I have been busy with work and my family, but I havent forgotten my stories. WHile I have a free weekend, I decided to update them, even while Im prepping for NANOWRIMO in November.

Chapter 10

Scarlett's eyes slowly adjusted to the lights and focused on the solid figure before her, this wasn't a dream, he was real.

All she could say was, "Rhett?"

The figure glided over to her vanity chair, and chuckled,"In the flesh, I'll wait until you're coherent."

Scarlett laid back, rubbing her eyes, and drowsily said, "I was sleeping."

"Yes, it is obvious, Scarlett, and not very well."

She glared at him under her lowered lashes, "You really don't do anything proper, waltzing into my room in the middle of the night, and scaring me!"

Rhett rested his elbows on his knees and let out a hearty laugh, "Well, this is my house, too, and you are my wife, and apparently you were having a nightmare. Is it the old one?"

Scarlett's heart beat frantically in her chest as she recalled the nightmare, and sighed, "I thought you didn't give a damn?"

Rhett smiled, "Touche, my pet. I told you I would be back, but I hadn't planned on coming to the house so soon."

"Well, what changed your mind?"

Rhett saw Scarlett's eyebrows knitted together, and the down turned expression of her mouth, and asked again, "Was it the old nightmare?"

"No, don't worry yourself-"

"Fine, you have a new one?"

"Answer me, why are you here in the middle of the night?"

"You answer my question first-"

"Bonnie, it's a nightmare about Bonnie."

Rhett eased up in the chair and was at a lost of words. He cleared his throat, "Well, I was at a poker game, and I heard the most interesting bit of gossip, and when I passed the house, and your bedroom lights were still on, I thought I would find you awake."

"WHat gossip is that?" Scarlett asked dryly, fighting sleep.

"You and India WIlkes had quite a scuffle today?"

Scarlett looked at his sardonic grinning face, and felt like slapping it. She didn't answer, but glowered at him.

"Scarlett, come now, tell me it is it true, you used foul language, and she hit you?"

"Yes, now leave me be, I'm tired."

Rhett could see her snuggled back under her covers, and yawning as sleep crept back to her. Rhett sat quietly, waiting for Scarlett to go on, but she didn't and her regular breathing told him, she was asleep. He let himself out and sat in the dining room nursing a brandy. It was nearly two in the morning, and he hadn't planned on being here, yet. He had been in town for about two days, and wanted to scope out the gossip, and decide if his presence was even needed.

Rhett had spent the last few weeks in Charleston, and had filled his time with visiting his mother and sister. But, as always, Scarlett had invaded his dreams at night and his thoughts by day. He had promised to come back to keep gossip down, but he knew it was an opening for in case he couldn't walk away. Rhett had wanted to leave and never return, but he knew it wasn't possible, as he knew that Scarlett's love wasn't possible, that is why he didn't believe her.

Apparently, Scarlett was not doing all that well on her own. Rhett had figured she would be at Tara by now, and he could have quietly slipped away, again. But, to hear the litany of scenes Scarlett had been making, he decided she needed some assistance. That woman was her own enemy.

It was close to dawn, that Rhett felt a heavy hand shaking his arm, and his name. He looked up to see Mammy standing over him, as he lifted his head from the table.

"Mista Rhett, when did you get in?"

"Mammy, Good Morning!"

"Did you see Miz Scarlett?"

Rhett chuckled, Mammy was always looking out for Scarlett, "Yes, I did."

"I sure is glad yo is home! Miz Scarlett, she is goin' down a bad road."

Rhett sat up and stifled a yawn, "How so, Mammy?" he motioned to a chair, and Mammy wavered her hand, "Mammy, sit! I insist."

Mammy relented and sighed, "Well, Miz Scarlett is takin' up with colored women. I told her, she make her own troubles."

"I thought Scarlett would surely be at Tara for Christmas."

Mammy shook her head, "Miz SUellen sends me here instead on a count she don want Miz SCarlett coming to Tara and ruining CHristmas with her troubles."

Rhett sneered, "Is that so? I bet Miz SCarlett was mad."

Mammy's eyes grew big, "Mad? Mad like a dog, but I soothe her. We gonna go after the New Year. I wish we were at Tara, then she won't be running around Atlanta with that colored woman."

"WHo is this woman, you say she's colored?"

"Yessir, she from New Orleans, and Miz Scarlett say she married to a white man, Mista Lang."

"Lang, you say. This woman, what's her name?"

"Miz Peelar."

"Pilar Lang? Never heard the name, and how did Scarlett know her?"

"She met up with her at the cemetery, and this woman brings troubles, too. Got Miz Scarlett in a fight in town with Miz India because Miz India call Miz Pilar a darkie."

"Oh?"

"I tole Miz Scarlett, you better not fight with Miz India. These old people in town are gonna talk about you mo and mo."

"So, Mammy, what about Mr. Wilkes? Has he been-"

"Mista Rhett, don' ask me about that foolishness! Miz Scarlett loves you."

Rhett glanced at the old lady with a sideways glare, "I wish I could believe that, Mammy."

"You best believe it, I don't lie!"

"I don't think you are lying, but I don't think you really know what Miz Scarlett is really thinking."

"I knows that girl since her first cries, and I sees her sad and angry without you, worst than when you left before with Miz Bonnie."

Rhett cast his eyes downward, and sighed, "I know I did wrong, but I can't sit here and let her walk out on me as soon as Mr. WIlkes snaps his fingers."

"He ain't gonna do that, and she aint going no where. Miz Scarlett now she meet you half the way, and you runs away, you need to meet her halfways now, it's the only way now."

Rhett looked at Mammy, and realized she was right, but would his pride allow him, suddenly the bell began to ring. Mammy stood up, "There she is calling me, she's up early today, I guess 'cause you here."

Rhett followed Mammy up the steps, but slipped into his own bedroom, as Mammy opened the door to the room, still in the soft light of the gaslights.

"Mammy, draw me a bath, I need to wash my hair."

"You goin' somewhere today?"

"Mammy, Rhett's back!"

Scarlett's eyes were glowing and a smile brightened her cheeks with a faint color that hadn't been there in weeks. Mammy left her as she started to dig in her closet for a suitable dress for breakfast, and then she opened the door and yelled down the hall at Mammy, "Tell Prissy to set up breakfast in the dining room this morning!"

Rhett heard the commotion in the hallway and stretched on his bed, before he had to go down to breakfast. The glitter in her voice brought him back to the day he brought her home a green bonnet, that glee over a new present, was he the new present now? ANd how long would she play with him, before she tired.

Rhett woke with a jolt the tapping at his door became louder. Rhett buttoned his shirt and opened the door, and she stood there surrounded by a lavendar scent that wafted through his room. He looked down at Scarlett, freshly bathed and her hair set in high curls, and her eyes glowing as it was reflected from her gray blue morning dress with bold black buttons. Her dimples flashed as she stated, "I thought you'd like to have breakfast downstairs this morning?"

"WHat time is it?"

"Ten o'clock."

"Yes, your usual time, some things never change."

"Yes, and I figured you would want to sleep, after all you got in so late last night."

Rhett followed SCarlett down the stairs and into the dining room, the smells of crepes with apples and pecans filled the room, as well as scrambled eggs and coffee. Rhett's stomach growled as the aroma of food hit his nose.

Scarlett poured them each some coffee as Prissy set the plates on the table. Rhett noticed the dress, and her hair, she was trying very hard to be alluring, and she would be alluring in rags.

"This looks like a wonderful breakfast, I hope you didn't go through this much trouble on my account."

"This is the usual, of course, not as much. My new friend has a wonderful cook from New Orleans, and she gave Cookie some new recipes."

"I see, although the crepes would be best with strawberries."

"I know, but we needed to finish the apples in the fruit cellar anyway."

Scarlett smiled, acting as if the last weeks never happened. Rhett thought back on what Mammy had said, about how upset Scarlett had been. So, he decided to be kind, at least during breakfast.

"Mrs. Butler, but you look very nice today, no more mourning?"

Scarlett blushed, "Well, this is just a morning dress, I wasn't planning on going out today, unless you want-"

Rhett nodded, "I see, you decided to lay low after the scene you made downtown."

Scarlett bit her lip, "No, I'm not laying low. I just wanted to have a visit with you."

Rhett didn't answer, but sipped on his coffee, "So, tell me about this friend of your from New Orleans. I may know her."

"Her name is Pilar Lang, she's married to Carson Lang, he used to smuggle in rum from Cuba for the Yankees in New Orleans."

"So, you too have a lot in common?"

"Unfortunately, we both have lost children. Her infant daughter died a few months ago with measles, but Pilar is such a good friend, and so understanding, she doesn't judge me, and we have so much in common."

Rhett laughed, "Yes, Mammy said you and India were fighting because of Pilar, seems she brings along trouble, too."

Scarlett glared, "Don't listen to Mammy, she doesn't like Pilar because she is a octoroon."

"Is that so? Well how does the rest of Atlanta feel about that?"

"Well, they wouldn't even know if it wasn't for those hateful Merriweathers. Rene Picard told the whole town that Pilar is an octoroon, and they won't receive her, but they send her invitations to donate money."

Rhett nodded, "That sounds about right."

Scarlett got quiet as she finished her second crepe, and glanced at Rhett as he toyed with the last drop of his coffee. Prissy poured them both another cup of coffee, as Scarlett put her napkin down.

"Would you like to take the coffee in the back garden? It's a nice day."

Rhett nodded and stood up following Scarlet as she led the way. The air was thin and chilly, but the warm late morning sun warmed the sunny spot in the garden where the two chairs sat separated by a wrought iron table.

"So, Rhett, how long are you going to stay?"

"At least two weeks, and after that I will see. Aren't you going to Tara?"

"I don't know."

"Oh? Pray tell."

"Well, I was so-upset I wanted to go to Tara and see Mammy and rest, but then you see Mammy came here to me, so I'm doing better now. Besides, if you are here, I don't want to run off-"

Rhett shook his hands, "Don't worry about me, you do what you want to do."

"Well, I have Pilar here, too now. And I am doing better."

"Is that so?" Rhett looked at her face as she concentrated on her cup of coffee.

Scarlett could not look in his eyes, and the silence grew to a huge mountain of deceit in between them. Rhett had spoken with Mammy, no telling what she had told him.

"Scarlett?" Rhett asked.

Scarlett looked up as she tried to avoid biting her lip.

"Don't lie to me. I come home to find you having quite a fretful nightmare, you get in a physical scuffle in town, and Mammy says you aren't entirely well."

Scarlett stared at him, she could feel a quarrel building, but not from his hateful remarks and barbs, but from the truth.

"Well, I'm not perfect."

"Nobody is, but this is quite a list of concerning behavior. I think you need to go to Tara, and get some rest."

"I'll see in two weeks, now what do you want to do today?"

"Nothing. I need to finish some business that I planned on doing before I came back here."

SCarlett sat pouting, and placed the coffee cup hard on the table.

"This conversation is not finished, Scarlett. You need to get a hold of yourself."

Suddenly, Mammy appeared in the doorway of the house, "Miz Scarlett, that woman is here and she insisted on seeing you."

Rhett looked up from his coffee, "Show her in, Mammy!" he called out.

Pilar pushed passed Mammy and hurried over to Scarlett taking her in her arms and kissing her cheek. Pilar was half crying, and hadn't even noticed Rhett. WHen she released Scarlett, she held her hands and looked at her.

"Oh, my dear friend, I was so worried about you after Amos had to carry you to the carriage, yesterday. Are you feeling better?"

Scarlett stuttered,"I-I-I'm okay, I told I was."

Rhett was by her side and stared at Pilar who had tears streaming down her face.

"What happened?'

"Really, Rhett-"

"Shut up, Scarlett. Mrs. Lang, please tell me what happened to my wife."

Pilar glanced back at Rhett and Scarlett, and sighed, "It really was nothing, she was a little weak."

"Ma'am, My wife knows I hate a liar, and I'm going to ask you again. What happened to my wife?"

Pilar sensed the man murderous gaze, and sighed, "It was after the quarrel at the dress shop. Scarlett felt weak, and my driver carried her to the wagon, and we brought her home."

Scarlett dropped her head, she felt as though her darkest secret was revealed.

"I'm sorry Scarlett,"Pilar said meekly, "I just thought you better see the doctor."

Rhett looked at Scarlett, and back at Pilar, "Thank you, Mrs. Lang. I will see that she does see a doctor, today."

"Oh, but Rhett, I don't-"

"I said to SHUT UP, Scarlett."

Rhett turned back to Pilar, and he realized she was no Melly, but a woman cut from the same cloth as his wife, "Mrs. Lang, if you would excuse us. My wife and I have much to discuss this morning."

Pilar nodded and took her leave, this man was imposing, and had the ability to see right through her, and she feared for her friend, but took her leave.

"Sit down, and now try and tell me what is wrong with you, Mrs. Butler."

Scarlett felt the tightness in her chest and the tingling in her chest spread to her arms, but the tears would not fall. She tried to scream, but the fear had paralyzed her, as she glanced up to Rhett's hard dark eyes, and whispered, "I'm crazy, I think I'm crazy."

Rhett took her in his arms, and his warm tight embraced helped the tears well in her eyes, and she sobbed out the words, "I just feel like I can't breathe, and I want to run, as far away as I can, but I can't talk or move or cry! Oh Rhett, I'm so scared!"

Rhett could feel her heart beating frantically next to his, and he wondered guiltily, "Did I do this to her?"