Peter Gilbert was beginning to understand the feelings of the French aristocracy as they face the guillotine as he sat in the parlor with Rhett Butler scowling at him from the opposite corner. Although they were equal in age and Rhett had suffered serious injury in the last year, Peter knew the man could best him and disembowel him before he had a reasonable chance at self-defense. Rhett Butler looked that dangerous at the moment.

"So help me, if your…actions upset my wife and cause any problems with the baby you'll regret the day your sorry Yankee ass came into this world," Rhett growled from his corner.

"Really, Mr. Butler, I have no intentions of upsetting anyone. I had every intention to check on my patient and leave. But she imparted a bit of information to me that …well, as a doctor, I couldn't ignore. I hoped to relieve some of her anxiety and I think I did."

"Did you not remember our little talk this morning?" Rhett snarled.

"I did. Believe me, it was in my mind the whole time. But there is a bit of information that I am sure you are unaware of and I am not at liberty to share. Let's just say that…I intend to marry Miss Carreen and the sooner the better."

"What? Have you forgotten that she is obligated elsewhere?"

"She plans to renounce her vows and as I interpreted her feelings, will be very receptive to my…pursuit."

"And just exactly what is it that you intend to pursue?" Rhett said sarcastically.

"Her hand in marriage, of course."

Rhett began to relax a little. "Well, at least you seem to have honorable intentions…but she still is obligated to the Church."

"Not in her mind. And after hearing her story, I am inclined to agree with her. And…again, I must state…time is essential."

Rhett glowered at the man, wondering why he was in such a hurry. But he remained quiet, glaring from his place in the corner.

Eventually, Scarlett and Suellen appeared. From Suellen's excited demeanor, it was clear that something more had transpired with Carreen. It was Scarlett who broke the mystery, however, at least, on the surface. She approached Peter and stood squarely in front of him.

"With both Ma and Pa gone, I suppose it is my place to approve or disapprove any suitor for my sister. Although the circumstances are quite unusual, I find that Carreen is most willing to accept you as a suitor. And as I can find no major character flaws in you, other than the regrettable fact that you are a Yankee, I suppose I must give my permission. But make no mistake, Dr. Gilbert, should my sister be hurt, it is not the men in this family that you have to fear. Carreen is quite special to us all and be assured that Suellen and I will make a rat's life look preferable to yours if Carreen is hurt.

Peter nodded in agreement. "She told you of…her circumstances?"

"Yes." It was then that it all clicked in Rhett's mind. He didn't know the whole story, but he knew enough.

"I have led her to believe that there is no cause for alarm. However, time is critical. I intend to make it a very short courtship and then once we are married, take her away for some months."

"You mean, she …is….?"

"Yes. But if I can win her hand quickly enough, I believe I will be able to convince her that …well, everything happened between us."

"Why would you do that, Doctor?"

"Because I love her. And because she will never be able to accept her innocence in the matter otherwise. And because…she needs to be free to love this child."

Rhett stepped forward, placing his hand on the man's shoulder. "I don't yet know the whole story, but I think I've guessed enough. You're a better man than I've given you credit for today, Peter. I won't make that mistake again." Peter nodded his acceptance of Rhett's overture. Then he turned and looked at Scarlett. "So we are agreed, she is not to know that this child is not mine. One day, when I believe it is appropriate, I will tell her the truth, but for now, the baby that she delivers in a little over seven months is simply premature."

"Carreen may have been cloistered for these past few years, Doctor, but she is no fool," Scarlett told him. "She did grow up on a farm and she has been around women having babies. You will not have an easy time convincing her."

"All the same, I will. I'll find some medical reason for the baby's premature birth and I will make her believe it."

"Well, she'll not hear the truth from any of us. But all the same, you'd better be mighty convincing."

Peter smiled. "I can be charming when I want to, even if I am a Yankee."

Rhett's laughter broke the tension in the room and they all smiled. "I think this calls for a drink," he declared. Stepping to the side table, he opened a decanter of brandy and poured a stiff drink for Peter and smaller glasses for the ladies. Handing them around, he kept one for himself also. "A toast, he said as he lifted his glass. "To fast courtships and even faster weddings." Quietly they all raised their glasses and drank, sealing the pack between them to protect Carreen from the truth.

Peter Gilbert was true to his word. He won Carreen's heart in a matter of days, aided by the fact that she was already in love with him. The others did all that they could to encourage a quick resolution to the courtship and within two weeks, the couple left Clayton County for Charleston, where they would be married. Peter had applied for, obtained leave from the army, and planned to take Carreen on an extended honeymoon. Scarlett had recommended New Orleans.

As Scarlett and Rhett, Suellen and Will, Captain James, and the rest of the Tara family stood watching their carriage move down the lane, there were great sighs of relief. Captain James was invited in for refreshment and left soon after. Rhett glanced across the room to Will and nodded. "You ready?"

Will nodded back. "Sooner we git there, the sooner we ken git back."

"Where are you going?" Scarlett asked, alarmed. Suellen looked equally surprised.

"Will and I are taking a little trip, my love. We won't be gone long….just a quick trip to Charleston and back."

"Charleston? But why ever are you going to Charleston?"

Will scowled and a dark cloud passed over Rhett's face as well. "We have some business there," Rhett told her.

"Business…but wha…oh." She abruptly closed her mouth. Her eyes flashed to Sue, who was looking at Will oddly.

"Carreen has no brothers or father to tend to this matter. Will and I have decided it is up to us. We would have included Peter, but thought it best that he get Carreen away as quickly as possible. Besides, if he were involved, she might find out and it might dampen what should be a joyous occasion for her."

Scarlett didn't like the idea of Rhett going off to settle a score, but after hearing Carreen's story, she knew it had to be dealt with. That priest needed a lesson and Rhett was just the man to teach it, she thought proudly. "Please just be careful…"

"We will, my pet. And you take care of yourself while I am away."

Will stood nearby, saying good-bye to Suellen and then both men kissed their wives and turned to leave. "Pork, are we ready?" Rhett called out.

"Yez, suh…I put yo bags in da carriage befo Miss Carreen and Mista Peter left."

"Thank you, Pork. You look after the ladies, for us, will you?"

"I always do, Mista Rhett…I always do."

Scarlett watched Rhett and Will drive away, tears settling into her eyes. It was an evil thing that was done to her baby sister and now they were riding towards that evil. It sent chills through her, in spite of the heat.

Two days had passed when they received a telegram from Carreen. She was now Mrs. Peter Gilbert and they were boarding a train for New Orleans. Both Scarlett and Suellen sighed in relief. At least Carreen was safely away from it all now.

Three nights later Rhett and Will came home. It was late when they came through the door, tired and dusty from the road. Scarlett took one look into Rhett's face and knew what the trip had cost him. Will wore the same ragged look. Both women took their husbands upstairs to help them clean up and put them to bed.

Once Rhett settled in the bed, Scarlett stripped and climbed in next to him, snuggling into his arms. "Mmmm, you feel fresh," he murmured. "It is good to have you back," she whispered. "I've missed you so much."

"I didn't want to leave you but…"

"I know. Its all right, I understand." They were quiet for a few minutes and then she asked, "You found him?"

"We found the bastard." His tone was heavy, full of hatred. "Apparently Carreen wasn't the only one he'd done that to. But he'll never do it again."

"You…oh Rhett, you didn't kill him, did you?"

"No…at least, he was alive the last time we saw him. We dumped him at the hospital. He probably wishes he were dead. And he'll never hurt another woman, I can promise you that."

"Rhett?"

"Living his whole life on a farm has given Will some very interesting skills, Scarlett. One of them is the art of castration. He's quite good at it."

Scarlett blanched. "Oh Rhett…really?"

"Yes. I must admit, it hurt me to watch. But it was worth the pain to know the bastard has been justly rewarded for his actions."

"Did he…I mean, is the law likely to come after you?"

"No. We didn't tell him who we were. We wanted to, but decided it best to keep in him the dark. He was so shocked at my appearance that I don't think he had time to think of much else. I did pull it off very nicely, I believe. I appeared in his chamber at night, coming out of a dark corner, like an evil spirit. The man prayed for mercy but he got none."

"Oh Rhett…" she held him, sadness enveloping her as she thought of his feelings in the matter. It must have been horrible to have someone so afraid because of his appearance alone. Of course, later the man had every reason to be afraid of Rhett for other reasons.

"It's done, my pet. Please, no more talk of it."

The matter was never spoken of again. Life at Tara returned to normal, the routine re-established. But both Will and Rhett occasionally remembered the trip and deep in their eyes carried a haunted look until their dying breath.

GWTWGWTWGWTWGWTW

So, how about that Peter? See, not all Yankees are bad people, lol.

Let me know what you think. Your reviews keep me motivated to get more written.