I love how a simple Google search of 'what tree species do they have in Georgia?' can lead me down a educational rabbit hole that turns into an entry taking in everything from Judas' betrayal of Jesus, a bit of naughty business and a lot of Rhett taking the mickey out of Scarlett. The joys of writing fanfiction! Hope you enjoy.

Scarlett held her breath as they cantered past the house, praying that Mammy wasn't still standing on the porch. She only exhaled when they'd made it across the yard and under the shade of the trees without an indignant bark of 'Miss Scarlett!' slicing through the tranquil air.

She kept up the furious pace, her focus shifting to battling Rhett. The spring sun shone through the gaps in the trees, casting a dappled, golden light over the two riders as they streaked down the driveway, only a hair's breadth between them.

Scarlett's loose hair streamed out behind her like a sleek, black banner. From the corner of her eye, she saw Rhett inching ahead, his brow furrowed in concentration as he took the lead. Refusing to be bested, Scarlett urged Trix on, adrenaline coursing through her blood like brandy when the powerful animal responded like a dream.

Recapturing the advantage as the end of the avenue drew near, Scarlett cried out in triumph as she emerged out of the shade a mere nose in front. The sun beat down on Scarlett's back like it was giving her a round of applause. She slowed Trix down to a trot and turned to face her vanquished opponent. Forever an ungracious winner, Scarlett grinned straight into Rhett's disappointed face. He laughed at her smug expression, conceding defeat with a bow of his head.

'I suppose congratulations are in order,' he groused. 'Although considering how well you know the terrain, it was hardly a fair fight.'

'Don't be a sore loser, Rhett,' she chastised. 'Oh… and I think Trix just repaid Ruby for teasing him earlier.'

'Ah, so you admit it was the noble steed and not the rider who was responsible for your victory. How uncharacteristically magnanimous of you, Scarlett!'

'Hardly! Clearly it was my superior horsemanship that won the day. If anyone had the advantage, it was you given you were riding…what was it you called her earlier? Ah yes, the finest mare in all of the South!'

'Touché, my dear.'

Rhett was studying her appraisingly, as if proud of her ability to outsmart him in a war of words. Scarlett found herself grinning back, pleased that she had found a man who - rather than seeking to deny the existence of his wife's brains as was the habit of most Southern husbands - actively encouraged her to display her intelligence and thought more highly of her for it.

It had always been one of Rhett's better qualities, the thing that had made him such a trusted confidante over the years, but either he'd lost it during their marriage or Scarlett had stopped noticing. Either way, Scarlett was glad to see it return.

She could scarcely remember a time when being with him had felt so easy, as light and refreshing as the breeze rolling down the path to greet them. They chatted as they rode along, their horses' hooves churning up the dry red earth and making it dance in the spring air. Scarlett sunk down into the easy camaraderie like it was a hot bath after a hard day's toil. She was glad she no longer had to struggle to decode his words, confident that there wouldn't be any hidden insults for her to stumble across.

In that moment, Scarlett knew her decision to spend time apart from Rhett had been the right one. She had been worried that she'd made a terrible mistake; that after the peace and comfort of Charleston, Rhett would no longer desire the drama and high-emotion that life with her inevitably gave rise to.

She'd feared they would not be able to fix their marriage, that Rhett would come back only to realise she had not been worth the six-month wait. It was this thought of rejection, of being examined and found wanting, that had caused Scarlett many a sleepless night since she'd returned to Tara. She'd lost count of the number of times she had risen from her bed at some ridiculously early hour of the morning, hoping that pouring over Tara's accounts would help calm the tumult of her over-anxious mind.

But sitting here astride Trix, basking in the dual warmth of the sun on her skin and the lazy, contented smile on Rhett's face, she knew her fears had been unfounded.

For the Rhett who had returned to her was not the same man who'd caught the nine o'clock train to Charleston that cold, autumnal morning. His transformation gave Scarlett hope that they could get back to the people they used to be, the people they should always have been if only they hadn't messed it all up quite so spectacularly the first time around.

Here at last was her opportunity to love Rhett as he deserved to be loved and to allow him to love her as he had always longed to. It wouldn't be easy. They were far too fiery of nature and sharp of tongue to live in a state of constant harmony, but this time around it was important that they kept their respect even when they lost their temper. Scarlett had enough war wounds already; she wasn't looking to add to her collection.

'As much as I enjoy you admiring me, my pet, I had rather hoped to complete this ride in time for lunch. If I don't eat something soon, I shall waste away.'

'If you're so concerned about your stomach, you should have concentrated on eating more these last few days instead of drinking yourself into a stupor.'

'I've always admired your practical mindset, Scarlett. It's a shame you weren't there to advise me.'

'Are you saying you'd have listened?'

'To every word.'

Scarlett scoffed. 'That would be a first.'

'I was always listening, Scarlett. I might not have liked what I heard, but I always listened.'

Scarlett looked away, unable to stand the sadness in his eyes.

'Come, my dear, tell me about Tara. I was promised a tour thrilling enough to put Charleston to shame.'

Grateful for the change of subject, Scarlett began to tell him all about her home, proud to finally introduce the two things she loved most in this world to one another.

Yet, as they turned off the main dirt road onto her favourite bridle path, Scarlett couldn't help but recall the times she'd wandered down this particular lane with a very different man by her side. It had been many years now since she and Ashley had ridden here together and yet the memory of that enchanted time still burnt brightly in her mind. She had been so young then, young and fearless and so devastatingly in love. It hurt to remember how patiently Ashley had tried conversing with her about literature and art while she had only been interested in the sunlight glinting in his hair and the distinguished way he sat upon his horse.

She had been so sure she would marry him one day, utterly secure in her ability to charm every man she met down the aisle. Not for one moment had she suspected he might want an altogether different sort of wife.

It felt strange to recall the level of devotion she had felt for him when she was sixteen. For though she could still remember that girl clearly, she could no longer feel and think as she had once done. The emotions which had coursed through her veins like fire were nothing more than embers now, as familiar and faded as the shadows of the pine trees which fell across her and Rhett as they rode along.

Time had crept up on her when she wasn't looking, altering her mind and heart as much as it had her body. She realised with a pang of melancholy that her sixteen-year-old self was forever lost to her now. The girl who had lived only for beaus and balls would be no happier having to ride these lanes with a man who wasn't Ashley than her twenty-nine-year-old self would be to ride them with him.

So much had changed in the last thirteen years, and not all of it for the better. But while Scarlett would never take the name Mrs. Wilkes or turn into a great lady like Ellen, there were plenty of new dreams that had risen to take their place. Dreams like carrying on Gerald's legacy at Tara and becoming a better mother to her children. Most importantly of all there was Rhett. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, sitting astride his horse like a cowboy, heading out to tame the desert and conquer unknown worlds.

He looked so handsome in his navy suit and white cravat. It set off his bronzed body and dark hair to perfection. Gone were the sagging cheeks and puffy, red-rimmed eyes brought on by years of hard living. In their place were tight, tanned skin and a blinding slash of a smile. He still cut a dashing figure at forty-five, Scarlett mused, clutching Trix's reins to stop herself from reaching out and touching him.

Up ahead, the path began to open up, the trees on the left-hand side giving way to the river. Bringing Trix to a halt, Scarlett dismounted and tied his reins to a near-by stump. Rhett followed close behind. Having safely secured his mare, he strolled over to stand beside Scarlett at the water's edge.

It had not rained for weeks, and the usually fast-flowing river had been reduced to a sluggish stream, its waters dyed ochre by the rusty Georgian soil.

'Did you come here often growing up?' Rhett asked, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

'Every week,' she said with a fond smile. 'Brent and Stu were forever dragging me up here to mess around. I spent most of my time watching them jumping back and forth over the river, fighting to see who'd be the first to fall in.'

'Why do I have the feeling you outlasted them both?'

'Because you're a very smart man,' Scarlett replied coquettishly, her eyelids fluttering faster than her heartbeat as she stared up at him.

Rhett barked out a laugh at her exaggerated display, 'You know your belle-like tactics are wasted on me.'

'Are you sure about that, Rhett?' Scarlett asked, as his arms snaked out to encircle her waist.

'Quite sure,' he murmured, pulling her close and burying his face in her neck.

Scarlett leant into him and shut her eyes, breathing in his warm, smoky scent.

'I missed you,' she confessed, unable to hold it in any longer.

Rhett froze, his body turning to stone beneath her hands.

'Rhett?'

He shook himself, pulling back to stare at her.

'You did?'

Scarlett nodded, feeling suddenly nervous. 'Did you not...did you miss me too?'

Rhett rocked forwards to rest his forehead against hers. 'Every single day.'

Scarlett blushed. 'Truly?'

'Yes, honey. It was torture to be away from you for so long. To not know how you were or who you were with, if you were thinking about me or if you'd forgotten me entirely.'

Scarlett laughed. 'I'd hardly be likely to forget you! I'm too young for that yet.'

'Always so literal, my pet! How I've missed the singular way your mind works! I meant I feared you might have forgotten your love for me. It's what drove me to drink myself into oblivion three days ago. Anything to put off having to ride here and find out for sure.'

'I'd never forget that,' she promised. 'You've always said I was the most stubborn woman you've ever known, Rhett. Well, now my heart is set on you and there's no unfixing it.'

He answered her declaration with a kiss, the sweetest they'd ever shared.

'How was Charleston?' Scarlett asked when they pulled apart.

'Charleston is as Charleston always has been and surely always will be,' he replied nonchalantly, his hands busy running through her wind-tousled hair. 'It's genteel and sedate and full of the very respectability and calm dignity that I had convinced myself I wanted after our marriage wore me out. I put my time there to good use. I reconnected with my mother and my sister and experienced more charm and culture in those six months than I did during my entire decade in Atlanta. It helped me to confront the past too. I was finally able to forgive my father and make my peace with Bonnie's death.'

Scarlett paled at his words, fearful that there was no place for her in the new life Rhett had built for himself.

Sensing her distress, Rhett pressed a kiss amongst her curls. Leaning close, he whispered rakishly in her ear, 'But once I had achieved all that, I couldn't get out of there fast enough.'

Shocked, Scarlett pulled away from him. 'What do you mean?'

Rhett smiled and laid his palm against her cheek, 'What I mean, my dear, is that while I may have needed a temporary respite to clear my head and regain my strength, I am not cut out for life in Charleston in the long term. As crass as your definition was, I'm afraid I must admit you were correct when you deemed my dear childhood home to be rather dull.'

Overcome with relief, happy laughter bubbled up in Scarlett's throat.

'Oh, Rhett, you poor thing,' she choked out amidst her giggles, unable to resist teasing him a little more, 'were you really so very bored?'

'You have no idea, my pet. There was so little opportunity for mischief that I sincerely feared I was turning into a proper gentleman.'

'Surely not!' Scarlett cried with feigned indignity.

'You are right to sound horrified, my dear,' Rhett replied dryly, 'I too found it an extremely distressing turn of events.'

'It can't have been all bad, it is a very beautiful city and the people aren't too terrible,' Scarlett said magnanimously, willing to praise Charleston now she was assured Rhett didn't want to return there.

'Indeed,' Rhett conceded, 'but then I suspect my ennui had less to do with the people who were there and everything to do with the one person who wasn't.'

Scarlett's eyes widened at his admission while Rhett's grew earnest.

'It took a little while for me to see sense, my pet, but my time away proved that I can never truly be happy without you. We may not be able to change our past, but we do have the power to forgive ourselves for it. If you'll let me, I want to try, Scarlett. That's why I came back, why I'm stood here now in front of you, because the only future I want, indeed the only future that I'm even remotely interested in, is the one lived by your side.'

Scarlett searched hopelessly for a response that would do justice to the foreign, overwhelming emotions that were threatening to explode out of her chest. But words had always been Rhett's speciality, not hers. In lieu of a speech, she drew him down for a kiss into which she poured her whole heart and soul, letting her body communicate what her mind could not.

She saw Rhett startle as her tongue slipped into his mouth, heard him groan when she wrapped her arms around his neck and felt him stop breathing altogether when she rubbed her body against his. Scarlett grasped at Rhett's arms, pulling him against her harshly while knowing deep down that he would never be able to get close enough.

The force of her desire pushed them off balance. Scarlett stumbled backwards, fear breaking through her lustful haze at the thought that the river lay only a few steps behind. To prevent her from taking an unexpected bath, Rhett wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off of the ground. Spinning round, he walked her backwards until she hit up against the trunk of a resplendent redbud tree.

Its dark pink blossoms were on full display, surrounding Scarlett's head and making her feel as if she was floating amongst the clouds at sunset. Lowering her back onto solid ground, Rhett's hands caressed her body as his lips attacked her mouth. The sharply contrasting sensations were dizzying.

Scarlett ran her fingers down Rhett's torso, enjoying the way his stomach muscles jumped and clenched under her scrutiny. Reaching round, she dragged her hands down his back, pulling him against her and shuddering against the sweet onslaught of pressure it set off between her thighs.

Scarlett panted when Rhett's lips left hers, drawing in ragged breaths as she fought to regain her composure, only for her husband to strip it away again by laying messy, open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and neck, pulling her skin into his mouth and sucking on it lightly.

Her fingernails digging ruthlessly into his trousers, Scarlett bent her head back against the tree to give him more room to explore. A shower of petals fell around them like confetti at a wedding, painting them both pink. Rhett chuckled and shook them off his head, before dipping down to kiss that sensitive hollow where Scarlett's neck met her chest.

Warm, liquid sensation pooled in the pit of Scarlett's stomach. She bucked shamelessly into his body, offering herself up like a gift.

'Not here,' Rhett said, his words throwing ice cold water over Scarlett's rising desire.

'Why not?' she asked, terrified that he no longer wanted her that way.

'I've dreamed about this moment on a thousand lonely nights, Scarlett. I refuse to let it play out against a tree, and a cursed one at that. We've already had enough bad luck for one lifetime.'

'Don't you think it's beautiful, Rhett?' she asked, disappointed he did not appreciate the rich bounty Tara had to offer.

'Immensely so, but then the most beautiful things are often the most dangerous. Take yourself, for example.'

Scowling at his teasing, she scoffed. 'Dangerous? I hardly think a tree is capable of hurting you, Rhett. Unless I were to break off a branch and whack you with it, which, believe me, grows more tempting by the minute.'

His black eyes dancing in the sunlight, Rhett laughed and began methodically removing all the fallen blossoms from her hair.

'Have you not heard the story of the redbud tree, Scarlett? You shock me. I'd have thought a devout Irish Catholic like yourself would have been brought up on it.'

Her eyes slipping shut at the soothing feel of his fingers combing methodically through her hair, Scarlett suppressed a yawn, and said, 'Tell it to me.'

'If you insist, although I must warn you that it is not a cheery tale.'

'Tell it to me anyway,' Scarlett said, snuggling back against the bark like a dog stretching itself out in front of the fire.

As if charmed by the sight, Rhett stole a kiss before beginning his story.

'Once upon a time, long before sinners like you and I were born, the blossom of redbud trees used to be as dazzling and flawlessly white as newly fallen snow.'

Scarlett cracked open one eye. 'Really?'

'Really.'

'Why did they change?'

Rhett laughed. 'If you stop interrupting, I'll tell you.'

Clamping a hand over her mouth, Scarlett closed her eyes.

'Thank you, my dear. One day, a man called Jesus was born - I assume you've heard of him?'

Rolling her eyes, Scarlett pointed to the hand still covering her mouth.

'Ah, yes, forgive me. So this man Jesus taught people to be kind, to love one another, to put the last first and the first last - you'd never have seen eye to eye with him, my pet,' Rhett chuckled, taking advantage of her self-imposed silence to tease her mercilessly. 'His philosophy changed the world, but it could not change the mercenary heart of one of his own followers. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Romans for thirty pieces of silver - a poor deal by anyone's standards. You'd have demanded double.'

'I would not!' Scarlett cried, horrified by his blasphemy.

'Shh! No interrupting, remember,' he said, lifting his own hand to cover her mouth.

Scarlett shivered at the contact and fell silent, her temper replaced by raw need.

'Judas' dastardly actions led to Jesus being put to death on the cross. Judas was wracked with guilt. He found it impossible to live with what he'd done. Driven half mad by remorse, he walked out into the wilderness and hung himself from a redbud tree. Perhaps he hoped its pure white bloom would cleanse his blackened soul, but it was not to be. Instead, the blood Judas had on his hands seeped into the blossoms, staining them red forever more.'

Scarlett frowned, tugging at Rhett's hand to make him release her. When he refused, she parted her lips and bit down on the flesh of his palm.

'You little savage!' he exclaimed, his pupils dilating as he dropped his hand.

'But they're pink, Rhett.'

'What are?'

'The blooms. How can they be dyed with Judas' blood when they are pink and not red?'

Taking in her earnest expression, Rhett threw back his head and laughed loud enough for Mammy to hear him back at Tara.

'You delight me, my pet. It's astonishing how a mind so sharp can simultaneously be so obtuse. Present you with a practical problem that has stumped the most learned of scholars and you'll have it solved in two minutes flat, but offer up the simplest metaphor or artistic flourish and you're as lost as those poor souls who entered the labyrinth before Theseus.'

'Who's Theseus?'

Rhett smiled. 'No one you need worry about, Scarlett. I would not have you change for all the money in Christendom. They can keep their thirty pieces of silver; your innocence is far more precious to me.'

Backing her into the tree, Rhett rocked their bodies together, rolling his hips against hers until her vision blurred and her heartbeat raced. Tilting her chin up, he devoured her mouth. Rhett's hands slipped down to cup her breasts, his thumbs sweeping over silk and skin in a series of wide circles which gradually narrowed until they came to rest directly over her hardening nipples.

He toyed with them, first pinching, then soothing, then pinching again. It was driving Scarlett to distraction. His hips kept on rolling too, building up to a constant, unrelenting rhythm that made her widen her stance and clutch him close.

Rhett moved his leg between hers, lifting her up and settling her back down so that her centre was flush against the top of his thigh, bearing down upon it with a pressure that built every time he rocked forward.

'Rhett!' she cried out, throwing back her head and grinding down on him.

Cradling her neck in his hands, Rhett placed his thumbs under her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. His eyes were wild, their black depths aflame. Scarlett stared into them for as long as she could, holding his gaze until the pleasure grew too great and she had no choice but to close her eyes and surrender to it.

Writhing against him, Scarlett gave herself over to the sharp sweetness of her release.

'Beautiful,' Rhett whispered, guiding her through the peak with his kisses.

As the last of the sensation slipped away, Scarlett blinked heavily and lifted herself off Rhett. As the world returned, Scarlett remembered where she was, mortified that anyone could have ridden past and seen her.

Sensing her embarrassment, Rhett held her close and stroked his hand down the length of her spine.

'I apologise for the strength of my ardour,' he said, somehow managing to sound both sheepish and utterly unrepentant. 'Sometimes I forget myself when caught up in the midst of your innumerable charms.'

Nodding tightly, Scarlett turned her face away towards the river.

'You lied to me,' she said.

Rhett's frowned. 'When?'

'When you said you were in danger of becoming a respectable gentleman,' Scarlett replied, a small, shy smile lighting up her already flushed face.

Rhett grinned rakishly. 'Remember to thank God for it in your prayers tonight.'

'Rhett!' Scarlett slapped his chest in reproach, struggling to keep her laughter at bay.

Taking her hand, they walked over to their horses. Not unlike their owners, the two creatures had softened their stance towards each other. Either Ruby had lost her antagonistic streak or Trix had grown to like it. Scarlett's money was on the second option.

Stroking Trix's satin cheek, Scarlett untied his reins from the stump.

'Shall we continue the tour?' Rhett asked as they remounted, content to give her control over the rest of their day.

Scarlett hesitated. Though she wanted to continue showing him round the county, now that she was more certain of Rhett's regard, she was impatient to present him to her family. She wanted to see him take up his rightful place in her home and reassure herself that he was here to stay.

She thought of how delighted Wade and Ella would be to see him and the decision was made for her. There would be plenty of time for her to be alone with Rhett in the days to come, but right now her children needed to see him more.

'Can we wait until tomorrow?'

'Finally ready to share me with the others?' Rhett smirked.

'No,' she answered truthfully, 'But I think it's about time I reintroduced you to everyone, don't you?'

'By all means, lead on,' Rhett said, holding his arm out to let her go first.

Scarlett took up his invitation with only the smallest tinge of reluctance, urging Trix into a trot as she wondered what sort of welcome they would receive up at the big white house on the hill.