Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Two

A week later when Scarlett heard the McCray sisters were going to be gone and would not be able to work their booth, she hatched a plan to get to go to the bazaar. She had to be incredibly careful. If her mother heard about her misbehaving her mother would make her return to Tara. Although she loved Tara, it was not nearly as exciting as living in Atlanta. There were no young men in the county either. They were all off at the front.

Finally, Scarlett convinced Melanie that the two of them could man the booth. They would just work the booth. They would be wearing black. It would be a shame for the hospital to lose all that money because there was no one there to sell the pillowcases. Especially after the women had worked so hard to make them. They would be doing it for the cause. Ultimately, Scarlett had worn Melanie down and Melanie had agreed.

As soon as Melanie had said yes, Scarlett had written her mother and told her what had happened. Scarlett had written: 'I didn't want to do it, but I couldn't let the hospital lose all that money.' She hoped that if someone took it upon themselves to write her mother then her mother would still see it in a good light.

Melanie, Scarlett, and Aunt PittyPat had gotten to the bazaar early to set-up their booth. They had talked to all the other ladies. For once Scarlett had tried to be nice and polite to the other young ladies and especially the matrons. She wanted them to like her so they wouldn't write her mother. Before she had gotten on the train, her mother had said, "Scarlett Dear, you are no longer a belle. You must behave yourself as a widow now. I know that men find you extremely attractive, but you must remember that you are still in mourning for another year. Remember you cannot have gentleman callers until Charlie has been dead at least two years and three would be better. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother. Of course, I would not allow any man to call on me until Charlie has been dead for at least three years."

That's a good girl. Enjoy yourself in Atlanta."

As Scarlett sat on the train with her maid, Prissy, she thought, 'How can I enjoy myself if I cannot have gentleman callers.'

Scarlett had dismissed any negative thoughts from her brain after she and Melanie had gotten their booth set-up. She was enjoying the music and watching the other people dance. It annoyed her she couldn't dance but at least she was here and not stuck at home listening to Melanie and Aunt PittyPat wax on and on about poor Charlie.

As Scarlett was looking over the crowd, she saw him. Mr. Butler! Mr. Rhett Butler! They had managed to meet again. Would he remember her? Would he speak to her? Could she get him to call on her? No! She couldn't do that for two reasons. He was unreceived and she wasn't supposed to receive callers for almost another year. Saints alive! First things first. He may not even remember her. If he didn't remember her that might be best after all he had witness that embarrassing scene with Ashley which was even more embarrassing because she now knew Ashley didn't think she was anything but Irish trash.

Ashley's betrayal was awful on so many levels. The first level was that the man she thought she had loved had thought she was scum. The second level was she had wasted two years trying to get Ashley to the altar. She had often wondered who she had neglected because she was devoting herself to Ashley. The third level which was the worst one of all was she wondered how many other of her beaus had been trifling with her affections and had not thought her any better than Emmie Slattery. Now she wondered how many had been laughing at her behind her back. All these thoughts had really hurt her self-confidence.

Therefore, she was no longer the proud, arrogant Scarlett O'Hara. That was why she was being nice to other women. That was why she was behaving herself. She knew now the world was no longer her oyster.

Scarlett brought herself back to reality as she heard Dr. Meade talking about Mr. Butler. He was telling all the wonderful things that the man was doing for the Confederacy. As Mr. Butler was bowing to the crowd in what she thought was a mocking way, she saw him see her. She saw him smile a really big smile. That warmed her to her toes. He remembered her. Now she would have to play hard to get. She wanted him to want her. How far did she want this to go? Would she marry him? No, she would not marry him. He was not received.

As Scarlett saw Mr. Butler rapidly walking towards her booth, she said to herself, "I guess he remembers me."

Melly said, "What? Darling?"

"Nothing."

As Rhett approached the booth, he was pleased to see that Miss O'Hara was flustered by his presence. That meant she remembered him.

As Rhett approached the booth, he said, "Miss O'Hara, is it you?"

Scarlett looked at Rhett with a startled look on her face and said, "Sir, have we met?"

"Yes, we have met. It was in the library at Twelve Oaks. Afterwards you waved….."

"Yes, I remember now. I was just waving because I was so happy in that moment because Charlie had just asked me to marry him.

"I'm sure that is the only reason you waved."

Melly stepped forward and said, "Where you at that barbecue at my husband's plantation the day the war started?"

"Yes, is it Mrs. Wilkes?"

"Yes, Ashley and I got married two weeks after the war was declared. Scarlett and my brother Charles were married the day before."

"How nice for both of you."

"Unfortunately, my dear sister-in-law is already a widow."

"That is unfortunate indeed."

Scarlett knew that Mr. Butler didn't think it was unfortunate at all. That made her want to smirk, but she restrained herself.

Rhett said, "There is no greater glory than to die for one's country."

Melly said, "You are going to make me cry."

"I can't be responsible for making a pretty woman cry."

Scarlett thought, "What a flirt!"

"What brings you to Atlanta, Mrs. ….."

"Hamilton. I have come to do my part for the war effort."

"What a great sacrifice considering you have already given your husband to the cause."

"No price is too great for the cause. Just as you are doing your part for the war effort with your blockade running."

"That is not for the Confederate cause but the cause of Rhett Butler."

"How you do go on, Mr. Butler."

The trio was approached by a young man who was missing part of his left arm. He had a basket, and he was collecting jewelry for the cause.

Melly said, "We are in mourning. We don't have any jewelry on."

Rhett said, "Here take my cigar case."

Scarlett said, "Take my wedding ring. No price is too great for the cause."

"Scarlett that is too much."

"I can't help Charlie, but I can help his fellow soldiers."

"Here take mine too. Maybe it will help my husband more off my hand than on my hand."

Rhett said, "Are you sure Mrs. Wilkes?"

"Yes, I am sure."

Before anyone else could speak Melly had laid the ring on the top of the mound of jewelry. As Rhett started to speak, Dr. Meade started speaking so no further conversation was possible. The young soldier moved away. As Dr. Meade was blathering on Rhett whispered, "Old windbag."

Scarlett giggled and said, "I didn't know you were acquainted with the man."

Rhett chuckled.

Dr. Meade paused in his speech and turned to look at Mrs. Meade. Mrs. Meade gave the good doctor a nod of encouragement. He said, "To lead the reel is always a coveted position so we are going to auction off that position. Gentlemen I know all the ladies would like to lead the reel so call out your bids."

Rene Picard said, "Five dollars for Miss Maybelle Merriwether."

Another man called out, "Ten dollars for Miss Fanny Elsing."

A third man called out, "Twelve dollars for Miss Cora Bonner."

Rhett left Scarlett's side and walked out into the middle of the dance floor and said, "One hundred and fifty dollars in gold for Mrs. Charles Hamilton."

"Mrs. Hamilton is in mourning. Perhaps another of our fine ladies."

"No, Mrs. Hamilton."

"She won't accept."

"Yes, I will! For the cause. The cause that Charlie gave his life for."

Scarlett walked rapidly down the aisle. She heard Dr. Meade say, "Are there any other bids? No. Then Mrs. Hamilton and Mr. Butler take your positions."

As they were dancing Scarlett said, "I better enjoy myself tonight for I will not have a reputation by tomorrow."

"You will never know how much of a burden a reputation is until you don't have to worry about one."

"You are so ridiculous."

"With enough courage and money one can certainly live without a reputation."

"A man may be able to, but a woman will always only have two choices to have a pristine reputation or a soiled reputation. Tomorrow I will have to do damage control but tonight I am going to enjoy myself."

"I will be happy to help you enjoy yourself."

"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Butler."

"I will if you take that simpering look off your face."

"Gladly. What look would you like on my face? A worshipping look?" After saying that Scarlett put a worshipping look on her face.

Rhett burst out laughing and said, "Yes, I like that look. Now can I get you to say 'I love you' like you did to Mr. Wilkes."

"That is something you will never hear me say."

"Never say never, Scarlett."

"We are not on a first name bases in our relationship, Mr. Butler."

"Yes, we are. After all I know your darkest secret."

"What secret, Mr. Butler?

"The secret of your love for Mr. Wilkes or have you gotten over your infatuation with the insipid gentleman."

Scarlett smiled a mischievous smile and said, "I never told Ashley that I loved him. That is the story I will continue to tell so you go ahead and tell everyone you want that outlandish tale and see who believes you."

Rhett smiled down at her and said, "No, I think I will pretend I never heard you throw yourself at the man. Have your feelings changed toward the weak man?"

Scarlett knew Rhett Butler would not appreciate anything he could win too easily therefore she said, "No. Mr. Butler, how can you call Ashley insipid and weak when you don't even know him."

"I am a particularly good judge of character and I have sized him up immediately. He is like all gentlemen insipid and weak without a backbone among them."

"Thank you for the dance. And thank you for spending all that money to get to dance with me."

"You are welcome, but I plan to be rewarded for spending all that money on you."

"Plans don't always come true."

"They always come true for me."

"There is always a first time."

By this time, they had gotten back to Scarlett's booth, she turned and said, "If I invite you to Sunday dinner, will you promise not to bid on me anymore?"

"Don't you like dancing?"

"I love it, but I can't dance anymore, or my mother will make me return to Tara."

"I assume Tara is your family plantation."

"Yes, please promise me."

"Yes, I promise I won't bid on you anymore if you invite me to Sunday dinner."

"Mr. Butler, will you come to Sunday dinner tomorrow?"

"I would be delighted Mrs. Hamilton."

"Noon."

"Alright."

"1201 Congress Ave."

"Got it."

"Bye for now."

"Goodbye."

With that Rhett walked away in search of the jewelry donation basket. Rhett quickly found the basket. He found it and purchased Scarlett and Mrs. Wilkes's rings back. He overpaid for them, but he had to get access to Scarlett in order to seduce her. The rings would guarantee he would be admitted the next day.

Scarlett saw Rhett walk out of the hall and sighed. It was best for her reputation that he left, but she found him so amusing. She knew she was being fanciful, but it seemed to her that the hallway had lost its sparkle with Rhett's departure.