@@@@@ She dropped her eyes as if she were
@@@@@ She dropped her eyes as if she were embarrassed by
her boldnessHer thick lashes fluttered on her cheeksRhett did not
respond"I'll just get soaked again when I go back out," he said
"We're only a couple of miles from Fort Moultrie
Rhett walked into the small pantry adjoining the kitchen"Bother Fort
Moultrie!" Scarlett wished he'd stop rooting around in the pantry like
thatHow could she talk to him when he was in another room? Rhett
emerged with a bottle of whiskey in one hand"The shelves are pretty
bare," he said with a brief smile, "but the necessities are there He
opened a cupboard and took down two cups"Clean enough," he said
"I'll pour us a drink He set cups and bottle down on the table"I
don't want a drinkI want-" He interrupted before she could tell him
what she wanted"I need a drink," he saidHe poured the cup half
full, drank it in one long swallow, then shook his head"No wonder
they left it here; it's real rotgut
Scarlett watched him with a look of amused indulgencePoor darling,
how nervous he isWhen she spoke her voice was heavy with loving
patience"You don't have to be so skittery, RhettIt's not like you
compromised me or anythingWe're two married people who love
each
other, that's all Rhett stared at her over the rim of the cup, then
put it carefully down on the tab