Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Fifteen

After the children were asleep, Scarlett told Rhett all about her visit to the mills that day. She said, "He is actually blaming you for his having bombed at his interview."

"Me? What did I do?"

"You smirked at him."

Rhett burst out laughing and said, "I smirk at everyone."

"Then he said that you sat there acting better than him."

"I am better than him."

"I know dear. So much better."

"Thank you, my dear."

They sat there just looking at each other with neither person saying anything.

Finally, Scarlett said, "He told me that Melly doesn't think I am good enough for you," Rhett roared with laughter. It took him a while to get a hold of himself. Scarlett continued, "I told him that you are the one not good enough for me."

"We are perfect for each other."

"Yes, we are. I don't know anyone else who would so happily help me torture that rat-bastard," When Scarlett saw Rhett look at her questioningly, she added, "He is pretending to be an honorable gentleman when he really isn't, and he tried to come between me and my husband."

Scarlett knew she had said too much when in an icy, cold voice Rhett said, "Tried?"

"Succeeded."

"What changed? What caused you to get in my bed?"

"Rhett, please, let's not talk about it."

"My pet."

Scarlett jumped up and screamed "No! Don't ever call me that again! Never! It is hateful and mean. Please don't be that way. I don't like you when you are that way. We have had so much fun these last months since I swallowed my pride and got in your bed. Isn't that enough?"

Rhett for once stopped in pursuit of a goal. She had been the one to capitulate. Yes, they had been having fun. Yes, there was something more. In a moment of wisdom often lacking in his dealings with Scarlett he knew he didn't need to know what it was. He needed to remember that fact. What he did know was that Mr. Wilkes had done something that broke the hold he had on Scarlett. What he did really didn't matter. Judging by her reaction right now it had been something that had embarrassed her to the nth degree. He needed to let her keep what remained of her pride. She had already given up so much. He stopped his interrogation. Rhett smiled his charming smile and said, "That is more than enough. I think the next morning you said something about me making you feel safe and wanting me physically. Wasn't that it?"

Rhett saw such relief in Scarlett's face that he almost felt ashamed for pushing her to get answers. He had gotten caught up in the moment and pushed for the entire story. He had never liked not having all the answers. Answers that were only to satisfy his curiosity. Answers that he now knew would shame her. She nodded her head up and down and said, "And fulfilling my end of the bargain."

"That's right. Our bargain. I certainly hope that our time together in our marital bed has been more than just you fulfilling your part of our bargain. I would be so hurt if it was all just duty on your part."

Scarlett giggled and Rhett laughed. The tension was broken. They were back to their comfortable relationship. They talked about other things. Finally, it was time to retire for the night.

When they were in the bed and he pulled her to him, she hugged him tight, and he knew without a doubt it was more than duty on Scarlett's part. That made him so incredibly happy. So happy that he apologized and made a promise. Rhett said, "Scarlett, I'm sorry for calling you that hurtful nickname. I won't ever do it again."

"Thank you, Rhett. Thank you so much."

"If I had just known it bothered you, I would have stopped a long time ago."

"Liar." Then she pulled his head down and they forgot about that hurtful nickname. The next day Rhett started calling her His Clever Bunny and it made Scarlett happy. For the first time the couple had a private joke between them.

The next week Scarlett went with Melanie to a sewing bee. As soon as they were in the coach Scarlett said, "Rhett told me that his friend is quite captivated with India. Can you believe it?"

Melly smiled at Scarlett. That news made Melly happy. Not only that India's beau liked her but that maybe India would be finally leaving their household. A happy India was a joy to live with but if this relationship ended then India would be even more bitter and more horrible to live with. India had been so happy the last few months and Melly couldn't go back to the way it was especially now that Ashley was a bear to live with. Melanie said, "That is wonderful. I hope he ask her to marry him."

"Melly they are a long way from that."

"We can still be optimistic for the poor dear."

"Yes, we can."

"Isn't it awful what happened at Ashley's interview?"

In that instant Melly got mad at Ashley. He had refused to tell her anything about his interview except to tell her it had not gone well, and he would not be getting the job. Now Melly knew that Ashley had told Scarlett all about it. Melly replied, "Yes, just awful."

"If he just hadn't argued with Mr. Bosworth."

"Yes, if he just hadn't."

Scarlett knew suddenly that Ashley hadn't told Melly about the interview. She guessed he had been too embarrassed to talk with Melly about it. Scarlett said, "Rhett told me all about it. He was part of the interviewing team since he owns part of the school. Of at least he does until Mr. Townsend pays off his loan," Scarlett decided to lie to Melly to protect Melly's feelings. She said, "I tried to talk to Ashley about it yesterday, but he refused to talk to me about it."

The look of relief that crossed Melly's face made Scarlett feel good about her lie. Melly said, "Will you tell me? Just so I know."

"Of course." Scarlett told Melly a version sympathetic to Ashley, but she didn't blame Ashley's actions on Rhett. When she finished, she said, "It was probably Ashley's inexperience with interviewing that made him make the mistake of arguing with Mr. Bosworth."

Melly said, "Yes, probably." Although Melly knew that Ashley could get sanctimonious and pompous when he thought he was right about something.

Both ladies were glad they had arrived at the sewing bee. They both wanted to leave that conversation.

As had been her manner since she had found out the awful truth as they called on other ladies, Scarlett was sweet, kind, deferential, and polite. Every now and then a matron would ask her if she could donate to their cause. Scarlett would always say, "Maybe. Let me ask Rhett." Rhett gave her a very generous allowance so she always could donate something without asking Rhett for money, but she wanted all the matrons to know where her money came from.

In early October when Scarlett found out that Mrs. Merriwether needed another loan from the bank to keep her up and coming bakery business afloat Scarlett asked the matron, "Rhett owns part of First Atlantic Bank. Do you want me to see what he can do about getting your loan approved?"

Scarlett knew Mrs. Merriwether wanted to tell Scarlett to go to hell but instead Dolly nodded her head and looked at the floor. Scarlett said, "I will talk to him tonight. I'm sure Rhett will help you. He has such a kind heart."

Scarlett watched as Mrs. Merriwether stuffed down all the comments she wanted to make about Rhett and what he could do with his kind heart. Instead, she said, "Yes, he does."

Scarlett wanted to laugh with glee but instead managed to keep the smirk off her face and said, "I will talk to him tonight after the children go to sleep."

"Thank you." And with that Mrs. Merriwether got up and walked away. Scarlett wanted to laugh out loud but instead just thought, 'How is that pride and honor working for you?'

After Scarlett dropped Melly off and she was finally alone, she laughed and laughed. She had to tell Rhett all about this. He was the only person who would think it was as funny as she did. She paused for a moment and thought, 'We really are awful people,' She cheered herself up by thinking, 'Isn't it wonderful we found each other.'

As Scarlett walked toward the front door of the mansion Rhett was walking out. Scarlett said, "Where are you going? It is almost time for supper."

"I am going to close a deal. I plan to be home for supper. If this deal is successful, I will buy you another bauble."

"I would rather have you home for supper."

At that moment Scarlett heard Mammy calling for Mr. Rhett from the nursery. Scarlett said, "I will handle whatever crisis has arisen. Go." She gave Rhett a quick kiss and walked up the stairs to take care of the crisis in the nursery. Rhett felt like putting his hand over his mouth to seal the kiss in.

He hurried to his horse. Scarlett's words had made him so happy. He did want to be more important to her than possessions. He also would like to be home for supper too. He hoped his associates where at Belle's when he got there.

When Scarlett got to the nursery, Scarlett found Wade pouting, Ella crying and, Bonnie happily playing with her toys. Mammy was comforting Ella, so Scarlett sat down in front of Wade and said, "What happened?"

"Ella ruined my book."

"What did she do?"

"She colored in it."

"We can buy you a new book."

"I don't want a new book. I want my book without colored pencil markings all over it."

"Why is this book so special?"

"Aunt Melly gave it to me and said it was one of my father's favorite books from when he was a boy."

"Why is Ella crying?"

"I called her a stupid goose for ruining my book."

Scarlett paused here. She knew Wade had learned to call people a goose from her. Since that awful day, she had a lot more compassion and patience around her children. She thought it was because whenever she wanted to strike out a someone, she struck out at Ashley instead. She didn't know why but she was a lot more relaxed than she had ever been in her life. If she had shared that information with her husband, he would have told her she was more relaxed because she was achieving sexual satisfaction. Scarlett didn't know about all that and for once she was blissfully ignorant.

Scarlett smiled, "You shouldn't call Ella a stupid goose," When she saw the scowl cross her son's face she said, "I shouldn't call anyone that either. Do you think Aunt Melly would be happy with you for having called Ella a stupid goose even considering the circumstances?"

"No."

"I want you to tell Ella you are sorry. I will buy you another book tomorrow. Possessions are not worth hurting someone's feelings. You should go out of your way to not hurt someone's feelings. I'm working on that one too."

Wade smiled and said, "Yes, Mother."

Wade stood up and walked over to where Mammy was sitting with Ella on her lap. Ella was no longer crying. Wade said, "I'm sorry for calling you a stupid goose."

Ella said, "I'm sorry for ruining your book."

"It is alright. Mother is going to buy me another one."

Ella smiled and her face was glowing. Scarlett was happy that there were moments when her daughter was attractive. Wade smiled back. Yes, Wade was going to be handsome but not effeminate like his father. Scarlett said, "Let's go to the music room and we can sing songs before supper."

Until supper was ready, Scarlett and her children had a good time. Wade and Scarlett were the only two who could read the words, so she had Ella sing the choruses. Bonnie couldn't talk yet, but Scarlett let Bonnie make as much noise as she wanted to make. When it was six and Rhett wasn't back Scarlett was surprised at how disappointed she was. She always thought of supper as the family's special time. Scarlett had Bonnie sitting in her lap. She gave Bonnie her own plate and let her try to feed herself. Through the meal Scarlett found it was difficult to hold the child and feed herself at the same time. She smiled because she had never known how hard it was. Rhett made it look so easy. Of course, if Scarlett had her way the child would have been fed in the nursery until she was two like Wade and Ella had been. Rhett had not allowed that. Ever since Bonnie was six months old, she had been eating supper with them. Scarlett decided that as long as it was Rhett that was inconvenienced, he could do it with the rest of their children also.

Rhett had finished his meeting and hurried out the door at The Painted Lady. He had not even stopped to speak to Belle. He had tipped his hat and got on his horse and rode home. He went a little faster than normal because he already knew he was going to be late. He didn't want to be too late though. When he walked in the foyer, he heard Wade talking. When he entered the dining room, Scarlett's happy smile made all his efforts worthwhile.

When Bonnie reached for him, he picked her up and let her eat food off his plate. Scarlett would have to put an end to Bonnie eating off of Rhett's plate but not yet.

That night as the couple sat in the family parlor Scarlett said, "Mrs. Merriwether needs a loan for her bakery. The bank won't give her one because she doesn't have any collateral."

"That and the bank has already given her two loans."

"Could you get her a loan?"

"Only by guaranteeing it myself which I'm not going to do."

"Just think of how much fun we could have torturing Mrs. Merriwether. We could make her jump through all sorts of hoops and not let her have the loan in the end."

"Or we could make her jump through the hoops and in order to get the loan she has to ask me personally."

"That is so very good."

They talked some more about different things. Scarlett said, "I told Melly that your friend likes India."

"Yeah, it seems Stuart likes brain over beauty."

"Although a happy India is more attractive than I have seen her in many years."

"Since she lost her beau to a green-eyed temptress."

"Maybe."

Rhett told her about his deal, and he was touched that she had really try to listen to him. When he saw her eyes glaze over, he stood up and extended his hand. He said, "Shall we retire?"

That night their relations were nice and definitely satisfying but they didn't have the pent-up passion that existed when they talked about torturing Mr. Wilkes. The couple was alright with that.