Dear Readers, Hello!

I am a bit late with this chapter, because for three days I was lost in the days and nights, torn between taking my youngest son's temperature, changing medicines and other things that nobody cancelled. Sometimes I found time to write, more often at nights, and here is the chapter.

It is longer than usual, I hope you'll like it.

Great thank you for writing reviews and messages, I am always happy to hear your thoughts!

For inspiration, I leave a link to the photo on Tumblr

https//polinka22malinka/773055671181639680/my-inspiration-for-the-chapter-14-of-the-story?source=share

Enjoy reading! :)

Chapter 14.

"So, how do you like the house, Scarlett?" Rhett asked, looking out of the window into the large garden.

The two of them stood alone, waiting for Ross, who was upstairs with the family's lawyer.

"It looks dull to me, Rhett..." she began to answer, but Rhett suddenly laughed and asked, "What do you mean, Scarlett? I don't remember Persian rugs and scarlet walls in your house in Saratoga-Springs, Darling..."

"Oh, shut up... You're so mean, Rhett! You won't even listen to me," she sulked, as she usually did when he offended her, turned from him and mumbled like a hurt child, "And anyway, I'll choose myself!"

Rhett looked at her proudly straightened back lovingly, as he usually did when she didn't notice, and decided not to laugh at her.

"Come on, Scarlett, don't sulk, you're acting like charming little Ella, who gets offended if I don't let her play with my watch. And I remind you, I would, but her strict mother won't let us have any fun..."

He had few steps and Scarlett felt him close to her, as she usually did, and closed her eyes for a moment to steady her breathing. "Well, why am I so nervous around him... So helpless... Ugh!"

He almost put his arms around her shoulders to hug her, but gently lowered them at the last moment, saying only, "Come on, Scarlett, did you really come here so we could fight all the time?"

She hummed, turned round and he asked gently, "What didn't you like about the house? There's something we could do... To paint walls, to hung another curtains," he explained, and she looked around the living room thoughtfully.

"Maybe you're right, Rhett..." Scarlett said quietly, realizing that the house was really good, if not perfect. Yes, she could change things to her wish, she hadn't really thought about that in Saratoga-Springs, they had just started living with John, concentrating on their family, his work. Then there was their first anniversary, when he gave her Gracie, and then her pregnancy and his illness. Yes, they didn't have enough time for decorating.

He watched her carefully, her thoughtful gaze revealing that she seemed to be remembering her life in the North, and then he heard her voice and noticed the smile.

"Okay, Rhett, you're right, even though I hate to admit it," she said and he smiled back.

"The house is really nice, and the garden behind the house is big, there's even a little stable, just right for Gracie. And the furniture is nice, I'll get everything I need, maybe paint the walls, but after Christmas of course..." she reasoned.

Rhett continued to smile, for some reason this businesslike attitude of hers, this determination, amused and attracted him at the same time.

"There are, however, two faults," she continued, smiling mischievously, "one of which, of course, is not so easily corrected..."

"And what is that, Darling?" he asked, grinning, "enlighten me!"

"You as a neighbour, Rhett Butler! To think I came to this town to live on the same street as you," she laughed.

He smiled wider with his "predatory" smile as Scarlett called it to herself, and she continued, "Well, the second thing is the bedroom!"

"What's wrong with it, Scarlett?" asked Rhett in surprise as he paced the room.

"Oh, but take the colour of the walls. It's so... Mmm... Dark... Or austere... And the furniture..."

Rhett looked at her carefully, amazed at how different their tastes were. The bedroom seemed to him the most elegant room, the colour of the walls... The emerald green that reminded him so much of the colour of her eyes.

"I like the colour of the walls, Scarlett," he told her quietly, adding meaningfully, "I like green in general."

She just hummed and then they heard the voices of the lawyer and Ross coming down the stairs. They looked at each other and Scarlett gave him a slight nod.

Having agreed with the lawyer that the house would be ready within a few days, Scarlett and the brothers found themselves on the waterfront. For a moment, as men talked quietly about something, she glanced at them. Two dark-haired men, almost the same height, but Rhett was taller and generally she could always feel the strength coming from him, Ross, she felt, was softer. Rhett had a moustache and Ross also had a moustache and neat beard, and they both liked to dress perfectly, in their best suits. Yes, they looked alike, and the sight of the two brothers in dark suits, almost like twins, caused a slight stir in her soul, as if some memory was suddenly trying to knock at her mind, but she only flinched when Rhett called to her.

"Scarlett, shall we take a little walk along the waterfront?" he asked. He was in a great mood, a nice house had been found quickly. It would probably become their family home and his mother was expecting her for tea soon. Everything was going well and he just wished he could talk to her.

Scarlett shook her head negatively, squinted a little at the sun coming out from behind the clouds, adjusted the emerald shawl around her shoulders (the one Rhett had given her for last Christmas) and said quietly, "I think if the three of us go for a walk on the waterfront without the nanny and my children around, we'll be the talk of the town by tomorrow. Am I right, Ross, and has your brother lost his mind?" she turned to the man and he smiled back.

"Wrong, Honey! If we walk down there like this, we'll be the talk of every respectable house just by tonight."

They laughed, but Rhett just shook his head and turned away to look at the water. He'd forgotten that they weren't in the North, that this was Charleston, and because of his old story and scandalous reputation he was always followed so closely.

"Anyway, Scarlett, I'll take you to the hotel and then I promised Wade to go for a walk with him," Rhett said seriously, "and I keep my promises, Darling."

Scarlett just shrugged her shoulders, looked at Ross and said, "We'll need a carriage anyway. And you, Ross, what are you going to do now?"

Ross suddenly looked over her shoulder, smiled even wider and said, "Apparently, to have a pleasant conversation..."

Scarlett looked at him in confusion, then suddenly saw Rhett looking behind her and smiling softly.

Scarlett turned to see three ladies approaching. One was very young, in a beige dress and a cape, from a distance, Scarlett thought she looked no more than twenty. She was walking arm in arm with another lady in a blue dress and black jacket who looked to be in her thirties or a little less. To their left was a stately older lady in a purple dress and shawl who caught Scarlett's eye with her grace and, as they came closer, the smile on her face.

Out of the corner of her eye, Scarlett saw the brothers quickly adjusting their jackets and guessed it was their mother, for the two grown men were acting exactly like her little Wade when she met him in the dining room at breakfast every morning.

The ladies approached them, Rhett took off his hat in greeting and Ross bowed slightly.

"There are my boys, and together," Scarlett heard the cheerful voice of an older lady, "oh, Miss Hampton, I believe Rosemary told you that when I saw the two of them together as children, it meant they were up to something!" Mrs Butler smiled and Rhett said, "Mother, what a pleasant surprise, I suppose you've decided to enjoy the sunshine before lunch and take a little walk?"

The ladies nodded, and Scarlett noticed that their eyes were quickly studying her, and she shivered slightly. If the young ladies' looks were evaluating, Mrs Butler's were affectionate and interested.

"And, mother, you were wrong in your assumptions. Ross and I are not here alone," Rhett turned his head slightly, smiled at Scarlett and continued, "Let me introduce you, mother, and you, ladies, to our good friend, Mrs Scarlett Carter."

Scarlett had no choice but to take half a step forward and was about to hold out her hand in greeting, but Mrs Butler came closer, put her arm around her shoulder and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

For a moment Scarlett closed the eyes and something inside her trembled so violently she thought she might cry. The light touch, the soft voice, "Pleased to meet you, Scarlett," and above all the delicate scent of lemon verbena, stirred such a storm of emotion within her that Scarlett did not respond immediately, but when she caught Rhett's eye, she smiled quickly and greeted Mrs Butler politely, then was introduced to the two young ladies.

After greetings and polite conversation, Mrs Butler asked Scarlett, "Have you decided to take a walk, My Dear? Which of my sons has invited you for a walk along our favourite promenade?"

Scarlett smiled, shook her head and Rhett quickly said, "No, mother, Scarlett was just watching that house you were talking about..."

Mrs Butler smiled and asked the young woman, "And what do you think, Dear?"

"I like the house, I think me and the children will be comfortable there. And it's you I have to thank, Mrs Butler, because your eldest son has taken all the credit," Scarlett joked.

Mrs Butler laughed and said only that she will be glad to have such a pleasant neighbour.

The wind had picked up on the water, the sun was back behind the clouds, and Rhett saw Scarlett flinch slightly and say something quietly to Ross. He immediately wanted to put his arms around her to protect from the wind. Mrs Butler seemed to notice his gaze and smiled affectionately to herself, then suggested they all go into her house for tea to warm up.

"I'm sorry Mrs Butler, thank you for the invitation but I must decline," Scarlett replied, explaining that she had children with a nanny at the hotel.

Miss Eleanor nodded understandingly, but took her promise to come and see her tomorrow after breakfast. "I want to know my new neighbour better," Mrs Butler said, looking at Rhett intently.

Rhett grinned and bowed slightly to the ladies, saying he would escort Mrs Carter to the hotel.

"Rhett, are you coming to lunch?" suddenly asked Rosemary as they were about to leave.

Rhett just shook his head and replied, "Rosemary, plan your time, Dear, as it suits you. You know I always have some business to do."

Scarlett, surprised to hear him say that, smiled goodbye to Mrs Butler, nodded to Anne and Rosemary and waved Ross with her hand.

"There's the carriage, Scarlett," she heard Rhett's voice and looked in the direction he pointed.

Already in the carriage, Scarlett was thinking of this meeting, of Mrs Butler, who, as if by magic, had awakened in her those trembling feelings that seemed so familiar. Of Rosemary, who had looked at her suspiciously. Miss Hampton was of little concern to her, but Scarlett was observant, and on several occasions she had noticed the young girl looking at Rhett.

And, of course, his words to his sister... In the time she'd known him, he'd hardly ever talked about business. He was always there for her, always ready to come to her...

Suddenly she felt his warm hand on hers and quickly turned away from the window. Their eyes met and Rhett asked, "You're cold, aren't you? There's always more wind near the water..."

Scarlett grinned nervously and gently removed her hand, adjusting the shawl around her shoulders, "This wind doesn't compare to the north wind, Rhett."

He nodded, but made no further attempt to take her hand, and Scarlett continued, "Your mother is very nice, Rhett, a pleasant woman. It'll be interesting to hear from her about your childhood," she finished suddenly, giggling.

Rhett shook his head and said, "I was a perfect boy, Darling."

"Somehow I find that hard to believe... I imagine the whole house went crazy over your antics..."

"Ask to my mother, tomorrow, Darling."

Scarlett smiled, but suddenly frowned slightly and asked him, "Rhett, you didn't say anything to me today, but you obviously noticed both the white collar on the dress and the shawl... Do you think it's very scandalous that I don't want to continue to wear mourning? It doesn't mean I don't think of John, but he liked me to wear my beautiful clothes... Of course, I won't wear bright outfits right away, more like calm colours and some jewellery..." she reasoned.

Rhett listened carefully. Of course he'd noticed everything, and these details of her image pleased him. He was tired of seeing her in black himself and she was too young to be widow.

So he smiled slightly and told her, "They're just clothes, Scarlett. And rules, imposed by society that have nothing to do with how you really feel."

Scarlett nodded and turned away to the window, and they were driving back to the hotel in silence.

The next day, after breakfast, Scarlett found herself in the sunlit dining room of Batler Mansion.

Miss Eleanor winked conspiratorially at her after coffee as her children kept them company and the two of them settled down on the yellow sofa. "Women's talk, Darling, is not for men's ears," she said to Rhett, who wanted to keep them company and had to go to the library with Ross to look up some bills. Rosemary apologized and quickly retired upstairs. Scarlett had a vague feeling that Rhett's sister didn't like her, but she quickly dismissed it, distracted by Mrs Butler's warmth.

Beside her, mesmerised by her soft voice, graceful movements and the scent of lemon verbena, Scarlett was drowning in feelings of tenderness and comfort. She didn't know why, only suspected that the woman was something like her mother, whom she couldn't remember, but Scarlett enjoyed every minute of her company and it seemed to be mutual.

Mrs Butler, on the other hand, was happy for her eldest son and accepted her future daughter-in-law unconditionally, wondering when Rhett would find the courage to talk to her. She remembered how inconsolable he had been on his return from the war, how often he had been drinking and, according to what Ross had told her, searching for the woman he had lost. But she didn't know the name or the details, her eldest son had been silent at the time, but unfailingly polite.

So the appearance of Scarlett, who lit those sparks in his eyes and kept him laughing and making jokes (for which she sometimes wanted to rub his ears), was something Mrs Butler regarded as a blessing. She knew very well that a quiet, gentle girl would not be suitable for her temperamental eldest son. Although her daughter took a different view, Miss Eleanor was well aware of Rhett's character and gently asked Rosemary not to interfere and complicate matters with her brother.

"It is the beginning of the ball season, my Dear," Mrs Butler said as she poured tea for herself and her guest, "I realize that not much time has passed since your husband's death, but it will be good for you to attend a few events. You'll make acquaintances in a new town and my boys will be happy to dance with you," Miss Eleanor said, adding with a sudden smile, "Well, honestly, I don't think you'll have a problem with a shortage of dancing partners..."

Scarlett smiled awkwardly and asked with an undercurrent of hope, for she was so eager to dance but didn't know how permissible it was in her situation, "It won't look very scandalous, will it, Mrs Butler?"

Miss Eleanor smiled gently at her and stroked her arm, "Darling, people are always going to gossip, especially in a town like Charleston and about a bright girl like you. I don't think a few dances and polite conversations will attract much attention. Besides, Scarlett, they don't know you very well here, and you're not in mourning anymore. So I think it'll be all right. You'll be able to move into your new house before the event, won't you? And your children? When are you going to introduce them to me?"

Scarlett was a little embarrassed and just said, "I suppose after I move in I can invite you for tea. My daughter is too little for visits and my son is so active..."

Mrs Butler smiled, "Oh, active boys are very familiar to me...

I suppose Rhett didn't tell you how he tried to drown himself and his brother in a leaky boat when he was eight years old? For some reason he thought he could sail it far away..."

Scarlett just laughed at the image of Rhett as a little boy and asked, "You will tell me, won't you, Mrs Butler?"

"Oh, Darling, of course... It was so long ago, but I think I can still feel my heart sink with fear when I didn't find my sons in the house or in the garden that day..."

Scarlett listened breathlessly, Rhett had told her quite a few things about his childhood and youth, but they were more stories about his school friends and then stories of the pre-war years.

Scarlett learned several stories that were the occasion for her jokes about Rhett, who spent every day, with few exceptions, with her and the children. He'd helped with the move, sorted things out with Gracie and even found her some governess contacts for Wade. And it was all so easy and playful that Scarlett didn't quite understand how he did it.

"Has your brother always been like this?" she asked Ross once on a walk in the park. They sat on a bench, Scarlett holding Ella in her arms. It was a sunny day, though windy, but that didn't stop them walking.

"What do you mean, Scarlett?" asked Ross with interest, watching Rhett and Wade who seemed to have found something in the bushes, maybe a nest, and were trying to get it out.

"I don't know," she said thoughtfully, "active, ready to help... he helps me so easily... It's embarrassing, Ross, that I take up so much of his time..."

Ross looked carefully at Scarlett, who was also watching his brother, and shook his head slightly, not understanding why Rhett was stalling and not talking to the girl directly.

"Rhett's like that, Scarlett. He'll do anything and more for beloved people..."

He noticed how she froze, then laughed nervously and tried to joke, "Oh, Ross, then I don't see what that has to do with me!"

Although she came to various conclusions in her mind, they were all dead ends, broken by his next joke and sometimes by his indifferent look. "This is the strangest and most incomprehensible person I have ever met," Scarlett thought, realizing that she had not met many people since losing her memory, but Rhett definitely caught her attention.

The move came a few days before the ball in early December, and Scarlett dressed and prepared for the event in her bedroom, the walls of which she vowed to repaint, if only because Rhett liked them so much.

She had just come out of mourning and decided to go for deep, muted colours. A rich emerald dress with a neat collar and a black belt suited her. Tall black gloves and a cape would protect her from the cold, and she pulled her hair into a neat bun at the back of her head, adorned with a neat golden comb - a gift from her late husband. "Yes, everything fits," she thought as she looked at herself in the mirror before going out.

And she knew she looked special when felt his eyes on her before she even had time to turn around. The goosebumps down her spine and the trembling in her palms spoke louder than any words.

"You look wonderful, Scarlett," he told her quietly, taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking.

She smiled slightly and tried to joke, "So no jokes, Rhett? You always have a..."

"Not today," he interrupted, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "and you know the first and last dance is mine, Darling."

She blushed slightly at his proximity and said, "Well, maybe the first dance, Rhett Butler, but I can't promise anything else and..."

"I always take back what's mine," he interrupted her again, looking at her so that she quickly looked away and went to say hello to Rosemary and Anne, and her mother Mrs Hampton.

A light conversation began, Mrs Butler came up and complimented her dress, Scarlett noticed Ross in the distance and smiled slightly at him, but the sounds of the music distracted her and she closed her eyes for a moment in anticipation. The last time she had danced with John was about two years ago.

"Mrs. Carter, may I invite you to dance?"

she heard his soft voice and, smiling mischievously, agreed.

As they began to dance, Scarlett felt everything inside her reach out to him, his arms were strong but gentle, his movements were perfect, as if they were already dancing...

Rhett held her close, fighting the urge to hold her tighter than he should, the touch of her body against his, her curves, and he could hardly think straight, drowning in sensations...

"You're a good dancer, Rhett," he heard her cheerful voice and smiled at her mischievously, but said nothing.

"Just don't hold me so tight, Rhett, or people will talk about us," she scolded him playfully, and he only replied, "They will always talk, Darling... So I'm a good partner and I've earned the right to the last dance, haven't I?" Scarlett chuckled and replied, "You're so cocky, Rhett Butler! Let's see, your brother wanted to dance with me and maybe there's someone else," she said meaningfully and felt his strong arm tense slightly around her waist, and then she heard him whisper, "Mrs Carter, I assure you, I am the best partner for you in this room, just as you are the best partner for me..."

Scarlett shuddered at his closeness and breath, but fortunately the music ended and she danced the next dance with Ross, laughing and discussing something, while Rhett was dancing with Miss Hampton, holding her carefully by the waist, making polite conversation and watching her jealously, sometimes catching her cheerful look and smile.

But Rhett wasn't the only one watching Scarlett that evening. Rosemary, who did most of the talking, watched this Mrs Carter, who had come into their lives out of nowhere. Rhett had not been himself since the end of the war, and judging by the stories their mother had told her, he had been looking for a woman, and now, when time had passed, this widow had suddenly appeared, with a complete lack of memory and manners, it seemed. Too happy, too playful in their house, and Rhett solved her problems every time... "It's time to define the boundaries and her place in our lives," Rosemary thought, and walked towards her just as the music had stopped.

Scarlett spotted Rosemary in her blue dress and smiled. But the smile quickly faded when she saw the look on the woman's face.

Scarlett tried to keep her voice friendly and just asked, "Rosemary, have you seen Rhett? I think..."

"Mrs Carter," Rosemary interrupted her sharply, "you see, I am going to tell you all at once and frankly. Let's go to the window. We'll hear each other in all this noise, but hardly anyone will hear us. Isn't that right, Darling?"

Scarlett caught her strained smile and just nodded, not quite understanding her reaction. They stepped aside and Rosemary began to speak quickly,

"You see, my Dear Mrs Carter, my older brother has a difficult relationship with society in this town. But that's all ancient story... Now, after the war, Rhett is closer than ever to regaining the place that is rightfully his..."

Rosemary paused, and Scarlett looked at her incomprehensibly. She knew hardly anything about Rhett and his relationship with society here. And she didn't understand her part in all this.

"I'm sorry, Rosemary, I don't quite understand..."

"Let me make it clearer. Rhett is one of the most enviable bachelors in town at the moment. And marrying an attractive young girl from a good family guarantees him a return to high society, more likely than a relationship with a woman with no memory of her past and a couple of children".

Scarlett's eyes widened at the last sentence and her hands involuntarily clenched into fists. She didn't even have time to open her mouth to reply, the words catching in her throat with indignation, before Rosemary continued, "So I think we understand each other, Scarlett. Now, let my brother rest and enjoy the evening and the company," she said meaningfully, adding before she walked away, "He's always busy with you and your problems as it is. Have a good evening, Darling."

Scarlett stared at the receding blue velvet dress and everything inside her quivered with resentment and indignation. Had she given the impression of expecting anything from anyone? Unthinkable... She swallowed convulsively, and as if from nowhere, the words came to her mind, "I'll not be having the County gossiping and laughing at you for mooning your heart out about a man who never gave you a thought beyond friendship."

She had no idea where those words had come from, but they gave her confidence, and with her head held high and her back straight, she smiled charmingly at the elderly gentleman from Savannah to whom she had promised a dance, and he quickly made his way in her direction.

"One dance," she repeated to herself, "one dance and I will go home." She smiled at the older gentleman, accepted his compliments with embarrassment, and was afraid to look to the side of the hall where he sat in the company of his mother, his sister and that young girl. "It's none of my business," she thought, laughing even more gleefully at her partner's joke.

The music ended, the old gentleman was again complimentary, and Scarlett politely ended the conversation.

She looked around the room, spotted Ross and, trying to look confident, quickly approached him. He was talking to an older gentleman, but apologized immediately when he saw that she was almost near them.

They moved closer to the exit of the hall, towards the French doors, away from the musicians. "And away from him, too," Scarlett thought.

"Scarlett, Darling, are you having fun?" Ross began in a cheerful voice, "Maybe we can have another dance and..."

"Ross, would you please take me home?" she quickly interrupted, catching his surprised look.

"What's wrong, Scarlett?"

She tried to smile, but he noticed that the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Look, I'm tired and the children are at home with Mary, they won't sleep well without me..."

Ross looked at her in confusion and asked, "And Rhett?

She smiled feignedly, realizing she was so angry at Rhett and the situation she was in, as if she had been counting on something, so she just said, "Let's not bother him, he's out socialising, keeping your mother and sister company. He's always "busy with me and my problems as it is," she repeated Rosemary's words and Ross looked at her suspiciously, but said nothing.

"Home, then?" he asked again.

"Yes, can you take me or am I..."

"Of course I'll take you, Darling!" interrupted Ross, smiling at her and adding, "Will you wait for me on the veranda, Scarlett?"

She looked at him questioningly and he clarified, "I'll apologize to the elderly gentleman, or I thought we were going to continue our conversation with him..."

Scarlett nodded, but looked at him apprehensively. She really didn't want Rhett to notice that she had left. Not now... "He'll hardly notice my absence, with his pushy sister and that little lady by his side," she thought annoyed, but smiled and just said, "Then I'll wait for you on the veranda, Ross. Thank you."

Ross smiled again and went through the ballroom.

He found Rhett in the far corner, near the sofa where their mother, Rosemary, Anne and her mother, that one important lady from the committee, were sitting. Rhett was talking politely with them, and Ross realized that his brother's charms were directed at the old lady. "Well, he really wants society to accept him, and Scarlett with him. He said he wanted it to avoid gossip and for the sake of her children's future... I wonder if he realizes that he's a very good target for her daughter, too. Or maybe he's doing it for our mother's sake... Either way, it's time to put an end to it," Ross thought, and with a wide smile, he walked over to the sofa, jokingly bowed to the ladies, caught his mother's loving but stern gaze and said, "Ladies, excuse me, I'm going to steal my old brother away from you for a while..." The ladies just nodded and continued their conversation.

Rhett looked at him questioningly as they stepped aside.

"Ross, what...?"

"Where's Scarlett?" he interrupted his brother, watching him cast a thoughtful glance around the ballroom.

"A few minutes ago she was dancing with a gentleman from Savannah and then, I think, Rosemary spoke to her and said that Scarlett had promised him another dance and I decided not to waste any time, Ross, with ladies from committee. Now explain to me what's going on," he finished sternly.

"Sometimes you act like an idiot," he said quietly through clenched teeth, smiling at the familiar ladies who passed by.

Rhett smiled too and asked quietly, "What's the matter?"

"Go on out to the veranda," said Ross, adding impatiently, "Go on, Rhett, and finish these stupid games! Talk to her!"

Rhett looked at him gravely, guessing what he meant, and then took a quick step towards the French doors.

He found her on the veranda, it was windy that winter evening, and he was already unbuttoning his jacket to throw it over her shoulders.

"Scarlett," he called to her, and saw her flinch, but she turned around very slowly.

After a few moments he saw her green eyes sparkle and Rhett drowned into them, drowned into them again, as he had when he first met her, as he had that July evening at the Bazaar, as he had a year ago when he'd seen her in her late husband's study. He realized that there was no longer any need or desire to hide his feelings. It seemed to him that everyone but her could see that he was madly in love.

Scarlett looked at him seriously, mentally scolded Ross, but decided to make her position clear. She folded arms across her chest, but he said softly, "Darling..."

"Rhett," she interrupted, "I mean, Captain Butler!"

He looked at her with interest, for it had been a long time since she had called him that.

"Yes, Captain Butler," she said again in a stern tone, "you helped us to move to this town, for which I am grateful. You arranged everything in the best possible way, a journey, a house, a governess for Wade, even helped to move our Gracie. So thank you. But I don't think you should have brought me here this evening."

"Why not?" he asked interestedly, looking into her eyes.

"Because your sister has made it clear to me that my presence around you is unwelcome. That I am embarrassing the young Miss, who is practically your fiancée and..."

"I don't care about any 'Miss' Scarlett," he replied seriously, taking a step closer to her and adding, "besides, I don't remember making any promises."

He took another step closer, smiled and took off his jacket, "You're going to freeze, come here Scarlett..."

She took another step back, frowned, looked at him belligerently and replied louder, "I don't care about your promises, Captain Butler! You can discuss that with anyone who expects anything from you! I never asked or expected anything from you, and..."

He looked into those bright green eyes as if hypnotised, and said even more softly, "How beautiful you are when you are angry..."

Scarlett was practically choking with indignation! She told him that she had been insulted by his own sister, that she was unhappy about it, and he was talking nonsense! Probably to annoy her, as he had been doing all last year!

She saw him approach her and put his hands on her shoulders, but she took a step back and said, "Don't touch me, Captain Butler! I am for you..."

"I love you, Scarlett," he interrupted her with a phrase he said clearly, looking straight into her green eyes and then seeing her mouth open slightly in surprise, he smiled and finally put his arms around her as he slipped his jacket around her shoulders.

Rhett felt her shiver slightly, and it wasn't from the cold, he was sure. She didn't try to move away, but froze in his arms. He leaned closer to her, to her face, and murmured softly, "What are you doing to me..." and pressed his lips to hers.

Scarlett listened to his confession, trying to understand what she was feeling in the chaos of emotions he had awakened in her. But the only thing she felt was his hot lips, the slight tingle of his moustache, his cigar scent enveloping her, his strong arms, God, how she wished he'd never let her go again. Everything inside her was screaming "Yes!" and she didn't know what it was, she just felt that she was where she was supposed to be, with the man she was supposed to be with, the man she loved.

She didn't notice that she had responded to his kiss, her cool palms running down his warm neck, through his hair, her whole body pressed against him.

"I love you, Scarlett," she heard his husky whisper again as his lips parted from hers for a moment.

He pulled her closer and again all she felt was his touches, his hands, his hot breath.

"Rhett..." she whispered barely audibly as he pulled away from her lips for a moment, "Please..."

"What, My girl?" he replied, kissing her cheek and moving down to her neck.

"I'm going to faint... Or someone will come out here... Please..."

Scarlett tried to pull away slightly, but he just pulled her to his chest, stroked her back and she heard him whisper earnestly, "I don't care if anyone sees. I love you. I want to marry you, do you understand, Scarlett?"

He suddenly touched her chin gently and lifted her face to look into those green eyes.

"You will marry me, won't you, Scarlett?" he asked earnestly, and she could see the anxiety with which he was waiting for her answer.