Thanks for all your feedback, I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Thanks to my beta reader MissTricey

Scarlett came out of the firehouse in complete confusion. Rhett couldn't help her. He was her only hope, and now, what should she do? She hated the thought that she might lose Tara, she couldn't imagine how she would leave her home and where they would all go. She was desperate.

While Scarlett was walking through the streets, it started to rain, and her dress got wet and heavy, which prevented her from walking faster. Moving along Washington Street, she heard the sound of hooves, turned around, and saw a buggy, after examining the driver, she realized that it was Frank Kennedy.

"Oh, Mr. Kennedy!" She waved at him, maybe he could take her to her aunt.

He stopped and she saw a smile on his face.

"Miss Scarlett! I'm so glad to see you. What are you doing here in the rain, hurry up, get in here" he jumped to the ground and helped her into the buggy. He fussed and clucked at her like a little girl, but now Scarlett didn't care, she was glad that she wouldn't have to walk all the way home.

He sat down next to her and whipped the horse.

"It's so nice to see you. I didn't know you were in town. Has anyone come with you?"

Scarlett realized he was thinking about Suellen.

"No, I came alone, I had some business here. I heard that you live in Marietta." Scarlett pretended to be very interested in talking to him.

"Didn't Miss Suellen tell you, I live in Atlanta now? And I managed to open my store, things are going well," he said proudly.

So he's got money. She thought about asking him for money to pay taxes but discarded this thought realizing that he would not give his earned money to her. Even if she was her fiancee's sister. Suellen definitely wouldn't agree to ask Frank for them, the most important thing for her was to get married as soon as possible.

Frank kept saying something and Scarlett had to listen.

"Some people say that I have a merchant's streak, and I plan to save up some more money and buy a mill," he said proudly.

"A mill?"

"Yes, Miss Scarlett, Atlanta is starting to recover and build, it's a gold mine."

But he was right, he will be able to earn a huge amount of money in a short time. Scarlett thought about it enviously. If she could buy a mill, she wouldn't need anything anymore.

For a second, she thought she should take Frank away from Suellen. Why should her ever-nagging sister get both a husband and money, and Scarlett should be left homeless? No, Suellen won't get Frank...

And then she looked at him again. He was already in his fifties, his hair was almost grey, and thick sideburns framed almost the entire face. He was sloppily dressed and slightly stooped. What could Suellen see in him? She tried to imagine how she would spend all her days, and most importantly nights, with this man for the rest of her life, and she felt sick. She couldn't imagine how he would touch her. Scarlett couldn't bear it and quickly dismissed the thought. It was too disgusting.

"Miss Scarlett, I'm going to the wedding of Mrs. Elsing's daughter tonight, would you like to accompany me?" He asked kindly.

Scarlett wanted to refuse at first but then changed her mind, it would be nice to talk to familiar people again and spend time in good company.

Scarlett returned from the Elsing`s quite early. It was nice to spend time with friends again, having pleasant conversations that distracted her from depressing thoughts about Tara.

She changed her clothes and climbed into bed to keep warm. The weather was terrible all day and it was so nice to get under a warm blanket and finally relax. Scarlett was too tired, too tired to think, she needed to sleep, and tomorrow she could decide what to do next.

She tossed and turned for the next hour trying to sleep, but it was useless. Irritably, Scarlett threw back the blankets, got up, and went to the window. The streets were empty, and the windows of the neighboring houses were dark. Everyone was already asleep. Suddenly, she saw a guy of about fifteen walking briskly to the porch of the house, looking around, he saw her in the window and waved to her.

Scarlett threw on a robe and pulled out a gun from a drawer she had brought with her from Tara. She lit a candle and quietly went downstairs to see who it was and what he needed.

When she went down to the first floor, she heard a soft knock. Scarlett put the candle and tightened her grip on the gun as she opened the door.

"Miss O'Hara?" this boy's face seemed familiar to Scarlett, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him. She nodded and he handed her a thick envelope.

"This is for you, miss"

Scarlett looked blankly from him to the envelope.

"Who was that?"

"She said you would understand, take it, I have to go." He shoved an envelope into her hand and quickly turned around to leave.

Scarlett closed the door, took a candle, and quickly went up to her room so that Aunt Pitty would not notice that she was wandering around the house in the middle of the night. She locked the door and sat on the bed looking at the envelope. It was big and quite heavy. She tore it open and saw the money inside. Scarlett couldn't believe it, she frantically, with shaking hands, began to count and realized there were six hundred dollars. Six hundred! It could only be one person. Rhett!.. Rhett helped her, and she closed her eyes and laughed. He got the money for her.

But suddenly she froze. She remembered what that guy said, "she said you'd understand" SHE. And then Scarlett remembered, this guy accompanied Belle Watling when she traveled around the city before the war. Bell Watling! Rhett Butler's mistress gave her money. Scarlett was dizzy, it was money from a brothel... She wanted to go back to Rhett's prison and throw that money in his face. How dare he, how dare he do something like that! She jumped up and began pacing the room, she wanted to scream with rage.

After a while, she calmed down and sat back on the bed looking at the money. The amount was much more than she asked for. If she takes this money, she can afford not only to pay the tax, but also to buy clothes, and food... they won't starve anymore! Rhett's words he once said to her surfaced in her head: "I don't do anything for nothing, I charge for everything." What would he ask in return, what if he asked her to become his mistress again? Would she be able to agree, to fall so low? But today he warned her not to look for someone who could offer her something like that. Did he do this just to get her for himself?

All these thoughts gave her a headache. Tomorrow she would go to Rhett and find out. There was too much at stake, if she had to become his lover in order to save Tara, she would do it.

The next morning, Scarlett had to follow the same path she had followed yesterday. The only good thing was that the weather was much better. She saw again the same officer who had stood guard at the door yesterday. She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back.

"Good morning, ma'am. How can I help you today?"

"Oh, can I see your captain again?"

He silently opened the door for her and she met that officer again, whose name seemed to be Henry.

"Take the lady to the captain, Henry."

Five minutes later, she was waiting for Rhett to arrive. The Yankee captain was displeased with her arrival as before, but still allowed her to see him.

Rhett looked the same as yesterday, only this time he immediately asked the officers to leave them alone. Finally, they were alone, and Scarlett's heart was pounding. She saw the genuine joy of meeting her reflected on his face.

"Scarlett, you're here again. Is separation from me so unbearable for you that you can't live a day without seeing me?"

He was openly laughing at her.

"Oh, Rhett, stop teasing me. You know why I'm here today."

She approached him hesitantly, and then just hugged him. His arms immediately wrapped around her waist and she heard a sigh in her hair. It was very inappropriate to hug him like that and she pulled away, taking a small step away from him.

"Thank you, Rhett, I don't really know what else to say." He smiled at her.

"Are you feeling better now, Scarlett?"

"Of course Rhett, but it's too much..."

He came close to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"I don't want you to need anything, neither you nor your family. You should eat better, Scarlett" She blushed at his remark, realizing that he was right. But in the next second, she tensed and lowered her eyes.

"What's wrong, Scarlett? Look at me." He lifted her face. "Is this money not enough?" he frowned.

She just shook her head, not knowing how to ask the next question.

"Rhett, I... what do you want?" He looked at her questioningly.

"I'm afraid this is the first time, Scarlett, I don't understand what you're talking about"

"You gave me money... what do you want in return?" he laughed.

"Nothing," he replied simply.

Scarlett's brows furrowed. He laughed again, lowering his arms and pulling away from her.

"Who do you take me for, Scarlett? You're killing the last of my gentlemanly feelings. I decided to help a lady in need, and you're making me look in the worst possible light." He theatrically pressed his hand to his heart.

"But you said you always expect payment," she replied skeptically.

"Not this time," he said seriously.

Scarlett calmed down, he wasn't going to ask her for anything. But she didn't understand where this nobility came from. He didn't have to do that, he didn't owe her anything. At first, she thought he was really going to give her money on very interesting terms, but he said he didn't want anything, she was at a loss. Scarlett could have asked him why, of course, but she didn't want to look like a fool. And then she remembered that there was something else she wanted to ask.

"Money from Bell Watling Rhett?" there was a reproach in her question.

"First of all, it's not Bell's money, it's mine. And secondly, what does it matter where they come from, the main thing is that you got them," he replied a little rudely, as if she had offended him.

"Your money?"

Her mouth turned into a beautiful "o" when she realized what he was talking about. So the rumors that were wanted in Atlanta before the war were true. Rhett was the owner of a brothel. Her surprise showed on her face and Rhett laughed out loud.

"Yes, dear, I am the co-owner of a brothel, are you surprised? It seemed to me that you knew about it, or at least guessed it. Didn't the old cats of Atlanta discuss this in their sewing circles?"

Scarlett was shocked, the ladies had never discussed such things, and they shouldn't even have known that such houses existed.

"Well, Scarlett, again, does it really matter where this money comes from, the main thing is that you will now save Tara" he smiled good-naturedly.

She decided not to pursue the subject further and approached him herself.

"Rhett, nothing's going to happen to you because of this, right?" Scarlett was really worried.

"Are you worried about me Scarlett? It touches my soul."

"Why are you always laughing at me, Rhett? I'm really worried," she said reproachfully.

"Don't worry, they won't find out anything, it will be our secret...By the way, when are you coming home?" he decided to change the subject.

"My train is at noon today, I should probably leave, otherwise I might be late."

Scarlett hesitated, then reached out and kissed him on the cheek. She wanted to pull away, but he pulled her to him, bending over her.

"Dear, is such an innocent kiss all I deserve?" he was smiling brazenly at her face.

"Oh Rhett, don't be such a boor," but she didn't try to pull away from his embrace.

"Come on, Scarlett, kiss me, give me the memory I can keep, remembering you at night. Who knows when we'll see each other again"

His gaze burned, and his lips were so close, almost touched hers. It was too intense and Scarlett just closed her eyes. And at that moment, she felt his lips on her lips. Gentle and affectionate, giving peace of mind. Scarlett wrapped her arms around his neck and didn't want to let go.

When they pulled away from each other, she looked into his eyes, which were full of tenderness.

"See you later Rhett," she turned and headed for the door.

As she opened the door, she heard Rhett's question.

"Scarlett, I still haven't asked where you got that green dress?"

"My mom's Curtains"

As she was leaving the room, she heard Rhett's loud laughter.