Everything was happening just as he remembered. Today was the day Scarlett was supposed to show up. Rhett was nervous that she wouldn't come to see him to get the money. The Yankee guard came back to tell him that his sister, Scarlett, was here. Did he want to see her? Yes, he did.

The guard told him they could use the small office outside the captain's office. Now that he wasn't overwhelmed by her presence, he could see that the last year had been hard on her. Of course, Rhett had to have some fun with her. Rhett said, "That is a lovely dress, Scarlett. I like the material. I think my mother used to have drapes made from material very similar to this." Scarlett's eyes widened for just a second then she went back into southern belle mode. He let her talk and go through her entire spiel then he turned her hands over to kiss her palms. He spewed the same indignations as last time. He even let her try to salvage the situation until he asks, "What am I getting for my 300 dollars?"

Her reply was, "Tara."

Rhett said, "I don't want it. What else do you have to offer?"

Scarlett said softly, "Myself."

Rhett asked, "As my mistress? Because you know I am not a marrying man."

Scarlett tilted her head up and stared him in the eyes and said, "Yes."

Rhett then smiled and said, "No. I don't think so."

And Scarlett attacked Rhett but he was prepared for it. He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. When she had calmed down, he whispered in her ear, "Go get your priest and I will marry you if you agree to some conditions."

Scarlett looked at him suspiciously and said, "What are they?"

Rhett smiled and said, "I don't think these five conditions are too terrible.

Scarlett croaked, "Five! What are they?"

Rhett told her, "I want at least three children, I want you to read a book a month, I want you to spend an hour a day with your children, we will always share a bedroom and I will decide where we live."

Scarlett asked, "Three? I will be as big as a cow after three children."

Rhett laughed then asked, "Do we have a deal?"

Scarlett said, "Yes. Will we marry after you get out?"

Rhett said, "After we marry you will get the 300 dollars so I would suggest you go get your priest and come back as soon as possible. And, Scarlet, I will give you almost anything you straight out ask for but if you try to trick me again like you did today the answer will be no." He gave her a quick peck, turned her around and sent her on her way.

Rhett talked to the Yankee Captain and told him that Scarlett was actually his fiancé. They had decided to get married as soon as she could get the priest. And knowing Scarlett that would probably be later today. The Yankee Captain told Rhett it was highly unusual but he would allow it. They could use his office for the ceremony and some private time afterwards. The Yankee Captain smiled and said, "After all, Butler, I wouldn't want you to die a virgin."

Scarlett ran into Frank Kennedy on the way back to Aunt Pittypat's house. Frank asked about Suellen and told Scarlett how well his store was doing. She told him to come get Suellen as soon as possible. Scarlett asked Frank about a Catholic Church and Frank drove her there. She spoke with the priest and told him Rhett could be hung any day so time was of the essence. The priest agreed to accompany Scarlett over to the Firehouse the next morning. Frank even volunteered to drive them over in his buggy. Scarlett needed to get married to Rhett as soon as possible because she was afraid, they would hang him without notice. If they hung him, she would get to Liverpool somehow and get the Confederate gold.
Next morning Rhett was not surprise when he heard his fiancé was here to see him. The Yankee guard brought him to the Captain's office. Rhett was surprised to see Frank Kennedy with the priest. Rhett was glad he didn't postpone his decision yesterday. Rhett would not let that old maid get his hands on his woman this time.

The ceremony was over before Rhett knew what was happening. He did remember Scarlett and him making vows. Maybe they can keep them this time. The Yankee Captain ask Rhett if he wanted some time alone with his wife. While they were in the private room Rhett told Scarlett if anyone ever asks her, they consummated their marriage. Scarlett blushed beet red but Rhett explained that if he was dead that was the only way she would be entitled to his money.

She crossed herself and said a quick prayer for his life. If she had to put her hand on the bible, she couldn't say that it if it wasn't true. Rhett told her she had to for her to have a claim on his money. Rhett wanted the marriage consummated so that others could not talk her into reneging on her deal. Rhett also knew that the idea of consummating it in this little office had to be Scarlett's or she wouldn't do it. Scarlett decided that they would just have to do it here. After all it won't take more than five or ten minutes. Rhett was torn between laughing in her face and digging Charles Hamilton up to smash his face. He calmly told her to relax. They would just do it enough to consummate the marriage and started kissing her. This way she could swear on a bible. Scarlett didn't know what Rhett was talking about until Rhett placed himself inside her but didn't do anything else. Rhett was still kissing her and she started squirming around. He told her to stop or they would have a child in the spring. Rhett laughed out loud when she went perfectly still.

Afterwards Rhett told her to go to Belle's and get the money. He asked her to be nice and not tell Belle they were married. He told her about the backdoor to Belle's place. When he was released, he would pick her up at Tara. There was extra money in the envelope. He wanted her to buy enough material for a couple of dresses and use the rest as she saw fit.
She asked him to send her a telegram when he was released so she could have Wade and her packed and ready to go.

Scarlett noticed the priest and Frank were both gone and Scarlett gave a sigh of relief. She could go to Belle's right now.

A month later Rhett was released from jail. All the charges had been dropped. Before he began his new life with Scarlett, he was severing all ties to Atlanta including his half ownership of Belle's business. Rhett sold Belle his half for the money she had on hand. He knew he could have gotten more if he had been willing to wait but he was taking his new bride and his stepson to London, England to live. He did not ever want to come back.

Rhett sent Scarlett a telegram telling her to meet him at the 10:45 train at the Jonesboro station. They would return the same day to Atlanta. When the train arrived at the station Scarlett and Wade were waiting for him with their pitiful luggage beside them.

"Good morning, Mrs. Butler," Rhett said.