In the next few weeks that followed their arrival at Tara, Rhett Butler acted like such a perfect gentleman in front of her parents and Mammy that Scarlett had to pinch herself at times to ascertain that she was indeed not dreaming. Not only was he pleasant, entertaining, and -God forbid- devoid of all mockery, at least when all eyes were fixed on him, but he was also helpful and hardworking. The heavy workload of ensuring that Tara produced, a workload Ellen carried ever since the war started, fell to his shoulders so that most of her efforts could be focused on caring for the ill Carreen and Suellen.
It was not that she had never watched him play the dashing hero, she had seen him keep up the charade for a short period of time in Atlanta, but for Rhett to pick up the role so effortless and not slip back into old patterns caused her to wonder when the deceptive veneer was going to crack. It was almost as if the mocking devil she had grown used to disappeared before her eyes and was replaced with a well-bred gentleman. It was only on the very rare occasions when they found themselves able to steal a moment alone that Scarlett was reminded that the real Rhett was very much alive and well for all his teasing and sly indecent comments that he reserved for her ears only.
What made matters even more shocking to Scarlett was that Gerald had made fast and furious friends with the ex-blockade runner. The two seemed to find great amusement in each other's company, especially into the late hours of the night, something that made Scarlett grow envious of her own father. It wasn't that she was unhappy with their camaraderie or the fact that Gerald seemed to treat Rhett like the son he never had, but was it too much to hope that her supposed fiancé could find some time to spare her instead of spending what free time there was playing cards with her father? As it was, it seemed that there were eyes watching the covert couple at all times, making it even harder for them to catch a moment alone. However, Rhett certainly did not help things when he encouraged her father to stay up late at night, a time where she could have found a way to sneak down and meet him for a few stolen moments.
While Rhett had succeeded in charming his way into Mr. O'Hara's good graces, he still failed to make any impression on Ellen, who treated him with cool politeness, or Mammy who never failed to show her open disregard. It took all Scarlett's willpower not to rush to his defense when Mammy uttered rude comments under her breath, but she remained silent for fear of giving away their secret and causing him to be sent from Tara. When it came to her mother's behavior, Scarlett did not know what to make of it. It seemed that Ellen was observing him with a vivid alertness, almost as though she was watching from the corner of her eye at all times to see if he would slip and make a fatal error only to be asked to leave. Never did she make him feel unwelcomed or unappreciated for the effort he put into helping with Tara, but she never candidly demonstrated that the man with the terrible reputation had changed her impressions and won her approval.
Even though one of their main objectives at Tara had been to convince her parents that Rhett was decent marriage material, it seemed that the grave life of the real world surrounding them overtook their thoughts on most occasions. Conditions were so bad that Scarlett herself was forced to help in the fields to try and yield crops to garner food for the family. There was also the constant fear that Yankees would somehow reach Tara since the railroad in Jonesboro was such a highly sought after and valued commodity amongst the battling troops. Scarlett never really knew what was going around her since she never felt like putting in much effort into listen to the men's political talk, but what she did know was that she was going to bed exhausted and hungry and that her mother was shrinking before her eyes under the stress and exertion of caring for her sick daughters.
~R&S~
One morning as Rhett came in from the fields, he could hear a muffled whimpering coming from behind Scarlett's bedroom door that lay slightly ajar, and he pushed the door open to find her sitting on the bed, her hands covering a face laden with tears.
"Scarlett, what's wrong?" he asked from the doorway for fear that Mammy was just around the corner and would catch him stepping over the threshold.
"Mother, she's ill."
"Typhoid?"
"Yes, I think so. I found her in her room and she was lying down. Her body was so warm, and she rushed me out of the room before I could do anything to help her."
"Is there any chance it could be something else?"
"I don't know. I don't think so. She's never sick, Rhett. I don't know what to do," Scarlett sobbed into her hands, hating herself for crying like a helpless child, let alone in front of Rhett of all people, but it seemed there was no way to keep the tears at bay. "She won't let me anywhere near her. She doesn't want me getting sick."
"Your mother's right Scarlett, you aren't any help to anyone if you get sick."
"And what do you expect me to do?" she said hotly, looking up to meet his eyes, her tears halted as her mind reeled with anger. "Sit around and do nothing!"
"Hardly. There's enough to do around here without having to tend to the ill. I'll take care of your mother and sisters."
"You?" she asked incredulously, trying to imagine him caring for the ill dying in the hospitals she once frequented in Atlanta. The image was hard to conjure up. It almost verged on humorous. "You don't exactly fit the role of nursemaid, Rhett."
"You should watch what you say, my dear, I could say the same about you, couldn't I?"
"I was a nurse in Atlanta if you'll recall, thank you very much."
"A purely ornamental title I should say," Rhett remarked slyly, a smirk playing at his lips. "You certainly did more flirting than healing."
"Oh!" she screeched, reaching for her pillow and throwing it at the doorway, completely missing him altogether. "Get out."
Laughing, he cajoled, "Smooth your ruffled fur. You'd think you'd be used to hearing the truth from me by now. No use lying to someone who has witnessed all your little tricks first hand."
"I'm sure I don't know how you can joke at a time like this."
"Your mother will be fine, Scarlett. I'll see to it."
"You can't promise that."
"No, but I can try can't I? Does your father know how she's doing?"
"No, no one knows but Mammy. And I don't think she'll let you anywhere near Mother."
"I don't doubt it. The woman looks at me likes she knows I'm up to no good," he remarked with a grin, thinking that Mammy probably had every right to assume the worst. "Well, she'll just have to get used to my presence from now on. I don't want you in the sick room."
"You can't tell me what to do!" she snapped, the hate of being controlled coloring her tone and enflaming her temper.
"I believe I can. Even if you force me to attain the help of your father or Mammy in the matter, I'll do it."
"I don't see why you have to always be such a varmint!"
"I am offering my services, well sought after services I dare say, and I receive hurled insults for my pains. I hate to think what would lie in store for me if I truly behaved the varmint."
With a frown, Scarlett regarded him quizzically and noticed the mischievous laughter dancing in his dark eyes. Despite her best efforts, she let out a light laugh at his teasing, her built up frustration gradually melting away.
"Ah Scarlett, as much as I love when you get your Irish up, I must admit I prefer hearing the sound of your laughter to your passionate insults."
"Then you'd think you would try harder not to upset me, Rhett."
"An apt observation, my dear. How truly astonishing."
Her body tensed as the fire leapt back into her emerald eyes in full force, and Rhett chuckled softly to himself, crossing over the threshold and pulling her into his embrace as he took a seat next to her on the bed.
"Now, don't go getting upset when you only just forgave me. Perhaps my protective nature made me forget myself. I can assure you it was not my intention to be disagreeable. I merely want you to keep yourself healthy."
"I want my mother, Rhett. I want to make sure she's cared for."
"And I want you safe. It appears as though we've reached a stalemate. What if I promised to make sure your mother is cared for and I report back to you on all matters, and in return, you stay out of the sick room?"
"Hmm…I don't know Rhett."
"Don't you trust me?"
"Do you promise not to lie to me?"
"Of course."
"Fine…I'll try to stay away," she conceded, knowing there was no way to get around Rhett even if she refused to agree. He would be watching her every move.
"You'll try, Scarlett?"
"I will stay away. Satisfied?"
"Beyond words," he said with a smile, pulling her even closer in a warm hug before he had to let her go.
~R&S~
As promised, Scarlett remained out of the sick room and allowed Rhett to nurse her mother and sisters as an added aid to Mammy and the few servants who remained. He helped by taking on the most labor-intensive chores, preparing meals and laundering clothing and bedding in a large wooden tub of boiling water out in the courtyard. When time permitted, he even aided the rest of the family with the work in the fields. Like Scarlett, Gerald was also advised to stay away for fear that he might also contract the disease, but of course, no one barricaded the room to him. Every time Scarlett had an inkling to simply peek into the room and see how they were doing, it seemed either Rhett or Mammy would turn the corner and admonish with their eyes or words. At the very least, Rhett seemed to be an excellent and attentive caregiver despite the many protests that Mammy had at his unwelcome presence.
Keeping true to his word, Rhett reported back on Ellen's health, however, he had very little to say about any progress being made. After a week of the illness and no improvements, Rhett had a pained look in his eyes when he had nothing uplifting to offer Scarlett.
"But Rhett, she needs…she must be getting better. She has to!" Scarlett said, trailing behind him as he dropped a cloth into a bucket of cold well water he intended on bringing back up with him to the sick room.
"You need to trust me, Scarlett. We're doing our best. Would you grab that plate of food and bring it upstairs? She needs to eat something."
Complying, Scarlett snatched the plate of what passed for food these days and grimaced at the sight. It was no wonder her mother was not eating. Thinking back to the times when there were heavy and rich meals to be had at Tara, food that had been carelessly thrown away when not consumed, she stifled a heavy sigh and wished could offer her mother something that looked edible at the very least. When they reached the door of the sick room, Rhett balanced the bucket on the crook of his arm and grabbed the plate from Scarlett, holding it in one hand while opening the door with the other. Turning around, Scarlett looked away, not even bothering to ask if she could sit with her mother a while. She already knew what the answer would be, a resounding no.
Rhett entered the room, leaving the door wide-open as usual for propriety's sake, not that there was even the slightest chance he would be left unaccompanied by anyone. As it was, Dilcey was still in the room tending to the girls who had fallen fast asleep.
"How are you feeling, Mrs. O'Hara?" Rhett asked then placed the food at the bedside table and gently lowered a cool wet cloth to her forehead, dropping the bucking of water to the ground.
"Better than I was this morning," Ellen answered with a whisper of a smile. "I think the fever has gone down."
He nodded but made no reply when he noticed how the cold cloth warmed almost instantly as it met her skin. Her whole body radiated a powerful heat he could feel without even needing to touch her skin.
"I know you're hardly hungry, but you should try to eat something."
A burst of laughter was prematurely cut short by a small coughing fit. "Did Mammy put you up to this?"
"Mammy hasn't said more than two words to me other than whispered mutterings under her breath I'm sure were not meant to be heard by decent ears."
"She's overprotective. I believe she will warm to you in time. I have to say I was wrong about you Captain Butler," Mrs. O'Hara said softly, catching his full attention for the first time that afternoon as he stared back at her in disbelief. "You're not the man I first thought you were."
"You're the first person who has ever said that to me."
"I won't forget your kindness to me or to my daughter. I know you're the only reason she isn't in this room as we speak. Thank you for keeping her away. I'd hate to think of her falling ill because of me."
"I'd do nothing less," he offered back, taking a seat by the bed.
"I've seen the way you look at her and the way you are with Wade. You love them."
"Is it that transparent?" he asked hesitantly, shifting uncomfortably in the chair that seemed unbelievably small at the moment and breaking eye contact.
"I don't think you tried very hard to hide it. What are your intentions towards my daughter?" she asked in a firmer tone now, her warm brown eyes examining every flicker of movement or emotion on his face.
Looking up and meeting her eyes, he replied in a tone that left nothing to interpretation about his intentions or feelings, "I want nothing more than to marry her."
"I thought as much," Ellen said with a knowing smile. "I didn't think you were good enough for my daughter but I believe you've changed my mind. Charles was never a good match for her. I knew that and I tried to convince her otherwise, but she's stubborn. I'm sure you're aware?"
Rhett laughed freely, his anxiety slowly dissipating at the release of mirth. "I've witnessed it first hand on a few occasions. We are similar creatures in that sense."
"She deserves someone who is going to make her happy."
"I promise to do everything in my power to keep her happy."
"I believe you. Few men would have done what you've done here, and Wade adores you. If it were not for Wade and Mr. O'Hara, I'm not sure if I would have agreed to let you stay in our home. You know you have a terrible reputation?" Ellen pointed out with a raised brow, wondering how the man was going to react to her words.
"It follows me wherever I go."
"Isn't that their purpose?"
"I had never given it much thought nor cared much about it until now," Rhett answered honestly, knowing he could never truly escape his past. Strange how the one thing he thought he could completely do without was the thing that was standing in the way of his future happiness he never expected to want let alone have.
With a critical eye, Mrs. O'Hara watched him as he spoke, somewhat satisfied with his response. Youthful indiscretion could be overlooked to a certain point, but her one fear was that the rumor about the young woman and the death of her brother had more merit than Scarlett let on.
"I was in love with a boy with a terrible reputation at one time and I was forbidden to be with him," Ellen said softly then paused, lost in her musings for a moment before she continued, "I'll never do that to my own daughter."
If Rhett was surprised by her words, he made no show of it. "Do I take it that we have your permission?"
"Yes. You may speak to Mr. O'Hara about your intentions. Though I'll ask you not to tell Scarlett until you've spoken to my husband. Men like to think they have the final say in these matters."
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
"I know your mother, Captain Butler. I'll tell her what you've done here if I ever get the chance."
"I'm not sure how much good that will do, but I do appreciate it," he said with genuine warmth to his voice, never before feeling such gratitude to someone he only had a superficial understanding of before this afternoon. Rising from his seat when he noticed her eyes fluttering closed, he changed the warm cloth on her head, dipped it back into the cool water that was now more lukewarm than cold, and placed it back to her forehead, hoping at the very least it relieved some heat. "You should try to rest, Mrs. O'Hara. I'm sure Mammy will be in here shortly in an attempt to coerce you into eating."
"Thank you."
It was on the tip of his tongue to say that she need not thank him, that he should be the one thanking her. However, he remained mute and exited the room, wondering what else he could do in his power to help Ellen and her daughters.
~R&S~
"How's mother, Rhett?" Scarlett asked, catching him in the hallway when she heard the tread of his footsteps and the sound of the closing door.
"She's…better," he remarked, avoiding her penetrating gaze and the hopeful sound in her voice.
"You're lying!"
"She's talking and lucid but her fever isn't dropping."
"Let me by, I want to see her."
"No," he said, moving to stand in the middle of her path. "She doesn't want you risking yourself."
"I don't care! I want my mother. Get out of my way you skunk!" she shouted, unmindful of anyone who might hear. Let them hear, she thought. Everyone could go straight to Halifax for all she cared. She wanted to see her mother.
"Darling, be reasonable—" Rhett started then grabbed her by the shoulders when she tried to push past him, pinning her to his chest.
"No! I'm tired of being reasonable," she cried out in frustration, attempting to wriggle out of the tight grasp of his hands. "I'm not going to stand by and watch her die. Let me go!"
"I was going to try and find an army doctor to come and see her. Do you think you can manage to promise me not to go in until I get back?"
A sudden calm settled over her at the words, and Scarlett stopped struggling for the time being. "Do you think he'll come?"
"It's worth a try and I have my own means of persuasion."
"You know you'll be dealing with a man not a woman, Rhett. You can't charm your way into getting what you want."
Laughing loudly, the vibrations of his amusement reverberating off his chest and bouncing off her own, Rhett asked "Are you finally committing the impossible and admitting that I hold certain charms? I never thought the day would—"
"Oh hush up you conceited varmint! You brag enough about your charms now let's see you finally do something with them. Let me go!"
"Not until you give me your word. Do we have a deal?"
"I'll scream for Mammy," she muttered into his shirt, evading his gaze.
"And I'll inform her of your plans and leave her to you. Who would you rather deal with, Scarlett?" he asked, pulling her chin up and forcing her eyes to meet his. "Me or your Mammy?"
With a huff, she mumbled, "Fine, I promise."
"That's my girl."
"You can let me go now."
"Hmm…now why would I do that when I've waited so long to finally get you where I want you," he whispered wickedly into her ear, pulling her closer so that there was not even a sliver of light between their bodies. Scarlett shivered in anticipation, smiling at the nervous flip in the pit of her stomach only to frown suddenly when Rhett leaned in, his lips caressing the side of her neck, sending tingles up her spine in the maddening way that made her forget herself.
"Not here where anyone might see. We shouldn't," she sighed though made no attempt to escape his grasp.
"Every man has his limits. I'm not so concerned anymore about what we should or shouldn't be doing," he murmured in a husky voice. All of a sudden, his mouth came down and met hers in a hard possessive kiss, pushing her up against a wall in his haste as his lips explored hers, his tongue coaxing her lips to part for him, demanding that she reciprocate. His hands moved up from her waist towards neck before they got lost in the silky strands of her hair. The blood rushed to her head, her heart beating wildly from the exhilaration of the feelings he was evoking, and Scarlett melted against him, her arms reaching to his shoulders for support. It had been so long since he had kissed her like this, and it seemed as though she had forgotten what effect those expert caresses had on her, almost as if she was experiencing them for the first time all over again.
When his mouth travelled back to the side of her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin, she let out a faint moan, and Rhett breathed, "Oh God Scarlett."
His words woke her from her momentary lapse in judgment, the dreamy dizziness fading away as she realized what they were doing, and more importantly, where they were doing it.
"Rhett stop," she said, shoving his chest with a forceful push, and he groaned in response, stumbling backwards and away from her body.
She felt the loss of his heat and had to fight from running back into his arms. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself and mumbled in a breathless voice, "Besides you have somewhere to go. You promised."
"You will be the death of me," he muttered, running two hands through his hair, collecting his thoughts.
"You know I'm right."
"That's debatable. I'll go inform your father of our plans and then be on my way."
"You will be careful won't you?"
"Dare I hope you will worry over my safety?" he jested, a glint of amusement dancing in the dark depths of his eyes.
"Of course I will! Don't even joke," she cried out, taking a step towards him only to be stopped by his raised hand in protest at her movements.
"Stay where you are Scarlett," he warned with a smile playing at his lips. "I make no promises about my self-restraint if you come any closer."
"You won't even kiss me goodbye?"
Laughing loudly at the unexpected request, Rhett answered, "Says the woman who was pushing me away mere moments ago when I was doing just that. No Scarlett, you've had enough kissing for one day I should think."
"Now you're just being mean," she pouted with a frown.
Chuckling, he turned and headed down the stairs without glancing back, and Scarlett followed to the edge of the staircase.
"Rhett!"
He returned up the steps and placed a gentle peck on her forehead. "Goodbye, my dear. I'll be back as soon as I can."
~R&S~
While waiting for Rhett to return that evening from Jonesboro, Scarlett paced up and down Melanie's room, anxious for the sound of horse hooves outside her window. The sun had already gone down and she was worried now, more worried than she cared to admit aloud.
"I don't understand why it's taking him so long Melly, it's already dark out," Scarlett finally said, peering out the window for what could have been the hundredth time. "What if he's hurt himself?"
"I'm sure Captain Butler is fine, dear," Melly comforted gently, wishing she could erase her sister's fears. It was perhaps the first time she had ever seen the pillar of strength that was Scarlett in a vulnerable state. It was disconcerting. "He's a resourceful man. You shouldn't worry yourself so."
"And what if he can't find a doctor to come with him? Suellen and Carreen are worse and Mother…" she trailed off, unable to finish that thought. No, she would not think of it. Everything would be fine. It had to be.
"He'll find someone, Scarlett. I know he will."
Hearing the clack of horse hooves, she rushed back over to the window and caught the sight of Rhett, and the thrill of seeing his form washed over her in a warm wave of gratitude. "It's Rhett, thank God. But no one's with him," Scarlett announced, and without waiting for Melanie to reply, hurried out of the room and down the stairs to meet him.
"Rhett, you're home!" she declared happily, fighting back the urge to throw herself into his arms. If only there were not so many people in this damn house. "Where's the doctor?"
"I don't have a doctor with me," he replied smoothly, but his eyes were dark and stormy, something that kept Scarlett at a distance. "I do have something better. Quinine."
"How in the world did you manage that?"
"You shouldn't ask questions when you're not prepared for their answers."
"What do you mean, I—"
"Where's your Father?" he asked shortly, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"In the sick room with Mother and the girls."
"I'll go meet him."
Ignoring his mood, Scarlett plainly replied, "Good, I'll go with you."
Rhett had already started his assent up the stairs but he stopped short and said, "No. You'll stay down here."
"Why? Don't be ridiculous I can—"
"You'll do as I say. We made a bargain didn't we, Scarlett? You aren't the type of woman to go back on her word are you?"
"No, but why are you acting this way?"
"I told you I'd do everything in my power to save your mother and I'm doing just that. Now I need you to keep your promise and do as asked for once in your life."
His brusque and uncalled for tone cut deeply, and if he had been standing close enough, there was no doubt in Scarlett's mind that she would have slapped him for it. Instead, she glared back at him, her glittering green eyes two daggers of pure unadulterated hate, and stormed out of the hallway and into her the small office her mother usually occupied.
~R&S~
After seeing to the administration of the quinine treatment to the three ill O'Hara women by Mammy, Rhett went in search of Scarlett, still feeling the sting of the look in her eyes after their brief yet heated quarrel. It was not often that he felt guilt for his actions, but he felt it deeply now, knowing he had let his raw emotions get the better of him. It had been so long since she had looked at him that way, words of hate no doubt on her mind, and he hoped to never see that look on her face again, or at the very least, not for a long while.
Finally finding her in the tiny office, Rhett said, "There you are," from the doorway, looking in on Scarlett who sat at her mother's desk with her back to him. She did not even bother to turn around as he spoke.
"What do you want?" she spat, pretending that a piece of paperwork lying on the desk held her upmost attention.
"I know you're upset with me."
"Go away Rhett. I don't want to talk to you."
"May I come in?" he asked gently, mindful not step over the threshold until she gave him permission to enter the room.
"No."
"Please?" he coaxed sweetly, wishing she would only turn around and look at him.
With a heavy sigh that made her shoulders rise and fall, she muttered, "Do what you want. You always do anyway."
"I'm trying to make amends, Scarlett. You should take note as it doesn't happen very often."
Turning around in her chair, Scarlett faced him and saw genuine remorse in his eyes, eyes that for once did not dance with mockery or laughter. "Fine. Come in."
"I'm sorry for speaking to you so brusquely," he apologized, moving towards her and placing a tender hand on her shoulder. "It wasn't my intention to hurt your feelings."
"I don't see why you have to be so hateful."
"I wasn't trying to be-er-hateful. I had just seen a lot of things I didn't want to see today. I'm also trying to protect you, Scarlett. I know you want to see your mother but you can't take the chance at getting sick. Your family and son need you healthy."
"You could get sick too, Rhett."
"I'll manage."
"Why because you're so infallible?" she scoffed, clinging somewhat to the anger that was slowly waning. It was not fair that he controlled the situation, that he valued his own health so little because he thought he was strong enough not to be touched by anything.
"No," he answered honestly.
"I'm strong too. I'm not some weak ninny who doesn't know what she's doing."
"I can assure you my dear, I have never once thought of you as weak," he remarked, kneeling down so that they were eye to eye then cupping her cheek affectionately. "Your strength is one of the things I love most about you."
"Then why do you treat me like a child?" she asked, bewildered by his words. Sometimes she simply did not understand the man.
"I don't mean to, but you are a child in so many ways. There's so much of the world that you haven't seen, some things I hope you never need to see or experience. Maybe I just want to shield you from them."
"What happened to you today, Rhett?"
"There are some things you don't need to know, and this is one of them."
"But I want to know," Scarlett prodded, running a hand through his hair as a means of persuasion.
He laughed softly at her attempt and captured her hand, placing velvet kisses into the palm. "All that matters is that your mother and sisters should be on the road to recovery."
"Will you tell me one day?"
"Yes, one day I'll recount just how I narrowly escaped death to play the ever gallant knight in shining armor who—"
"Oh" she snapped, snatching her hand away. "I knew there was no use in hoping you might be serious for once."
Laughing, Rhett leaned in and whispered, "I will tell you one day, my dear, just not tonight," then he kissed her, his lips soothing and gentle, another means of showing his remorse for the pain he caused, but the tender kisses were no less intoxicating than his ardent and demanding ones.
"Thank you for helping my mother and sisters," Scarlett managed to say when they broke apart and Rhett finally stood to his full height. "I know I didn't say so before, but you were just so mean and well…thank you."
"Genuine appreciation from Miss Scarlett O'Hara?" he teased devilishly. "I'm not sure I deserve it in this moment."
"You don't, but I'm telling you just the same," she replied, rising out of the chair and moving past him to the door. "Goodnight Rhett."
With a raised brown and a smirk, he asked, "Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?"
"I think you've had enough kissing for one day," Scarlett answered with a look over her shoulder and a saucy grin, and the sound of Rhett's laughter followed her out of the room.
I just want to thank everyone again for reading and reviewing the last chapter. It is truly appreciated, especially after all this time. I'm just glad that you are still enjoying this because it is a pleasure for me to write it. :) Now here is a little personal anecdote about typhoid. I was having a discussion with my grandmother one day and she was telling me about how her two sisters (she had four) had caught typhoid. Her parents had forbidden the children from going into the sick room where her sisters were kept. However, my grandmother was jealous from all of the attention they were getting, especially since they were given orange juice (something that was a luxury for them at the time). So one day, she snuck into their room while they were sleeping and drank one of her sisters' orange juice that was leftover in the glass. Her mom caught her and freaked out, but luckily, she remained untouched by the disease. Anyway, the fact that Scarlett was forbidden from going into the sick room was inspired somewhat by this story I was told. Also, I know far too much about typhoid now and yes I purposely kept some of those details out of the story because I'm trying to keep it romantic. It's a terrible illness. I hope you all enjoyed! A lot of the next chapter is already written, so I don't think there will be too much of a wait for it.