the Boyne.

Scarlett was surrounded by water. She panicked, moving her limbs in a struggle to come back to the surface. Sputtering the water that filled her mouth, she tried to gulp fresh air. Thankfully, it was the shallow part of the Boyne. She noticed in embarrassment that the water barely reached her waist when she stood up. She turned around to face the grinning Luke and Cat.

"You don't honestly think you could get away with that, do you?" she said menacingly before tackling Luke, bringing them both down to the knee-deep water where he had been standing a moment earlier. Still clouded by her fury, Scarlett held Luke shoulder down the water. Luke struggled for a while but then stayed still. When Scarlett thought she had won, Luke suddenly flipped them over, taken her off-guard.

"My, my, you don't think you could out-strength me, do you?" he said as he kept her underwater, his body shaking in mirth.

After a few seconds, Luke pulled her out. He kept his hand on her shoulder to steady her. Scarlett coughed a few times before glared at him. Her hair was a mess, plastered all over her face. Her complexion was flushed from the lack of oxygen. Her dress, a gauzy yellow summer dress, was clinging to her body, accentuating her curves.

Scarlett started to open her mouth to snap at Luke. However, she stopped short when she saw Luke's expression. His eyes were blazed with an intensity she'd never seen before. She become suddenly conscious about the state of her dress. The wet material didn't left much to imagination.

"You look amazing, Scarlett," Luke said, his voice rumbled low.

"Luke," she started, startled by how strange her voice sounded, "I don't think–"

His finger on her lips stopped the words from being formed. "Then don't think."

As he inched his head closer, Scarlett could feel her breath came in small gasps. Involuntarily, her eyes fluttered close.

"Water fight!"

A sudden splash of water broke the adults from their trance. They turned their head to Cat, who was smiling innocently with her eyes shining with joy.

Luke was the first one to recover. He moved his hands from Scarlett, leaving her unbalanced. Glancing to Cat, he grinned mischievously. Suddenly he brought down his hands to splash water to a still-entranced Scarlett. The water hit her squarely in the face.

"You –" Scarlett didn't have a chance to finish her sentence as the second round of water hit her.

"Momma! You look like a wet cat!"

"Oh, be careful Kitty Cat! Momma's going after you!"

Cat shrieked in delight as the water rained upon her. It didn't take long before they were all engaged in a very boisterous water fight.

That night when she went to bed, it had been the first time Scarlett fell asleep without thinking of Rhett.

Time passed by very quickly for Scarlett. She couldn't believe that it was almost a year since that fateful accident. Scarlett and Luke grew closer, much closer to the Ballyhara's people discomfort. They complained about how The O'Hara always spent her time with the Earl of Fenton.

But Scarlett paid no heed.

She enjoyed her time with Luke. She enjoyed the conversation and the witty banter with him. He took her racing and dancing. He adored Cat. He didn't bore her like Charles did nor annoy her like Frank did, and yet he wasn't mocking like Rhett either.

'Why, he truly is a darling fellow,' Scarlett thought.

She came downstairs in search for Cat. When she entered the drawing room, she found her daughter and Luke there. Cat was on Luke's lap with a large storybook opened. Luke's rich voice could be heard from where she stood. They seemed to be at ease with each other.

Luke lifted his head and his face lit in a smile when he saw her. He whispered something to Cat that made her nodded vigorously and scrambled out of the room, grinning as she passed Scarlett.

"What did you tell her?" Scarlett asked in amusement.

"I told her that I have something important to talk to you."

"And what is that?"

Luke's smile faded. Slowly, he closed the book and put it down. His expression turned serious as he held his gaze straight to her eyes. Standing up, he walked towards her. "Scarlett…," he breathed her name.

As if being pulled by an invisible string, Scarlett unconsciously moved closer.

"Scarlett," he started again as he came to her, his hands holding hers, "These past months since I've known you had been very great. I found myself enjoying your company very much. It's not just you Scarlett, but also you daughter Kitty Cat as well. It's your passionate nature that drawn me most, not to mention your exceptional beauty." He sighed, bringing his lips to kiss her fingers. "I don't how to say this, but in short…," he paused for a moment, "… I want you."

She could feel her heart thumped wildly against her ribcage as she anticipated Luke's next words.

"Scarlett, I have a proposal for you…"

Author's Note : Whew! This chapter is longer than I originally thought. So what do you think? Is it good? Is it bad? Please leave me a review. I tried for Scarlett's POV this time. She's hard to write. I'm almost certain that she's slightly OCC here, but well…