After a long night, Scarlett was truly grateful to see the sun peaking through the cracks in the curtains. She opened the window and watched it rise over the mountains, and hoped that it would not be the last time. At least it's not raining, Scarlett thought to herself.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door, making Scarlett jump. Scarlett yelled, "Come in," before one of her new servants entered with her breakfast. She put the silver tray of eggs, bacon and and crumpets on the table and began making the bed. Scarlett did not have much of an appetite, but she went over and sat down anyways. She reached to pour herself a cup of tea when she saw a folded note with her name written on it placed in the corner of the tray. Scarlett dismissed her servant and slowly broke the monogrammed wax seal on the back of the note.
Scarlett paused for a moment while she tried to figure out the meaning behind this note. She wondered if he was giving her another chance, an opportunity to explain... She got up and rang her servant bell so hard and fast that when her maid returned she still had her breakfast in her hands.
"Get out my riding habit!" Scarlett demanded as she raced over to her vanity. "Oh, I look so pale and tired, not anything like a queen. Well, I'll just have to fix that."
Scarlett emerged from her chambers looking refreshed and beautiful. She had taken a small nap before getting dressed and she didn't look nearly as tired and worn out as before. She held her head high and confidently walked down to the stables.
James stood beside his black stallion firmly brushing all of the dirt away. He had spent a long night comparing his desperation for a queen with the ultimate surprise that Scarlett was not the young woman he thought she was. She did, indeed, have a child who, for all he knew, might not be legitimate. This possibility would of course eliminate any possibility that they could be married, as his royal blood could not be tainted. Still, she was intelligent, confident, and strong-willed, three qualities that had become even more obvious at last night's dinner. James was falling for her, that much was inevitable, but now the the question was could she be queen, or only a mistress? Either way he had to have her.
James' thoughts were interrupted by the clicking of Scarlett's shoes as she walked on the wooden floors of the stables. It didn't take her long to find James who instantly paused at the sight of a smiling Scarlett in her royal blue riding habit. She was beautiful as she walked over and gracefully stroked the mare. Cathy, who had come along to play chaperon, walked a few steps behind Scarlett and caught a glimpse of James' face right before he recomposed himself to show the ladies their horses.
Scarlett attempted to gracefully mount her horse, and make herself comfortable in a side-saddle. Then she looked up and put on her best smile, "She's beautiful."
"Thank you," he replied, mounting his own horse, "we really pride ourselves in our horses here."
"I can see why," she said, looking around, "you have so many, are they all purebreds?"
"Only the best."
"My father always prided himself in our horses. When I was a little girl, I spent many afternoons riding around our plantation with him."
"I think your father and I would have gotten along very well." he added with a chuckle.
"I think he would have liked you very much."
"And your husband... would he have liked me?" Cathy gasped, and Scarlett was stunned by his bluntness, and he was scared that he had been too forward. But his curiosity had overrided his manners. He absolutely had to know whether or not this could lead to marriage. He held his breath as she formulated her answer.
Scarlett chose her words carefully. With downcast eyes she quietly replied, "I imagine that if he was still alive, he would have enjoyed your company nearly as much as I do."
"I'm sorry for your loss," James said turning his head away to hide his smile.
"Thank you."
James recomposed himself, "Well, shall we head toward the gardens? They are beautiful this time of year with the leaves falling and all."
That sounds just lovely."
Will James find out the truth? Will Scarlett be queen? Will Rhett ever get his act together? Find out Next time!