Dear readers, Hello!

I hope the New year has started well for you :)

Thank you so much for all your reviews and kind words about my stories. It's very inspiring, thank you:)

Also, I always like to read your thoughts and emotions, it helps me to understand if I'm moving in the right direction.

So, the new chapter is here!

Enjoy reading!:)

I own nothing in regard to GWTW.

Chapter 10.

That day, not noticing the fatigue after the long journey, Rhett devoted himself entirely to her and the children.

He had not seen them for nearly a month, but from the first minutes he spent in that cozy little house he felt that he was not strange person. It seemed to him (or he wanted to believe it) that Scarlett really missed him. Her looks in the bedroom as they waited for the doctor, her phrases about how glad she was to see him, and then the embrace they shared... And even though Rhett realized that it was a far from the kind of embrace that sent shivers down his spine, the fact that she trusted him inspired and gave him hope that he was on the right way.

They had lunch together, he made sure she ate because she was so thin.

"It must be the effects of the war years," Rhett thought to himself, glancing occasionally at her figure as she stared wistfully out of the window or gave instructions to Mary, who came down to the dining room a few times.

Rhett also noticed the slight shadows under her eyes, probably from not sleeping well the last few nights because of Wade's illness.

After lunch, the boy was still asleep, his temperature down, and Rhett was fortunate that Mary came down into the living room with baby Ella, who looked at him in her nanny's arms and then smiled uncertainly as if she recognized him.

Scarlett lingered upstairs and went downstairs to find Ella in Rhett's arms, holding his round gold watch on a chain in her little hands. Rhett didn't notice her on the doorstep and Scarlett's heart ached as she watched them, that John would never see his daughter grow up and that Ella would never know her real father.

Rhett said something quietly and with interest to the baby girl, who, of course, did not understand him, sometimes tickling her, sometimes gently running his free hand through her short curls.

It was not the first time Scarlett had noticed that this tall, serious man was so at ease with children. The things that required her a great patience, Rhett handled with the playfulness of a father. "He doesn't have any children," she thought to herself as she walked quietly into the living room and caught his friendly gaze, "John tells me he's never been married."

"Rhett, I'm sorry, let me take Ella," she said as she approached them, but he just shook his head negatively and replied, "Scarlett, we get on just fine with little Ella and I've even let her nanny have lunch."

Scarlett cautiously sat down on the couch next to them, catching the same caring and affectionate look he was giving her at the table. He thought she didn't notice, but Scarlett just didn't want to be pitied, she was already too open with him... And then there was the scene with her tears... She still seemed to feel his hands on her back, and the collar of her dress gave off the faint scent of his cigars.

"Thank you Rhett, Mary and I are really tired these days, even Amy has almost been living with us..." she started to explain, but he interrupted her with a question, "Perhaps you should hire more servants, Scarlett? I could..."

"No, Rhett. Thank you," she interrupted him quickly, catching his questioning look, and answered simply, "John found both Mary and Amy on his own. He trusted them, he was a good judge of people in general... I don't want strangers in the house," she caught his eye and added, "Besides, we're doing fine. Don't forget about our stable boy, Jim, he comes round too and helps me at home with hard work."

She smiled at him and then added, trying to make a joke, "Besides, you come and help out a lot too. You see, now you're doing the nanny work," she finished, chuckling, and Rhett grinned and nodded slightly, replying, "At your service, madam!"

And then Scarlett noticed that Ella had almost put a round watch in her mouth, the baby was cutting her first tooth.

"Okay Rhett, let me take her and we'll save your watch and suit."

He smiled and carefully handed little girl to her mother without taking the watch. Scarlett was already thinking about how to take them without a cry, but then there was a knock in the living room and Mary came in and took the baby, then handed Rhett his watch back with a smile, while little Ella was already sucking on a piece of cold carrot.

They were in the living room, sitting on the couch, when Amy came in and brought them coffee.

"You read my mind, Scarlett," Rhett said cheerfully as he made a hand sign to Amy and began to pour the hot drink into china cups.

"I know you like your coffee after a meal," Scarlett replied simply, reaching for her cup.

Rhett smiled and after taking a sip, he suddenly asked her a question with a hard look at her profile, "So I'm no stranger to you either?"

Scarlett turned her head sharply and he tried to make a joke, "Since I'm working as a nanny here..."

She grinned and replied simply, "Oh, Rhett... John trusted you... And I have no reason not to trust you. So yes, you and I have become friends."

He smiled at her and they continued to drink their coffee.

Scarlett asked him about his trip to Charleston about his family, and after telling her a little, Rhett suddenly said, "You know, Scarlett, I didn't come here alone this time..."

She looked at him strangely and confusedly, and he explained, "My brother came with me, he's interested in horses..."

He saw her smile relax again and she said, "In that case he's come just in time, it's the start of the racing season, there's a horse fair and..."

"Wouldn't you like to meet him?" Rhett asked abruptly. He caught her slightly surprised look and heard the sentence, "Me? But why...? I mean... I'm sorry, Rhett, I didn't mean to be rude," she quickly corrected herself when she saw him look away in confusion and added, "it's just a bit weird..."

"It's not weird, Scarlett," he explained with a smile, "I hardly know anyone here in Saratoga Springs, just you and the porter at the hotel," he joked and continued, "It's just that my brother is a social person and he was surprised that in the whole town I mostly only communicate with you. There are business partners, of course," he said vaguely...

Scarlett imagined for a moment how she would welcome the two men into her home, and apparently all the fear of gossip and talks about her among the quiet neighbours was reflected in her eyes. But Rhett only said, "Could we go for a walk at the races or near the mineral springs? The weather's getting better every day, warmer, it's almost April. We could take the children..." he explained to her, seeing her look at him with interest and smile slightly.

Scarlett was lonely, she mentally thanked Rhett for his company, but sometimes he drove her crazy with his jokes, she didn't behave like a lady around him, so it would be nice to get to know his brother for a change. Except...

"I hope your brother, Rhett, isn't as much of a varmint as you are? Because if there is one more person like you, I will..." she said with a grin, and Rhett laughed out loud, then suddenly reached out and took her hand unobtrusively, making her knees tremble slightly.

"Scarlett, Ross is certainly a bit of a joker, but I promise he'll behave nice. He knows how to behave around the ladies and I won't let him hurt you," he finished more seriously, not letting go of her hand.

Scarlett suddenly giggled nervously, quickly pulled her palm out of his hand and said, "Oh, I can take care of myself, Rhett Butler. After all, I'm communicating with you," she finished with a mischievous smile.

"I'd already lost you, Rhett. I thought you were staying with your friend tonight," Ross joked as he met his brother in the room.

"I'm already sorry I took you with me," Rhett muttered, throwing off his jacket and sitting down on the couch, pulling out a cigar.

Ross had had time to sleep, go out for lunch, take a walk, get back to the hotel, and was about to go out for dinner.

"Okay, don't be mad, you've just been away so long," Ross said calmly.

"Her son was sick, so we waited for the doctor. Then we had lunch, I played with her daughter, we had coffee, chatted, had dinner... I missed them, Ross... Her..." Rhett admitted frankly to his brother, catching his interested gaze.

"And what about me? Did you say about me?" he asked his brother impatiently.

Rhett shook his head slightly, "Said..."

"And? I'm invited to dinner?"

Rhett grinned and said, lighting a cigar, "Of course not, Ross! How can you imagine a young, lonely widow taking two men alone? It's enough that she receives me, it's just that the servants are always at home... No, I've arranged to go out with her and the children, maybe to the races or near the springs, there's a wonderful pavilions there," Rhett explained, and Ross nodded.

"When?" he asked impatiently, almost jumping up and down as if he were six years old instead of thirty-six.

"Why are you so interested in this meeting, Ross?" Rhett asked him suddenly.

"Quite simply," his brother replied, adjusting his waistcoat in the mirror, "I want to be the first to meet the future daughter-in-law of the Butler family."

Rhett looked at him questioningly, and he continued, "Rhett, don't deny that you seem to want to be with this woman very much, and definitely you will do everything possible and impossible, I know you..."

Rhett grinned and simply replied, "As soon as her son is well..."

"Something serious?"

"No, it's a bad cold, Ross, he'll be fine. We'll see them in a week, two at the most."

Rhett was right, and ten days later, in early April, when the weather was warm, the sun was shining and the trees were covered with young leaves, he and Ross walked near the springs in a large area of trees and pavilions. They were surrounded by carefree townspeople and visitors who had come to improve their health, for it was not only healthy but also a matter of status. Rhett had even met a wealthy business partner from Savannah, and Ross a well-known family from Charleston.

It was after breakfast and Rhett was waiting for Scarlett with the children and the nanny. Although outwardly calm and confident, he was nervous inside because Ross was the first of his family to meet the woman he loved.

They were standing by one of the pavilions, a white wooden gazebo with a tap in the middle where you could get water and then sit down on one of the nearby benches or just walk around the territory.

Ross was the first to notice the gleam in his brother's eyes and he quickly looked away. A little further away he saw a young woman dressed in black, neat dress, with black beautifully knitted shawl, her hair pulled back in a bun. She was walking at a leisurely pace, leading a little boy of about five by the hand, occasionally turning her head in his direction, lowering her eyes and saying something to him.

"Ross," his brother's voice called to him softly, "look, over there..."

"I see, Rhett, it's Scarlett," his brother interrupted, nodding.

Rhett gave his brother a quick look, then waved to Scarlett and Wade and walked towards them.

Scarlett saw them from a distance, two tall men, though Rhett was slightly taller than his brother. They were both wearing black suits, and while Rhett had a moustache, his brother had a neat beard and his hair was tousled in a youthful way.

Rhett was already walking towards them, smiling warmly, and Scarlett could feel Wade impatiently trying to pull his palm out of her hand.

"Wade, son..." Scarlett began sternly, but before she could finish her thought, the boy broke free and ran towards Rhett.

Scarlett's cheeks flushed slightly at the fact that her son had not only forgotten his manners, but that he was so attached to this man.

She watched as Rhett took the boy in his arms, not caring about his always perfect suit, and became even more embarrassed, "What will his brother think of us?" a thought flashed through her mind, but Scarlett quickly pushed it away and just raised her head proudly. After all, she wasn't imposing on anyone, she was a widow, she had loved her late husband, had been faithful to him and was now mourning him. Yes, she was in touch with Rhett, but he was a friend of her late husband's. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

Scarlett walked over to Rhett and her son and said with a smile, "Rhett, good afternoon. It's good to see you. And please put Wade down, he's a big boy now," she finished more sternly.

Rhett smiled even wider, winked at Wade, said something like "Let's not make your mother angry", put him down and then reached for her hand to shake.

"Hello, Scarlett. Glad you could join us, but what about Ella?"

"Oh, Rhett, she's very cranky today, apparently she's growing another tooth, so she had a morning walk eith Mary outside the house in the park."

Rhett nodded and said quietly, "Shall we go?"

She just nodded.

Ross was already pacing impatiently and Rhett just grinned, "He hasn't changed since he was a child," a thought flashed through his mind.

They approached Ross and Scarlett smiled sweetly at him and Rhett froze for a moment, so vividly did he see this young girl from Clayton County. It was as if she'd been transported here from that ill-fated barbecue at Twelve Oaks. The sparkle in her eyes, the dimples in her cheeks, he saw the flirtatious expression on her face. "God," he thought, "somewhere in there, inside her, there's still that carefree girl I first met..."

While Rhett was absorbed in his thoughts, he didn't notice that the pause had lengthened slightly and Scarlett smiled at Ross, extended her hand politely to greet him. "Hello, Ross, apparently your brother decided not to introduce me," she giggled, catching Rhett's eye and adding, "I'm Scarlett, Scarlett Carter, nice to meet you."

"Excuse me," Rhett said quickly, but Ross interrupted, smiling broadly and shaking her hand, "Hello, Scarlett! Don't mind Rhett, it's been too long since he's been out in proper society. It's a pleasure to meet you too!"

Rhett just grinned and shook his head, then suggested they take a walk, noting that Wade was interested in seeing the mineral water pavilion.

He looked at Scarlett questioningly and she nodded slightly, but Ross watched them closely and then, as her young son took Rhett's hand trustingly, they walked towards the pavilion.

"Have you been here before, Scarlett?" asked Ross, making conversation.

"You mean the mineral springs, Ross? Yes, of course, my husband and I used to come here for walks. My late husband was a doctor and he thought these mineral waters were good for us," she explained as they walked nearby.

"I'm sorry, Scarlett, that I didn't offer my condolences at once. Rhett told me about your husband. I'm so sorry..."

"Thank you, Ross..."

There was a pause, but Ross decided to change the subject, "Rhett said you have a little daughter, didn't he?"

Scarlett looked at Ross in surprise, wondering what Rhett was telling his brother, just nodded and said, "Yes, but she's just a baby. It was better for her to stay home with the nanny today."

Ross smiled then pointed to the bench, "Shall we sit down?"

Scarlett nodded with a smile.

Rhett was with Wade, telling him about the mineral springs, how they were built and where the water came from, and was surprised the curiosity of the boy who held his hand so trustingly and called him "Uncle Rhett". But every now and then he glanced at the bench where his brother and Scarlett sat. They seemed to be getting on well, laughing a lot, Ross gesticulating wildly, talking about something, and Scarlett herself didn't notice as she sat closer to him. "They're clearly getting along," Rhett thought with a grin. If he had a momentary feeling of jealousy and possessiveness, he quickly took it away, knowing that his brother was always trustworthy.

They were already walking back with Wade, taking their time, the boy carefully carrying a glass of water for his mother, when Rhett noticed Scarlett's eyes dimming and Ross' confused look, and then they both fell silent.

"Everything okay?" asked Rhett, stepping closer to the bench and adding with a slight smile, "Wade got some water for his mother."

Scarlett smiled and gratefully took the glass from her son's small hands and took a few sips. Ross suddenly smiled and said, turning to Wade, "Tell me, young man, has Captain Butler told you any of his childhood adventures?"

Wade shook his head and looked at the man with interest.

"Ross," Rhett began cautiously, but Scarlett suddenly giggled and said, "I want to hear them too, Ross!"

"Rhett," Ross said to him over lunch as they walked Scarlett and her son home, "you're a complete idiot! How could you not tell me that the girl doesn't remember her past! I got myself into a stupid situation, I acted like a fool by starting to ask her about her childhood!"

Ross glared angrily at his brother, who just threw up his hands and replied thoughtfully, "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking... I mean, I'm used to it... But yes, Scarlett lost her memory during the war..."

And he retold him the story John had told him, but he didn't have the courage to tell his brother the main thing. "It's not necessary and it's not the time," Rhett thought, and simply asked with a smile, "And what do you think of Scarlett, Ross? Does she fit the role of, as you put it, "the Butlers' daughter-in-law"?"

Ross smiled softly back and said, ruffling his black hair, "Oh, she's a wonder, Rhett! Fun, sweet, easy to talk to. Maybe it's the first time I've envied you, but I'm glad I'll have a sister-in-law like her."

Rhett grinned and said, "Ross, calm down, l haven't talked yet..."

"But, is there a plan, Rhett?" interrupted Ross, winking at him.

He thought about it, thought about how being near her was enough for now, but he also realized that the fleeting touches, glances and comforting hugs weren't what he had dreamed of. He wanted more.

Ross decided not to press his brother, remembering that the young woman was in mourning, though he'd heard rumours during the war that Rhett had been often received at home of a young widow in Atlanta, but he decided to keep that to himself.

They saw each other a few more times, walking down the central street, buying Wade sweets, walking near Scarlett's house, riding her horse. Ross met Ella, who was reluctant to come into his arms, although she didn't cry, but she was happy to be in Rhett's arms, who seemed as happy as she was.

Ross realized that it was not really appropriate to insist on invitation to her home, although in the North manners were simpler and there was less gossip. Still, the last thing he wanted to do was offend Scarlett, for they got on well together. They'd had so many jokes and laughs during those meetings, so many times Scarlett had rolled her eyes at his older brother's phrases, who'd finally joked that "they'd definitely be friends against him".

Two weeks later, in the second half of April, Rhett saw Ross off to New York. He decided to keep his brother company because then he had a long journey to Charleston. In the compartment, however, he asked him the important question, "What are you going to tell our mother, Ross?"

His brother looked away from the window and replied with a smile, "I'm going to tell her that she's not only going to be a mother-in-law, she's going to be a grandmother."

"Ross..."

"Just kidding, Rhett. Of course I'm going to tell her not to worry. I'll point out that there's a nice young woman, good in every way. Of course, we don't know who her parents were, but she's not from the North and our mother will be more than happy with that..."

Rhett nodded, pleased that he wouldn't have to answer his mother's questions. He hadn't liked it since he was a boy, always having to tell her the truth because she could always recognize a lie.

After saying goodbye to his brother and returning the next day, Rhett went to Scarlett's house for coffee, which they liked to share while talking. He also wanted to make another gesture, and he wanted it to work.

"How do you like my brother, Scarlett? I never asked you, but from the looks of it, you two seem to get along..." he spoke as he watched her drink her coffee with milk.

"Oh, he's so nice, Rhett! Yes, thank you for introducing us, it's been fun talking to him... And it's a good thing your brother came and not your sister," she finished, giggling.

"Why is that?" he asked with interest.

"Oh, I don't know how to explain it to you, Rhett. It's just always been easier for me to communicate with men. I mean, with John's colleagues or acquaintances, at events... Maybe I had brothers in the family. Women always treated me coldly, looked at me evaluatively, like a horse at a fair," she concluded glumly, and Rhett grinned, realizing it was as if she'd told him about her past.

"Besides," she smiled mischievously at him, "I know so many stories about your childhood now!"

"Oh, Honey, don't take Ross at his word, he was very little and doesn't remember a lot of things very well," he muttered with a grin.

Scarlett narrowed her eyes and said, "Don't even get me started, Rhett Butler! Your brother just left and I can already feel you wanting to start joking around again! Look, I'll write to him, for he left me the address," she said, looking at him haughtily.

"To think of it! There you are, Scarlett! My brother's bad at correspondence, he can take months to answer a letter," Rhett laughed, putting his cup on the table.

"I don't believe you!"

"Then write to him and find out!"

"And I will!"

"Write, write..."

"And I will!"

"Come on, Mrs Carter."

"Right now, Rhett Butler!"

Rhett laughed even louder, he loved the way she boiled over so quickly, that angry glint in her eyes. She looked like a charming little warrior.

Scarlett sulked, turned away from him to the window and was already thinking of a way to hurt the obnoxious man when he suddenly reached into his jacket pocket and a moment later placed a butterfly brooch on the white tablecloth in front of her. The same silver brooch he had never given her during the war.

Scarlett glanced at him, caught the his gaze, which she often failed to understand, then looked at the brooch on the table and her hand involuntarily reached for it. She took it, placed it in her palm and ran her hand over it, barely touching it. It was so beautiful, such delicate...

"Оh, Rhett... It's so beautiful," she whispered softly. "You... You brought this from New York, didn't you?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the jewellery.

"From Nassau, actually," he replied without thinking, and after a moment he noticed that her hand frozen and she looked up at him in confusion.