Scarlett sat in front of her vanity and reflected on the past few months. Surprisingly enough, she had begun to rely on the presence of the five strangers that Rhett had brought to their home. Especially Marguerite. It was strange; her first feelings towards her were distrust and were on the verge of dislike. Then, Marguerite pulled her to the side and showed her the small bag of stones that she carried in a pocket sewed into her skirt. They were absolutely beautiful. Sure, Scarlett had enough expensive jewelry to last her a lifetime, but these stones were like any other she had ever seen. It was not just the stones that had endeared Marguerite to her; it was the excitement over the plan that Marguerite had conceived. The sale and investment of the stones would ensure that she and her friends would be able to support themselves. Not to mention that if it were to work they would be nearly as wealthy as Rhett. Not that Scarlett was interested in the money. She had more of that than she would ever be able to spend. She was more interested in the challenge of making the money, and of further establishing herself as a powerful business woman in a world ruled by men. She saw that same quality in Marguerite also, and she admired it. It was very rare to meet a woman of ambition and courage in this day and time. The rest of the women she knew were mealy-mouthed and subservient. Maybe with the exception of that slut, Belle.

It was so funny to her that the Professor had taken up with that cheap tramp. He had decided soon after meeting Belle that he would be more comfortable staying at the brothel than at the Peachtree estate. If you asked her, he was just taken with that flaming red dyed hair that hussy wore. Oh well, to each his own.

Veronica and Ned had decided to take residence with Melanie and Ashley. Melanie had taken to the savage girl right away and had purposed to teach her the fine mannerisms of a true southern lady. If anyone could do it Melly could, she had enough patience to teach a ape to sing and dance. She had even dressed the girl in proper frocks, even though she had down right refused to wear a corset. Veronica had also taken to little Beau and helped Melanie greatly with the child in the afternoons when Melanie was required to rest. Melly had never recovered fully from her pregnancy and she weakened easily. Ashley had acquired Ned a job as a reporter at the Atlanta Gazette. His exuberance for the job had made him quite popular around town. He was always popping up and asking questions. It was quite annoying if you asked her, but he was endearing in a cute way. Rhett had insisted that John and Marguerite stay with them in the guest quarters. He had taken to riding and hunting with John almost every day. She could tell that John's absence during the days bothered Marguerite, but she also knew they made up for the time apart at night when one or the other snuck into the others room. She really could care less if they stayed together openly. She had been married three times and had long since lost any respectability in that department. Still it was cute and sort of romantic, all of the secrecy. Sometimes, late at night she wished Rhett would sneak to her room, but that had not happened in a very long time. As much as she hated to admit it she missed his touch. He was the best lover she had ever had.

"Well I can't think about that now. There is so much to do today." She said aloud as she finished the intricate hairstyle and placed the beautiful blue and white bonnet on her head. She and Marguerite were going to see her lawyer. Their intentions were to convince Henry to invest a portion of Marguerite's bounty in gold and another portion in a new construction company that she was establishing. It wouldn't be hard to sway Henry to do her bidding; he had always been infatuated with Scarlett. Then it was off to the lumber mill to check the week's progress and to stall Ashley from going home early. Melanie was preparing a surprise party for his birthday and it was her duty to keep him late at the mill.

"Mammy, see if Miss Marguerite is prepared to leave yet." She asked as she searched for her gloves and parasol.

"Yes'm Miss Scarlett, you just be sure you're back in time for Miss Melly's party. She'll be awful upset if ya'lls late."

Marguerite met Mammy at the base of the stares, dressed in the most beautiful of green silk day dresses. Scarlett had given Marguerite access to anything she wanted in her vast wardrobe. Rhett had dresses shipped in from all over the world for Scarlett and his taste was excellent. Even though she felt a little funny wearing someone else's clothes, she loved the opportunity to wear the historical fashions that were popular in the 1870's. John had been upset when Rhett offered to buy Marguerite some dresses of her own, being he did not have access to the Roxton accounts. Marguerite had politely turned Rhett down and explain that John would have his funds shortly. This comment then incited an argument between John and Marguerite later that night in her bedroom. John wondered where she intended for him to get these funds, and she then had to divulge her plan for their money from the sell of the stones. To say the least, he did not like the idea of Marguerite being the one to supply the money for their support, but he had lived with the fact for the last four years. He was beginning to adjust to it. Today she intended to buy clothes for herself and John both. She had ordered the tailor made clothes last week from the finest stores in Atlanta. She knew John would look wonderful at the party tonight in the new suit.

"I'm ready Mammy." Marguerite said as Scarlett came down the stairs.

"Mammy Darling, we'll be back by 6:00 please let Captain Butler and Lord Roxton know."

Scarlett and Marguerite stepped into the carriage and settled themselves in for the ride across town to Henry's office. "Tell me Marguerite, where on earth did you find such precious stones at?"

Margurite took a deep breath and looked Scarlett in the eyes. She had prepared a fantastic lie to tell anyone when they asked anything about the stones or about where she had acquired them, but as she looked at her, the façade melted. The bond that she felt with this women was unexplainable. They had spent many days together and had began to confide their pasts and some of their adventures with each other. They had both been through tremendously hard times and both witnessed death. They had both also caused death to come upon people, consciously and unconsciously. Both had also done many things to save lives, and both had also married for the wrong reasons. They both had lived their lives in a state of self-preservation and had hardened because of it. They both confided things in each other that they had never shared with anyone before. It was as if they saw themselves in each other's reflections. Marguerite had been careful to stay within the guidelines of Challenger reasons as to why and how they got here but it became increasingly harder to do so. She felt that she would soon be able to tell Scarlett the truth about the expedition and the Plateau. But, today was not the day. "I'll tell you what, since you have helped me with my investments maybe I'll just take you there someday."

"Oh, I see. Well you just keep your secrets then. Maybe John will tell me." Scarlett flashed Marguerite a teasing smile and nudged her in the ribs.

"You little flirt, you could probably get him to tell you but I would then have to kill you both."

Marguerite played along with the game back and forth until they both burst into laughter. It felt good to have friend. Veronica was special to her, but the connection with Scarlett was almost as if they were identical twins separated by different times and worlds.

The business at Henry's went well and Marguerite was well set for now and in the future. As she went to the boutique to pick up the outfits, Scarlett headed to the lumber mill. They decided to meet back at the inn for a tea after their errands.

The inn was crowded and rather humid. Marguerite and been waiting for Scarlett for nearly a half an hour before Scarlett arrived. When she did she was flushed and nervous. "What's wrong, Scarlett?" Marguerite rushed to ask as she watched Scarlett practically fall into the chair by her side.

"Well, you know I had to go by the mill and see Ashley just now? I was supposed to give him a special project to do so he wouldn't come home early while Melly is preparing for his birthday." Scarlett looked up from the tea in front of her with big terrified eyes as she explained. "He and I began talking about when we where young and I was just overcome with a feeling of sadness. I miss those days. It hurts me terribly to think about them. Anyway, Ashley tried to comfort me. He took me in his arms. It was innocent, really it was. But, Mrs. Meade and India Wilkes walked in just then. They assumed we were doing things we shouldn't have been." Scarlett was on the verge of tears, the thought of what Rhett would do to her if he thought she had cheated on him with Ashley was enough to make her shiver.

Marguerite did not discount the worry in Scarlett's face. She had been on the wrong side of accusation and gossip before and it wasn't pretty. "Scarlett could I find India and Mrs. Meade for you and explain to them?" she offered.

"No, don't bother it's probably halfway around town by now. I just can't even think of it now, I'll deal with it later. Let's just go." She said as she gathered her things.