He heard the blast behind the closed doors. He realized she must have thrown something in her fit of fury. For a minute he contemplated whether to go back inside and try to sooth her, but he withdrew that notion pretty fast. She was his wife. Yes, he loved her, desired her even admired her. Yet, he was his own man 'I suppose that's why I kept saying I'm not a marrying man' he thought without amusement as he mounted his horse. The ride to Belle's lasted only a few minutes. He dropped the horse at Moses's hands in the front. Thinking for a minute he said "Put him in the stables and bring him to me when I leave, though I won't be long."

The room was lit and the music was running. Business was blooming. They caught each other in the eye, and to his surprise she left the premise to the office. His office.

"No hello darling?" He joked with no genuine mirth, as she kept quiet.

"You is a married man now, Rhett. Didn't come to see me two months ago when you moved to town, only sent for the rent and profits."

" I wouldn't have come tonight either, but your son came looking for me and he's at my home. Scarlett realized he was yours. She's spreading a word that he is the orphan child of some French cousin of hers she invented.

She was with his back to him. He was surprised at her lack of reaction. Finally she turned around –

"It was my fault he came. I wrote you were back from the war to Atlanta."

He looked at her, she looked so much older and wearier than ever before.

"Belle, he doesn't know you're here."

"I reckon he don't. Well, I'll lay low for a while. Let me know when he's leaving. Are you going to send him to the same school?"

Baffled at the fact that she did not ask to see Robert, he became suspicious –

"I don't know yet. Scarlett seems to like him. She put him in the nursery with her son."

"Well, if he stays, let me know. I'll shut down and move to Marietta or back to New Orleans".

"I can't believe your wife would be so kind to my child. You talked of her as if she were this spoiled brat, well, most of the time."

"She was. But she's always had a rebel in her. Nevertheless, she nearly had a fit when I told her I was the owner of this building, and left to see you."

"Rhett, why'd you tell her? What for? She's been nothing but kind to Roby. I couldn't have prayed for more had I prayed. She hates me, hated at least, and probably now even more, it will come out on him."

He paused. She looked at him with pain and distress.

"I don't think she hates you. She hates this." He looked up and down the building.

"Well, that makes two of us" she laughed sarcastically.

Rhett grew silent.

"Don't you think I hate this establishment? Sure, I'm grateful that I'm the madam and not a common girl; that I don't have to yield to every request of a client. No, I got girls to do that for me, don't I? But I was there. Hell, I'm still here. If I hadn't had Roby, I would have found a job as a maid up north, maybe found a man. I'm not sorry for this, it keeps him fed and educated, but…"

"I didn't think she'd mind."

"Are you insane?!" her voice was loud for a second.

"She wants me to sell it to you, even give it to you."

"What will you do?" There was no sign of emotion in her question. He realized she would evacuate herself if needed for her son's sake.

"I have no idea. Coming to think of it it's odd she did not insist I threw you out."

"Perhaps she's kinder than you gave her credit for. I know I will never be able to thank her enough. Honey, don't get me wrong. You've been my private angel in the hell I've been living these past fifteen years. But sure your wife minds. She's your woman and a lady. Any woman would be jealous. Heaven's – she gave my boy her name. Clients talk, you know. No one does what she does with the food thing; none of the ladies of this city." She almost spat at the word ladies. "Why'd you marry her Rhett?"

Rhett kept silent

"You've been with no family for almost twenty years now Honey. I've known you a bit more than half the time. You may not think it's wrong to share this business with me, but don't you see how something like this would disgust a child who's never left her home? I know she's been married before even had a child, you told me, but she's still a baby who saw none of the things you and I saw. Would you like her to be coming here, it being part of your property? She the hollow eyes of my girls? The bruises? The alcohol they pour down their throats to forget, to be able to laugh and smile. I can just imagine us all standing for the land-lady's honor. Me offering her a drink and telling her who you liked best and what you like best, or perhaps show her some of the…"

"Shut up Belle or I'll …"

"Don't you be giving me that look. How could you think she wouldn't mind? You married a lady, Love, and an unusual one."

His eyes narrowed, has she gone too far, she wondered, nevertheless she was always a better poker player then him.

Rhett moved uneased "You know I can't sell this complex, it's not only this house. I'd give it to you, but…"

"I owe you enough. Well, make something up. I'll spread any rumor you want me to"

He was still standing -

"I know I'm just a common girl, but hear me out. You got something I'll never have. Don't ruin it. Go on home to your wife, Rhett. Hug my son for me. I don't want to see him while he's here. Maybe someday I can return from San-Francisco and… Go on Darlin', go to that dame you tricked into loving you."

"And Rhett – "

"What?"

"Grovel my dear. Anything else won't do."

"I'm not sure how it's done" he laughed. She joined him –

"You're a fast learner" with a raised brow she added "I can testify for that". She turned, and with a sway of hips she left the room.

****Milady****

For all those who read and reviewed thank you so much. I'm still thinking - how long should Scarlett give him a cold cheek? After two months of absence? Here's the thing, I never felt at ease with the forgiveness society granted men for visiting "sporting houses" "cabarets" etc. It was part of common male 'culture' until war world II. I can't see Rhett refraining from visiting the place, so what will it be?