Huge thanks to Bridgetlynn for her fine comments. A bit of a slow chapter. R&R

Careen was observing the road carefully. The scenery was different from the Georgian she was used to. Moss was moving with the wind, hung on branches of wide oak trees beside the road. The proud history of the place was so evident that it ached Careen's heart to watch it.

When they reached the Butler home, Rosemary was fast to thank them and enter the house without a glance back. Careen was slightly amazed that the young woman did not offer them to enter the house. The reverend, however seemed unbothered, and he turned face her, smiling kindly –

"Your sister had married to one of the most respectable families out here. A proud father in law she has now."

"I saw him" commented Careen "He advised Scarlett against marrying his own son."

"That explains why your sister sent you with Ms. Butler."

"Though it was hardly necessary, since we were not invited in, were we?"

"And what do you think of that?" he was still smiling, and it encouraged her to share her thoughts –

"Well, in Georgia it would be considered ill-mannered not to invite one in. Yet, from the small encounter I have had with Mr. Butler, I believe I cannot judge her. Our father was always kind and loving; he was from Ireland, I suppose being a foreigner made him more lenient. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to knowing that your father might disown you. It strikes me that she loves Captain Butler dearly. Considering the long estrangement between him and his father, and her age, it's a miracle that she developed any positive attitude toward him."

"That's very perceptive of you." Reverend John looked surprised at the young woman in front of him.

"It's just that she is probably doing her best." She offered.

Careen's kindness and the ability to accept human flaws with love moved a string in the reverend's heart. The silence did not last very long when he addressed her "I prepared a ceremony for tonight with parts from the Book of Job. Somehow I think that his story is some sort of conciliation in a time as trying as this. Would you like to attend, or would you rather wait at the side room?"

Careen was surprised that he'd think she would not listen to his service. Then she realized that he was referring to her being a Catholic – "Would you think it proper for me to attend?"

"During the war I entered every church I could. I don't think that it matters where or how you are a believer, as long as you try to do what is right in the eyes of The Lord."

"I would enjoy prayer and a service." She smiled.

***********MILADY**************

The entire evening was ruined, as far as Scarlett was concerned. Rhett had not entered the kitchen, and he was doing God knows what at the living room. She was bored from waiting, and did not want to confront the disapproval she expected to find in his eyes. The memory of the evening before brought tears to her eyes. There was so much tenderness and happiness in that evening, and here, on her second night as Mrs. Rhett Butler, Mr. Rhett Butler wasn't talking with her!

What would her mother have done? 'Ma would never say anything bad about father's siblings' she admitted to herself. Nevertheless, her mother never allowed her to stay with her uncles on her father's side in Savanah. It was always her sisters or nothing. Scarlett wondered whether this fact bothered her father. If it had, he concealed it. But Rhett was not her father, she sighed.

She felt resentment toward his sister, being the cause of the quarrel to begin with, so she told herself. She saw her sister-in-law's weakness and felt no compassion 'Why, I have had to deal with so many mouths to feed, a father who had lost his mind, the Yankees and after that all the sick and hungry veterans roaming through Tara, as if we were the only left plantation in the whole wide world. All she had was a tyrant father.'

Realization hit her. Nor Careen nor Suellen were much better; Careen wanted to run away from the world and Sue was settling on marrying her first beau, just because she was too scared to pursue happiness. Rhett did not utter a word of criticism; he had agreed to let both Careen and Wade join them for this journey. Yes, nor Rosemary nor Careen are cut out to defy this crazy world.

Yet, it was he who had asked for her opinion, and it's not like she had called her names! She merely said that she was not cut out for the harsh times. Wasn't it him who had encouraged her to speak her mind about anything and anyone?

'Who are you fooling, Scarlett, If he had spoken one ill word of your father or sisters, yes even Suellen included, you would be furious'.

She realized that she did not enjoy the day that much either. Was she jealous of the natural and easiness of affection he had shown his sister that day? She tried to push away the unpleasant thought.

Finally the sound of a carriage by the house broke the unpleasant thoughts. Careen came radiant with an invitation to spend the next afternoon at yet another service.

"Was Mr. Butler pleasant?" asked Scarlett with a low voice as soon as Rhett had retired.

"I never came in. I hope he wasn't too harsh on Ms. Butler."

"Oh. I'm sorry I had to send you."

"Don't be. John took me to service and dinner and it was so good, to be with people again! People who believe and pray and hope! I am so grateful for tonight, for yesterday, and for this entire journey!"

The fact that Careen had called the reverend by his Christian name left Scarlett smiling. She kissed her sister on the forehead as their father would do on better times "God bless you Careen." And she parted from her to the upper floor.

As she reached their room she found him stretched on the bed. Assuming he was asleep she sighed and took her nightgown.

"Don't"

She almost jumped at the sound of him speaking.

"You scared me to death, Rhett!" she exclaimed as she held to the nightgown.

"Don't put that on, Scarlett." he whispered as he stood from the bed and took her in his arms.

His hands were untying the strays of her bodice, uncovering her skin to his lips. She let him undress her and yielded to his advances with fervor of her own. She loved that sensation more than she would admit to herself.

After lovemaking she curled near him "I thought you were mad at me"

"I'm not?"

She blushed. The thought of him doing that, and remaining resentful toward her, bothered her. He couldn't be!

"Humph… Rhett…" She pulled away – he looked at her quizzically "Rhett, you surely aren't mad at me now; are you?"

Annoyed at her insistence he replied "Scarlett, I think it likely that it won't be the last time that I won't like something you say or do. I do believe that the same would be right about me and you being upset by me. We should be honest about such things. Yet, you shouldn't be so imposing. "

She swallowed and kept to herself for a while. As she felt the even breaths of his sleep was amazed at his goal! How could he sleep?! Here she was upset, so upset, after she had given herself to him, and he was sleeping?! Disappointment and frustration combined she let the tears run through her cheeks till sleep finally claimed her.

**********MILADY***********

So, here's the thing. I am quite sure that even my fictional Scarlett would get into rows with her loving Rhett, and as in the book, she is not very capable of apologizing, nor would he apologize, nor would he agree to talk things through (most men don't!). As for the makeup love-making, sometimes there is a difference in the depth attributed to it…