Author's note: Thank You to everyone that has left a review. I tried to reply to everyone who did. If I missed you I'm sorry. I am glad everyone is enjoying this story.

Chapter Two

Melanie Wilkes had tried to stay out of the mess that was Scarlett and Captain Butler's relationship. She had by accident learned of their secret marriage, and she had felt guilty ever since. It had happened during Captain Butler's first visit to Tara. It was not her fault, she had returned to the setting room to retrieved Beau's blanket for his nap. And as she was about to make her presence known, when she was about to enter the room, she had overheard Captain Butler and Scarlett talking.

Scarlett asking Rhett "What are you doing here?" and his reply of "My pet, is that any way to treat your husband? Who you haven't seen in a week?"

Hearing that had shocked Melanie so much, she had frozen in place for a few seconds before she turned and walked quietly away. Why hadn't Scarlett told anyone she had married again? Melanie was angry that her sister-in-law was playing them all for fools. She had a mind to go in there and yell at the both of them to come clean with their secret.

And she might have if Mr O'Hara hadn't of passed by her and entered the room ahead of her. Hearing the poor dear man asking for his departed wife, Melanie made her way upstairs, deciding she would confront Scarlett with what she had overheard later.

But it just seemed that later never materialized, Scarlett was always busy running Tara, and she herself was busy taking care of Beau and Wade. Plus, asking someone why they were hiding a marriage wasn't something that just came up in a normal conversation.

Because Melanie was sure after thinking about it that Scarlett's grandfather had not saved Tara from being sold for taxes. And that new wedding ring sure took on a new meaning knowing that Scarlett was likely married to Captain Butler.

Also, Scarlett O'Hara was not known for hiding things she liked to show off, always had. It was something Melanie thought Scarlett was still like a child with wanting to show her pretty dresses and hats off. No, Scarlett would not keep her new marriage a secret if it was up to her.

So it had to be Captain Butler wanting to keep it a secret for some reason that eluded Melanie. Yes, she had heard all about the tales that hung to Rhett Butler that he was not a marrying man. And yet it seemed he had done just that. Maybe he didn't want the world knowing he was married to kept his reputation as a gambler and scalawag intended. Why, he would do that, Melanie had no idea.

It had been so hard to keep this secret when Scarlett's reputation had been torn apart, because of her relationship with Captain Butler not being known. But what if she had been wrong and Captain Butler had just been joking and he and Scarlett weren't married?

Melanie would have confronted Scarlett asking if they were, but her sister-in-law was living in Atlanta at the time and Ashley hadn't shared just how bad Scarlett's reputation had gotten. Trying to protect his wife from news that would surely upset her so.

Ashley had behaved as a brother would, he had gone and gotten Scarlett, bringing her back home. Melanie had tried talking to her then, but Scarlett was too upset and wouldn't talk to anyone. Then as time pasted, Melanie didn't mention it because the house had finally settled down. And she didn't want to upset anyone with news of what she believed to be Scarlett's marriage, because what if she was wrong?

When it became appeared that Scarlett was with child, Melanie knew she couldn't confront her then, afraid she might cause her to get upset and lose her baby. Plus, at that point all Melanie wanted to do was be there for her sister-in-law like Scarlett had been there for her during her pregnancy.

Poor dear Scarlett, who if she loved you would not abandon you for anything. So Melanie would not abandon her as well. No matter how much Ashley begged that they needed to leave Tara for Atlanta and Aunt Pittypat's. To save their own reputation for the stink of Scarlett's.

The argument they had over that, thank goodness they had been outside in the fields away from everyone. Melanie had never yelled at Ashley before that day, and she hoped to never have to again. She would never leave Scarlett alone to face having her baby without anyone but Mammy.

Melanie had been praying and hoping for Captain Butler to appear, and take responsibility for his Wife and future child. She knew how good the man was with children, Wade was a testament to that. The little boy loved his 'Uncle Rhett' so much.

Knowing that made Melanie feel much better about Wade having him for a step-father. It was such a shame that her brother Charles had not lived, so he could be raising his own son. But life was as it was and no one could change that. If only Charles had lived, poor Scarlett would not be in this mess she was in either.

What Scarlett saw in Captain Butler, Melanie knew went beyond looks and yet, she herself could not see it. Well, yes, Captain Butler had a heart when he allowed himself to show it. He had after all brought back her wedding ring, got them out of Atlanta when the Yankee's were coming. He was always respectful when he was around her. But Melanie had her suspicious that he was not respectful around Scarlett.

After all, if he had been her, poor dear sister-in-law would not be in the shape she was in now. Scarlett was shunned by everyone, no one would come to Tara unless absolutely necessary. And poor Suellen who was heartbroken because Mr. Kennedy had broken off their engagement. For Melanie herself knew if Mr. Kennedy had asked Suellen to disown Scarlett and the rest of her family to marry him, the other woman would have done it in a minute's time.

Instead, Mr. Kennedy had just written a letter, more like one paragraph saying he couldn't marry Suellen any longer. Her family reputation would taint his business, and he couldn't have that. No words of love are heart break were written. Not even a let's wait a year for this to scandal to pass by then will get marry. No, he just washed his hands of poor Suellen.

Melanie thought very little of Frank Kennedy after that, how could a man who courted a woman for years just up and walk away not caring , leaving his southern belle heartbroken? All Melanie could think was Mr. Kennedy never loved Suellen in the first place. What an awful man he was to play with Suellen's feelings like that.

Opening the front door, Melanie could hear the raised voices of her beloved Ashley and Captain Butler. Hoping to stop then for an all out shouting match, she pulled along Wade as they exited the front door.

"Ashley" Melanie said softly, seeing that wasn't working to get his attention she said much louder "Ashley, let's take Wade on a walk around Tara"

Ashley Wilkes looked up surprised to see Melanie before having all his attention focused on the Butler man instead a moment before. When had she arrived and with their nephew in tow? Was Melanie trying to escape with Wade? That was a good idea, but where was Beau if so?

"I'm sorry dearest, but I'm in the middle of important business with Mr. Butler here" Ashley replied to his wife.

"Mrs. Wilkes, it's so good to see you again" Captain Butler greeted as he took off his hat and made a little bow with his head.

"Good afternoon, Captain Butler" Melanie said, keeping her voice even toned. When she really just wanted to take Captain Butler over her knee as one would a child to chasten him for his behavior towards her sister-in-law.

"I hope all is well here at Tara?" Captain Butler asked, looking past Melanie. She knew who he was truly looking for.

"As well as can be expected at a time like this, Captain Butler" was the answer he received back. "Scarlett is waiting for you inside, I think you two need to have a long talk"

Wade who had been silent since returning outside dropped his Aunt's hand and ran to Rhett.

"Please don't leave again" the young boy said as Ashley grabbed him from behind pulling him away.

"Let's go on that walk, Wade" Ashley said, not liking leaving Rhett Butler alone here at Tara for a moment but knowing it was true Scarlett did need to give the Butler man a chance to made things right. Even if, Ashley thought things could never truly be made right again.

Rhett watched as the trio walked off the porch and headed away from the main house of Tara. Taking a deep breathe, Rhett knew it was time to face the music, he had to find out just what Scarlett truly felt for him. If he was a fool for loving her, or had he been cruel to the woman who loved him?

Please no throwing things at me, next chapter Rhett and Scarlett finally come face to face again. Chapter 3 took me weeks to write it was a very hard chapter to get through. Because I wanted to take it one way but he story itself went another way. More in line with the times of the era.

Please leave a review, let me know what you think of this chapter.

Sw,