Hello! I know it's been quite a long time since the last update, and I am very sorry. Unfortunately, I will not be able to update this story as quickly as I have been because my final exams are rapidly approaching and for the next two months my life will be dominated by school work and revision. However, I will try my very hardest to update as quickly as I can.

A massive thank you to everybody who has reviewed/favourite/alerted this story, it's so great to know that you're all enjoying it!

Disclaimer – I do not own anything.

Word of Scarlett's behaviour at the bazaar reached Tara one month after the event. Scarlett had gotten a letter from her mother, letting her know that she had received word from some of Atlanta's most respectable matrons informing her of her daughter's inappropriate conduct. She wrote in no uncertain terms that she was sorely disappointed in her daughter and hoped it was all a big misunderstanding, but for the sake of Scarlett's reputation, thought it was best if she returned home. She then went on to add that Gerald would be in Atlanta within the next few days to take her back to Tara and, to Scarlett's horror, to speak with Captain Butler, who had made Scarlett so conspicuous.

Scarlett wanted to cry. This was not meant to happen, she thought. She didn't want to go back to Tara, not now when she was just beginning to have fun. Melly's company was growing on Scarlett and in the time she'd been in Atlanta, the two had become good friends. Melly had excused Scarlett's behaviour at the bazaar for she knew her sister-in-law had only agreed to dance to help the cause. When people accused Scarlett of being fast and a disgrace to the Hamilton name, Melly had become Scarlett's most ardent supporter and wouldn't hear a bad word said against her. Clearly, that didn't stop those old peahens from writing to her mother though, Scarlett thought angrily.

She flopped down on her bed with a scowl on her face. The thought that she would have to miss that dance she had been so looking forward to going to next week was the last straw and Scarlett made up her mind to do whatever she could to stop her Pa from taking her back to Tara. She would go to that dance and have fun. Yes, and no one was going to stop her.

Gerald O'Hara arrived in Atlanta two days after Ellen's letter. Although Scarlett was pleased to see him, she wished it was under different circumstances. Throughout the day, Scarlett had attached herself to Melly's side, knowing that her Pa wouldn't dare tell her off in front of other people. Unfortunately, after dinner Gerald requested to have a few private words with his daughter – a request that Melanie, after shooting Scarlett a slightly worried look, could not deny. So Melanie went upstairs to get Wade ready for bed and Scarlett braced herself for her father's talk.

She stood anxiously by the window and waited for the lecture to start.

"So missy, we've been hearing about that disgraceful situation you got yourself into last month, with that Captain Butler no less!" he began, turning his piercing blue eyes on her.

"Pa…"

"That man has a terrible reputation."

"He's one of the great blockade runners Pa" Scarlett interrupted.

"Be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact that he is not received. And you agreed to dance with him?!" Gerald said, his thick brogue increasing in volume as he spoke.

"Oh Pa, it was for the cause" Scarlett lied. "How could I say no when the money was so desperately needed?"

"Hmm. Well, I'll be off now to see that Butler fellow who makes so light of my daughter's reputation" he said.

"No, Pa you can't do that" Scarlett cried. "Please."

"I'll not have my daughter tell me what to do. I'll see you later" he said, the finality clear in his voice.

Scarlett watched him leave, dread and apprehension filling her heart and she sunk down into the chair, praying that Rhett wouldn't do or say anything stupid.

Scarlett was in bed when she heard the singing. Instantly recognisable as her father, Scarlett threw back the covers and hurried over to the window. There, was her short stocky father, obviously drunk and supported by Rhett Butler, who seemed to be the more composed out of the two. Grabbing her wrapper, Scarlett rushed downstairs, knowing that if Melanie or Aunt Pitty heard them they would be too terrified to get up and let them in.

On opening the door, she saw her father swaying on the spot, Rhett towering above him and gripping the shorter man round the shoulders in an effort to keep him upright.

"Your father, I believe?" Rhett said, grinning. Scarlett glared at him, but moved aside so he could get in.

"Shall I take him upstairs?" he asked.

"Good God no, put him on the settee." Scarlett said and led the way through into the parlour, glancing behind just to make sure that Rhett was following and hadn't ignored her and snuck upstairs. Thankfully, he was following her and shot her an amused glance, as though he knew that she'd been checking on him.

"Shall I help you take his boots off?" Rhett asked after laying him on the couch.

"No, he's slept in them before" Scarlett said absentmindedly as she stuffed a pillow under her Pa's head. She heard a chuckle from behind her and inwardly berated herself for her slip. Straightening up, she walked back out into the hall and gestured for Rhett to follow her.

"How could you?" Scarlett hissed, "You get him drunk and I imagine you've gone and cheated him out of all his money as well" she said angrily. "He had to buy supplies for Tara with that!"

"It's not my fault if I can hold my whiskey better than your father can, Scarlett. Besides, no cheating on my part was necessary. He lost his money fair and square" Rhett said, leaning against the wall, his dark eyes unashamedly roving over her red wrapper.

"You know it's your fault that he's here?" Scarlett said, in an attempt to distract herself from his blatant scrutiny. "He wants to take me back to Tara because I danced with you at the bazaar" she explained, somewhat unnecessarily.

"Yes, he told me to stay away from you" Rhett replied nonchalantly.

"He did?" Scarlett asked, only slightly surprised.

"Yes. But don't worry; I think I got him sufficiently drunk that he won't remember that conversation. Indeed, I doubt he'll remember much at all when he wakes up" he added, a satisfied smirk appearing on his face.

"You're horrid" Scarlett scowled. "Anyway, maybe I want you to stay away from me" she countered, simply to wipe that smug look off his face. He looked up from his exploration of her body, peering intently into her eyes until Scarlett dropped her gaze, uncomfortable.

"Don't say things you don't mean, my dear. One day, you might get your wish and then where would you be?"

Scarlett frowned, slightly confused. "How would you know if I meant it or not?"

"Do you want me to stay away from you?" he asked.

"You can't answer a question with a question" Scarlett replied curtly, unwilling to admit that she didn't want him stay away, but afraid that if she replied in the positive, he wouldn't come back and although he was a cad of the highest order, her life had become infinitely more exciting since Rhett had come into it.

He grinned and stepped away from the wall he was leaning on. Scarlett watched him as he strode silently towards her. He stopped mere centimetres away from her.

"I'll take that as a no then" his voice was low and silky, his slow charlestonian drawl becoming more prominent. Scarlett looked up at him and noticed, with a jolt, the look of desire in his dark eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. Was he going to kiss her? Should she let him? She felt his hand skim lightly over her back, but he made no move to close the minute gap between them. With his other hand, he tilted her chin up and Scarlett let her eyes flutter closed. There was no harm in a kiss, she reasoned. She could feel his breath on her face. Her heart sped up in excitement.

"Good night Scarlett" he whispered and then without any warning he let go of her and strode towards the door. Scarlett opened her eyes in surprise. She barely had time to wonder why he hadn't kissed her before he was gone. Thoroughly confused, she stood rooted to the spot, staring at the door. He had wanted to kiss her, she knew he had, she thought stubbornly. Pouting, she turned around and headed back up the stairs to bed.

"I didn't want to kiss him anyway" she muttered as she threw her wrapper on the chair and slid back under the sheets.

Rhett was true to his word. The next morning Gerald could not remember any detail of the previous evening, his empty wallet the only indication that he had engaged in something more than a conversation. He had been, rightly so Scarlett thought, ashamed that he had lost all his money. A situation that Scarlett pounced on and used to ensure her stay in Atlanta, and so when Gerald departed Atlanta later that day it was without Scarlett, who had promised not to mention to her mother how Gerald had gambled all the supplies money away, in exchange for being allowed to stay in Atlanta.

Scarlett had said goodbye to him at the depot and as she watched the train pull out the station, she wondered if perhaps Rhett had purposely gotten her father drunk and won his money just so that she would be able to stay in Atlanta. However, she quickly dismissed that ridiculous thought with a small laugh. Why, the lack of sleep the previous night must be getting to her for thinking such far-fetched and foolish things.

A few days later, Scarlett and Melly were sat in the parlour after dinner, and, without her thoughts occupied with ensuring her stay in Atlanta, Scarlett felt it was the right time to broach a subject she had so far neglected to mention.

"Melly?" Scarlett began hesitantly.

"Yes Scarlett?"

"You know the dance on Friday?"

"Yes I do. What about it?"

"Well…" Scarlett took a breath and put aside the dress she was stitching a lace collar onto. "Rhe- Captain Butler asked if I would accompany him there. I know it's not proper, but it's the only way I can think to repay him for all the money he so kindly donated to the cause." Scarlett bit her lip and looked up through her eyelashes to see if Melly was buying it. She was.

"Oh Scarlett, you're so selfless! I know how hard Charlie's death was on you" she stopped and sniffled slightly into her handkerchief, "and I think it's so brave that you are still doing your best to make sure he didn't die in vain." Her brown eyes were shining brightly with unshed tears as she smiled softly at her sister-in-law.

Scarlett inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Melly had reacted just as she was sure she would, always thinking the best of people, something she had counted on. She had come to realise how helpful it was to have Melly on her side and would have not liked to alienate her in any way.

"Oh Melly, I'm so glad you understand" she said. At first, Scarlett had no intention of telling anyone about the dance, but soon realised that she had no choice. Going to a dance was one thing, but telling no one and turning up, on the arm of Rhett Butler no less, well, that would be unthinkable.

"Of course I do Scarlett. How could I not?" Melly said sweetly, reaching over and patting Scarlett's hand.

Scarlett smiled back and picked up her dress to finish the stitching.

Scarlett stood in front of the mirror, staring unenthusiastically at the black fabric that was draped round her body. It was, Scarlett admitted, one of the better dresses she had brought to Atlanta with her, but that still didn't excuse the fact that it was, in essence, black. At least she had decided to forgo the hideous black bonnet with the crepe; indeed, she had taken the decision to never wear it again after what happened the previous day.

Melly had left late for the hospital and Scarlett had seen that in her haste, she'd forgotten the stack of bandages she'd been rolling the night before. Desperate to get out of the house, Scarlett had decided to deliver them to the hospital herself. She had reluctantly donned the bonnet and was just about to head out the door with the bandages in a basket, when she heard Wade start to cry. She had paused for a minute, to see if Prissy was going to sort him out, but hearing no sound of her approaching, Scarlett had sighed crossly and dashed up the stairs to the nursery. Upon opening the door, Wade's crying lessened to a sniffle, but as Scarlett rushed over to his cot and leant down to pick him up, he began wailing as Scarlett had never known him to do. She was convinced that it was her bonnet that had scared him, a thought which simultaneously horrified and amused her; the last thing she wanted was for her own baby to be scared of her, but she couldn't help but compare Wade's reaction to Rhett's. It appeared that both her son and his father had the same aversion to mourning clothes.

Her musings were interrupted by a knock at the door, and she quickly pinched her cheeks and bit down on her lips to make them redder. Hurrying over to the door, she flung it open to reveal an immaculately dressed Rhett Butler. She took in his clothing with a jealous look. Where Scarlett's dress was black, Rhett was wearing a grey suit that fit him perfectly and a royal blue waistcoat with delicate ivory embroidery. Finally, she met his gaze, with poorly disguised envy shining in her eyes.

"Mrs Hamilton, how lovely to see you" he took her hand and kissed it. "I have something for you" he carried on, and, in an elaborate gesture accompanied by a bow, he pulled a box out of his pocket and held it out to Scarlett.

"Oh Rhett!" Scarlett squealed and grabbed the box out of his hand. She began to open the lid, but stopped to look sternly at him. "You shouldn't be buying me things Rhett; you know it's not proper."

"I'll buy presents for whomever I choose and seeing as you and I passed proper a long time ago, I thought a little…ah… token wouldn't harm anyone."

Scarlett pulled the lid of the box and saw a royal blue ribbon with ivory lace edging.

"It's beautiful!" Scarlett gasped and picked it up to examine it.

"Yes, well as I told you, I fully intend to get you out of that hideous black get up and I guess I'm hoping the ribbon will bring you back to your senses."

Scarlett hardly heard a word of what he said, as she rushed over to the mirror pulling the black ribbon out of her hair and letting it fall unceremoniously on the floor. She deftly fixed the new ribbon in her hair, a satisfied smile crossing her face. Then, she caught a glimpse of Rhett in the mirror, casually leaning against the door frame with his hands in his pockets, a grin on his face.

"Well?" he asked. "Do you like it?"

"Of course I do, although…" she turned to look between Rhett and her reflection. Suddenly she gasped. "We match!" she cried. Immediately, her hand flew to her hand with the sole purpose of ripping the ribbon out. Just what would people say if she turned up wearing a ribbon the same colour and design as Rhett's waistcoat?

She was just about to tug at the ribbon when she noticed that Rhett had crossed the room with his long strides and captured her hands in his, preventing her from removing the ribbon.

"Rhett what were you thinking? I can't go out with this in!" she said. "Not with you in that waistcoat."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because of what people will think!" she said, amazed that he would even question such a thing.

"And what will they be thinking?" Oh he was just the most infuriating man ever, Scarlett thought.

"Well… that we… well you know" she stuttered.

"No, my dear, I don't believe I do."

"Oh you're impossible" Scarlett huffed, but then fell silent for a moment. "What if they realise about Wade?" she asked eventually.

"Scarlett?" he lowered their joined hands down from where they hovered just above her head. "They won't. Think about it logically. People won't automatically assume that just because you and I are wearing the same colour that I therefore must be Wade's father" he said gently and squeezed her hands reassuringly.

"Are you sure?" Scarlett whispered.

"Positive." He said it so sincerely that Scarlett couldn't help but believe him.

"Good, because it is an awfully pretty ribbon and just about the nicest thing I've worn in about a year!" she said, a smile creeping over her face.

"I thought as much."

"But… Why?" Scarlett asked. "Why did you want us to match?"

"You're full of questions today!" he chuckled, raking his hand through his hair. There was a slight pause before he answered. "There was some fabric left over when I had my waistcoat made. Seeing as I'd already paid for it, I didn't want it to be wasted" he said, his face annoyingly blank and unreadable.

"Oh" Scarlett said, feeling slightly disappointed. Not knowing why, she had half expected a declaration of some sort, rather than to be told that it was a mere matter of convenience. A small frown creased between her eyebrows.

"And I thought that seeing as you were going to a dance you might want to wear something pretty." He looked as though he was about to add something else, but just offered her his arm, which Scarlett took with a small smile. Just as they reached the door, Rhett stopped.

"Can I see Wade before we go?" he asked, almost hesitantly.

"Well…" Scarlett stuttered, caught off guard by his request. "He's just been put down for a nap and I'd hate to wake him up…" she trailed off as she saw a flash of disappoint cross Rhett's face.

"Why don't you call round tomorrow instead? Melly will be at the hospital and Aunt Pitty is going to visit Mrs Meade. Only if you want to, of course…" she glanced up at him, afraid she'd been too forward and that the only reason he was asking was because he was here and felt obliged to ask. After all, no other man she knew would go out of his way to spend time with a baby. Suddenly feeling like a fool for asking, she let go of his arm and hurried to the dresser to fetch her shawl in an attempt to hide her burning cheeks.

"I mean, you don't have to come at all, I just thought… but you're probably busy and it's not like Wade will… well he is only a baby after all and-" she babbled, wondering what it was about this man that got her all tongue-tied and unable to form a coherent sentence when she needed to most.

Her nervous prattle was cut short when she felt a hand on her upper arm.

"Scarlett, I would love to come tomorrow."

She waited a second for the 'but'. It didn't come.

"You would?" she asked.

"Yes. Now, I do believe we have a dance to get to." He opened the door and, with a bow, gestured for her to lead the way. "And we're already late" he said with a glance at his pocket watch. "It appears as though we're going to make a bit of an entrance!" he grinned and led the way to his carriage.

The next morning Scarlett woke up with a smile on her face. Stretching out under the covers of the bed she could still hear the music from the previous night in her head. Humming Dixie lightly to herself she hopped out of bed, her aching feet reminding her of how she danced all last evening. It had definitely been worth all the disapproving looks shot in her direction by the likes of Mrs Meade and Mrs Elsing.

Calling Prissy, she opened her closet, ready to pick out yet another black dress, when she stopped. For a minute she deliberated, but eventually took a dress out and threw it across her bed, waiting for Prissy. A second later, she heard footsteps on the stairs outside her room.

"Mornin' Miss Scarlett" Prissy said in her shrill voice, pushing open the door. "Will you be wanting to get dressed?"

"Yes" Scarlett said, grabbing her corset off her the chair. "Well come on!"

But Prissy's gaze had fallen on the dress on the bed and Scarlett rolled her eyes as she heard her gasp in horror.

"You can't wear that Miss Scarlett!" she cried, scandalised.

"I shall wear whatever I want to wear" Scarlett said tartly.

"But… what will folks think?"

"God's nightgown!" Scarlett scowled. "I will wear that dress and you will help me put it on!"

And so a reluctant Prissy helped Scarlett get ready, informing her that Miss Melly had left a half hour ago for the hospital and Miss Pittypat had gone out as well, to Scarlett's relief. She didn't really feel like explaining her choice of dress to anyone right now.

Just over an hour later, Scarlett was sat in the parlour with Wade lying on a blanket on the floor, kicking his chubby legs in the air as he gurgled incoherently. Every second, Scarlett glanced towards the door nervously, wondering if Rhett was indeed going to come and in the second after, she berated herself for caring so much whether he came or not. After all she was doing just fine on her own and whether he came or not was completely irrelevant to her. However, that still didn't stop her from jumping to her feet the second she heard footsteps coming down the path and she had to remind herself to wait for him to actually knock on the door before she opened it. Shaking her head at her foolishness, she let him in.

"Good morning Mrs Hamilton" he said jovially, taking his hat off his head and hanging it on the bannister.

"And aren't you looking delightfully colourful!" his eyes appreciatively taking in the deep red gown that Scarlett had hidden at the bottom of her trunk on the journey from Tara, in an attempt to counteract the depressing amounts of black she also had to bring.

"Well it's not as if I'm going out anywhere today. Besides I fancied a change" she said airily, smoothing out non-existent creases in her skirt.

"And I applaud you for doing so" he replied. "Indeed, I thought it might take more than a ribbon and a dance to convince you to give up your mourning."

"Well I haven't given it up completely. I wouldn't dare to go out like this quite yet" she stated and Rhett grinned ruefully.

"We'll see" was his only comment as he wandered into the parlour and settled down on the floor next to Wade. Scarlett stood in the doorway and watched father and son together. She still couldn't believe the situation she had gotten herself into, but at this moment, it didn't seem quite so bad.

Once again, I am so sorry about the wait and I'm still not completely happy with this chapter. I don't think it flows as well as some of the others but I wanted to get it posted as quickly as I could because I didn't want to keep you all waiting much longer for it when I'm not sure if I'll ever be completely happy with it.

Please review and let me know what you think. As always, any reviews are very much appreciated.

Miss Ivy