Rhett finished his second coffee and placed his cup down on the breakfast table. He was tired, but the coffee had helped to focus his thoughts somewhat.

Leaning back in his chair, he turned his gaze toward Scarlett and said casually 'I thought I might take the children for a picnic today'.

'Very well', Scarlett responded, her face carefully blank.

Silence.

'What are your plans for the day?' he asked.

'I need to go to the store to do some stock reordering.'

Silence.

'Bonnie was hoping you could come with us, but I told her you would probably be busy'.

Scarlett frowned at him. 'You told her I wouldn't come without even asking me?'

'Not exactly, no.'

'But you told her I would be too busy?'

'Well, yes, something like that.'

'Without asking me?'

'Dammit woman! I'm asking you now aren't I?' snapped Rhett in frustration.

Silence again.

Scarlett looked at him in confusion. Why did he have to be so obtuse, she wondered. If only she could understand him better. Was he asking her to go? She had no desire to go if he was going to be irritable. But she would love to spend some time with Bonnie. She was flattered that Bonnie wanted her to come, and she didn't want to disappoint her.

'Well?' snapped Rhett impatiently.

'I would like to come,' she answered cautiously, 'but not if you're going to speak to me like that'.

Rhett swallowed and took a deep breath. He stared at her for a couple of seconds before responding blandly, 'For you, my pet, I promise to act the part of a perfect gentleman'.

Rhett was charming. His head ached with the effort, and he longed for a quiet cigar. But he made polite meaningless conversation with Scarlett and played games with the children. He noticed that Bonnie was favouring Scarlett over him but refrained from calling her back to him. He smiled inanely and was attentive to everyone's needs.

By the end of the afternoon his head was pounding painfully. He was finding it more and more difficult to be civil. In the carriage on the way home Scarlett leaned in towards him. 'Thank you, Rhett, for a lovely day', she said.

'I am glad you enjoyed it,' he responded tonelessly. Then he leaned back, frowning, and closed his eyes.

He must have drifted off to sleep then because he awoke with a start when Scarlett touched him lightly on the arm to say they were home.

Scarlett sent the children off to have a bath, followed by tea in the nursery. Then she freshened herself up and changed for dinner.

Rhett did not appear at dinner and Scarlett ate alone in silence. She had enjoyed his company during the day and she found herself missing him.

After dinner she made her way up the stairs. She hesitated outside Rhett's room. She would just ask him if he would like some dinner sent up, she told herself. Her knock went unanswered. Cautiously she pushed the heavy door open. Rhett was lying on his bed, fully clothed. He appeared to be sleeping. Scarlett tiptoed closer. She had rarely seen him asleep, and not at all since Bonnie was born. He looked strangely endearing in repose, she thought. She found herself wanting to touch his face, but she quickly stifled the thought.

Rhett turned his head towards her and squinted up at her. The light hurt his eyes. His headache was still bad and he felt vaguely queasy. 'What are you doing here?' he mumbled.

'You missed dinner,' Scarlett responded. 'I just came to see if you would like some sent up.'

'No, thank you,' he replied.

'Are you unwell?' she asked.

He squinted up at her. 'I have a headache,' he said. 'I am sure I shall feel better in the morning.'

'Very well,' she answered. And so she left him to sleep.

Several hours later, Rhett woke again. He felt much better after his sleep. It was very dark. 'Dark!' he thought with a jolt. 'Bonnie hates the dark! Some fool has let the lamp go out.' He fumbled around for a match and lit his bedside lamp. He looked over towards Bonnie's bed. But the bed was empty and had not been slept in that night. For a moment he stared at it dumbly. Where could she be? Then he remembered how Bonnie had been favouring Scarlett all day, and jealousy flared in him. Was his darling Bonnie sleeping in Scarlett's room? Was Scarlett trying to turn Bonnie against him? Angrily he snatched up the lamp and strode down the corridor into Scarlett's room. But one glance around the room told him that Bonnie was not there. He swallowed hard as he realised that he had just invaded Scarlett's room without her permission. He had not been in here since she kicked him out three years ago. She had not stirred at his entrance. His gaze lingered on her sleeping form. She was so beautiful, with her hair splayed out around her head, the bedclothes following the curves of her body. . . He pulled his thoughts back. Bonnie was missing! He had to find Bonnie. Fear formed a hard knot in his chest, and his mouth went dry.

'Scarlett!' he said urgently. 'Wake up. Bonnie is missing.'

'What do you mean?' asked Scarlett groggily.

'Some fool let the lamp go out and she is not in her bed', he replied.

'Not in her bed?' echoed Scarlett, waking up properly. 'But where could she be?'

'I don't know', answered Rhett impatiently. 'I was hoping you knew'.

'She was asleep when I came to bed, and the lamp was on', said Scarlett.

'Well, she must be somewhere in the house then, but she will be afraid in the dark. I will check all the rooms.'

'Wait, Rhett, let me come with you,' answered Scarlett, hastily putting on her wrap.

Rhett hesitated. 'Come on then,' he said.

Together they checked the guest rooms, calling Bonnie's name softly as they went. But the rooms were cold and empty.

Next they came to the nursery. Rhett opened the door quietly, so as not to wake Ella and Wade. It took a few seconds for his eyes to register what he saw. There was a lamp burning, and there were three children asleep in the room. He snuck closer to confirm the identity of the third. Yes, it was definitely Bonnie, sleeping peacefully with the others, her dark curls framing her pretty face.

'Bonnie!' he whispered with relief. 'I thought you said she was missing?' Scarlett frowned. 'She was,' he answered, 'missing from my room.'

'Oh but Rhett, I put her to bed in the nursery so she wouldn't disturb you. She was quite happy to sleep in here with Wade and Ella. I told her that she was grown up enough to sleep here with the others. And I left the lamp on for her.'

'Yes, so I see,' he answered. 'Well, I am sorry to have disturbed you.' His eyes wandered over her. She was beautiful and he longed for her. If only he could gather her into his arms. For a moment their eyes met and Scarlett saw his anguished look. Quickly he looked away and took a couple of slow, deep breaths to steady himself. 'What is it, Rhett?' she asked curiously. Rhett sighed. 'Nothing,' he said abruptly. 'Goodnight.'