Chapter 3

Uncharacteristically early the next morning Scarlett crept down the stairs as quickly as she was able and made for the front door, rushing past the living room as she did so.

"Not going somewhere, my dear Mrs. Butler?" a commanding voice questioned from the darkened room and Scarlett froze, biting her lip, hating how he could make the word 'dear' sound like a profanity.

"I- if you had any sense you'd know I never want to speak to you again," Scarlett snapped, and hoped that he couldn't see her shaking. Without another word she continued toward the front door, and was more surprised than she should have been as Rhett quickly overtook her and grabbed her upper arms firmly, preventing her from going any further.

"Not so fast," he said with authority and she refused to give him the satisfaction of meeting his eyes, staring at his rather rumpled shirt instead. "I believe I asked you a question."

She tried in vain to pull away, snapping in frustration, "Well then I'm afraid your memory is getting faulty, Captain Butler, if you're not sure after such a short amount of time." She cringed as she heard the words come forth, hating how they sounded flirty when she felt no such thing and continuing furiously, "But then, that's what everyone warned me would happen, marrying a man past his prime."

His grip tightened on her and she was unable to suppress a flash of triumph at having riled him at last, which was crushed seconds later by his bored drawl. "You mean poor Frank? Yes, I had heard some rumors of his failing memory. One in particular- the memory of promising to marry your sister. But of course, you knew nothing about that."

"Nothing," she echoed dully and tried once again to yank away, then snapped angrily, "Besides, what trouble of mine were his promises?"

"Ah," Rhett said dryly. "I'd forgotten who I was speaking to. How is it, my pet, to be one of the lucky few whose conscience never hurts them?"

There was a note of resignation in his voice that forced Scarlett's eyes up to meet his almost against her will, but overwhelmed by the blankness she saw there she quickly lowered her head. "Contrary to what you seem to believe you can release me, Captain Butler. Not that I wouldn't try to get away if it was possible, but you have me trapped- as you doubtless know."

The venom in her last words made it clear that she was talking about more than their present position.

He released her at once, stepping back languidly. "As you wish. But really, Scarlett, is this any way to treat the father of your children? I don't believe you've used my first name since I entered this house."

She glared at him. "Then your memory is indeed failing you," she retorted coolly.

"I don't think so, but now that you've so neatly evaded my question for so long, don't you think it's about time we got back to it?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Scarlett replied, trying to make her face look innocent.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Oh, that," she said, feigning indifference. "What business is it of yours? I can't think why you're still here- I thought you were just depositing Bonnie and-"

"So did I. But surely the new circumstances haven't- escaped- you?"

She wondered how he dared to joke and had to stop herself from lunging for him, wanting to kill him suddenly. "Not very much escapes me, Captain Butler."

His gaze suddenly changed, became almost wistful, and she looked at him in bewilderment as he said "To the contrary, Scarlett, a great deal escapes you."

She opened her mouth ready to throw out an angry retort, but the uncertain, almost hesitant tone of voice he's used was not lost on her, and with difficulty she held her tongue. She decided she'd think about what he was going on about tomorrow and turned from him, calmly walking toward the door again.

"Well, not that it's any of your business, but I'm going to visit Mellie," she lied smoothly, looking back at him with wide eyes. "Surely you've no objections to that?"

"Surely not," he agreed and she let out a small breath with relief only to suck it back in as quickly as he continued in a way that left no room for argument, "And surely you've no objection to my joining you."

"I- that is, I was hoping to see Mellie alone-

His gaze darkened. "I'm sure you were. I know you Scarlett, and you'd do well to remember that. And if that means I need to go everywhere you go for the next six months, I'll do so gladly."

"Did Mammy dare-"

He glared at her dangerously. "Mammy didn't need to."

"Oh how CAN you make such a mockery of things?" she questioned loudly, heedless of the servants and the children who might hear. "You- you act as though you want it when you don't even believe it's yours and- and I know you don't give a damn about me. Why put us through this charade when-"

"Perhaps I like to see you suffer," he said in the jeering way he had that made her want to slap him and she let out a cry of fury as he tried to take her arm, jerking away violently.

"I may not be able to control where you go, Rhett Butler, but I can assure you that you will NEVER touch me again."

And with those words Scarlett stormed out of the house, closely followed by her husband.

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