After Rhett left, Scarlett directed her energies once more towards restoring her reputation and rebuilding friendships. She could be charming when she set her mind to it, and it was not long before she was once again busy with a whirlwind of social activities. Not only that, but old friends would now call on her at home, and her house seemed a little less empty than previously.

She also embarked on a major project to redecorate her home in a less showy and more tasteful manner. Unconsciously, she was trying to erase some unpleasant memories that the house held for her. She enlisted Maybelle and Fanny's help with choosing the furnishings, and together they spent many happy hours browsing catalogues and considering their options. Eventually they chose a cream base with spring green and sunny yellow highlights. All three were delighted with the finished result. It was so much more cheerful and homely than gilt mirrors and wall to wall deep red carpet. She hoped that Rhett would approve, but, she realised guiltily, she knew of little of his tastes.

Of course, she still missed Rhett. The first anniversary of Bonnie's death had been especially difficult. She had hoped that Rhett might come back for it but he hadn't. She had visited Bonnie's grave alone and left flowers, and felt lonely and sorrowful all day.

She kept thinking of how unwell Rhett had looked when she farewelled him on the train. That had been months ago. She hoped he had found the sea air agreeable and was now fully recovered. She hoped he was not drinking too much. She hoped he thought of her. She hoped he would feel strong enough to visit soon.

And then, one evening as she was eating a lonely dinner, quite suddenly he was there. The sight of him took her breath away. His frame was athletic looking and he moved lightly on his feet. He looked full of health and vigor, immaculately groomed and swarthy.

'Good evening Scarlett', he drawled elegantly. 'I have returned as promised to safeguard your reputation. I will stay for one week'.

Scarlett smiled at him warmly. 'You are looking well Rhett. How good it is to see you.'

'Well, I warn you I have no intention of succumbing to your charms, many though they are', he declared, and he kissed the back of her hand lightly.

'Do sit down Rhett. Would you like some dinner?' she asked.

'Thank you, yes', he replied.

They chatted comfortably together as they ate. Rhett complimented her on the redecoration, and Scarlett regaled him with tales of the children's exploits and community happenings.

Rhett had timed his visit to coincide with Ella's birthday. When he produced some balloons for the party, Ella was speechless with wonder. No one in Atlanta had ever seen balloons before, and so Rhett was very popular, especially when he allowed the children to play with the balloons and even joined in their fun.

He made sure that he and Scarlett were seen together frequently during that week. Often they would go out walking, pausing to greet neighbours along the way. And they attended every social gathering that they reasonably could. Rhett was constantly on his best behaviour, charming and courteous to all, and people started to think again that he was a fine specimen of a man and that Scarlett was a fortunate woman to be married to him.

On Saturday they went riding with the children. Wade and Ella rode their ponies and Rhett rode beside them on his big black stallion. Scarlett rode her mare side saddle and thought what a pretty picture they made together. When they stopped to water the horses, Rhett took Wade aside and taught him how to use a pistol. Wade blossomed under Rhett's attention, and Scarlett noticed for the first time that he was on the cusp of manhood.

In the evenings Rhett regaled them with the most thrilling adventure stories. Wade sat wide eyed and entranced during these sessions. Scarlett enjoyed them equally well, for they gave her an opportunity to gaze on Rhett and admire him unobtrusively. He was so elegant, so manly, so handsome, that she wanted him more than ever. But he would never allow his eyes to linger on her. Afterwards he always he bid her a polite goodnight, and retired to his room, leaving her feeling restless and unsatisfied.

Rhett maintained his polite, detached demeanour all week. When the week was up, he took his leave, saying 'Well, my dear, I hope you are satisfied that I have done my duty. I played the role of devoted husband and father rather well, don't you think? I am sure there will be no unpleasant rumours regarding the state of our marriage for some time to come. And of course I will return again, periodically, as promised, to maintain the charade.'

Scarlett looked at him longingly. 'Oh, Rhett', she began. But he placed his finger on her lips to silence her. 'Please Scarlett, don't, or I shall have to say something hurtful and I have no wish to be unpleasant.'

Then he took her hand and bowed over it, allowing his moustache to brush the back of it. 'Good bye, my dear', he said. And he turned, put on his coat and hat, and left.

Wade was miserable after Rhett left. He moped around the house asking 'Mother why did Uncle Rhett go again so soon?', 'Why does he always have to go away?' 'When will he come back?' 'Doesn't Uncle Rhett like us Mother?'

His constant questions irritated Scarlett immensely, because they were echoes of her own feelings.

Eventually she suggested to Wade that he write to Rhett, hoping that it would give him some outlet for his feelings. She posted Wade's letters to Rhett care of his mother in Charleston. No one was more surprised than Scarlett however, when letters for Wade started arriving, addressed in Rhett's bold hand.

She wondered what he wrote about, and once she searched Wade's room looking for Rhett's letters, but they were nowhere to be found. 'What does Uncle Rhett write about?' she asked Wade. But Wade was not forthcoming. 'Uncle Rhett said it's secret between me and him', he replied.

Scarlett sighed with frustration. Rhett still knew how to infuriate her, she mused, and was probably enjoying it too.

The next time a letter arrived for Wade Scarlett surruptitiously opened it herself while Wade was outdoors. But she was disappointed and puzzled to find that it made no sense to her, being a random jumble of letters not forming proper words. Could Wade understand that nonsense? she wondered. How like Rhett to be so mysterious. She folded it and carefully replaced it in the envelope. When she gave the letter to Wade that afternoon, she said it appeared to have been damaged in the post. Wade studied the neatly torn envelope and looked at her strangely. 'Thank you Mother', he said politely, and disappeared off to his room to decipher it.