Chapter 3

It was the day of Maxwell's party at his new plantation, Imperial Terrace. He was throwing a barbecue, and the whole neighborhood had turned up.

When the O'Haras showed up, Maxwell noticed Scarlett's face brighten.

"Morning, Mister O'Hara… how are you?"

"As we say in the old country, top o' the mornin'!"

"We've got potato dishes enough to please," said Maxwell, "and whiskey."

"Alright!" Gerald crowed.

"Hello, Miss Scarlett," Maxwell said gently. "Are you… are you alright?"

She nodded. "Yes… yes, I am. I… I've been thinking as well and… Max there's something I have to tell you."

"I'll hear you out," he said.

"Can't we go somewhere where it's quiet?"

Max nodded and smiled.

They ducked into the house's library, a decently spacious room.

Scarlett sighed. "I was thinking over these last two weeks and…". She smiled. "I can't fight it; I love you!"

Max raised an eyebrow. "Miss Scarlett?"

"I love you, I do!"

Max cocked his head. "But… but we've only known each other for two weeks! How can you…"

"Oh, Maxwell… you were so sweet to me at the party… and that night, when… when I was so heartbroken and… and you held me so tenderly… I knew. And every time we talked over these last two weeks, you've been so caring. No one… no one outside my own family was ever that kind towards me!"

"What about the other young men? Charles Hamilton, the Tarleton twins?"

"They're far from disinterested, that's true… but they haven't shown your level of concern towards me! Oh Maxwell you must think me such a flibbertigibbet! But if I'm not so flirtatious I won't find anyone!"

"I have to say I find you… a little bit fast, and this is rather sudden…"

"Please… have I your heart, my darling? I love you, I love you!"

Max chuckled. "Let's not get carried away," he said.

"But… don't you want to marry me…?"

"Only one way to find out," said Max, smiling. "I don't know if this is love, but I do fancy you, and I'm honored you'd give a brash, jocular young soldier like me the time of day."

Scarlett laughed softly in relief.

"I say let's give it a try, and… well if we wind up married… fantastic."

Scarlett smiled as Max caressed her soft cheek.

"Let's go mingle, sweetheart," said Max softly.