Lanterns hung in the trees and the faint sound of music filled the night sky. Rhett could not recall ever attending an event set up to support the glorious cause. Sure, this war was going to make him rich beyond his wildest dreams, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to contributing to something that was destined to cause so much death and destruction.

But he had made an exception for tonight—for her. It hadn't been easy pulling so many strings simultaneously. He had to plant ideas in the minds of several people and had not been able to do so directly. But he had it on good authority that the committee had agreed to his idea of seeking bids to procure dances. Further, they had been so thrilled that he had generously donated the food and decorations for the night's festivities that they intended to officially recognize his heroic war efforts. Making sure she would be in attendance had taken a little more finesse, but he was confident he had succeeded.

He whistled as he walked along the gravel path. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air. The sound of laughter grew louder as he neared the doors.

"Hello, Rhett." Belle stepped out from the shadows.

Rhett looked around, and finding they were alone replied, "Belle, that is an interesting choice of evening wear. What brings you here tonight?"

"Well, I've heard my husband is the honored guest of this little shindig. Seems only right I be in attendance, don't you think?"

Rhett's eyes narrowed into sharp slivers. In a low, hard hiss he replied, "Don't you ever call me that in public."

"Are you afraid you'll scare away who ever it is you're trying to impress?"

Rhett straightened his tie and schooled his features. "This is about business, Belle, and you being here is not helping."

"Business? Is that why you had theater tickets delivered to the McLure girls?" Her voice was low, but fire danced in her eyes.

Rhett smirked before answering. His slow Charleston drawl was filled with amusement. "Belle! How insensitive. I've heard those poor girls had to hurry off to Virginia to collect up their poor injured father."

"Please! As if Dallas would ever see a battle. If he is hurt, it would only be because he fell off a bar stool."

"I can't pretend to know the cause of the injury…"

"You got rid of them and you know it!" Her fists had moved to her hips and her voice had grown loud enough she would soon draw attention.

Rhett took her arm and pushed her behind some bushes. With an angry whisper, he asked, "And why would I do such a thing?" He shook his head and reached into his breast pocket. He withdrew a cigar case and snapped it open.

"Maybe it has something to do with Mrs. Wilkes."

Rhett's eyes grew wide.

"Don't think I haven't heard about how you went snooping around trying to learn about her uncle…"

"Mrs. Wilkes?" Rhett stammered. He burst into laughter.

"Don't try to fool me Rhett. I've seen how you act toward her. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a gentleman." A dark cloud swept over her features. "And I've heard how you curse her husband in your sleep…"

Rhett dragged his hand over his face. "Go home, Belle."

"You should know—you won't get anywhere. And it's lucky for her she has too much honor to have an affair with you. If she were not such a lady, I would tear her apart, starting with her reputation. But she's too good for you and she knows it."

Rhett looked at the cigars for a long while before closing the case and returning it to his pocket, cigars untouched. He had known Belle posed a threat to him, but he had never considered that her jealousy and possessiveness could make her strike out against a rival. He would need to be careful.

He lifted his face. The mocking but hostile mask had been replaced. "Belle, honey, I am not here for Mrs. Wilkes. I'll be spending less time here in Atlanta. It's so far from the ports...well, it's just not practical. I need to strengthen my business connections before I abandon this town."

"You're leaving Atlanta?" Belle's face grew pale despite the rouge caked on her cheeks.

Rhett cupped her face in his hands and placed a tender kiss on her lips. "You know I only come here to see you."

"But you didn't even tell me…"

He bent down and pressed his mouth to hers with an insistent intensity. His tongue demanded entry and her body responded. When he pulled away, all the fire in her eyes was extinguished, replaced by the soft glow of love. Her body was like warm clay.

"I need you," Rhett said in a husky voice. "But I have to do this…for us. Wait for me. I'll come see you as soon as I can escape this infernal ball."

Belle nodded and he watched as she drifted away. Once she was out of sight, he spat before reaching into his pocket and retrieving a handkerchief. He used it to wipe his mouth.

The buzz from the party floated out through an open window and a beautiful tinkle of laughter caught his attention. He would know that sound anywhere. His heart skipped a beat. Thoughts of Belle were stuffed into the dark edges of his mind. Rhett made his way to the front entrance and immediately found her.

Even dressed in black, she was the most beguiling creature he had ever seen. She was talking to a pair of young women and he could feel the warmth of her smile even from the other side of the room. He could have stood there all night, just watching her, but as the women left, a solider approached and he saw the way her green eyes sparkled. Before he had even registered his own actions, he was crossing the room. He'd be damned if he had done all this only to sit back and watch some boy try to take what was his. For make no mistake—Scarlett would belong to him and him alone.