But she felt they knew something she did not
know.
His hair was rumpled andhis eyes bloodshot and
narrow.
That was wrong, being glad a husbandwas at the
house of a prostitute, but she could not help it. Yes, sorry because youre such a
child, Scarlett.
He had humbled her, hurt her, usedher brutally
through a wild mad night and she had gloried in it.
I have always admired your spirit, my dear. He
released her abruptly and made a weaving way back toward thedecanter.
Tomorrow the memory of this hideous night would
notbe driving her so fiercely that she shook. I thought surely the whole townknew by
now. How could a man say Oh, hello, after being gone withoutexplanation for two
days?
She could not face himtonight, shamed, frightened,
shaking.
She saw that he was coatless and his cravat
hungdown on either side of his open collar. Everyone in the family connection was
forced to takesides.
Youve lived in dirt too long to know anything else.
His hands were on her head, under her flowing hair, caressing,hard, turning her face
up to his.
I told youthat once before and you werent enough of
a gentleman tounderstand.
Dont you realize I know you better than anyone in
the world knowsyou?
He, like Scarlett, was forced to shelter
behindMelanies skirts.
She could not humble herself to ask friends if they
had seen him.
She thought rapidly, tryingto lay a line of
defenses. People had been a bit cool, somewhat bewildered, but they had beenpolite.
Oh, yes, youve been faithful to me because Ashley wouldnt haveyou.
He stood aside and bowed her through the door with
a mockery thatmade her wince. But, she added with quiet venom, Im going toshow India
and Mrs. Would she never stop stabbing him tothe heart? Theres no other explanation
for heraction. Resolutely she tried to fight off this thought but it only made
hercry harder. What would a child do with the moon if it got it?
And I, my darling, will continue tomoon after
whores. And now he was back, insulting, sardonic,out of reach. She could not face
himtonight, shamed, frightened, shaking. By God, thisis one night when there are
only going to be two in my bed. I shouldnt have talked about it all and distressed
youso. Dont you realize I know you better than anyone in the world
knowsyou?
How does itfeel, my dear, to have the woman you
hate stand by you and cloakyour sins for you? Youd disgrace it quick enough if Miss
Melly was dead, wouldntyou?