A/N: This is probably one of my favorite parts of part one, simply because of all of the pretty dresses. Though I wish they were sleeveless like Scarlett's, but those were saved for balls. We won't see any more of those kinds of dresses until part two.

Review Responses:

DaleJr.88-Glad to know you like it. Thank you! :)

Applause2014-Thank you! I love the book version of Gone with the Wind like I love the movie version. Well, from what I've read. I'm only a couple hundred pages in. I'm going on vacation next week, so I'll try to read some more on the plane. I read your Wizard of Oz story and I really like it.

…

Part One, Chapter Four

Twelve Oaks

…

At the front of the Wilkes' home on the gate, there was a sign that read:

TWELVE OAKS

OWEN WILKES, OWNER

ANYONE DISTERBING THE

PEACE ON THIS PLANTATION

WILL BE PROSECUTED.

…

Carriages and buggys were headed done a dirt path that lead to the house. Owen Wilkes spotted the O'Hara's arriving and went to greet them.

"Well, Owen Wilkes," said Geoff. "It's a grand day for a barbecue."

"So it seems, Geoff," said Owen. "But why isn't Mrs. O'Hara with you?"

"She's after setting accounts with the overseer," said Geoff. "But she'll be along for the ball tonight."

Owen's daughter, Heather walked up to Geoff.

"Welcome to Twelve Oaks, Mr. O'Hara," she said.

"Thank you kindly, Heather," said Geoff, shaking her hand. "You're daughter's getting prettier every day, Owen," he added as lightly pinched Heather's cheek.

Heather started to walk away, but Owen pulled her back.

"Heather, here are the O'Hara girls," he said. "We must greet them."

Heather's face soured.

"I can't stand Courtney," said Heather bitterly. "If you saw the way she throws herself at Mike."

"Now, now," said Owen, "that's your brother's business. You must remember your duties as hostess. Good morning, girls," he added as the O'Hara sisters got out of the buggy. "Good morning, Courtney."

"Why, Heather Wilkes, what a lovely dress," said Courtney.

"Perfectly lovely, darling," Anne Maria agreed cheerfully.

"I just can't take my eyes off it," Courtney added.

Courtney began walking up the porch steps into the house. As she walked, she was greeted by many, "Good morning, Miss Courtney's." She politely nodded and said "Good morning," back.

"You're looking mighty fine this morning, Miss Courtney," one man said.

"It's a pleasure to see you," another one said.

Courtney wandered along until she found who she was looking for.

"Mike!" she called. "Mike!"

Mike was walking downstairs and smiled when he caught sight of Courtney.

"Courtney, my dear," said Mike kindly as Courtney walked up to him and shook his hand.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," Courtney said. "I've got something I must tell you. Can't we go some place where it's quiet?"

"Yes," said Mike, "I'd like to but I… I have something to tell you too. Something I hope you'll be glad to hear. But come and say hello to my cousin Zoey."

"Oh, do we have to?" Courtney grumbled.

"She's been looking forward to seeing you again," said Mike. "Zoey! Here's Courtney."

Zoey turned her sweet face to look at Mike and Courtney and smiled brightly.

"Courtney," Zoey said happily, taking Courtney's hand. "I'm so glad to see you again.

"Zoey Hamilton!" said Courtney with fake cheerfulness. "What a surprise to run into you here. I hope you're going to stay with us a few days at least."

"I hope I shall stay long enough for us to become real friends, Courtney," said Zoey sweetly. "I do so want us to be."

"We'll keep her here," said Mike. "Won't we, Courtney?"

"We'll just have to make the biggest fuss over her, won't we?" said Courtney. She turned to Zoey. "If there's anybody who knows how to give a girl a good time, it's Mike. Though I expect our good times will seem sill to you because you're so serious."

"Oh, Courtney," said Zoey, you have so much life. "I've always admired you so. I wish I could be more like you."

"You mustn't flatter me, Zoey, and say things you don't me," said Courtney.

"Nobody could accuse Zoey of being insincere," said Mike. "Could they, my dear?"

"Well, then she's not like you, is she, Mike," said Courtney, laughing. "Mike never means a word he says to any girl."

Courtney turned around and saw Zoey's brother and Heather's beau, Alejandro Hamilton.

"Oh, why, Alejandro Hamilton, you handsome old thing, you," Courtney continued, holding out her hand so that Alejandro could kiss it.

"But, oh, Miss O'Hara, I—" Alejandro started, but Courtney cut him off.

"Was it kind to bring your good-looking brother here," said Courtney, "just to break my poor, simple, country-girl's heart?"

…

Anne Maria and Heather watched the scene before them in disgust.

"Look at Courtney," said Anne Maria. "She never even noticed Alejandro before. And now just because he's your beau, she's after him like a hornet.

…

"Alejandro Hamilton," said Courtney. "I want to eat barbecue with you. And mind you don't go philandering with any other girl, 'cause I'd be mighty jealous."

"I won't, Miss O'Hara," said Alejandro as Courtney started walking away. "I couldn't!"

Courtney walked over to the staircase and saw Anne Maria's beau, Noah Kennedy.

"I do declare, Noah Kennedy, if you don't look dashing," said Courtney holding out her hand for it to be kissed.

"Oh, thank you, Miss Courtney," said Noah.

"Alejandro and Trent asked me to eat barbecue with them," Courtney started, "but I told them I couldn't because I promised you."

…

"You needn't be so amused," said Heather. "Look at her! She's after you're beau now!"

Anne Maria's eyes widened as she turned to look at Courtney and Noah. But after a moment, she smiled and walked towards them.

…

"Oh, that's mighty flattering of you, Miss Courtney," Noah said.

As he was saying this, Anne Maria ran up behind Scarlett and dragged Noah away.

One of Courtney's friends, Dakota Calvert walked up to Courtney.

"What's your sister so mad about?" Dakota asked. "You sparkin' her beau?"

"As if I couldn't get a better beau than that old maid in britches," said Courtney.

Courtney turned her head and saw Scott and Justin Tarleton walking down the stairs, both had an arm linked with a woman.

"Scott and Justin Tarleton, you handsom old things!" said Courtney before changing her mind. "Oh, no you're not! I won't say that. I'm mad at you!"

"What have we done?" Justin asked.

"You haven't been near me all day," Courtney pouted. "I wore this old dress 'cause I thought you liked it. I was counting on eating barbecue with you two."

"Well, you are, Courtney," said Scott.

"Of course you are," said Justin.

Courtney's face broke out into a smile and she looked between the two boys.

"Oh, I never can make up my mind which of you two is handsomer," she said. "I was awake all night trying to figure it out."

Courtney started to head further up the stairs with Justin and Scott smiling as she walked away. The girls they were with angrily grabbed their arms and pulled them away.