Thank you for your wonderful reviews. You all totally have Ashley's number - of course he understands Rose as little as he understands Scarlett, or himself. And yes, he is totally lame. *grin* This is, finally, my Rhett-gets-piled-upon chapter. Feel free to feel sorry for him. Or not. Hope you enjoy!

- Robert Frost, My November Guest

Not yesterday I learned to know

The love of bare November days

Before the coming of the snow,

But it were vain to tell he so,

And they are better for her praise.

Rose walked into the room, still carrying about her that aura of stillness and unreality that had become so much a part of her over the past weeks.

"Sit down, please," Scarlett said, unable to conceal the agitation in her voice. If Rose picked up on it, she gave no indication. She sat, and folded her hands like a schoolgirl, waiting with the patience of those for whom life has already passed.

"Perry …no, Gerry first. Tell her what you just told me. About Cousin Thad."

Her brothers, who sat on the sofa across from Rose, also seemed caught in the strange solemnity of this meeting. They did not fidget, kick the cushion, or attempt to punch each other with their elbows as they would have done.

"Cousin Thad came back the day after he left, to look for you, Rose," Gerry said.

There was a flash of something in Rose's eyes. "Why did no one…."

Gerry dropped his gaze, his countenance suffused with discomfort. "What happened?" Rose said, and the quiet ferocity in her tone silenced him completely.

"Don't yell at Gerry," Scarlett chided, although she hadn't. "He didn't mean to …well! He saw Beau hand you the ring in the orchard, and he told Thad about it. It was only natural, after all. After hearing about the proposal, Thad left. And honestly, I'd forgotten about it until…."

"You wanted to forget," Rose said, with eerie calm.

"Cousin Thad said it was to be a secret," Gerry offered quickly, whether in defense of himself or his mother, it was not clear.

"Perhaps I did want to forget," Scarlett admitted, ignoring the interruption. "But I didn't mean … however, it doesn't matter, now. Perry has something to tell you as well. Perry, tell Rose ….." Then she looked at her daughter's face again, and at her sons, and changed course in mid-stride. "No. Perry, take Gerry back up into the schoolroom and stay there with Miss Addy. If Rose needs you to corroborate something later, she will come find you. Go." They scampered off without protest, indeed with palpable relief to get out from under their sister's disquieting gaze.

When the boys had left, Scarlett turned back to her daughter. Her hand went to her perfect coiffure, wishing she had something, anything to adjust so she could stall for time. Now that the time had come to have this conversation, she had no idea how to begin.

"Whatever it is, just say it, Mother," Rose said, icily. "It can't possibly be any worse than what you've just told me."

"I don't know," Scarlett replied, softly.

Rose stood up, and walked to the window, staring out into nothingness. "Don't know what, Mother." The bleakness of the landscape beyond the window seemed to echo in her voice.

"I don't know how to talk to you about this," Scarlett said, frankly. "I've never really known how to ….you know! Talk about some of the things with you that I'd always imagined a mother would talk to about with her daughter. Not that my mother did! But I thought …well, I thought you and I would be different. But every time I tried, you'd give me this….look, as if you already knew what I was going to say….and I'd lose heart! I comforted myself thinking you knew where to find me if you had questions, but I was probably just fooling myself! I should have persisted," she added, more to herself than to Rose.

"It's all right, Mother," Rose said, some of the chill leaving her voice. "You've always been supportive, and I did appreciate your efforts. It's just that I ….."

"I know you saw Cherry come out of Thad's room the morning after the ball," Scarlett said, suddenly, as if afraid her daring would leave her if she didn't blurt out the words then and there. "I know because Perry saw you. The periscope. Those boys seem to monitor everything that happens in that hallway with that blasted instrument, even at night. What you didn't see, apparently, is that she had just gone in. Perry said she wasn't in the room for more than a minute or two before she came back out again."

Scarlett hadn't thought it physically possible that Rose could have become any whiter. "You're certain?"

"Perry is certain. As certain as any ten year old can be," Scarlett said, gently.

Rose walked forward, mechanically, like a puppet on strings, and sat herself back down on the settee.

"I wish you had talked to me about it when it happened," Scarlett said, softly. "You see …even if Perry had not seen what he did, it is highly unlikely that … you know. Or do you know? I'm always assuming … but you must know, if you were upset about it!" She flushed, and brought her hands to her cheek in returning agitation. "I'm sorry. I'm making a complete muddle of this conversation, Rose! It took me years and years to be remotely comfortable speaking about these things with your father, and I have no idea how to talk about them with you! But you see …..a decent man would not …be with another woman while he is in love with you, and thinks that you love him back! Or, for that matter, betray the trust of one of his oldest friends by dishonoring his daughter under our roof. And Thad is decent, and a grown man, not a green boy who has no control over his impulses. Not to say that he had any impulses towards …I mean …."

Rose made a sound that could have been a snort. Then her face became still again, and she twisted nerveless fingers in her lap. "I don't know what …decent ….men do or not do, Mother, or what impulses they may have. I'm not sure that it matters. What you're telling me is that he seems to have sent her away, and I …I not only did not trust him, but never gave him the chance to explain. I let him go away thinking I felt I was too good for him, because of my birth, of all things." She was laughing now, a hollow, acid laugh. "No wonder he hates me." The expressive eyes suddenly gleamed with unshed tears. "I have made a mess of things, haven't I."

Something in her mother's face became still and hard as she watched her. "No, Rosey. You haven't made a mess of anything. You are going to take this handkerchief, and go to your room, and lay down. You will have Cherry bring you tea, and you will think all the grand thoughts you should be thinking at sixteen, about the wonderful life you will have with work that fulfills you, and a man that you love. And in the meantime, the people who are really responsible for this mess will fix things, at least to the point that they are fixable. For once, you will leave things to me." She held up her hand. "Not a word …..go."

And it was perhaps the most astonishing thing of all that Rose obeyed her.

~~oo~~

Rhett received a note at his place of business that his wife, Mrs. Butler, was in the waiting area. A young clerk showed her into his office, and asked if she desired tea, or any other refreshments. She declined graciously. Once he had left, and she had seated herself on the elegant leather chair in front of Rhett's desk, she gave a brief and succinct account of the morning's events, her conversation with the boys, and her encounter with Rose. Then she held up her hand to prevent him from commenting.

Her husband bit back whatever he had been about to say, and waited silently for her to continue. There was an unsettled air about her that boded ill.

"Now you know what happened. And first thing tomorrow morning, you are going to ride over to Beau Wilkes to call off the engagement," Scarlett said, gathering momentum. "You're going to tell him she's too young to marry. Which is perfectly true, if you think about it! That you will, in fact, not permit her to marry anyone until she's eighteen, and has had a chance to get to know her own heart. You will apologize for Beau's pain, and the scandal, and offer what restitution you can, but you will stand firm should they attempt to persuade you to reconsider."

"Will I?" her husband asked, with some surprise at this unexpected volley. "I believed as of this morning that you were you were in favor of this match…..at least more in favor than ….."

"I was," Scarlett replied, darkly. "I've been sitting here, thinking about it while I waited for you, because it really makes no sense! I never wanted her to marry a Wilkes…God's Nightgown! A Wilkes of all people! And as for Thad …..Thad risked his life for my family when he wasn't much older than Rose is now. And even after his break with you, he's invited the children to the Ranch… supported Wade …..been a true friend in every sense of the word. So why, I asked myself, was I feeling squeamish at the thought of him marrying Rose? I, who never gave a damn about society, or what anyone else would think? I, who saw immediately that Will was the best thing that ever happened to Suellen even though he was born a Cracker? Why did it matter all of a sudden what they would think of my daughter marrying a man of low birth? And what's worse….why did I put Rose, and myself, into that position in the first place? Had we stayed in Texas, no one would have cared who he is. We were happy there. He could have married her once she was old enough, which is what I'm sure he was planning to do. And despite of what I've been telling you, telling myself - deep down I knew how they felt about each other, even then. So why did I insist we come here?"

"I am waiting anxiously to be enlightened," said her husband. Surprisingly, there was no mockery in his tone. It was the voice of a prisoner at the bar, waiting to hear a long-overdue verdict.

"It was because of you," his wife said, with a soft ferocity. "I told myself I was moving us back to Charleston because of the plan Rosemary and I had made to marry Ella and Chad, but that was merely the pretext. It was because of you. You see, even after all these years, I still hear it, that little speech you gave me when you left me in Atlanta. After everything that happened, I was desperate to show you you could have the gentle grace of the Old Days with me. Accepted in to the best society …living a quiet, genteel life amongst the people of your birth. Your daughter married into the best families, just like you said you wanted for Bonnie. And I was afraid Texas just wasn't good enough for you. Because I could see it, you know, that small part of you, that was still watching ….waiting for me to slip up and prove to you that nothing had changed, that it wasn't worth it after all. Oh, don't look so shocked. You still think I'm the little fool you married, that didn't know the first thing about people. Or you."

Perhaps Rhett's seemingly deliberate silence enraged her further. "As for Thad …you decided that you couldn't take any more blood on your precious hands, and you decided to break out Thomas Whiting before his trial to save his life. But did you ever consider he wasn't your life to save? It wasn't your girl he had killed! You had no right to make that decision without talking to Thad – just because you couldn't take it! He might have seen things your way, had you given him half a chance! But instead you took away the only thing that he's ever relied on, the trust in the man that he'd loved like a father. And don't give me that speech about the wonderful work Thomas has done keeping alive the flame of Negro rights, because I'm not interested!"

"I wasn't going to," her husband said, softly.

"And don't even get me started about Rose!" Scarlett cried, without heeding him in the least." Because, you know, none of this is about you anymore. You were so wrapped up in your grief about Bonnie, and your fear, and whatever else you told yourself to justify your self-indulgence, that you messed up both Rose and Thad to the point where they can't trust the person they love, or even their own instincts. Not that I don't blame myself just as bitterly, for chasing after phantoms once again … to the point where I almost sacrificed my daughter's happiness. Well, I am done now." The green eyes flashed eerily. "A long time ago, when we formally reconciled in Galveston, you told me 'I don't know' when I asked you if you'd chose me, if you were still free to chose. Only now does it occur to me that you've never amended that statement …. that you just consumed the years of happiness, and the family that I gave you, without ever removing that dagger from over my head. I deserve better than that. But luckily for you, it isn't about me, either, and as I've said, if there's blame to go around, I'm certainly due my fair share! The person that really deserves better, is Rose."

She rose regally, taking a few rapid steps forward. The hem of her dress caught the corner of the chair, and she smiled grimly, ripping it off with a sharp movement. She disregarded the tear in the fabric with little more than a shrug. Before she left the room, she turned around once more. "This is our mess. And honestly - it's mostly your mess, Rhett Butler. Now fix it."

And the door slammed behind her. The clerks within earshot exchanged awed glances as she stormed out.

~~oo~~

"Dan." The boy, the only member of the family who had heretofore avoided being embroiled in the drama, was caught just as he attempted to slide back up the stairs.

"What," he said, somewhat uneasily. Dan greatly preferred amphibians to the volatile emotions that were floating around the house. Thankfully, his elder brother didn't require much of him.

"Is Rose in her room?"

"I think so."

"Thanks." Wade passed him quickly up the curved stairway, walked to the end of the hallway, and knocked. He received no answer. He hadn't expected one. He opened the door.

His sister was curled up on her bed, her wild hair cascading about her still form like waves over an unruly sea. "Rosey".

"What." Her lips barely seemed to move as she spoke.

"May I sit?"

"Did Mom send you?"

"Dad, actually." He moved lightly forward, and jumped over her to lie next to her, as he had often done when she was a little girl, to read her stories, or talk if she couldn't fall asleep.

"Hiding behind you again, is he."

Wade laughed, but without real mirth. "No, for once, I don't think so. He came by to talk to me in my office an hour ago ….and a pretty uncomfortable talk it was." He turned on his side, facing her back. "Listen, Rosey. Phoebe always tells me I don't understand the first thing about girls, and I'm afraid she's right, at least when it comes to you. I never had any idea who you're sweet on. I thought it was Beau all this time, but both Phoebe and Dad tell me you're really in love with Thad. Is that true?"

Her silence was his answer. He sighed. "Rosey, the real reason Dad wanted me to talk to you is because he intends to go visit Beau tomorrow, and call off the engagement. He wants to make sure you'll not protest out of a misplaced sense of duty or obligation, and felt it would be better coming from me – because I'm Beau's friend, and his cousin, and would also have his best interest at heart."

She still didn't answer.

"Rosey, you'll do no man a favor if you wed him with a heart already given to another. Least of all Beau. He's a good man, a kind man, and he deserves better than that. You both deserve better." He shook her shoulder, lightly, and she finally turned around. He pulled the dark head against his chest, ruffling the black curls. "Dad told me about Cherry. Really, Rose. What were you thinking?"

She snorted, the sound muffled against his chest. "What was I thinking?"

He smiled. "Yes. You know how Thad and I feel about James. The idea that we would do anything to…."

The head lifted, and stared at him with speculative wonder. "What do you mean, we?"

He grinned, sheepishly. "Well…"

"Speak."

He tried to laugh. "Cherry fancied herself in love with me, a few years back, when we were still in Galveston."

The black crescents rose. "What did she do?"

"Let's just say …she gave me an uncomfortable moment or two, way back then."

"Really." Rose turned around, and laid her head back on his chest. She had to laugh.

"Yes," he grinned, happy to find her good humor restored. "Really."

"You could have said something."

He pulled on a curl. "This isn't the sort of thing a man usually discusses with his baby sister."

"I guess not," she giggled. "But Cherry….."

"She grew up with us," he said. "Thad and I were practically the only young men she saw regularly for long stretches of time, outside of her family. Why wouldn't she fall in love with us?"

"But….."

"Yes. And?" He pulled her curls again.

She sighed. "I understand. At least I think I do. But when I think of her going into Thad's room, I …..still want to gauge her eyes out!"

"Which brings us back to the topic." His tone turned serious again. "Rosey, a blind man could see how Thad feels about you. But you're awfully young, and mother's had you coped up in this …place ….for far too long. Remember when you used to want to do something with your life? Before we came here, you often said you wanted to become a doctor. Whatever happened to that?"

"I don't know," she said, her body stiffening. "I haven't thought about it."

"Well, think about it now. Dad feels ….and mother, for what it's worth ….that you shouldn't marry anyone for the time being. Go to school – learn a profession. You were never meant to be a housewife. I've often worried about you, what being here has done to your spirit. I could see you were getting along better with Dad, and tried to throw all your energies into fashion, and turning out Charlotte, but you were never….yourself. Only recently, with Thad here, did you have that spark again, even though you were mostly rude to him. As Phoebe said, it must be love. And if he really loves you, he'll wait for you to be ready."

"Mother….wants me to go to school? Mother?"

"Yes, she told me so herself," Wade said. "Europe might be a good choice. You'll get a chance to see something different, and get away from the busybodies when the news of the broken engagement hits. Dad has that doctor friend in Atlanta, doesn't he – Dr. Harrison. He might be able to help when it comes to choosing a school." He kissed her. "Think about it, and let Dad know. "

"I will."

He rose, and tickled her lightly before hopping out of the bed. She laughed … the first light, free laugh he had heard her make for years. Something inside of him uncoiled at the sound.

"Wade," she called, before he opened the door.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

~~oo~~

He found her in bed, eyes-red rimmed, an unopened magazine on her lap. She looked up when he entered. He walked over to her side of the bed, and looked down at her, silently.

Scarlett attempted a watery smile. "I'm sorry," she said, before he could say anything. "I didn't mean to throw all that at you all at once. And I didn't mean it. That is, I did mean it. But not like…"

He sat down next to her, and pulled her onto his lap. "I understand," he said, gently. "What you said was the distilled version of almost twenty years' worth of isolated moments – it wasn't how you felt every minute of every day. But it was enough, apparently, to make you want to come back here, and land us in this mess. You say I've never amended my statement of studied ambiguity, that I made many years ago. Rose said something similar to me not too long ago - that I was... hedging my bets. With both of you. And she wasn't wrong, at least when it came to her. However, I've long since stopped hedging my bets with you, my love." He kissed her head softly, and continued in a low voice, "Rose also accused me of being a coward in matters of the heart, and that is unfortunately quite true. Because the one thing I've never done …..which would have avoided our current predicament in its entirety …. is to tell you." He lay his cheek against the dark, flowing hair, and tightened his hold.

She sniffed, and smiled under her tears. "You could have written, too. Or sang a song. I'm not particular."

"I'll have to remember." He pulled up her chin, and kissed her. "I love you."

"Don't think for a minute you're off the hook because of your sweet-talking ways, Rhett Butler," she murmured, as she allowed him full access to her lips, and his roving hands access to….. "You still have to fix things."

He smiled his old rakish smile as he pulled them both down on the bed. "I know."

~~oo~~

Much later, he was watching her sleeping form curled up under the covers. He gently moved a stray tendril of black hair from her closed eyes. Then he softly left the room, and walked downstairs into the dark library. The yellow setter on the rug lifted his head when he entered, but almost immediately started snoring again. Rhett turned on the light, and sat down at the cherry wood desk. He composed a brief letter to his friend William Harrison in Atlanta, asking about medical schools in Europe willing to accept female students. When he had finished, he did not arise, but instead remained seated, staring into the shadows.

There was one other thing he had to do.

He pulled out a fresh piece of paper, and with his precise, firm script, began to compose a letter to Texas.