Note: Thanks for the reviews! This next part has a slight love scene, but nothing too graphic. So please enjoy and review!
Part 51: Possible Love
Later, Scarlett came down stairs after splashing fresh water on her face and checking her reflection in the mirror. Dejectedly she deeply sighed at the state of her appearance and walked away, finding her shawl and placing it over her shoulders. Surely she did not look attractive and mourned at her state. Shrugging her shoulders, and with a toss of her head, she exited her room and went to the stairs. Unconsciously, she clutched the banister tightly and her steps were slow and cautious as she held her train in her free hand. Why on earth would Rhett want her to go outside at night to meet him?
To her utter astonishment she stepped outside on the verandah and gaped. There was a table set with plates of food, candles and Rhett was standing behind a chair, a smile on his face. It was a kind smile, the light from the candles illuminating his swarthy face for an instant, before he stepped in the shadows. Striding over to her, he stopped directly in front of her.
"I was hoping," he said, "that a candle-lit supper would be a proper gift for your appetite has er- increased substantially as of late."
After her initial surprise had faded, a warm smile came to Scarlett's lips and she lightly chuckled as Rhett pulled back her chair and she took a seat. Rhett was being so sweet and as he took his place across from her, she smiled at him.
"This is awfully sweet of you, Rhett. I do declare you take my breath away with your chivalry."
"Since you are trying to keep your reputation untarnished and have become a prisoner in our home, I decided it was high time you got fresh air, Scarlett. After all, you will be confined to the house for at least five more months."
Not needing that reminder, Scarlett sighed. She let her eyes wander across the dark yard and look up at the sky. Surprisingly, she had not touched her food yet, but breathed in deeply, admiring the beauty of the night. Often she did not appreciate it, but she had changed somewhat and found herself contemplative as of late and quieter as she thought of her life. She thought often about the baby, Rhett, the children and her future. Not money, for she had more than enough, but she dreamt of happiness and being a great lady.
"What are you thinking about, Scarlett?" Rhett softly asked.
Scarlett's eyes met his. Why did Rhett seem so different tonight? He had been aloof with her these past months. The only time they spoke was during supper with casual conversation and at night as they lay in bed next to each other. It was not long conversations, for Scarlett usually could not force herself to stay awake long once in bed. But now Rhett was acting kind and tender towards her. Being so very thoughtful and she felt a glimmer of hope. Could Rhett love her? She did not want to hope he did, since it had been six months since she had admitted her love to him and he had not returned the sentiment. Yet her foolish heart hoped.
She shrugged. "The children and the baby." It was an easy lie. "I want to begin to refurnish the nursery for Gerald, Rhett and buy new toys. I shall have to hire some one to help since well, since there is no one who can help me. The children shall be at school and you will be at work…"
"Gerald?" Rhett questioned with a quirk of his brow as Scarlett took a bite of lamb.
"I decided I wanted to name our son after pa. Sue… Sue didn't use his name so I felt it was only right that our son carry his grandfather's name proudly."
For a moment a smile touched Rhett's lips and Scarlett's breath caught. His face seemed softer than she had seen it in ages. Perhaps it was the candle light playing tricks on her mind or her own longings but her toes curled as desire coursed through her body for the man in front of her. He lightly chuckled.
"Should we have a son, I am sure he shall bear the name proudly and live up to it. But how do you know we will have a boy and not a girl?"
"Because I want a son," she stubbornly said. "I know you once said boys are no good to anyone but- I- oh never mind, it does not matter now."
"Come, Scarlett," he cajoled. "Tell me what you were going to say?"
Scarlett contemplated telling him. Should she ruin the mood by speaking of things that did not matter now? Taking a deep breath, she averted her gaze. Not wanting to say something that would offend him lest the magic of the night was broken.
"When I found out I was pregnant, after you left for London, I had hoped the baby would have been a boy. Now that I have the chance again, he just has to be a boy, Rhett."
Rhett was silent and she feared she had divulged too much. But he swiftly changed the subject and Scarlett was not sure whether to feel disappointed or relived. Rhett had not mentioned the baby she was carrying much over the past months. He was attentive to her yes, and made certain she was in fine health everyday, but had made little mention of how he felt about the baby.
They finished their meal in relative silence. Scarlett secretly would steal glances at Rhett across the table. She had learned to curb her desire for him and to detach her mind from dwelling too long on wanting him. But tonight, in the cloak of darkness, the candlelight flickering about him, she felt desire come over her. She remembered when she had been pregnant with Bonnie; she had been a little more demanding during their lovemaking and had for the first time initiated it. Rhett had seemed quite pleased with her demanding nature then.
Soundlessly Rhett rose to his feet and quipped a light observation about the meal. He surprised Scarlett by going to her chair and offering her his hand. Lightly she slipped her hand in his warm calloused one and for the briefest moment allowed her thumb to lightly rub across his. Their eyes met, green on black in the shadows.
"Rhett," she breathed, it was a plea, a dare for him to close the distance. Who cared now that he hadn't admitted he was in love with her? A part of her mind did care, but all that mattered was he was here and was not pulling away from her. He had not pulled his hand from hers. She was disappointed however when he released her hand and walked away from her. Heart plummeting in her chest, she watched him in confusion as he leaned down to pick up her shawl that had fallen to the ground.
"You dropped your shawl, Mrs. Butler," he lightly said, stopping in front of her to place it delicately over her shoulders.
His eyes were soft, intense. When he finally crashed his lips over hers, Scarlett was more than ready. A sigh emerged from her lips and she wound her arms around his back, clinging to him as he kissed her as if starving, different compared to his tender actions of that evening. Now he ravished her mouth and she prodded his mouth demandingly, her tongue entering his, she would not allow him to pull away.
He pulled away. "Scarlett…"
She was not listening and began to tug roughly at his cravat. Struggling in vain, Rhett finally said her name again and stopped her with his hands over hers.
"Scarlett…"
Glittering eyes met his, full of passion. "No, Rhett. No more speaking or I shall go mad."
"I was going to say that it would be a better idea for you to continue undressing me in your room. We wouldn't want the neighbors to see." He laughed.
"Oh! I suppose not." A playful smile came to her lips. She quickly headed for the door, Rhett close to her heels. Her heart was pounding with excitement. Both reached the room as quickly as possible and as soon as the door was shut behind them, Scarlett launched herself into his arms, her lips meeting his demandingly.
XXX
Much later, Scarlett lay content in his arms, sighing like a contented cat. A lazy smile was on her lips and her eyes gleamed. She did not voice what was on her heart yet, as her mind replayed their hurried lovemaking, passionate, urgent at first. He had been gentle due to her condition although she had tried to make him hurry by ripping off his shirt and trousers.
"You are rather demanding," he huskily commented once completely naked in front of her and she sized him up. He was truly a fine specimen of a man, even in the darkness, as she stared at him her heart clenched. His desire was evident, his body alive with need, mirrored in his eyes also. If only she could read love in his eyes, but could not for the lantern was dim.
"Undress me," she softly said, "but do not look, Rhett!"
His brow quirked. "What if I want to look, Mrs. Butler?"
She blew out a breath and her face lamed as Rhett's fingers expertly undid the buttons of her gown. "I am fat and unattractive because of the baby. Oh, I want the baby, I do, but you simply must think I look awful."
"Scarlett, look at me," he seriously said, turning her body to look at him. When she would not, he tilted her chin up and her eyes met his reluctantly.
"I think you are beautiful, my pet. You could acquire a few more inches to your waist, but I'll always want you. You are like poison to my blood and God, even when you're pregnant, you are more beautiful." Then he surprised her by kneeling down and placed his lips against her abdomen, as if he were kissing their child and her. Scarlett felt tears in her eyes and ran a hand through his hair.
"Rhett, kiss me," she whispered.
He rose to his feet and complied. The rest of her clothing was removed and soon they were on the bed in a tangle of limbs and arms. Passionately kissing, their bodies lying against each other, side by side flush against one another. His lips traveled over her entire body and her breath quickened until she was begging him to finally take her. When he slowly entered her, her eyes closed in ecstasy and opened right in front of his.
"God," he groaned. "Scarlett, God."
Her legs wrapped around his hips as he slowly thrust into her. "Rhett!"
Burying his face into her hair as his hips continued to crash into hers, he groaned. "God, Scarlett how can you think I didn't want you? I'll always want you. God, I love you."
Through her hazy state, Scarlett's eyes widened. Had she imagined his words of love? But when he groaned it again, she knew he loved her! His words caused her to arch and quiver against his body as she climaxed, sobbing his name. He shouted her name as he followed with one last thrust; he buried his face in her hair and held her tightly against him.
Now in the aftermath, Scarlett searched his eyes. There was a vulnerable look in his eyes before it was replaced with a neutral look, and he rose to his feet going to the window. She knew he was beginning to make sense of what he had divulged to her. But she had to know if the words were true or in the heat of passion. Pulling the sheet to her neck and wrapping it around her body, she rose to her feet and padded across the room to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder gently, he jumped under her touch.
"Rhett… I have to know if what you said was true?"
He turned to face her, distracted, not meeting her eyes. "What did I say, I don't remember."
"That you loved me. Is it true, Rhett?" She held her breath as she waited for his answer.
He stared at her a long moment before he walked away from her. She watched him from the window as he began to place on his clothing. His movements were jerky but Scarlett would not be deterred.
"Tell me the truth, Rhett," she tightly said. "I deserve that much."
"People say many things in the heat of passions," he said with a shrug.
How could he deny it? Feeling tears rise in her eyes and suddenly cold, she shivered. Eyes narrowing with hurt, she cried, "I do not care what people say! Damn you, Rhett Butler! I care what you said and I know I heard you say you loved me. Do you?"
"I don't know, Scarlett," he admitted with a deep sigh. "I don't have an answer. Maybe in time I will be able to tell you that I do, but now hell, I'm here aren't I? Isn't that enough?"
Although her heart sank there was hope. He hadn't told her he did not love her. Could that men there was a possibility that he could someday love her again? The expressions that filtered in his eyes were confusion but a deeper emotion of a man who has no wish to be hurt again.
She sighed. "I am not patient, Rhett. But if you promise me that you shall not push me away anymore, then I will not push you to tell me that you love me…"
"I might love you, Scarlett," he cautiously said. "I'm not sure if I ever stopped loving you or if I fell in love with you again. I need time. Are you willing to wait because I waited long enough for you, heaven knows."
Scarlett detested not pulling the truth from him. But if she pushed too hard, she knew he would push back. Patience had never been a virtue with her, but with Rhett she was willing to swallow her desires and give him time. After the baby was born and he realized he could love again, Scarlett knew deep down Rhett would admit his love. Turning, she headed for the bed and sat down, the sheet still wrapped around her.
"Come back to bed," she softly said with a small smile. She had given him his answer.
TBC
Next Part: Scarlett takes matters into her own hands and even gets to see Mr. Williams.
