Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Twenty-One

The next night as Scarlett walked Rhett to the door, he said, "Is India sweet on Dr. Harper?"

"Yes, but I don't think she wants to admit it."

"Tell me his story again. I wasn't paying that close of attention when she told me."

"He is an older man in his forties, maybe even in his fifties. He is not very attractive, but he is very kind and polite. He reminds me of Ashley. He is also highly intelligent. I often hear him and India talking about the books they have read. She doesn't mind showing him that she is a blue stocking because I think he likes that aspect of her personality. Dr. Harper's wife died over three years ago and they didn't have any children. I think he spends all his time at the hospital. I am sure he is a lonely man. I am also sure he fancies India. Now if we can just get them to become a couple."

"Do you think Dr. Harper will remarry?"

"Why not? Being the man in the marriage is perfect. One's word is law."

"I am pretty sure that if we were married my word would not be law."

Scarlett had laughed and said, "Are you saying I wouldn't be an obedient wife?"

Rhett pulled her to him and said, "No you wouldn't but I would not want an obedient wife. I would want someone who would argue back."

Scarlett smiled and kissed him. She knew she and Rhett were getting into dangerous territory. She now believed that Rhett loved her but for some reason he had decided he would never marry again. Therefore, even the thought of him marrying was loathsome even to the woman he loved. Thus, she had to tread carefully around any declaration of them being married.

One night after Sherman had started shelling Atlanta, PittyPat declared, "I am going to Macon. I will be taking Uncle Peter and Cookie with me. Would you girls want to come with me?"

"If I go anywhere, it will be to Tara."

"I don't want to leave Atlanta until I have to. The wounded need nursing too badly for me to leave."

Rhett said, "Scarlett maybe you should go to Tara now. If Sherman takes Atlanta it is going to be bad."

"Not yet. I will wait until the Yankees get closer. As India said there are too many soldiers who need nursing for me to abandon the doctors."

"Alright. I will stay to keep an eye on you and Miss India."

"Thank you, Rhett."

The next day PittyPat, Uncle Peter, and Cookie were on the train to Macon. Scarlett had paid for a cab for the older woman and her servants because of all of their luggage. As India and Scarlett watched the cab drive away, India said, "Do you know how to cook?"

"No. Do you?"

"No. I wonder if there would be someone to teach us?"

"We will ask Mrs. Meade."

"We can't ask Mrs. Merriwether."

"No, we can't. Can you believe that she stopped talking to us because of Ashley's actions."

"I can see her not speaking to me because I am Ashley's sister although I am not responsible for his actions. But why stop speaking to you."

"Because I defended Ashley's actions."

The ladies both laughed. Scarlett said, "Let us get our hats and start walking to the hospital."

"Yes, let's. Maybe Captain Butler will happen to be driving by. Does he think he is fooling anyone by trying to make us believe he isn't just waiting for us in order to drive you to the hospital?"

"I think he is fooling himself."

That made both the ladies laugh again. They went into the house and put their hats on and started walking to the hospital. As predicted, Rhett had run into them on their walk to the hospital. Scarlett and India knew he was doing it on purpose for no other reason than he sold his two-seater buggy and bought a four-seater buggy. Neither woman was going to say a word because they enjoyed getting a ride to the hospital most mornings. It wasn't every morning but the majority of them. Although they both would have preferred for Rhett to give them a ride home when they were worn out, but he rarely gave them a ride home.

When Scarlett was asking Mrs. Meade if she knew anyone who could teach her and India how to cook, Dr. Harper had overheard her and said, "You and India can come to my house. My cook will show you how to cook."

"That would be very nice of you."

"Let me arrange it all tonight."

"Alright. Tonight, India and I have some leftovers that we can eat."

Mrs. Meade said, "What happened to your cook?"

"Aunt PittyPat took her to Macon with her. Aunt PittyPat, Uncle Peter, and Cookie all left this morning."

"Are you telling me that PittyPat left you and India alone in the house?"

"Sort of. We have my maid, Prissy."

"So, there are three young women alone in that house without any male protection."

"I guess. Aunt PittyPat did take Uncle Peter with her."

"Scarlett, that is just not safe."

"What else can we do?"

Yerkes said, "You can come stay with me. I have a four-bedroom house and I only use one bedroom. You wouldn't have to worry about cooking food for my Cook could cook for you and India."

Scarlett said, "Dr. Harper, I am sure that would not be proper."

Yerkes turned to Mrs. Meade and said, "Surely it would be proper with them both chaperoning each other."

"Let me go ask Dolly about it."

"Alright. Oh, you may want to withdraw your offer. I have a two-year-old son also."

"I am aware you have a son Scarlett. Anyone who knows you knows you have a child. They also know how immensely proud of him you are.

"I will get back to work. I'm sure Dr. Meade is looking for me."

Mrs. Meade said, "Let me find Dolly."

Later that afternoon as Scarlett and India were leaving the hospital, Mrs. Meade stopped them and said, "Dolly and I believe that in normal circumstances you two living with an unmarried man would not be acceptable. But these are not normal circumstances. There are too many strange men in the city both Yankees and Confederates for you two young ladies to stay alone. Therefore, we are going to allow you two to move in with Dr. Harper since he is such a well-respected member of the community. You must be sure and behave yourself with proper decorum and propriety. Do you understand?"

Scarlett said, "Of course, we do, Mrs. Meade."

After Scarlett and India had walked a few blocks away from the hospital, India said, "I don't know if this is a good idea."

"Why ever not? I know you like him, and I know now he likes you. You will just get to know each other even more."

"What if by living with me, he finds out something about me that he doesn't like."

"First off that isn't going to happen and second even if it did it is better to find out now than after you get married. Besides at the most it will only be three or four months until we have to flee from the city and return to Clayton County. Maybe the thought of you leaving will be enough for him to offer marriage."

"Is that what you are planning to do to Captain Butler?"

"Yes."

Both ladies laughed.

Scarlett said, "I love Rhett and I know he loves me. I just don't know why he hasn't asked me to marry him."

"Yes, it is obvious that he loves you. I could never figure out why you two weren't already married."

"Me neither."

After the ladies got home, they started packing their clothes. India put hers in the box Scarlett had brought them back from Twelve Oaks in. Scarlett put hers and Wade's in her trunk.

When Prissy found out that Scarlett, Wade, and India were moving in with Dr. Harper, that night when she went to see Archie, she told him what was happening. Archie said, "Once we are free, we will be together. We will never have to worry about someone separating us ever again."

"Alright Archie. We are moving in with Dr. Harper. Do you know where he lives?"

"Yes, I do. I will visit you."

"Alright. I will look forward to seeing you. Let me get back before Miss Scarlett finds out I am gone. I am supposed to be watching Wade while he sleeps."

"Go."

Prissy and Archie shared a kiss. Then she hurried down the alley back to Hamilton House.

At the same time, Scarlett was finding out that Rhett thought her and India moving in with Dr. Harper was a bad idea. But when Scarlett had asked him why the only thing he could say was, "It will be bad for your reputation."

"Maybe a little bit but Mrs. Merriwether and Mrs. Meade believed it would be safer for us than us living here alone."

"Why can you not move in with Mrs. Merriwether or the Meades? That would be much more proper."

"I don't think they can afford to take us in."

"Why is it suddenly not safe for you and Miss India to live here? It is not like Miss PittyPat was any kind of protection."

"True but Uncle Peter was some protection. Him being a man and all."

"If that is the only reason the dragons don't think you are safe then I will move in with you two ladies. Thus, providing you a male in the household."

"I am pretty sure that would be worse for our reputations than us living with Dr. Harper."

"Why? He is a man, and I am a man. What is the difference."

"Yes, Dear, you are a man, but you are a young man and Dr. Harper is an old man. Besides, everyone knows you have been calling on me. So that just won't do."

"What is it going to do to Miss India's reputation when she and Dr. Harper get married? Everyone will think they had to get married."

"Rhett hush! You are embarrassing India," There was no doubt that India was embarrassed. Her face was as red as a tomato. Scarlett continued, "You are my dear, sweet friend that I am very fond of, but you don't get to tell me what to do. Only my husband and my parents get to tell me what to do."

Scarlett had said the last part to goad Rhett into asking her to marry him. But more than that she was not letting Rhett move in with her. She just knew it would be too much for his self-control and maybe hers too. Besides, that would also be giving him too many perks without him having to marry her.

With Scarlett's words, Rhett stood up and walked out into the hallway towards the front door. Scarlett hurried behind him. She said, "Don't leave in a huff. Please come sit back down so we can talk some more."

"No, thank you."

"Rhett…"

"Where does Dr. Harper live?"

"At 2717 South Fulton."

"I will see you tomorrow night."

"Alright."

Rhett paused at the front door and said, "I want to make sure all your doors and windows are locked."

"Rhett it is too hot to close the windows."

"I am not leaving until I am sure you are as safe as possible. So, let's start checking."

By the time Rhett and Scarlett got back to the front door, he had gotten his temper under control. In truth it wasn't a bad plan. She was right her reputation would go up in smoke if he moved in with her and India. He smiled. He was just too damn attractive and sexy for women not to think the worst of him and the woman he was with. No, the plan wasn't a bad plan, he just didn't like the idea of Scarlett living under the same roof with any other man but him. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "I see the merits of your argument. You must be kept safe. There are a lot of rough men in Atlanta these days."

"Will you come get India and me at the hospital tomorrow afternoon then take us over to Dr. Harper's house?"

"Yes, I will."

"Thank you."

Rhett leaned forward and kissed her. It was really just a peck. After he walked out the front door, Scarlett stood in the doorway to watch him walk to his buggy. He turned and looked at her. Suddenly there was a scowl on his face. He walked back to her. He said in a firm voice, "Get back in the house. I will stand here until I hear you lock the door. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Of course, Rhett."

Scarlett quickly locked the door then hurried into the library where she could watch Rhett drive away in his buggy.