beyu0210

@@@@@He was clearly enjoying himself so muchHe was leaning back in a straight chair, tipped to rest against the wall near the fire, waving his hand to direct and encourage Jamie's fiddling and Maureen's rat-tat-tat with the bonesHis boots were off, and his stockinged feet fairly danced on the rungs of the chairHe was the picture of a man at hisease; even his collar was off, and the neck of his shirt was open so that his laughter could vibrate in his throat"Tell us, Colum, about your travels," someone would urge from time to time, but Colum always put them offHe needed music, he said, and a glass, to refresh his shirt and his dusty throat Tomorrow was time enough for talkingScarlett's heart, too, was refreshed by the musicBut she couldn't stay very longShe had to be home and in bed before her grandfather returnedI hope the driver keeps his promise and doesn't tell him he brought me here Grandfather wouldn't care two pins how much I needed to get away from that mausoleum and have a little fun Jamie was hardly out of sight when the carriage rolled up to the door She ran up the stairs with her slippers in her hand and her train bunched up under her armShe pressed her lips together to keep from gigglingPlaying truant was fun when you got away with itBut she didn't get away with itHer grandfather never learned what she had done, but Scarlett knew, and the knowledge stirred the emotions that had warred within her all her lifeScarlett's essential self was as much her heritage from her father as was her nameShe was impetuous, strong-willed, and had the same coarse, forthright vitality and courage that had carried him across the dangerous waters of the Atlantic and to the pinnacle of his dreams-master of a great plantation and husband to a great lady Her mother's blood gave her the fine bones and creamy skin that spoke of centuries of breedingEllen Robillard also instilled in her daughter the rules and tenets of aristocracyNow her instincts and her training were at warThe O 'Haras drew her like a lodestone Their earthy vigor and lusty happiness spoke to the deepest and best part of her nature