A/N- Sorry for an grammar/spelling errors, I was in a hurry to get it posted and didn't really get much of a chance to proofread. As for being too close to the book, well I thought it was better to be more historically accurate. Scarlett's parents would never allow her to move to Atlanta as an unmarried girl without any chaperones. The only reason that Scarlett could be in Atlanta to see Rhett was to marry Charles. I didn't want her to marry Charles, she managed to keep him out of bed the whole week, and there will be no Wade
Being a southern lady had its advantages, but Scarlett didn't see them this week. She was never going to get Rhett to fall in love with her if she never saw him. So far he was doing his best to elude her. He'd been to see Melly twice while Scarlett was working at the hospital, bringing presents for the baby. The fact that some of the gifts were more expensive than surely Melanie would realize made her sure that he was calling at specific times that she was unavailable so that she wasn't able to tell Melanie not to accept them.
Melanie had her baby just two weeks ago, a boy named Beauregard. He was the spitting image of Ashley when he was a baby. Scarlett couldn't wait to mention that to Rhett, but it did seem to her that that may never happen. For some reason, Rhett was avoiding her. She was stuck. She couldn't visit him at his hotel, that would be extremely improper, and she couldn't make herself beg at him feet. She had much to much pride to do that. Beyond her pride, she wasn't allowed to leave her home for social visits and she was required to wear black all the time. She had one plan left, and she wasn't even sure that would work. She talked one of the ladies into trading shifts with her.
She knew that it sounded crazy to switch shifts to see Rhett but there was a very strong invisible force pulling her towards him. She knew that he was in love with Melly but just couldn't help herself. She sat in the parlor trying to decide what she should do while she waited for Rhett to come see Melly. She sighed. The war was making her life so boring. Melanie came into the room and rushed right over to Scarlett.
"Oh Scarlett, I have something to ask you, but I'm not sure how to ask you. It's almost scandalous, but they need us to work at the Bazaar. I know that you're in mourning, but do you think that you would be able to work at a table selling things?"
"Melanie, of course, my husband died for the cause, I think that it would be honoring his memory to work for it."
"Oh Scarlett, I was hoping that you would feel that way."
"Melly, I'll be there for you anytime you need. Now where's that nephew of mine?"
"He's upstairs taking a nap. But I don't want you spoiling him anymore. Between you and Rhett he'll be spoiled rotten before Ashley ever gets home to see him." Melanie frowned. She started to cry.
"The war will be over soon and Ashley will come back. Ashley is strong he'll make it through just fine. You wait and see."
"Oh Scarlett, you're so good to me. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Melly, you needn't worry about that ever."
"You're so strong. I wish I were as strong as you."
"Fiddle dee dee, Melly. You are strong."
"I'm not strong like you are. Look how you handled Charles' death."
"Oh Melly, I'm not that strong. If only you knew how upset I really was."
"Oh Scarlett. I'm so sorry. It must be so hard on you."
"I have to ask you to do something for me Melly. I think it's very important. You must tell Mr. Butler not to visit you anymore. I'm afraid that people will start to talk."
"Oh, but Scarlett, he's been so kind to me."
"You know how he feels about you, Melly. You must not let other people realize it. I don't want anyone to think poorly of you."
"Of course, I'll write him right away."
"Thank you, Melly."
Later that week, Scarlett was working in a booth at the Bazaar when Rhett approached her. She looked through the crowd to see if anyone was watching. She wanted anyone to come over here so she didn't have to speak to Rhett there.
"Mrs. Hamilton, may I have a word with you please?"
"I'm not sure that it would be appropriate. I'm only here to sell things for the cause. I'm still in mourning, Capt. Butler."
"Well, than I'll have two of the most expensive things that you're selling. I know that as long as it appears appropriate, you won't object to a little discussion. I know how you really feel about propriety."
"Very well, Capt. Butler, if you insist."
"Oh I do insist, Mrs. Hamilton. I want to know why you've made Mrs. Wilkes stop me from calling upon her."
"Mrs. Wilkes is a married woman, Capt. Butler, as you well know. Any one of those mean old cats would love to crucify someone for that kind of impropriety. You well know how women like that act."
"I'm just calling on an old friend. There's no impropriety in that."
"You and I both know that that is a lie. Please leave my sister alone." Rhett looked at Scarlett, assessing her. He was trying to decide how to best approach her. As he was unsure he tipped his hat to her and walked away. Scarlett was shocked, what was he up to, she asked herself. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. For the first time, Scarlett wondered what she had gotten herself into. Rhett Butler was not a man to be trifled with.