Dear readers, hello! :)

Thank you all for your reviews and your thoughts, it's a pleasure to read them!

To answer your question about the piece of paper with the terms of the deal, it is all harmless. After all, all the wording is vague, no hints. Even if someone reads this, Scarlett is unlikely to be humiliated.

But, stories don't have nothing for nothing:)

Okay, we have Old Frank and Suellen's wedding today. Ah, how I wish I could read that in the novel and to save Scarlett from that awful marriage... Well, I can do it here, which is fine.

It's a long chapter, I think it's the longest I've written in a while, haha.

Enjoy reading! :)

I own nothing in regard to GWTW.

P. S. Oh, and I like this Melanie... Sometimes she can act like that and talk like that, too.

Chapter 6.

Rhett Butler stood in his hotel room and thoroughly examined himself, his suit in the mirror. The black suit was fitted perfectly, and the cream-coloured, knotted scarf around his neck completed his elegant look.

He was going to Frank Kennedy and Scarlett's sister's wedding, and of course his main purpose was not to congratulate the bride and groom, but to spend time with her. To dance, to hold her in his arms legally and not be afraid to hold her closer than the rules of etiquette allowed.

Rhett grinned and remembered that he had easily found a way to get to this event without being a relative or friend, like the hated Wilkes, who was also supposed to be there with Miss Melly.

One day, picking Scarlett up a month before the party, he simply handed her a box, "for your dear Sister Suellen," he said in a cheerful tone, catching her surprised look and knowing that Scarlett disliked her sister and would be angry.

Scarlett opened the box with interest and almost gasped in surprise, when she saw the lovely white coloured silk.

"I think she'll have time to make a proper dress for the occasion, because a wedding is such an important event in a woman's life, and if you're lucky it's a once-in-a-lifetime event," he reasoned, seeing her frown and waiting eagerly for her reaction.

Scarlett envied Suellen for a moment, but then she imagined Frank Kennedy and his hands and was glad she wasn't a bride, but replied with a sweet smile, "Thank you, Rhett, I think my sister will be over the moon," and then after a moment's thought she added, "and from the looks of it, I've already been lucky enough to get married once and I would be glad if it didn't happen to me again," she finished, grinning and turned to carry the box into the house, not noticing his frown gaze.

"You'll be a wife. And only my wife," he thought seriously to himself as he stared after her.

A week later, however, he received a letter in his own name from her sister, who thanked him profusely for the fabric and invited him to a party to be held in the ballroom of the old hotel. As Rhett had learnt from Scarlett, only her father and young sister, the Wilkes, Will and Frank's elderly sister would be at the church, and the rest of the guests would be waiting for them at the party.

Rhett was already looking forward to the evening, he couldn't wait to see what she would look like. Of course, he could find and give her the finest fabrics in Georgia and the South, but he knew she wouldn't accept it out of pride. He could see how proud she was of working and pulling the whole family along. Yes, Scarlett was tired, he could see that she didn't get enough sleep, and he didn't know why, but she was proud of herself. And he was insanely proud of her.

He'd always wanted just the kind of woman for himself-beautiful and smart. The only thing, that both saddened and protected him, was her emotional blindness. She was completely oblivious to his eloquent glances and occasional gestures, and she believed everything he said.

Rhett took another look at himself, picked up a small velvet pouch from the nightstand, smirked, pocketed it and left the room.

Tom, who had also been lucky enough to be invited, was waiting for him downstairs in the foyer. Frank Kennedy had once made a small order of wood for an addition to his house and had stopped by the sawmill, where he had chatted cheerfully with both Scarlett and Tom, and had finally invited him to his wedding.

As Rhett watched Old Frank, he chuckled at his excitement over his impending marriage.

"Hello, Rhett," Tom said to him, held out his hand, looked over his perfect suit and grinned, "and you don't change your habits, and how have you not married yet?"

"Have you?" parried Rhett, looking over his neat brown suit.

Tom grinned and said, "And I expect to get married soon, I want to meet a woman, settle down."

"Good luck finding one," chuckled Rhett as they left the hotel.

They waited in silence for the carriage, and then, as they sat down, Tom suddenly said, "I think you've already found your woman?"

Rhett stared blankly out the window, and Tom continued more confidently, "You know, I'm tired of watching your daily 'I don't love Scarlett' act. Get it over with, Rhett. Just admit it to her."

"And then what, Tom?" asked Rhett abruptly, turning to him.

"What?" interjected Tom in surprise, "Like what? Get married and you'll have lots of little Butlers," he finished, laughing.

"Tom, this woman doesn't need this, don't you get it?" asked Rhett and stared out the window again. The day was nearing sunset.

"What does she need, Rhett? Or who?" asked Tom seriously.

Rhett only remained silent. He himself didn't fully know what she wanted. He could only imagine from her answers and stories that she was feeling a state of intense insecurity. That she wished she didn't have to worry about money, about food. That she wished she could see her father healthy. She wanted protection, but not love. And he wanted love.

The silence lengthened, and Tom decided not to insist on talking. He could see that Rhett was madly in love, but Scarlett didn't notice it at all, behind his jokes and their constant quarrels. Besides, it seemed to Tom that there was a personal and long story between the two of them, and he didn't want to get involved. But he couldn't stand lying, and his tongue always failed him, so he wanted Rhett not to play with the girl. "It's none of my business," he thought once again, distracted by the ride.

Scarlett stood next to Melanie at the far end of the great hall and looked round once more.

"Simple but beautiful," was her mental verdict. Everything was old, but tidy.

The old parquet, she had danced on so many times during the war, the battered crystal chandelier decorated with flowers and branches, the walls draped with fabric that Frank had donated from his shop. Everything in the room suggested that hardship was no concern of the Southerners. Their dignity and pride remained with them.

Scarlett, on the other hand, reflected and thanked the heavens that she had a job, food on her and her family's table, and money for at least the bare necessities. She didn't care about dignity, honour and pride. When your son has something to eat the next day, that's what made her happy. "Why don't I feel the same as these ladies?" she thought as she watched Melanie, India, who came from Macon and the other Atlanta young ladies. All were in overstitched dresses, but it was as if they didn't notice it.

Scarlett ran her hands over the soft green velvet of her new dress and her heart beat faster at the realization that she looked more beautiful than the others and was catching the eyes of the men in the balroom again, just like in the old days.

Aunt Pitty, a couple of weeks before the ball, had decided to thank her niece, who had made them eat better, who had even given her some money and she had not had to have any contact with her obnoxious brother Henry.

Embarrassed, she approached her niece at breakfast and handed her a paper bundle, opening it, Scarlett gasped. It was a piece of dark green, soft velvet, which she even stroked with her hand.

"Auntie, where did this come from?" asked Scarlett, not taking her eyes off the fabric.

"It's from the dowry my mother collected," the old lady confessed embarrassed, "it's a small chest I took with me to Macon and recently decided to go through. And since I'm not getting married," chuckled Aunt Pitty, "and the cut won't fit me for a dress now, my figure... Hmm... My figure has changed a little since my youth, Dear... And, let it be my gratitude to you, Scarlett," she finished her speech with a smile.

Scarlett thanked her old aunt affectionately, "Sometimes Aunt Pitty is good for you," she thought as she fell asleep that night.

That same weekend in Tara they started sewing the dress, from old patterns and Scarlett's idea. A very modest neckline in the front, so as not to draw attention to her breasts, which, due to constant starvation, were the first to change.

But her back, with its snow-white skin and a couple of moles that looked like constellations, was very attractive. Her posture was proud, as her mother had taught her.

She had a long argument with Mammy, who was unhappy with the neckline on her back, which was deep, but within etiquette, revealing her shoulder blades only halfway.

Eventually Melanie settled their argument by telling Mammy that "Scarlett could always throw a thin shawl over the top." Old maid frowned but agreed, and Scarlett only grinned, knowing that she would not be taking any shawl for the evening.

This dress was a manifesto first and foremost to herself, that she was a survivor, beautiful and moving forward! It was also to stick it to Rhett Butler, in the fact that he had given such a royal gift to her noxious sister, obviously knowing it would made her angry.

Now, standing in the ballroom next to Melanie, who was chirping like a little bird, Scarlett glanced nervously at the entrance, knowing that Rhett would arrive soon. She wondered how he would react, and after his speech about her being unattractive, she was eager to prove him (and herself) wrong!

With a glass in her hand, Scarlett decided to distract herself and looked around.

She missed not only her mother at this ball, though she tried not to think about that, but also her boisterous father, who had left after the ceremony at the church to go back to Tara with Carreen and Will, who didn't want to be at the party either, preferring a quiet evening with the book or Bible in case of her youngest sister.

Here was the new Mrs Kennedy, her sister, who no longer needed to be supported! "Let poor Frank deal with her nasty temper now," thought Scarlett, smirking.

Frank Kennedy, however, looked extremely happy as he put his arm around his young wife's waist. Scarlett cringed her nose slightly at the thought of intimacy with this man and thanked heaven she was a widow.

There were the Atlanta girls, there were the Meriwether's, and "Oh, what a disaster, Maybelle's pregnant again," Scarlett thought and shuddered inwardly. Babies weren't for her. They needed to be fed, raised. She had Wade and that was enough, she decided to herself.

India was talking to some older lady and looked even cute with her new hairstyle. The Tarleton ladies, the only neighbours who could come.

"Ah, it's a pity Tony Fontaine didn't come, he would have been fun," Scarlett thought sadly, but the Fontaines were all sick with the fever, even their strong grandmother, and sent their apologies.

And then Scarlett, glancing the room, looked again towards the entrance and saw Rhett and Tom appearing out of nowhere. Rhett was much taller than his friend, but both were handsome. "Especially the obnoxious man," she thought quickly.

Scarlett met Rhett's gaze, gave him a slight nod of greeting, and turned her back to the door unobtrusively, continuing to talk with Melanie, trying to shift her attention to Uncle Henry and Ashley, who were standing nearby, talking quietly with Dr Meade.

As soon as Rhett entered the hall, the first eyes whose gaze he met were hers. He nodded quickly and ran his eyes eagerly over her figure, over the dark green velvet dress that was obviously new.

He had barely had time to think that it was too simple, though it suited Scarlett, when she turned her back to them, and a wave of desire washed over him.

Her naked back. Snow-white skin that he immediately wanted to touch, and not just with his hands... Oh, he would kiss every inch of her skin, every mole...

"This woman obviously knows what she's doing," Rhett thought with admiration and quickly walked over to the newlyweds with Tom, wished them happiness and headed for her, leaving Tom to talk to Frank Kennedy.

She felt his approach by the goosebumps that appeared on her naked back. She felt his gaze on her skin, and it got her nervous, for she'd never felt this way with any man before. It had started at their first meeting on barbecue at Twelve Oaks, and Scarlett didn't understand why it was Rhett and his gaze. Not Ashley, not the twins, not any of her beaux...

The light touch of his warm palm on her waist, subtle and clearly out of etiquette, but no one noticed.

"Good evening, Ladies," he said, removing his hand and giving them a slight bow and standing to the side of her.

Melanie smiled affectionately at him and Scarlett didn't know how to meet his gaze without betraying her excitement, watching him look at her expectantly from the side.

"Be courage, Scarlett," she thought, "it's just Rhett."

It took her a few moments to pull herself together, but she turned to him and smiled radiantly, saying, "Good evening, Rhett."

Rhett looked at her intently and continued with a sly smile, "What a lovely party, the bride and groom are glowing with happiness!"

"What a speech, Rhett Butler," Scarlett thought, gave him an expressive look and then giggled.

Rhett caught her gaze and, realizing that she didn't believe his speeches for a second, he grinned.

"How I agree with you Captain Butler, the newlyweds are so happy and Suellen is simply radiant and not without your help," Melanie looked at him slyly.

As she began to praise Rhett and his generosity, Scarlett rolled her eyes in boredom and looked around the room. Rhett saw her reaction to Mrs Wilkes' praise and smirked again, but kept the conversation polite, discreetly following Scarlett with his eyes. He didn't plan on giving up dancing with her for a moment to any man in this ballroom. To have someone else's palm touch his woman's naked back, even by accident! No, that's not going to happen!

"Excuse me Mrs Wilkes, may I speak to Mrs Hamilton in private, it's about work and it's boring," Rhett asked Melanie with a polite smile and Scarlett flinched when she heard her name.

Melanie only nodded and Rhett pointed Scarlett towards the garden exit through the French doors nearby.

"Rhett, it's cool in here," Scarlett was the first to speak, going out of the ballroom, shivering slightly from the cold evening air, "and, if the conversation is long, work-related, then..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she felt the weight of his jacket on her shoulders, which he carefully threw over her shoulders from behind.

"That's better, isn't it, Scarlett?" she heard his quiet voice and turned, facing his dark eyes.

Rhett stared at her for a few moments, looking over her face and fighting the urge to kiss her, then, clearing his throat, he said, "You look marvellous tonight, Scarlett."

She smiled and then asked with a sly squint, "And don't you feel like feeding me, Rhett? Like a cat?"

He grinned and said, "Still do, Scarlett, you're very thin. No, no, don't frown your pretty face, for you know it yourself, Honey," he finished in an affectionate tone.

Scarlett frowned anyway, then decided she didn't care about him, she'd have enough suitors tonight, so she asked, "What did you want, Rhett? To talk about work?"

"Scarlett," he continued in an affectionate voice, "satisfy my curiosity and tell me where have you got such a marvellous dress?"

Scarlett looked at him realizing he wouldn't let up and only replied, giggling, "It's Aunt Pitty's, it's her gratitude to me for... Mmm... For supporting her financially..."

Rhett looked at Scarlett in surprise and asked, "You're helping her too?"

"Of course, she's my aunt, my relative," she replied simply.

Rhett shook his head and asked, "Who else are you helping, may I ask, Scarlett?"

"Well there are also my aunts in Charleston, they're elderly and lonely..."

Rhett just thought, "God, that little, determined girl is pulling a load that not every man can handle..."

"Rhett," he heard his name and was distracted from his thoughts, "you wanted to talk about work? Any problems with the bills?"

He only smiled and said, "No, Scarlett, it wouldn't occur to me to spoil your evening with such talk. I just wanted to... Hmm... To follow Aunt Pittie's example and please you."

He leaned towards surprised Scarlett, practically hugged her to reach his jacket pocket, and then handed her a black velvet pouch.

"What is it, Rhett?" she asked with interest, looking at the pouch in her palm.

He only smiled and said, "I guess you'll have to untie it and see."

Scarlett tugged gently at the ribbons, untied them, and then with slender fingers pulled out of the pouch a dainty hair comb in silver, with small emeralds. Certainly very pretty, very stylish. Certainly obviously very expensive.

Scarlett gently stroked the scattering of stones with her fingers and didn't know what to say. How could she accept such a piece of jewellery from him?

"Say something Scarlett," she heard his cheerful voice, but with a note of concern, "Don't you like it?"

"Of course I do, Rhett," she replied quietly, eyeing the comb.

"Then why don't we try it on? It would go marvellously with the dress..." he said.

She was silent, not knowing what to say. The rules of etiquette and propriety clearly said that she should not accept such a gift from this man, but she disliked rules so much and loved beautiful things so much...

"It's just a gift, Scarlett," Rhett said calmly, watching her eye the comb incredulously.

"Thank you," was her reply and a cautious smile.

"Then let me," he said quietly and carefully taking the comb from her palm, he put it on her hair, gently touching the strands.

He looked into her eyes and smiled, as he had when he tried to tie the ribbons of the green bonnet he had brought her from Paris during the war.

Scarlett smiled back at him, wondering what to say, but then they heard the sound of music from the ballroom and Rhett said, breaking the silence, "I think the dancing is about to begin. Would you be willing to dance with an attractive man, Scarlett?"

Scarlett looked at him slyly and shook her head, "No one has asked me yet, Rhett Butler."

"I'm talking about me, Darling..."

"God, of course I realize that," she replied with a laugh, "I'm just amazed at your arrogance!"

"And what is it that I'm arrogant about, Darling? Women find me very..." he began to say, smiling cheekily.

"Ah, shut up, Rhett! You always know how to make me angry! Come, I'll dance with you, so be it," she finished in a grumpy tone, and he only laughed and turned to go as she called out to him, "Rhett, jacket..."

He turned round and looked at her, so fragile in his big jacket, and suppressing his desire to hug her, only said, "Yes, right..."

Then she carefully removed his jacket and handed it to him.

As she watched Rhett put on his jacket and then tried to adjust both, it and the silk scarf around his neck, she smiled, stepped a little closer to him and said, reaching out her hands to the lapels of his jacket, "Let me, Rhett, there's no mirror..."

He froze and stood silently, almost breathless, while she adjusted his jacket and the knot in his scarf. These were not easy gestures for him, it was a very personal and intimate moment that he had not allowed any woman before her to do. Once Belle had wanted to help him and he remembered recoiling from her with the words and a nervous smile, "I'll do it myself, baby..."

"Done," Scarlett pronounced and looked up at him, smiling.

"Thank you," he uttered, and letting her pass forward into the hall, followed her.

They were clearly the most colourful couple, outshining everyone else as they danced. Rhett held her a little tighter than necessary and all the while his hand somehow travelled from her waist up to the edge of the neckline on her back.

"Rhett," she hissed, "behave yourself! The old matrons are keeping an eye on us, and I don't want any trouble!"

Rhett only laughed and entertained her with jokes as they danced.

"Mrs Meade is wearing too much perfume tonight, aren't you, Scarlett?" he asked her during another dance.

Scarlett looked up in surprise and asked, "How did you guess? You haven't been hanging out with her Rhett, from the looks of it, you're mostly around Tom."

"I saw her walk up to you and Miss Melly and you wrinkled your nose a little and then touched it lightly with your finger," he said, smiling slyly at her.

Scarlett only looked at him with round eyes of surprise, "Do you really know what I'm thinking all the time, Rhett?"

He only smiled at her.

All evening, Rhett watched like a hawk for other suitors and wouldn't let anyone dance with her, outrunning them all. During another break, when Scarlett was talking with Melanie and Ashley, who was also suddenly with them, Rhett was alone.

At the same time, Scarlett watched Tom clearly engrossed in conversation with India, who was even trying to flirt, judging by her looks and smiles. "Why," thought Scarlett, "maybe Tom would be a good fit for India? He's serious, kind, well mannered. Yes, his height is his disadvantage, but India doesn't seem to care...Yes, she isn't in a position to choose... Hmmm..." she continued to ponder, glancing at the couple and didn't immediately hear Melanie calling her affectionately.

"What is it Melly?" she asked, tearing her gaze away from Tom and India.

"Scarlett, I was telling Ashley that you and Captain Butler are obviously having a good time, but, Honey, he can't solely use your attention... Scarlett, there may be talks."

Scarlett sighed and looked doomedly at Melanie.

"Melly..."

"Honey, I'm not judging you. Look, dance with Ashley now, it will be the right thing, okay?"

Ashley, who had previously heard from the conversation with a frown suddenly brightened and gallantly offered his hand to Scarlett. She took it, smiling affectionately.

"Just like old times," he told her with a kind smile, and twirled her in a waltz.

Rhett saw Ashley take Scarlett's hand gently and soon had her twirling in a waltz. Jealousy flooded his heart, he couldn't seem to breathe. That look in her eyes. Her eyes lit up at the phrases he said to her. "She looks like an idiot! An idiot in love!" he thought angrily to himself, and was about to leave the hall and go to Belle. Everything seemed to be in vain, all their talks, all their time together, but never once had she looked at him like that!

Furious, Rhett set his glass down on the table and was on his way out when he felt a light touch on his shoulder.

When he turned round, he saw the kind look of brown eyes, and Melanie smiled at him and said, "Captain Butler, you're not leaving yet, are you?"

Rhett only grinned crookedly, amazed at how this saintly woman tolerated the behaviour of her husband and her sister-in-law.

Melanie, on the other hand, continued, a little embarrassed, but he could hear from her tone that she was determined.

"Captain Butler, I asked Ashley to dance with Scarlett, they are childhood friends, but the last time they danced was before the war, can you imagine?"

Rhett looked at her in surprise and only thought, "With his wife's blessing..."

Melanie continued, "If you don't mind, Captain Butler, I'm going to break a little etiquette and ask you to invite me to dance," she finished her sentence a little embarrassed, but she needed to talk to him, without arousing suspicion or attracting attention.

Rhett looked at her in surprise, but smiled affectionately and took her hand.

As they began to dance, not far from Ashley and Scarlett, Melanie decided to discuss the important thing.

"Captain Butler, you see, you and my sister-in-law are the brightest couple in this room," she began to say with an affectionate smile.

Rhett looked at her perplexed and only replied, "Mrs Hamilton has always been bright, even in mourning..."

"Anyway, Captain Butler," she interrupted him, "there'd be a lot of rumours about you and her if you hadn't let any men dance with her tonight, and that's exactly what you were doing, wouldn't you say?"

Rhett remained silent.

Melanie continued, "So I asked Ashley to lighten the mood a little. But, Captain Butler, I have something to say to you personally about my sister-in-law and your treatment of her."

"And what is that, Mrs Wilkes?"

Melanie looked at him with an affectionate smile and began to say, "You see, Captain Butler, Scarlett is like a sister to me. More than a sister, it's my soul mate. She may bicker, she may not admit it, but what we've been through with her is between us forever."

Rhett only nodded, listening intently. The first round of the waltz ended and they began the second, but Scarlett and Ashley had gone back to their drinks and were talking, smiling.

"So," Melanie continued, "Scarlett is second only to Ashley and Beau, and she's very dear to me, you know?"

Rhett nodded, not taking his eyes off the other end of the room where the two were talking.

"And I want to ask you, or rather warn you, don't hurt her. Don't hurt her for her stubbornness and her will to survive, that saved all of us. Don't blame her for being Scarlett O'Hara!"

Rhett looked at Melanie, who was smiling affectionately, but saw, for probably the first time, the metallic glint in her eyes, and she added quietly the phrase, "After all, she doesn't blame you for being Rhett Butler."

For probably the first time since they'd met, Rhett was intrigued by Melanie's speech. It wasn't just polite conversation, but a warning or even a threat. This woman, in spite of her softness, upbringing and demeanour, was observant. "And she seems to have discovered my secret," he thought, smiling politely and nodding to Melanie, but nervously wondering if she would tell her sister-in-law.

As if in answer to his silent question Melanie added, "Captain Butler, I am in no way interfering with your relationship, it is none of my business. But I don't want to see my sister-in-law saddened and offended after your conversations. After your visit to Tara and your conversation, Scarlett was very upset. That's between you and me, of course. I was discouraged to hear what she had to say. I hope, Captain Butler, from now on you will behave like the gentleman I think you are," she finished her speech with a smile and Rhett could only reply, "Thank you for the advice, Mrs Wilkes."

"You're welcome. Now let's sit down, I think I'm getting dizzy, Captain Butler. You're a fine dancer."

Rhett smiled politely while he tried to comprehend the whole speech, everything Melanie had told him.

They walked over to Scarlett and Ashley, and Rhett saw Scarlett smile slightly at him, while Ashley turned serious.

"Will you dance with me again, Scarlett?" asked Rhett, looking intently into her eyes. She noted that he was smiling, but only with his lips, and his eyes were so... Incomprehensible to her again. She didn't know what he was feeling, but she knew instinctively that it was serious.

"I'll dance, Rhett," she told him politely, and when he wrapped his arms around her waist tighter than usual, she understood he was angry.

"You've got my full attention tonight, Rhett Butler," she said in a joking tone and added, to lighten the mood, "I remember only the twins made such a trick once. Stuart and Brent had distracted my other beaux one by one and I only danced with them," she chuckled at the memory.

Rhett was silent, leading her in a dance.

"There were two of them, and you managed to pull it off alone tonight, I'm flattered, Rhett," she tried to joke again.

He only remained silent.

"Rhett, drop the next phrase, please, I'm tired of talking to myself," she said suddenly quietly.

"Not alone, Scarlett," he said with a cold note in his voice.

"Excuse me, what?" she asked perplexed, trying to look into his eyes.

"I wasn't the only one you danced with tonight, Scarlett."

"Oh, that's right, we danced with Ashley," she said calmly, "Melanie asked him, and it was because of you, by the way! You're a varmint, Rhett and Melly is afraid there'll be a lot of rumours like we're attracting attention..." she explained to him.

"Yes," he answered her, "Mrs Wilkes said the same words to me. But it's to your advantage, Darling, isn't it?" he asked her and she could hear the sarcastic notes in his voice.

"What do you mean, Rhett?"

"Well, Scarlett, it's the wife herself who gives you permission to dance and cuddle with her husband," Rhett said and suddenly looked at her intently.

That look burned her and she blushed slightly.

"Shut up, Rhett. You don't know anything!" she raised her voice at him.

"I don't need to know, I just need to see the way you look at him! Like a lovesick fool!" he spoke, barely containing his rage and she felt his palm dig into her waist.

Scarlett cringed at his touch, it bordered on pain, and Rhett continued to speak, smiling at her, "And how did he buy you, Scarlett? With words? Anyone can babble!"

Scarlett gasped with indignation at the last phrase and answered him with fury, raising her voice, "You're the one who buys people, Rhett Butler!"

"Don't forget, Honey, everyone has a price," he said in a deliberately calm voice, but his hand never loosened its grip.

Scarlett, hearing the last phrase, could hardly breathe for fury and resentment! Fortunately, the music was just ending and she hissed at him, "So my price is too cheap, Rhett Butler! And let me go, you scoundrel! You're hurting me!"

With the last words she stopped, stepped on his foot on purpose and quickly released herself from his embrace, without waiting for the last sounds of music to subside, she walked away from him, straight into the garden, without looking back.