Scarlett began her convalescence as she had agreed, and as Rhett had promised, when he was at home, he stayed with her to keep her company. In the mean time, in an attempt to fill in the seemingly large chasm of time between when Rhett left in the morning and when he returned (usually bearing little trinkets or sweets along with an affectionate kiss to keep her happy), Scarlett often found herself receiving the ladies of Atlanta or talking to Mammy, hearing tales of her mother when she was a child growing up on the coast.

What was Ellen Robillard like when she was a child? Did she like Savannah, and was she beautiful like Scarlett had known her when she was a grown woman? Mammy said she supposed Ellen enjoyed growing up in that big house in Savannah, and yes, she was certainly a beauty. Scarlett was also quite surprised to learn that her mother, though restricted by the confines of her French aristocratic descent, was a very adventurous child.

In the summer when Ellen was five years old, her mother and father had taken her and her older sisters to the beach near Savannah. Pierre Robillard owned a cottage near the dunes there, and one of his business acquaintances, Edmund Reisz, had come with his wife, Julia and their daughter, Katherine, by riverboat from Augusta. Ellen had taken to the Reisz girl, who was the same age as she was, and they clung to each other as if they were sisters. One bright Saturday afternoon in the middle of August, Mammy, who was a young woman at the time, had been instructed by Mrs. Robillard to take Ellen and Katherine down to the beach to play in the sand. Mammy had held one of each girl's hands in her own as they took the quiet path through the wavering sea grass and down to the shore. The waves had been lapping gently on the hard sand at low tide, and Mammy had knelt down and secured the girl's sun bonnets before allowing them to wander on their own, within her close supervision, of course.

Mammy sat in the sun near a patch of tall sea grass, laughing when the girl's came running up to her with their dirty hands full of seashells and other objects that were mysterious and magical in the eyes of young children. The time flew by unnoticed, and before they knew it, the sun had sank low in the sky, and the tide had risen with the waves becoming larger and more violent on account of a storm that was building up out at sea. The girls had disappeared behind one of the dunes, and Mammy was about to go fetch them to bring them back to the cottage when Katherine Reisz came running up to her, out of breath from the distance her short legs had to cover, her blonde curls falling out from beneath her pink lace bonnet. But where was Miss Ellen? Mammy had asked the little girl. Katherine said in her high pitched, child-like voice, that Ellen had not wanted to come back home yet, and that she was building a sand castle where they had been searching for treasure. Mammy demanded Katherine to stay where she was and she immediately stood up, rushing around the corner and calling her young mistress's name. Just as she rounded the sand dune, Mammy spotted Ellen close to the water's edge. Her white bonnet had come loose and was hanging about her neck, allowing her dark hair to fly in the gusty breeze. Mammy called out Ellen's name again, and this time the child looked up and waved, but Mammy's dark face had taken on a horrific expression. A far off clap of thunder sounded on the horizon, and just behind Ellen, a tall wave was swelling, its white cap signaling its readiness to break with a vengeance on the shore, heedless of the little girl in its path. Mammy broke in to a heated sprint and managed to sweep the startled girl into her arms, spraying wet sand about them just as the wave broke and the foaming water swirled around Mammy's legs, soaking her white dress completely through.

As Mammy walked slowly back to where Katherine Reisz stood obediently in the swaying green grass, Ellen stared at her caretaker with wide brown eyes, seemingly unaware that she could have just been drowned. But she just wrapped her little arms around Mammy's neck as the trio continued through the sand to the cottage. Mammy took Katherine's small hand in her own, all the while thinking of how she would explain to her employer the state of disarray that they found themselves in.

Scarlett was astonished, albeit entertained to hear such stories, though she sometimes found herself wondering if they were pure truth or if they contained a sprinkle of Mammy's imagination. It excited Scarlett to learn that her mother, who she had always considered as some sort of divinity, had been a very vigorous yet earthly child; very much like Scarlett had been not so long ago. Yet these stories could only keep her entertained for so long before they lost their lustrous appeal, and just as quickly as she had become enthralled with the tales of her parents and the gossip from the ladies of Atlanta, she had become increasingly bored in the gigantic house without the companionship of her husband to liven her damp spirits.

The sun was creeping through the light curtains and into her bedroom one afternoon, and the golden rays of light had roused Scarlett from her nap. She yawned and stretched out on the silky comforter like a drowsy cat on a hot summer's day. Glancing at the clock on the marble mantle of the fireplace, she noticed it was only 3 pm and she sighed. It would be at least a couple more hours before Rhett came home. The days seemed to be getting longer and longer, and Scarlett became more restless as the hours seemed to creep by at a snail's pace. She had tried everything to pass the time, but nothing seemed to hold her attention for very long, and she often found herself trudging up the stairs to her room or falling asleep on the sofa in Rhett's office, waiting for him to come home.

Sleep was her refuge from boredom, but it was not only because she needed a surefire way to pass the time; she was aware that she was becoming more easily fatigued. She knew this was because of the baby, and it bothered her that she was not able to be as active as she was before. There had been many mornings when she had stood in front of the full length mirror in the bedroom and examined her thickening figure with distaste. Apart from her stomach being larger, she noticed her hips had broadened slightly, her breasts had become fuller, and her face had filled out more so that the sharp angles of her jaw had softened. In her opinion she looked fat and ugly, but Rhett had insisted that she had never looked more beautiful.

Scarlett turned over on the bed and picked up the daguerreotype that was sitting on the nightstand. It had arrived from Washington a week ago, and since then Scarlett had spent a good deal of time looking at the ravishing picture of her and Rhett that had been taken at Tara. Mathew Brady had lived up to his reputation of being a great photographer, and Scarlett greatly admired her picture. If photographs told the truth, as she and many other people of that time period believed, then there had never been a portrait of two people more in love or more handsome than she and Rhett were. The way he held her and looked at her in the portrait made her heart flutter, and the fact that she knew he looked at her that way made her blush with the knowledge that she possessed something that had always attracted scores of men, but most of all had attracted and held a man like Rhett.

She continued to stare at the picture, and she wished now that they were back at Tara, riding horses in the fading light of dusk, exploring the unkempt land of her youth or making passionate love in hidden places where the danger of being discovered was thrillingly high. It wasn't that they had stopped making love since they returned to Atlanta; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Scarlett was feeling exceedingly libidinous as of late, and Rhett seemed more than happy to oblige, as celibacy was an option Scarlett knew Rhett would not choose. Her skin was more sensitive under his caresses, and it seemed to her that fulfillment and ecstasy lasted longer and was heightened by her increased sensitivity so much that she had come down from her peak more than once with tears in her eyes, and Rhett would smile as he held her and kissed away the salty tracks from her cheeks. But Scarlett noticed that unlike their uninhibited escapades at Tara where they had been playful and sometimes rough and demanding, Rhett now treated her as if she were a porcelain doll; he was passionate yet protective, as he'd always been, but something in his eyes told her that he wanted to be careful so he wouldn't hurt her, and this touched her yet frustrated her at the same time.

She took another look at the picture she held in her hands before putting it back in it's place on the nightstand and closing her eyes again. When she woke up for the second time, it was not the sunlight shining on her face, but the warmth and light pressure of lips on her ivory cheek. She opened her eyes half way and saw Rhett standing above her, dressed in a gray business suit and looking handsome as always. Scarlett smiled when she felt the mattress shift under his weight when he sat down next to her.

"Are you tired?" he asked in a soft voice, reaching out to run his hand over her hair and down the length of her body. Scarlett nodded and moved closer to him, groggily blinking her eyes. "Well what kind of mischief did you manage to get into today?"

Scarlett sat up and moved into Rhett's embrace, resting her chin on his broad shoulder. "I didn't do anything, Rhett. That's just the trouble."

Rhett pulled back and gazed at her with sympathetic black eyes. "What's the trouble?"

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips and she looked at him. "It's just that there isn't anything to do here. I hate being cooped up in this house by myself. I know people come over and visit, but I get tired of it all. I'm bored when you're not here."

Scarlett watched as Rhett's mouth went up in one corner in a half smile. "But I can't be here every minute of every day, Scarlett. You know that."

"I know," she replied weakly, hanging her head. "But I miss you when you're gone."

Rhett chuckled lightly and brought her to him again, resting his cheek on her head. "Do you?" He felt Scarlett nod her head up and down. "But I was only gone for a few hours."

"It seemed like days."

"Surely not that long. Don't you think you'd get sick of me being around you all of the time?"

"I only have fun when you're around," she said quietly.

"It can't be that bad, my darling," Rhett cooed as if he were talking to a child.

"It is," Scarlett pouted against his chest. "You don't know because you're not stuck here like me. You're out doing whatever it is you do and having all of the fun without me."

Rhett chuckled and kissed her head repeatedly. "I assure you, my pet, that I am not out having fun. Sitting at a desk in a bank all day is not my idea of a good time. You know I'd rather be here with you, but, well, I have to find some way to make all of the money back that you spend shopping." His last remark was meant to cheer Scarlett up, and she smiled lightly, raising her head off of his shoulder and leaving a trail of kisses on his cheek and the corners of his mouth.

"It's money well spent, don't you think?" she whispered huskily in between kisses.

"You're lucky I have a lot of it, my little vixen," he replied before capturing her lips with his own and kissing her deeply. When he pulled away, he smiled at her adoringly, but Scarlett thought she saw a quick flash of disapproval in his eyes, though she assured herself that she had been mistaken.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

On Tuesday, in the third week of July, Rhett had returned home from his office at noon to prepare for the arrival of his friend, Thomas, who had sent a telegram the day before saying he was in Atlanta and wished to stop by for a visit. Since Rhett knew his friend would not be calling at his house until sometime before evening, he had taken it upon himself to ask Mammy to have their lunch sent out to the garden where he and Scarlett could enjoy the sunshine and eat in privacy.

The garden behind the Butler mansion was one of Scarlett's favorite places. There were plants and trees of assorted variety strewn about the sectioned-off corner of the massive lawn. Trimmed hedges and colorful rose bushes were planted in a circle, and there was a cobblestone path that led into the middle of the open space where a carved stone bench sat in the center, protected by the fragrant wall of flowers in bloom. And it was here where they sat, enjoying the breeze that seemed to linger in the cool shade.

Scarlett sat facing Rhett with both of her legs on one side of the bench. Her lavender bombazine dress with the somewhat low-cut neckline and short sleeves trimmed with lace fit her perfectly, but it did not serve to obscure her condition, even with the empire waist. With her dark hair swept up in a mass of curls with a few stray ringlets falling free and framing her face, and her small, pale hands resting in her lap, Rhett thought she looked like a fragile beauty out of some romantic novel, or the pristine subject of a European painting.

"It's nice out here today. Don't you think so, Scarlett?" Rhett asked.

Scarlett gave him a pretty smile and he noticed her big, green eyes glitter in the light. "I feel like I haven't been outside in ages!" she breathed happily. "It's been so hot lately, especially in the house. This cooler weather is gorgeous!"

Suddenly Scarlett broke into a peal of joyous laughter, and it infected Rhett, who smiled at her happiness.

"What are you laughing at?" he asked lightly as he moved closer to her on the bench and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I don't know," she smiled, still exhilarated. "I'm just happy I suppose."

He was glad that she seemed to be in better spirits than she had been the previous week or so. He knew she was unhappy having to stay inside, and he enjoyed being with her and keeping her company. It was just that it seemed to him that Scarlett was not trying as hard as she said she was to entertain herself when he was not home, and that she was relying solely on him to do the job, and this thought was somewhat frustrating. But Rhett knew Scarlett just wanted to be around him, and when he pictured the smile on her face when he saw her in the afternoon, and the way she snuggled up in his arms, these discouraging thoughts vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

When Scarlett leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly, Rhett pulled her closer and rested his hand on her stomach, feeling the baby kick. "Is it always this feisty, Scarlett?"

Scarlett smiled and put her hand on top of his. "Mostly. I have a feeling we might have our hands full with this one."

"Only if it takes after you, which I have a feeling it will."

"Fiddle-dee-dee, Rhett. You mean it will be a handful if it takes after you! You seem to know a lot about babies before they are even born, are you sure you have never been a father before?" Scarlett sat up and looked straight into his deep black eyes which were full of mischief.

"I have a child in every port town in the South, Scarlett," he teased arrogantly. "I'm sure you would have known that by now. I'm quite popular with the women."

Scarlett looked appalled and hit him on the arm with her delicate hand. "God's nightgown, you must be joking!"

Rhett bellowed with laughter. "You mean you're surprised to find out that this child will already have numerous brothers and sisters? Or is it the part about me being popular amongst the female sex that has you on the edge of your seat?"

Scarlett folded her arms over her chest and crossly looked at him with eyes alight with green fire. She knew very well that Rhett was too handsome for his own good, and that women often stole hungry glimpses of him when they were out in public. But she did not find this comment about him having numerous children to be overly funny because it opened up a new door of inquiries and thoughts about his past that she would rather have left closed. "You'd better tell me that you're joking unless you want to be seeping on the porch tonight," she threatened.

Biting his bottom lip, Rhett fought to control his smile, but when he composed himself he took her in his arms again and lifted her left hand to his lips. "You know I'm not serious, Scarlett. I assure you that you are the only woman with whom I share a child—the only woman with whom I ever want to have children."

Scarlett looked down at her hand which Rhett still held in his before raising her eyes to timidly look at him under lowered lashes. "So does that mean that your days of philandering with every woman who offers are over?" she asked quietly, taking the lapel of his coat in her other hand.

A seductive look appeared in Rhett's eyes as he stared at his wife. She had no idea that though he had slept with plenty of other women before he and Scarlett were married, she had been the woman who he had secretly (or maybe not so secretly) lusted over since the day he had first laid eyes on her.

He let go of her hand and grazed her ivory cheek with his fingertips while he leaned in and whispered in her ear: "Every woman, except one." Scarlett let out a barely audible sigh and shuddered at the feeling of his warm breath on her ear. She closed her eyes as his lips made contact with her cheek and he slowly made his way down her chin and neck, the tops of her breasts and back up to claim her lips with his own. Scarlett wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

"You know, I think I may have to keep you locked away this evening," he murmured against her mouth.

"Why?" she whispered, her eyes still closed.

"Because I know once Thomas Holden catches a glimpse of you, he'll make an effort to steal you away from me."

Scarlett pulled away from his embrace slightly and opened her eyes, "Just try to do that, Rhett Butler. Maybe I'll run off with him." Rhett smiled and kissed her again, and Scarlett knew from the soft pressure of his velvet lips that he adored her and wanted her all to himself, which pleased her, because she wanted the same from him. When she pulled away after what seemed like hours, she was content to just let him hold her in his embrace, and she sat on the bench next to him with her arms around his shoulders and her cheek resting against his, cherishing this moment of quiet solitude with the man she loved.

Scarlett didn't know how long she and Rhett had been sitting in that spot in the middle of the rose garden; it seemed to her that when they shared moments like this, time ceased to stop all together and they were lost in their own little world. But they both pulled back when they heard footsteps approaching. Rhett sat up and straightened his coat, clearing his throat while Scarlett blushed harshly. They were both embarrassed at having been caught in such a tender moment.

"Yes, Pork? What is it?" asked Rhett in a somewhat gruff voice.

Scarlett turned sympathetic eyes on her father's most trusted servant. Pork was clearly just as embarrassed at having interrupted them as she and Rhett were at having been discovered. Pork shifted from one foot to another and finally stood still with his hands behind his back and his face looking at the ground, as if he were afraid he would be punished if he met his employer's eyes.

"'Scuse me Mistah Rhett, Miss Scahlett. Dey's a man hyah to see you, Mistah Rhett."

"Ha!" Rhett exclaimed, clapping his large hands together once. His once good friend, who he hadn't seen for the better part of twenty years, was here to visit, and a sudden rush of excitement washed over him.

Her lips curled into a smile and Scarlett caulked her head to the side, observing her husband's apparent excitement. She placed her hands on the bench and pushed herself up, then she held out her hand to Rhett and he led her back to the house in the fading light of late afternoon.

"Thank you, Pork," Scarlett said gently as they passed the old black man, leaving him to pick up after them.

XXXXXXXXX

Thomas Holden was the same age as Rhett. Though he stood a half-head shorter than his friend, he had a build that suited him, and a demeanor that made him seem that he was not one to be reckoned with. He stood in the doorway of the Butler mansion as Rhett approached with Scarlett in tow. In the shadow of the doorframe, Scarlett could only make out Thomas' stout frame and the defined lines of his jaw bone.

"Why Rhett Butler!" came the booming voice from the doorway.

"Tom!" Rhett let go of Scarlett's hand and walked up to his friend, embracing him in a manly hug. "This is a pleasant surprise. Welcome to Atlanta."

Scarlett stood alone in the middle of the foyer as Rhett continued his conversation with his long lost friend. She tried her best to be patient, but Rhett had seemingly forgotten about her. "God's nightgown!" she thought as she heard Rhett's deep laughter followed by words that she could not make out. "How much longer will I have to stand here before he remembers I'm here at all?"

The thought of going up to Rhett and taking his had to get his attention had crossed her mind, but she decided against it, and cleared her throat instead. Rhett turned around at the sound of her voice and Scarlett saw him cringe slightly; his eyes held an apologetic look. "Please forgive me," Rhett said, walking toward Scarlett in the golden light of the foyer.

Scarlett watched them approach, suddenly self conscious, though she didn't know why she should be. When they stepped into the light, she saw Thomas clearly—his light brown hair, honey colored eyes, and sharp features. He was handsome, she concluded. She also noticed his look of surprise when he saw her, and when his mouth turned upward in a sideways grin, she could have sworn that he and Rhett might have been related, as Rhett often smiled that way too.

"Thomas, let me introduce you to Scarlett, my wife," Rhett said proudly.

Thomas looked Sccarlett over from head to toe as if assessing whether she was worth being Rhett's wife or not. Then he took her outstretched hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Butler."

He seemed well bred, but there was something in the way his eyes had roamed over her and the way his lips lingered on her hand for longer than what seemed appropriate that made Scarlett uncomfortable. She glanced up at Rhett who was observing the scene with a smile on his face, but he seemed to not have noticed the way his friend had looked at her.

She shook off her annoyance and smiled in return. "Mr. Holden. My husband has told me much about you."

"Has he?" Scarlett nodded. "Nothing too bad, I hope," he grinned.

Rhett laughed heartily and Scarlett forced a smile. "Nothing too unpleasant, Mr. Holden." Then, taking her hand away and looking again at her husband, Scarlett said: "I'll leave you two to get re-acquainted. I'll be down for dinner." When Rhett nodded, she turned and walked up the stairs to her room, somewhat irritated that she had seemingly been relegated in the event of Rhett's friend's appearance.

Scarlett entered the dining room later that evening dressed in a simple and modest green dress with white check print, and was met by the expectant eyes of Rhett and Thomas, who were both adorned in casual evening wear. Both men stood at her entrance, and Rhett took her hand, leaving a searing kiss above her wrist which made her blush. She shyly smiled at both men and took her usual seat next to Rhett, who always presided over the head of the table. The servants scurried in and out of the room, wordlessly carrying trays of food succulent enough to make everyone's mouth water, and conversation was non-existent until supper was done being served.

Scarlett looked from Rhett to Thomas and back again, and she noticed that there was an awkward silence presiding over the table. Though they had a guest, Scarlett took advantage of her usual habit in attempt to start a conversation, and spoke before she was spoken to. "And what, may I ask, did you two men do this evening?"

Her question was directed to neither of them in particular, but she was hoping Rhett would answer as she was still unsure how she felt about Thomas Holden. Up in her room before supper, she had contemplated this man, and had tried to decide whether she liked him or not and why. He was looking at her now with curious, attentive politeness-- as if he were genuinely interested in hearing her speak—instead of with predatory assessment as he had been earlier. Scarlett did not know why she had felt uncomfortable when Thomas had greeted her for the first time, when Rhett often looked at her in the same roaming fashion. But she supposed it was because she knew she felt for Rhett the same way he felt for her; she remembered how during the war, when Rhett's eyes had roamed over her body as if he were mentally undressing her, she had taken offense—or had she? It had been jumbled in her mind over the passage of time, but for some reason, she recalled that instead of feeling a burning embarrassment when she caught him watching her from across the crowded foyer at Twelve Oaks so long ago, she had not felt ashamed, but rather glad at being so obviously noticed by that dark and mysterious man. Now that she knew she loved Rhett, she understood the burning lust in his eyes, for she must possess it too, she thought. She supposed she just did not want any other man looking at her the way Rhett did, that was all, and though it still added a tiny boost to her vanity, it meant nothing as far as comfort to her. "Plus the way Thomas had looked at me, and in Rhett's presence, had been terribly rude," she told herself.

Scarlett was relived when Rhett answered her question.

"Oh, we just talked about our days at West Point. Nothing particularly interesting, really. I gave him the grand tour of the property, showed him the horses, and told him of the development plans we had for the lawn area and the like."

"You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Butler," Thomas interjected smoothly. His smile was kind. "We don't have many estates as grand as this one in Virginia. Tell me, did you choose the decorations yourself? One can sense the womanly presence when entering a room."

Both Rhett and Thomas turned their attention fully on her, and Scarlett cast her eyes down and mumbled, "Yes."

"Scarlett practically did everything herself," Rhett said with a smile. "I promised her—no, rather encouraged it, actually, that when I had his big new house built for her, she could decorate it in anyway she pleased if it would make her happy. Scarlett sets a great store in her heart about the latest fashions of all things."

Scarlett did not know whether Rhett was being serious or not, for he used to tease her quite often about her taste in fashion. And now, though he was not laughing, Scarlett saw a glimmer of mischief in his eyes, and she blushed again, but did not say anything.

"That much is obvious," said Thomas. "You seem to be a very fashionable lady, Mrs. Butler, and I can see that Rhett enjoys spoiling you. But what man wouldn't?" Both men laughed good-naturedly at this last comment, and Scarlett's face turned beet red at the bluntness in Mr. Holden's words. Had any other man said what Thomas had just said, and at the dinner table no less, Scarlett was sure Rhett would have called him out right then and there. But he only laughed, a kind laugh, as if saying it was true, and Scarlett felt some of her anger dissipate. Taking her fork in her delicate hand, Scarlett was about to return her attentions to eating when she felt Rhett's warm hand on her thigh underneath the table. The heat from his touch seeped through the fabric of her dress and caused her skin to tingle. When she glanced into his eyes, she saw that cloudiness that she knew so well, as if in their own secret language he was saying, "Just wait until I get you alone tonight," and Scarlett forgot about her food momentarily.

When he pulled his hand away, Scarlett regained her composure and cleared her throat. "Um, Mr. Holden, should I ask one of the servants to prepare a bed for you tonight, or do you have some other place to stay?"

"Oh no, Mrs. Butler. You are too kind, but I could not impose. I've made reservations at the National Hotel." Scarlett nodded in answer. "And, if you'll forgive me, I think it'd be best that I should go soon. I don't want to out-stay my welcome."

"Don't be ridiculous, Tom!" Rhett said. "Stay for a few drinks."

After supper was over, Scarlett went upstairs while Rhett and Thomas retreated to the library for brandy and cigars. She went into her and Rhett's room and rang for Prissy to come help her with her dress, and she then changed into her nightgown and sat down at her vanity to brush out her long curls before going outside onto the balcony. The warm summer air caressed her skin through the fabric of her nightgown, and she sat down in one of the chairs and closed her eyes, remembering her days at Tara before the war when she would go wait for her Pa at the end of the drive; she could almost smell the sweet scents of bar-b-que from the neighboring plantations, and hear the jubilant laughter of the familiar faces of her youth floating on the warm breeze. Sometimes, when she was alone, and she let her mind drift back to those carefree days, she wished she was back on the porch at Tara with the Tarleton twins, or dancing at balls with all of her country beaux. But always when she opened her eyes, she remembered why she did not like to look back. It was the naked truth that that world was gone forever, and that things would never be so carefree again.

But it comforted her to know that Rhett was here to guide her through these new times, which sometimes frightened her because everything was so different, though she would never admit it. Rhett seemed to be just as much a part of this new world as he was with the old. He adjusted as if things had never been any other way, and Scarlett followed him into this blind unknown full of strange people and new customs because she knew he was not afraid. She was more in need of him now than ever because she was carrying his child, and she depended on his strength and love for her to keep both of them safe.

Yes, Rhett was something special, and she knew she wanted to savor as much time with him as she could while it was still just him and her, which brought her back to thinking about Thomas Holden. She as glad that Rhett seemed so happy his friend was here. She had never heard him talk of anyone else with such sincere reminiscence. She thought Rhett had considered the Yankee people and scalawags he consorted with in Atlanta to be his friends, but he had always discouraged her from enjoying their company, and talked of them in a sardonic, mocking manner, and she wondered now why he associated with them if he disliked them so much. Thomas seemed to be different in that respect, at least Rhett told her he was, and if it made Rhett happy to have his friend here, she decided she would do her best to be happy as well.

This last thought got Scarlett thinking of herself again. It would be fun to have someone to keep her company while Rhett was gone during the day, someone to laugh with and share memories of old times; someone she could at least somewhat relate to. Then she remembered Melanie Wilkes' letter and Rhett's suggestion that she invite Melanie to come visit. She did not think about whether Ashley would come or not, but she decided she would write to her sister-in-law in the morning and invite her to Atlanta.

The deep sounds of male laughter could be heard through the thick oak door of the library. Inside the dimly lit room, the two long-time friends sat in high-backed leather chairs beside a low table on which sat two ash trays filled with smoldering cigar butts, a crystal decanter filled with brandy, and two crystal glasses. Both men sat casually, their dinner jackets removed, and they were smoking Rhett's finest Cuban cigars. The window behind them was open, and the light breeze coming through it sent the cigar smoke swirling in every direction.

The conversation had focused on reminiscences of the past, as both were eager to learn what had happened to the other in the years after their correspondence had ended. Thomas had joined the military straight out of West Point, and had served quite honorably under General Lee at Gettysburg. Since then he had been back in Virginia dealing in the horse trade, and making very good money at it.

Rhett had told Thomas of his belated entrance into the army and his service at the battle of Franklin, of how he had spent much of his time before the war in Atlanta, as he still was weary of returning to Charleston, though he has spent a good deal of time abroad as well. He also recalled the stories of his blockade running adventures, his capture by the Yankees and their accusation that he had made off with the fabled gold of the Confederacy, and finally, the story of him and Scarlett.

"She is a beauty, Rhett. I'll say that much," Thomas said of Scarlett. "To tell you the truth, I never thought I'd come to Atlanta to find you married. You've changed, friend."

Rhett let out a low chuckle and puffed on his cigar, exhaling the scent of tobacco into the air. "In all honesty, I never thought I'd get married either. Even when I met Scarlett I said I'd never marry. But I couldn't stay away from her. She had me with her claws the first moment I set eyes upon her."

"And just what is it you see in her?" Thomas asked curiously. "True, she is beautiful, but beautiful women are not hard to come by for a cheap price. Why settle down and be stuck in marriage?"

"I debated that myself many times in the past. But something about her—she's different from other women…"

"How so, did she lure you into her bed?"

"Quite the contrary!" Rhett laughed. "No, Scarlett led me on a chase for longer than I'm proud to admit. She had so many beaux vying for her attention, and honestly, our relationship was not exactly what you'd call 'friendly' in the beginning. Scarlett is a regular spitfire, and has the temper and stubbornness to match." He took another drag on his cigar and leaned his head on the back of his chair, looking up at the high ceiling. "I knew I had to have her, and if marrying her was the way to do it, then I was prepared to jump into it. But somehow along the way, I fell in love with her…"

"So she's a well-to-do woman then?"

"Well-to-do, yes. Her family was well off, but she's not a great lady in the way she aspired to be."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean she has too much spirit and independence. She's not dull, and I know she doesn't willingly follow every rule society sets out for her."

Thomas nodded as if he agreed, and then stubbed out his cigar and leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "So tell me, have you given any thought to joining me on my trip to buy horses? I will be just like old times—races and gambling, drinking and women."

Rhett was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "As much as it sounds tempting, I regret that I have to turn down your offer."

"Why?"

"Perhaps you have not noticed that my wife is with child, and—" Rhett lowered his voice in seeming embarrassment at admitting this last part: "I don't want anything happening to her while I'm gone."

"Lord!" Thomas slapped his knee and roared with laughter. "You mean to tell me that the great and powerful Rhett Butler is turning down the chance for adventure to stay home with his wife just because she is going to have a baby?"

Rhett lowered his eyes, suddenly ashamed at his revelation. Part of him desperately wanted to have one last taste of adventure and freedom before his child arrived, but the other part wanted to be with Scarlett as he had promised. Thomas continued in the same voice. "Rhett, Scarlett will have more babies, which will leave you plenty of time to coddle them and her. You can't be serious about turning this opportunity down. Where is your sense of adventure? Surely being married has not made you lose that."

"Quite the contrary," Rhett thought to himself, "only the adventures have changed and are reserved for only Scarlett and I."

"I'm sorry, Thomas. But I can't go."

Thomas sighed and poured another glass of brandy, making a clicking sound with his tongue when he was done. "Well if that's the way it's going to be…You know Rhett, I'm disappointed that you have changed so much. But I will leave the offer on the table. I'm leaving next week for Natchez, and will be going to Jackson and then up to Louisville in the middle of September. Should you change your mind, wire me at this address." He handed Rhett a business card with his lawyer's name on it. "He'll know where to forward the message," he added while standing and draining the rest of his glass.

Rhett stood and finished his brandy as well and looked at the card again as if seriously thinking of changing his answer and agreeing to go. Then he looked up at Thomas and nodded. "Thank you for the generous offer."

"It's been a pleasure seeing you again, Rhett," Thomas said as he shook Rhett's hand firmly.

"You'll be in Atlanta for the rest of the week then?" Rhett asked.

"Yes."

"Then tomorrow I should like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. A lady named Belle Watling."

"That'll be fine. Good night," Thomas said before Pork showed him the door. After he was gone, Rhett looked at the business card again and felt a conflict of emotions brewing inside of him. He knew he loved Scarlett, and had promised he'd stay with her during her pregnancy. But he had felt ashamed at saying this to his friend. Had he really changed so much? The opportunity to take one last breath of the freedom he used to know before Scarlett became extremely powerful. Rhett shook his head, trying to push that thought out of his mind, and he assured himself that he had made the right decision in telling Thomas that he could not go.