Chapter 2

Party time

Early next morning Scarlet was awoken up by a large bang.

Awake in an instant, she sat bolt upright she whipped her head round, her raven locks tumbling across her pale shoulders just in time to see the painted white oak door shut with a snap.

Sighing she searched the room for the source of the bang that had awoken her from her fitful sleep. Across the dark hardwood floor her glass of water from last night's thirst had fallen and was glistening with the moistness of the liquid. But the glass hadn't shattered, thank god.

A baby breeze played with the soft curls that framed her angelic face. Soft, sapphire eyes that were still misted over with sleep scanned the brightly-lit room to find her balcony doors open and her brilliantly white lacy curtains drifting in the breeze.

Slowly she pushed back her blanket and comforter and reached for her crimson silk robe by her bedside. Pulling it tight around her she spared one accusing glance at the glowing embers in the fireplace, as if it were their fault it were so cold she walked out to greet the best sight she had seen in months.

On her round glass table lay before her eyes a well set

Breakfast and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Scarlet smiled, the mystery of who was in her room this morning solved. Mammy always insisted she eat a healthy breakfast before she starts her day.

Nearly half an hour later Scarlet was alerted by the sound of hooves on the cobbled path outside Tara. Leaning over the iron-wrought balcony she saw the seventeen years old Prissy greet a messenger, flirting profusely.

Five minutes later the large-eyed girl handed over a large, thick white envelope.

Thanking prissy, who left silently, scarlet turned her translucent pacific orbs towards the gold embroided envelope that lay in her perfect, pale hands.

The slight tinkle of a tiny bell sounded when the envelope was moved in the slightest way and Scarlet, her curiosity peeked, flipped the snowy decorated paper to be greeted by another thing she wasn't prepared for.

Attached by the seal and hanging by a tiny chain, was a single, carved into silver bell.

Scarlet took the offending object between her perfect nails and ripped it from the envelope. She raised it slowly to her eye level and gave it a shake, the little bell jingled furiously.

Despite herself Scarlet let an amused smirk light her face. Belle certainly had the element of surprise, creativity, and that special thing that made Scarlet want to scream and hit her.

Discarding the engraved bell on the glass table top Scarlet turned her attention to the letter, wondering what on earth Belle could have to say to her she ripped the envelope open and read aloud:

Dear Scarlet,

I suppose your wondering why I of all people would be sending you a letter, to be honest so am I. I hear you are back at Tara, and I am also in town to celebrate my thirty-second birthday. The party will be huge, at my old home of The Boulevard Estate, and I would very much wish for you to join the rest of our old friends and be there. If I know you at all I know you will be wondering why I would invite you and be alert and suspicious. The truth is, I wish for us to make amends. You and I, we have a lot in common, and, in spite of the previous hatred we once shared for each other, I wish for us to become, dare I say it, friends.

I hope you will accept my peace offering, I have no doubt you will wish to be at the party.

All my well placed love,

Belle

XxX

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Scarlet looked beautiful, her hair was down in tight ringlets with a pearl clip to pin back her two sidings of hair, that would make her look more proud, and respectful.

Her flawless milk colored skin and her cherry pink toned cheeks glistened which then made her eyes stand out more .Her long blue velvet gown was draped with gleaming white pearls all around her thin waist and her off shoulder neck line.

She had made sure she looked absolutely perfect. After all, it was Belle's birthday, if it was Belle's birthday then she'd invite her friends to the party…

Rhett was her friend…

He would be at the party.

She looked beautiful and confident.

Now if only she could convince Rhett, and herself, that she was doing fine she'd be perfect.

The carriage ground to a halt and Scarlet, feeling slightly uncomfortable, stepped out with the footman's help.

Scarlet gazed up at the Boulevard mansion, brightly colored lights lit the courtyard and the dark, red brick walls. The estate was huge, bigger then Twelve Oaks and Tara put together, and had at the least forty-seven rooms. Floors to ceiling windows were visible from the front and each had heavy, dark blue drapes across the glass.

The mansion was surrounded in at least nine or ten acres of land, and under a huge tree scarlet could see a swing by the pond that was big enough to fit two.

It was heaven compared to Tara, but Scarlet would not let her beloved home be downtrodden by the likes of Belle and her snobby, rich friends.

"Scarlet?" A shocked male voice said from behind her. Turning, Scarlet was met with the blue, blue eyes of Ashley Wilks.

"Ashley!" She gasped, enfolding him in her uncovered arms. " Well what in the world are ya doing here!"

" I decided I wanted my son to see the place where me and his mother first fell in love." He replied, then added " We're redecorating the Twelve Oaks. It will be in honor of Melly, of course."

Sadness swept across his handsome features and Scarlet felt a pang of sympathy for him. Melly's death had been hard on her too, the death of the only person she considered a friend. She managed to give a weak smile and he let her see a watery one back.

" So." He said, trying to lighten up the moment, " shall we go in?"

Scarlet frowned a little, sure she wanted to prove she was back on her feet, but wasn't it because he thought Ashley and Scarlet would fall in love that Rhett had left?

Finally she took his arm and gave his hand a squeeze. " As long as you have no impure thoughts running through your head I would be glad to accompany you!" She smiled, getting a chuckle from him.

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Belle stood in all her glory by the door. Accepting gifts, welcoming her guest, when she caught sight of Scarlet and Ashley Wilks walking up the steps.

She smiled at them and greeted them warmly. She did want Scarlet and she to be friends, but Scarlet had to learn her lesson first.

" Why Ashley!" she exclaimed, " How good to see you! Oh and I'm sorry I haven't seen you before hand but, I offer my condolences on the loss of your wife. Melly was a good person, as good as a human can get."

Ashley thanked her, handed her her gift and left the two ladies alone.

Belle turned her large blue eyes to scarlet. " Thank you for coming."

" I had nothing else to do with my time." Scarlet replied stiffly.

" Well anyway, I'm glad you came along, I wanted you to meet someone."

Scarlet nodded and managed a tight smile. " I'll look forward to meeting anyone of your acquaintance Belle."

Belle smiled warmly and Scarlet moved inside.

She paused inside the door, looking around the large, brightly-lit entrance hall.

Right in front of her was a wide marble staircase.

And at the top, leaning against the banister and watching the party with a smirk on his face a man looked up.

And Scarlet became eye to shining black eye with Rhett Butler once more.

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DIXIE: Well I suppose you're all wondering where your review responses are? Well Minx, the loser, deleted them…

Minx: On Accident!

Dixie: Anyway, the point is, we did read them and we're sorry they're gone. But keep reading it will get better!

I'm Dixie

I'm Minx

This is chapter two and were signing off…