After speaking with Colum, Scarlett had made up her mind. She sent a telegram to Rhett requesting his presence in Ireland as soon as possible. She then tried to find a gentle way to tell Luke the truth. She knew she owed him that much after all the kindness he had shown her these last few months.

So here she was, sitting with Luke in her parlour. Same place she had sat him down to tell him about Rhett's previous trip. They had chatted for a while about inconsequential matters when Scarlett finally built up the nerve to tell him.

"Luke, I'm pregnant" she blurted out.

Luke set his tea cup down slowly and just stared at her. "I beg your pardon?"

Scarlett repeated her words, slowly this time, "I'm pregnant"

"I guess congratulations are in order. No prizes for me for guessing who the father is" He said with a harsh laugh.

He got up and started to pace the room. Scarlett followed his movements with her eyes afraid of his reaction.

"I can't believe you Scarlett. I know you don't love me but you have pledged yourself to me. Does that not include a clause of monogamy in your book?" He exclaimed, the anger in his voice starting to show.

"I'm sorry Luke. I never meant for this to happen. It was just one time and I never dreamt I would fall pregnant"

"Shut up! I'm talking!" Luke shouted. "All this time I thought all I needed to do was show you a little kindness and maybe you would forget that man. I never asked for your heart Scarlett but I did expect you to stay faithful to me with your body and mind atleast"

Scarlett had never seen Luke lose control like this and she was starting to feel a little afraid.

"Luke-"

"I said Shut up!" He roared. "I expect you've informed him of your little predicament"

Scarlett nodded.

"Yes. He is coming to Ballyhara"

"Fine then this is it Scarlett. I'm walking away unless you give me a reason to stay."

Scarlett thought frantically. 'What if Rhett doesn't want me? What do I do? I can't have another baby with a dead husband'

"Well. Scarlett?"

"Please don't go Luke" she finally choked out.

Instantly Luke was by her side. 'Do you mean that Scarlett?" He asked.

"Yes. Please don't leave me"

Luke sighed. "Fine Scarlett, I'll stay but on one condition."

Scarlett looked at him questioningly.

"I know why you have invited Butler here. You want to see if he'll take you back. I'm not an idiot Scarlett, don't even try and deny it. You want to see if this baby will convince him to leave his insipid wife for you. I myself do not see why he hasn't come for you already. But Scarlett he didn't leave his wife for Cat, what makes you think this baby is any different?"

Scarlett could not believe her ears. It was as if Luke was reading her mind.

Seeing her astonished expression, Luke laughed bitterly.

"You're not that hard to read Scarlett. These past few months with you have given me a surprising insight into your soul."

Scarlett did not respond. She was still trying to wrap her mind around what was happening.

"I know you want to try one last time for Butler's heart and if it makes you happy to do so go right ahead."

At this Scarlett could not stop herself, "But Luke, I don't understand"

"You will. After you try and fail to win your ex-husband's heart I will marry you Scarlett. But this child you are carrying will be mine. I will not share another baby with that man. Cat, I love her but she has already met and attached herself to Butler also you foolishly had him declared her father legally. I will marry you Scarlett but you will never see Rhett Butler again. Do you understand me?"

"What?"

"You heard me. If Rhett turns you down, then I know you will come running back into my arms. The only way I will accept you is if you give me your word that you never see Butler again. The child will be mine and it too will never meet Butler."

Scarlett was stunned as she understood what Luke was telling her.

"Don't look so shocked Scarlett. You're a grown woman. If you choose to accept my proposal then I will have the necessary paper work drawn up immediately."

"What about Cat?"

"You know I love Cat. That is how you can be sure I will love this new baby no matter who the father is."

"I'm not worried about that. I promised Rhett he would always be able to see Cat" Scarlett said.

"There is no need to worry about that. We will send Cat to Butler's home every year for three months. If he wants to visit her in London, then you and the baby must simply stay out of his way while he is around."

Luke studied her face carefully. He knew he was being cruel but he also knew he had no choice. The next time Scarlett announced she was going to have a baby he wanted to be damn sure it was his.

Scarlett was thinking about Luke's offer. While she would hate to never see Rhett again she was in no position to argue. Her only hope was that Rhett decided he wanted to be with her. Luke's earlier words rang in her ears. 'Scarlett he didn't leave his wife for Cat, what makes you think this baby is any different?' Scarlett felt her hopes dwindle.

"I accept." She said very softly.

"I'm sorry my dear, but I didn't hear you"

"I accept" Scarlett repeated loudly this time. "But I want to be able to tell Rhett first. And if he leaves me once more then not seeing him again will be no hardship on me"

Luke laughed at her words and kissed her forcefully. "I knew you would see it my way" he whispered before kissing her again.

Scarlett broke off the kiss; "Now I'd appreciate it if you left" her voice was cold.

Luke realized that his behaviour had lowered him in her eyes considerably and knew he would have to work hard to win back her affections.

"As you wish milady" Luke said. He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips kissing it tenderly before walking out.

Scarlett waited until she heard the door close before sinking to her knees with a cry.

…………………………………………………………………………..

I don't own GWTW.

I'm back!!!!! Exams are over and I will be updating my fics again regularly.

Luke was a right bastard in this chap but you have to remember that he cares about Scarlett and her betrayal hurt him. Scarlett bowing down to him is a not typical behaviour for her but honestly feels like she had no other choice. Her faith in Rhett has been badly shaken and her position in Society in Ireland would be as ruined as it was in America if not worse if she were to have a baby now with no husband. So that is why she accepted his offer. Don't think everything will be cosy between Luke and Scarlett. Then again… you never know!!!