Hello, Dear Readers!

As always, thank you for all your reviews and kind words, believe me, it is very inspiring!

So, I had planned this chapter to be longer, but as I was writing I decided to stop here. The whole chapter is a conversation between our heroes, doubts, fears... Let it stay that way.

Enjoy reading!:)

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Chapter 15

Scarlett drowned in his black eyes and tried to catch her breath. His question was asked, hanging between them like an invisible barrier. She was afraid to give the answer and he was afraid to hear it. But Rhett didn't let her out of his arms for a moment, knowing he wouldn't let her go, no matter how scared he was. And she didn't try to free herself, rather she was glad to have his strong arms holding her as her knees trembled.

The door to the veranda creaked open, Rhett shifted his gaze, and Scarlett's first thought was, "It's all gone... I'm disgraced, standing in the arms of a man... Oh, God..."

But Rhett seemed to wrap his arms around her more gently, and she noticed a slight smile on his lips.

"Are you both all right?" she heard Ross's familiar voice behind her back and thanked heaven it was him and not some town gossip.

"Yes, Ross," she heard Rhett's calm reply, but didn't dare turn around because she felt uncomfortable.

Scarlett heard footsteps behind her and realized she had to look Ross in the eye anyway, so she took a deep breath and turned carefully, feeling Rhett's arm around her waist.

She met his brother's satisfied and kind gaze and didn't know whether to scold him for the trap, he had set for her or to thank him...

"Then you'd better go now without saying goodbye, Rhett," Ross continued, handing him Scarlett's cape, "you see, Rosemary is actively looking for you for some reason, and our mother is looking for Scarlett to introduce to someone. But I don't think their search will be successful, and right now you two would be better to be alone," he said, smiling slightly and trying to catch Scarlett's gaze, who was silent, her hands tucked into the folds of her green skirt, looking anywhere but at him.

"Thank you, Ross," Rhett replied earnestly, then shook his brother's hand and turned to her, "I'll take you home, yes?"

Scarlett just nodded.

She felt him take her hand just as gently but firmly, and they walked quickly far from the mansion, through the garden to the lighted street, where they could still hear the clatter of wheels on cobblestones and the sound of horses' hooves.

Rhett quickly found a carriage for them, helped her into it, and sat down himself on the seat beside her.

He took a quick look at her, she looked so fragile in his jacket over her dress, her hair slightly dishevelled, and in the dark carriage he could see her eyes glistening.

Putting her cape aside, Rhett quickly took her hands in his, noticing that they were cold, and asked quietly, "Are you very cold?"

Scarlett just shook her head negatively, not looking at him. They were together, side by side, after all that had just been said, after the kiss, and perhaps she had never felt more confused in her short memory.

"Will you let me come in and talk to you?" she heard his soft, slightly anxious voice and just nodded. She knew that if they didn't talk properly tonight, she wouldn't be able to sleep a wink.

Rhett smiled, then gently brought her hands to his lips and kissed them. Scarlett felt a tingle in her fingertips and bit her lower lip nervously, causing Rhett, who was watching her, to hold his breath. She was worried and he read her like an open book at that moment. She cared...

Fifteen minutes later they were standing at the door of her house, where Rhett hadn't been since she'd moved in.

"First visit and I'm empty-handed," he tried to joke as she opened the door with the key. But he noticed the way her hand froze at the words and realized this was no time for jokes.

They stepped into the dimly lit hallway and Scarlett carefully removed his jacket from her shoulders before glancing at the clock. It was only nine.

"I guess Mary's tucking Wade in," Scarlett said thoughtfully, fixing her hair and catching his serious look in the mirror, she quickly averted her eyes.

"I have to go upstairs and check on the children, you can wait for me in the living room... "She wanted to call him by his name, but something stopped her.

Rhett nodded and walked quickly into the room.

Ella was sleeping peacefully with her pink blanket slightly thrown back, so Scarlett had to gently adjust it. The next bed was empty and she realized that their nanny was still with Wade. After the move, Mary slept in the nursery with little Ella, because Wade had asked for a separate room and Rhett had agreed, even though her son was to young for it in Scarlett's opinion. "We'll fill your room with men's things, won't we, Wade? What do we need dolls and frills for?" Rhett had cheerfully discussed it with him a few days before the move.

She'd been so angry at him that day for making decisions around her future house that she'd deliberately and loudly asked Ross for the names of good painters so she could "get that swampy paint out of my bedroom as soon as possible"! Scarlett knew Rhett liked the room and she wanted to tease him a little. She remembered how he stiffened for a moment, then grinned and reminded her that she wanted to wait until Christmas for such changes.

Scarlett took another look around the nursery and went into the next room where the door was ajar and Mary was quietly talking to a sleepy Wade.

"Mary," Scarlett called softly to her, and the maid gave her a worried look.

"Mummy," Wade called sleepily and she had no choice but to walk into the room, quickly stroke her son's hair and whisper, "Sleep, Wade, sleep, I'm home..."

Mary got up and they walked to the door, "Is something wrong Miss Scarlett? You're so early..."

"Yes... I mean, no... I mean... Mary, I just wanted to check the children. Downstairs Rhe... I mean, Captain Butler... He drove me home, we're going to talk a bit in the living room..." Scarlett didn't know why she was saying all this, but Mary just smiled and asked, "Can I make you some tea or coffee? The cook left a long time ago, you know..."

"No, no, Mary. You rest now. I was just saying if the children need anything, I'll..."

"Miss Scarlett, they're fine. So don't worry."

Scarlett gave a strained smile and went into her bedroom, where she nervously tried to fix her slightly dishevelled bundle, but her hands wouldn't listen. "Okay, calm down," she said to herself as she looked in the mirror, "that varmint must have come up with another joke. Calm down and go talk to him."

She took another look at herself and walked quickly to the living room.

But as she came to the ajar door, she saw Rhett pacing nervously by the window, looking out into the darkness of the evening, wanting several times to take a cigar from his pocket, only to find that his jacket had been left in the hall. He was wearing a white starched shirt, a black waistcoat and a silk scarf which he was constantly adjusting. "And why does this man always look so handsome?" she had a quick thought. Suddenly he sensed her presence, turned, and Scarlett, meeting his gaze, realized that there were no jokes and there would be none.

They looked at each other and she swallowed nervously, trying to smile but barely managing it. "I've got to say something," she thought, but Rhett beat her to it and walked quickly across the room, taking her by the waist, leading her over to the couch and sitting her down.

As he sat down beside her, he took her little hand and Scarlett dared to look him in the eye.

"So..." he said quietly.

"So..." she repeated after him, even more quietly.

"I think I said that..." Rhett cleared his throat slightly, realizing it was harder to say it a second time without knowing what she was thinking, but continued, "I said I love you, Scarlett..."

Her heart pounded again at the words he repeated, and she just nodded in response, to which he replied, "And out there on the veranda, I know, Scarlett, It didn't seem to me... And neither did you..."

"Rhett, that's enough... Please... I'm embarrassed..." she interrupted him confusedly, biting her lower lip slightly with excitement. She hadn't quite worked out how she felt herself, but remembering the way he had kissed her and held her against him, she could barely breathe and her cheeks were starting to turn pink.

He looked at her, saw her blush, which looked like embarrassment, and smiled.

"Okay, My Dear, then I'm going to ask you a question, can I count on my feelings being mutual?"

Scarlett looked at him seriously, with the determination that had always come to her rescue. She knew she felt something special for him, sometimes bright, sometimes tender. Sometimes it burned her from within, sometimes it warmed her. It was a kind of fire and it was nothing like what she'd felt with John. With him she was just warm around him, relaxed, feeling loved and she gave her tenderness in return. But with Rhett... Oh, what a cocktail of emotions she felt, when she talked to him, when he touched her. It seemed to her that John had only touched her lightly, reverently, discovering her for himself and she put it down to her memory loss, but Rhett, he didn't just touch, he could penetrate under her skin or into her soul with a touch of his warm palm or a glance. It was as if he knew her from the inside. And loved her completely...

"Scarlett?" she heard his questioning voice and, distracted from her thoughts, looked at him resolutely and said, "Rhett, it doesn't make sense, we can't be together!"

He looked at her sternly and asked, "Why?"

"Because we'd kill each other arguing and fighting over every little thing!"

He looked at her stubborn expression and suddenly laughed in relief.

"God, Scarlett, you're a wonder! You almost gave me a heart attack just now, Darling," he said through his laughter.

She frowned, not realizing what a funny thing she'd said, and just added, "There, you see, it's happening now! I'm already angry that you're laughing at me."

He looked at her lovingly, reached and lightly brushed his thumb across her cheek, then gently pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She barely breathed at these gentle touches, somehow mentally giving herself permission to receive them.

"Scarlett, Darling, believe me, I just know you. I know that when you're embarrassed and nervous, you bite your lower lip. That when you feel guilty, you rub your chin against your shoulder, wondering how to apologize to me or Wade," he paused and she looked at him in surprise, trying to understand how he knew so much about her.

"That when you're angry," he continued, "your eyes light up with such a warrior fire that I'm willing to fight with you more to keep it burning. But when we are reconciled, you often give me such a sly and yet tender smile that I suppose I would give everything I have for it, down to the last cent."

He grinned and she smiled back. The thought of him thinking that way about her, and more importantly, hiding it for so long, really excited her.

"Darling, we'll fight, but then we'll make up. And believe me, we won't be bored," he said, suddenly moving closer to her on the couch and adding softly, "You can trust me, Scarlett, I won't hurt you."

Rhett said the last words and looked straight into her eyes. He must have read something special in them, something he'd always wanted to see, because he leaned down to her lips again, with one hand around her waist and the other gently stroking her neck.

Scarlett couldn't remember exactly when he started kissing her again, when she began to dissolve under the hot touch of his lips, when exactly their breaths mingled and when she began to respond to him. Everything was a blur, her heart was pounding, she was short of breath. It seemed to her that there was a dark night around them and a fire burning somewhere, she even smelled smoke for a moment and felt a kind of jolt in her chest, but only for a moment...

"Rhett, stop..." she whispered helplessly, but he only pulled her tighter against him, she felt the bundle at the back of her head unravel and felt him pull away from her lips and hold his breath slightly, running his palm through her curls.

In that brief moment, her fingers slid to his silk scarf.

He kissed her again passionately, and then whispered hotly, "Say you'll marry me, Scarlett. Say it... Say 'yes'... Say 'yes'..."

"Yes..." she barely exhaled as he suddenly pulled away and looked seriously into her eyes.

"Really? Do you agree? Do you say 'yes'?"

Scarlett nodded, still feeling slightly dizzy. She thought he sighed in relief, then whispered, "Come here," and leaned against the soft back of the couch, his arm around her shoulder, and she rested her head on his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart through the fabric of his waistcoat and shirt.

"So we're getting married?" he heard her soft voice, smiled and said, "Yes, and as soon as possible..."

"Why?"

"So you don't have time to repaint our bedroom walls," he replied and they both laughed.

"Don't even think about it, Rhett Butler! I don't want to put up with that colour," she said suddenly, lifting her head from his chest.

He grinned and just said, raising his hands slightly in defeat, "It'll be just the way you want it, Scarlett!"

She smiled and looked at him haughty, but then she frowned and Rhett asked, "What's wrong?"

"What are they going to say about us here in Charleston?"

"What can they say? I want to get married and I'm marrying the woman I love, what's there to talk about?"

Scarlett shook her head, "Your sister told me you are one of the 'enviable bachelors' in town and your place in society..."

"What nonsense has Rosemary told you, Scarlett?" Rhett suddenly asked sternly.

She sighed, got up from the couch, went to the window and, without looking at him, told him the whole of their conversation. She didn't know if she was doing the right thing, she didn't want to be a reason of the fight in their family and she didn't want to upset him, but her emotions got the better of her.

Scarlett didn't see Rhett frown more and more as she told her story, but in the end he made an effort to smile, stood up, walked over to her, hugged her from behind around the waist and said, "Never mind, Scarlett. Rosemary said all that without thinking, I'll talk to her and she'll apologize, I'm sure..."

"No, Rhett," she said abruptly and turned to him, "promise me you won't talk to her about it, especially ask her to apologize. I don't want any charity from anyone!"

"But, Scarlett..."

"Promise!" she said sharply, and he just nodded, but added, "Nevertheless, I will announce my news loudly and mark the boundaries of behaviour for everyone..."

Scarlett was silent for a moment, then suddenly frowned again.

"And now, why are you upset?" he asked, touching her chin affectionately and catching her sad gaze.

"The children..."

Rhett gave her a confused look and she clarified, "Rosemary said about the children..."

"Okay, Scarlett," he interrupted her seriously, "Wade and Ella are like family to me, I've known them almost since they were born!"

She smiled and corrected him gently, "If only, you're talking about Ella..."

Rhett smiled nervously at her and remained silent, then hugged her again.

"Darling, it's just that I'm going to be a husband and a father, and my mother is going to be a grandmother too, and Rosemary and Ross are going to be an aunt and an uncle. Don't think about it..." he told her softly, stroking her back, and then added suddenly, "By the way, I'm going to be busy all day tomorrow, I have to meet with my lawyer, but since we're getting married soon, I need to get the papers ready, research everything."

Here she pulled away from his chest and said, "So I won't see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, until the day after tomorrow, Scarlett," he kissed her forehead affectionately and with the words, "I have to go, it's too late for visits, My Dear," he smiled and quickly walked out into the hall.

Scarlett had not expected such a reaction, she would never understand this man! Just a few minutes ago he had been the most gentle man in the world, as if he had let her into his soul, and now he was quickly walking away. She glared at him irritably and followed him into the hall.

"What do you mean, Rhett Butler?" he heard her harsh voice as he put on his jacket.

He turned and stared at her, uncomprehending.

"What are you talking about, Scarlett?"

"You walk away like nothing had happened! And you start acting up again..." she spoke in a raised tone.

"Honey, be quiet, there are children sleeping upstairs," he replied quietly with a smile. He knew he would never get bored with these games.

"And you're not even going to kiss me goodbye, are you? You shameless varmint, Rhett Butler!" she spoke, not trying to lower her voice, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I think we've had enough kissing for one day," he grinned and added, "so you'll miss me and..."

Scarlett narrowed her eyes and hissed, "Miss you?! No way in hell, Rhett Butler! And anyway, you were more passionate when you were getting my consent to marry you!"

Rhett chuckled, hearing her angry voice, when he adjusted his scarf, looking at the mirror. Suddenly he caught her mischievous smile in the reflection and heard her deliberately calm voice, "But since there's no more kissing, I might as well forget I agreed to marry you... Hmm... With my memory problems... Good night, Captain..." She was about to turn away to go into the living room when he caught up with her in two steps with the agility of a predator, wrapped his arms around her waist and turned her sharply around, leaning into her face and whispering, "You're such a stubborn, Mrs Cart... But no, Mrs Butler!"

She stiffened for a moment at the way he addressed her, and he took advantage of her confusion to press his lips against hers again, feeling her whole body respond to his touch.