Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. Without Margaret Mitchell, this work would not exist. I do not own any part of Gone With The Wind and no money is being made from this story.

Chapter Eleven: A Reprieve

Winter 1863: Tara Plantation, Clayton County, Georgia

Wade Hampton Hamilton's first birthday was just days away when Scarlett finally noticed several changes. The little boy was able to sit without being held up by an adult and his belly crawl had graduated to creeping around on his hands and knees. Scarlett figured that her son was just weeks away from using her or the furniture to pull himself up. Soon, he would be moving and standing on his own. It was only a matter of time.

Wade was still babbling but it almost sounded like he was trying to 'talk' to the adults in his life. Melanie, who had arrived from Atlanta for the little boy's birthday, was convinced that soon he would be saying 'mama'. Scarlett wasn't so sure.

He often raised his arms when he wanted to be picked up by his mother but he seemed to prefer the embraces of his grandparents or aunts. He was smiling and laughing. Wade was a very happy little boy.

His mother, on the other hand, was not very happy. In the days after her discussion with her mother, Scarlett had decided that she didn't want to return to Atlanta especially if Rhett failed to return. Her humiliation would be complete and there was no guarantee he would return. No, she would stay at Tara and rebuild what reputation she had. After some time everyone would forget about her behavior at the bazaar.

While there had been some anxiety upon first making her decision to remain at Tara, Scarlett found that she had, more or less, readjusted to life at home. She missed the freedom that she had enjoyed while living in Atlanta and living under the same room as Suellen was trying her patience. Everything about her sister bothered her and Suellen made a point of needling Scarlett whenever possible. And Suellen knew exactly what to do or say to anger her.

Upon discovering that her older sister was not leaving, Suellen made a point of continuously inquiring about Rhett whenever they were alone. Every time Suellen brought up Rhett, Scarlett got angry. Scarlett found that she was unable to control her emotions or thoughts when it came to that scoundrel. One moment she was angry and the next she tried to adopt the same indifference he exhibited.

The thing that irked her the most was that every time she heard hooves pounding on the ground leading to Tara she rushed to the windows hoping it was him. Scarlett hated herself for her weakness but she couldn't help it. She was used to seeing him and though she would admit it to no one, she missed him desperately. She tried, unsuccessfully, to not think about him by keeping busy with other pursuits but it didn't work. How could a person be upset with someone and miss them simultaneously? What did it even matter? She would probably never see him again.


On the day before Wade's first birthday, Scarlett was sitting in the nursery with Wade on her lap trying to read him a story in the hopes that he would fall asleep. It always did the trick for her so Scarlett couldn't understand why her son was still fussing and refused to calm. She held him in her arms and tried to soothe him with the sound of her voice. It seemed to work for everyone but her. Suellen's voice appeared to be more calming than hers.

The house was uncharacteristically quiet. Her father was out riding the property ensuring that vital work was still taking place despite the winter season. Irrigation ditches had to be cleaned and the land had to be cleared of any brush. The remnants of last year's cotton had already been plowed and now Gerald was in the process of ensuring that the fields were ready for seeding in the spring. There was always work to be done at Tara.

Her mother was in her office, where she could be found most days, pouring over Tara's accounts. Melanie and her sisters were over at Twelve Oaks visiting. Despite John Wilkes' protests, Melanie had elected to stay at Tara during her stay in order to be closer to Wade. Secretly, Scarlett thought it had to do with Honey and India Wilkes. She did not particularly like either of Ashley's sisters and could not imagine having to stay under the same roof as them.

When Wade had finally fallen asleep, after what felt like hours, Scarlett stood, careful not to rouse him. Her arms felt like lead but if she jostled him awake he would be cranky and clingy for the rest of the day. As she passed in front of the window she saw a carriage making its way up the driveway towards the house, kicking up dust in its wake. When the carriage was close enough Scarlett was astounded to see its driver.

God's nightgown! There was no way that Rhett Butler had come all the way to Tara.

She gingerly placed Wade in his crib so as not to wake him and tucked the blankets around him. It was hard to believe that he would soon be a year old. As she stood watching his chest rise and fall, she was amazed that for the first time since his birth she actually felt relieved as she watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful, lost in his own little world. More than anything, she was proud of the fact that she had gotten him to sleep.

Scarlett returned to the window and slowly pushed aside the curtain. She watched Rhett alight from his carriage and looking pleased with himself, glanced up at the house. She quickly stepped back slightly from the window not wanting to be seen by him. It had been nearly three months since she'd last seen or heard from Rhett. Part of her, regardless of what her Mother or Melanie said, was scared that he would never return.

Scarlett noticed that as usual, he was impeccably and immaculately dressed. His suit was expertly cut and his shoes were polished. Not a single hair on his head was out of place. Scarlett was struck by the confidence with which he carried himself. She didn't know why, but it instantly comforted her.

Scarlett watched Pork briskly walk down the steps towards Rhett. The two men exchanged words before Pork began helping Rhett with the numerous packages that were located in the back of his carriage.

She was still very upset with Rhett, as well as hurt but part of her was thrilled to see him at Tara. Despite the excitement she felt, there was no way she was going to rush to greet Rhett. She hated herself for missing him as much as she did. Scarlett glanced at her sleeping son in his crib before making her way towards the stairs. As she passed by a mirror in the hallway she checked her reflection. She wanted to make sure she looked her best but she was certainly not going to change into another dress for him. Her housedress, a simply trimmed gown, would have to suffice.

Scarlett took her time but when she reached the top of the stairs and looked towards the front door, Pork had already let Rhett into the house and was busy bringing in the packages. Rhett was standing in the entryway and looked up at her as soon as he became aware of her presence.

"Hello, Mrs. Hamilton. I hope all is well with you." Rhett presented her with a smile that was so genuine and warm, that her heart skipped a beat. There was so sign of his trademark sardonic grin.

"It is nice to see you, Captain Butler," Scarlett said, descending the stairs, making sure to not to take her eyes off him. She tried to adopt a disinterested look; she would not allow him to see the relief she felt. "We thought we had seen the last of you."

"Nonsense. I've been to Europe and a few other places to check on my businesses. I only arrived in Atlanta yesterday. I went by Miss Hamilton's and learned that both you and Mrs. WIlkes were here." He grinned as he bent over her hand.

"Yes. Melanie arrived a few days ago. It's Wade's first birthday tomorrow and there was no way she was going to miss it." She quickly withdrew her hand from his. His touch was electrifying - had been since their first contact.

"I know it's Wade's birthday, Scarlett. It's part of the reason why I'm here." As Pork brought in more packages, Rhett motioned to the gifts. "I brought him a few things."

"You didn't have to do that, Captain Butler."

"Of course I did and Scarlett, is it possible for you to call me Rhett?"

"It wouldn't be proper." She smiled demurely at him. Despite what he had told her long ago, she was a lady.

"Since when has that mattered to you?"

"Captain Butler, you shouldn't say things like that." She simpered, pretending to be offended.

"Scarlett, would you care to take a walk with me?" Rhett said with an anxious look around the room to make sure no one was around.

"Captain Butler, I'm not certain that there is much for us to say to each other." He had come all the way to Tara but she was not sure what there was to talk about. She didn't want him to leave but she wasn't sure she could be around him.

"Please Scarlett." There was a pleading look in his eyes.

"Fine. Let me get my coat and we'll go for a short walk."

It did not take her long and they soon found themselves walking down the front steps and along a path towards the back of the house. The day was cool and windy and Scarlett was suddenly unhappy that Rhett couldn't see Tara at its finest. In her mind, spring was the loveliest time of year on her father's plantation when the fields had been plowed, cotton planted and the trees in bloom.

"So, this is Tara?"

"Did Pa tell you that he won it in a card game?"

"He did." Rhett turned to look at her. "He's a very lucky man."

They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes until they were far enough from the house to avoid being overheard. Rhett stopped and Scarlett did not notice until she turned to speak to him and found that she was by herself. She stopped and abruptly turned around.

'What's wrong, Captain Butler?"

"Scarlett, I need to apologize to you." His tone was contrite.

"Captain Butler, I don't want to talk about it." After the incident, she had wanted to confront him about that woman but now she wanted to avoid the uncomfortable conversation.

"We have to," Rhett insisted, walking towards her.

"No, we don't." She stepped back and Rhett halted.

"Scarlett, we should have talked about it when it happened but I was so so taken aback, all I could think about was getting away from it. I was angry when I left your aunt's house. But I wasn't angry with you. I was angry with her and myself. And then I left Atlanta which was the wrong thing to do. I should have stayed and explained it to you. "

"Captain Butler, you don't owe me any kind of explanation."

"I do, Scarlett. This may not be the time or the place but I want you to know I've taken care of the situation. There have been too many women in my life, and she was one of them, but I can promise you that it is over. You are the only woman in my life now." His simple, earnest response and the conviction on his face stunned her. She searched his face for any sign of insincerity and found none. "Whatever you want to know I will tell you. If you're not up to it today than one day I will explain everything."

"Do you have a," she paused, "relationship with that woman?"

"I did until recently. I also provided her with money to open her business and acted as a silent business partner."

"You own a-"

"I owned a brothel," Rhett interrupted, emphasizing. "I gave her my shares the day after our parents arrived in Atlanta last summer. Your father made me see that-"

"My father?"

"Yes, your father. I took him to her place to -"

"You took my father to that place?" Scarlett was shocked that her father had set foot in such a place. There was no way he would frequent such places. Were there any such places near Tara? She wondered what her mother knew.

"Yes. He encouraged me to give up my financial stake and I did the following day. I have known Belle for years and I admit that I misread her reaction. I understand that she sought you out at the hospital and provided a financial donation wrapped in one of my handkerchiefs. She wanted to hurt you and get even with me. I'm sorry that it happened." He took a step closer to her. "But more so, I'm sorry about all the nasty things I said. I could tell you were annoyed with me and I reacted to that."

"If it's about Ashley, I need you to believe that I don't have the same feelings for him as I did on the day we met."

"I will try not to bring him up again, Scarlett."

"Thank you, " Scarlett whispered. Part of her was shocked that he was apologizing to her and not trying to hide what had transpired between them."I've said nothing to either of my parents."

"I don't want you to lie for me and you don't need to protect me."

"My mother blames me. She said it was my behaviour that caused you to leave but I was hurt. I'm not sure how my mother would feel if she knew the truth. I don't think you would be welcome here." Scarlett was certain that her mother would ask him to leave and forbid any further interactions.

"Your mother would most likely be as angry and disappointed as my mother."

"Your mother knows?"

He nodded but said nothing further. "Please come back to Atlanta, Scarlett. I need you to give me the opportunity to show you that I'm sorry. If my memory is correct, I'm supposed to be courting you and it's difficult with you here."

"You can't court me while I'm at Tara?" Her expression was serious but she couldn't resist smiling at the stricken expression on his face.

Neither of them wanted to mention the obvious. The agreement was like a cloud hanging over both their heads. Scarlett wondered if he would have acted in the same way if he hadn't been expected to marry her. Was he only doing these things because it was expected of him? She could still say no when and if he asked her to marry him. Couldn't she?

"I'm here because I want to be here Scarlett, not because of any arrangement I may have with your father regarding our situation. I wanted you to know that." He reached between them to take her hand. She hated that he could read her thoughts so easily. "Please return to Atlanta, Scarlett."


A.N. Am I the only one who wished Rhett had gone to Tara? This is the first part of what was a massive chapter. Part two will be up in a few days.

I'd like to thank all of the wonderful readers out there, especially Lcorrea, gabyhyatt, GWTWRSB, kanga85, Truckee Gal, I Dream of Spring and the many guests who left reviews on this, as well as previous chapters. You have no idea how much I look forward to reading your reviews and pms. Thank you to everyone who has favorited or followed this story.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated so please read and review. Thanks!