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

Chapter Twenty-Seven

When Scarlett woke up the next morning, she thought about their activity the night before. She did hope she didn't get with child, but it was a consequence of them being intimate, and she wasn't giving that up for anything. She thought about pleasuring Rhett orally. She hadn't enjoyed it, but she certainly had enjoyed having so much control over her arrogant, dominating, superior husband. She absolutely loved it when he was so desperately needy and out of control. She had done it as a reward because Rhett had immediately gone out to warn the creature off. She didn't know how she knew but she knew that Rhett could be brutal with his words. She would pleasure him again orally but not very often. She wanted it to always be something special to him. To be a reward of sorts. In truth, it was just about the only way she could reward him for doing something to make her happy.

The next evening after the children were in bed, Rhett said, "Let us go to our bedroom so I can explain a lot about the male anatomy."

An hour later, Scarlett knew more about men than she had ever known, or thought she would know, or knew there was to know in her entire life. Rhett had even explained what would happen if she pleasured him all the way to his satisfaction. She had said, "You better make sure that never happens."

"I will try my best."

At the end of the discussion, Scarlett said, "Why did you tell me all of this?"

"Unlike most husbands I don't want my wife to be an ignorant woman. This is just the first of many lessons to come. You are too smart to stay ignorant."

"I'm not smart."

"You are not educated but you are smart."

"Thank you, Rhett."

Scarlett didn't believe what Rhett had just said about her being smart, but it made her feel good that he would say it anyway.

Within a week, Scarlett knew three things. She wasn't with child, she was fairly sure that neither Phil nor Mr. Elsing had said anything to anyone about Belle's visit to the store because neither man was treating her any differently, and most important, she knew Rhett had killed that creature for her.

That Thursday Scarlett had been at a tea being given by Harriet Youngblood when Polly had excitedly said, "Someone killed Belle Watling?"

Bridgette said, "How?"

"Someone snuck into her office while she was having her supper and slit her throat."

After Polly finished speaking all the other women looked at Scarlett. She said, "What?"

Bridget said, "Nothing, Dear."

"Who is Belle Watling?"

"Someone we knew in New Orleans."

Scarlett took pity on the other ladies and said, "Let me go to the privy."

Scarlett then stood outside the door and listen to all the other ladies talk badly about Belle. What made Scarlett happy was that Rhett's name was only mentioned once. That was to say he had once been Belle's partner in the saloon.

When Scarlett got in her buggy to go home the first thought that crossed her mind, 'Did Rhett kill that creature?' She then thought, 'Yes, that would be the only way he could be sure that creature would never bother her or him again.'

Later in the day, Scarlett thought, 'I suppose I should be appalled that Rhett killed to protect me but wasn't that what he had said when we were in Charleston after he put my aunts in their places. That he would protect me and take care of me even if he had to murder someone to do so. He did have to murder her for the woman would never have left us alone. Ashley wouldn't have killed someone to protect me,' She laughed when she thought, 'It wouldn't be proper.'

Later that night, Scarlett got into the bed without a stitch of clothing on. Rhett quickly followed her into the bed. For the first time Scarlett was the aggressor. She was so into their intimate time that Rhett took the opportunity to suggest she get on top. She agreed. She found she liked that position because she got to set the pace. Rhett found he didn't like the position because he didn't like not being in control although he certainly enjoyed being able to see all of Scarlett while she was in the throes of passion.

Afterwards Rhett knew that the next time Scarlett was the aggressor he would not take control of their activities. It was kind of amazing that she wanted him that much. It was even more wonderful because in their last timeline before the mill incident she had just tolerated him using her body. She certainly wasn't just tolerating him now.

As Rhett was falling asleep, he wondered what had prompted Scarlett to behave so aggressively. Whatever it was he hoped it happened again.

Scarlett set-up playdates for Beau and Wade two times a week after Wade got out of school. Melly and India were tutoring Beau. Scarlett and Melly would visit while the boys were playing. One day after one of these playdates, Scarlett said to Rhett, "For such a well-read woman why does she only talk about Ashley, Beau, and her committees."

"Those are the only proper things to talk about."

"She got a new dress."

A puzzled Rhett said, "How do you know?"

"It isn't thread bare."

The couple laughed.

Melly thought she was keeping tabs on Scarlett and Rhett's relationship with her bi-weekly visits with Scarlett. To Melly's pleasure, Scarlett never talked about Rhett except to tell how silly he was about Genie, what he had bought her, and where he had taken her. From what Scarlett was sharing with Melly, Melly wasn't worried about Scarlett falling out of love with Ashley. Melly would have been extremely disappointed to know that Scarlett would never share her special times with Rhett because they were too exceptional to share with anyone.

When Scarlett went to check on her businesses it was just business now. She was never alone with Ashley. She never said anything special. She never looked at him adoringly. She never acted like he was anything special. Scarlett had not even realized that her feelings had changed so much in regard to Ashley. If she even thought about it, she told herself she was doing all that so Rhett would not yell at her and call her names which was true in a way. The other part that she didn't realize was that her time with Rhett was so incredibly special that she would not let Ashley into that world. Or Melly either.

Ashley had noticed the change in Scarlett, and he had not been surprised. As he had suspected Butler had wormed his way into Scarlett's heart. Now she was just a friend at best and just a boss at worst. As long as she stayed a friend, he believed he would keep his job. He, of course, had not shared any of this with Melly. What could he say, "Melly, the woman I have been stringing along since the war ended has wised up and realized she doesn't love me anymore." Not highly likely.

Scarlett didn't know why she felt that if she told anyone about hers and Rhett's extraordinary time together someone would try to ruin it out of jealousy. She finally decided that women were always jealous of her, and this would be one more thing they would be jealous about. She knew their relationships with their husbands were not as unique as her relationship with Rhett. Scarlett and Rhett weren't just husband and wife. They were best friends also.

Scarlett also knew that none of the other ladies' husbands would have killed to protect them. Whenever Scarlett thought about that it always made her feel so warm and tingly. It also made her want to hurry Rhett up the stairs, but she was not that bold. Although, if she ever was, she was sure Rhett would be happy about it.

Scarlett was happy for the first time in a long time. She hadn't been this happy since the war began. Rhett always referred to her as his best friend and she referred to him that way also. If they did not have a social obligation, they would sit on the porch where it was cooler and maybe they could catch a breeze. They would share a glass of brandy. They shared it supposedly, so nobody drank too much although they never hesitated to refill the glass if they wanted more brandy. Rhett was trying not to drink but nonetheless he was drinking so much less than he had two years ago he felt like he was alright. It was a special moment with Scarlett that he didn't want to miss besides he didn't really like brandy so that caused him not to consume as much as he would if they had been sharing a glass of whiskey.

Rhett believed that Scarlett did not think herself in love with Wilkes anymore. She never praised him. In fact, she complained about him often almost as much as she complained about Mr. Elsing. Although since the Belle incident Mr. Elsing was receiving a lot more grace than he had been before the incident.

After she complained about Mr. Wilkes, she would sigh and say, "I can't fire him because of Melly and Beau. I'm the only person who will put up with his mistakes."

"Probably. Is he making a profit?"

"Barely. It is like you said once he still thinks of himself as the heir to Twelve Oakes."

"Entitled."

"Yes. Mr. Elsing is beginning to become a good manager."

"I guess he didn't feel so entitled."

Scarlett would laugh and talk about something else. Scarlett also made snide comments about Melly to which Rhett always made a few of his own also. The couple were very relaxed and happy together.

Scarlett hosted a third birthday party for Ella. She invited all the Scallawag and Republican children. She even had Rhett invite the Governor's daughter again. She, of course, invited Melly and Beau. It was plain to Scarlett that Melly was uncomfortable at the party. While she had been talking to Melly, Rhett had joined them. His presence kept the subject matter neutral. As Scarlett and Rhett were walking away from Melly, Scarlett said, "I am not going to invite them next year. All she can do is stand there and look down her nose at the other guests."

"Although she is letting Beau play with the other children."

"I bet she makes him take a bath when they get home."

Rhett laughed but he didn't argue with Scarlett. He would not be surprised if that was exactly what Miss Melly did. He also didn't point out to Scarlett that he and she looked down their noses at the other guests also.

Scarlett hosted a party to celebrate Rhett's birthday. She didn't invite anyone who would be considered members of the Old Guard, not even Ashley and Melly. In fact, she didn't even tell Melly about the party. Scarlett invited the Scallawags, the Republicans, and Governor Bullock. She didn't care what anyone said about her. She knew soon they would have to move away from Atlanta, but she wasn't ready yet. Rhett was incredibly pleased that Scarlett had not invited the Wilkeses to his birthday party.

The week after Rhett's birthday party, he suggested that they spend Christmas in New York. Scarlett thought it was a wonderful idea. The family and Mammy left to go to New York as soon as Wade was out of school. Scarlett had stopped hiring another nursemaid. There was no point of hiring anyone new. Rhett would just fire them for one inane reason or another. Mammy was happy also. She didn't want anyone but her taking care of Miss Ellen's grandchildren.

Rhett had suggested going to New York so the family would not have to have Christmas dinner with the Wilkeses and the Hamiltons. When Scarlett had not put up any objections, Rhett knew she was over her crush on Mr. Wilkes even if she didn't know it. The family had three wonderful weeks in New York. Rhett and Scarlett went to the opera. They got all dressed up and Scarlett wore her tiara again. Rhett looked at her and she was preening. He was happy. He introduced her to socially important people in New York. Scarlett was welcomed by all of them.