jarvifowler

@@@@@ She put on the brown travelling costume she had worn on the boat to the Landing, then brushed her dark hair back from her temples and tucked combs in to hold itThen she rubbed just a small amount of eau de cologne across her wrists and throat, just a whiffreminder that she was feminine and soft and desirableWalking along the hall and down the stairs she was as quiet as she could beThe longer Rosemary stayed asleep, the betterThe east-facing window on the stair landing was distinct in the darknessScarlett blew out the flame in the lamp she was carryingOh, please let this be a good day, let me do everything rightLet it be like breakfast all day longIt's New Year's EveThe house had the special quality of quiet that wraps the earth just before sunriseScarlett stepped carefully to make no noise until she reached the center room belowThe fire was burning brightly; Rhett must have put more logs on while she was dressingShe could just make out the dark shape of his shoulders and head framed by the gray semi-light of a window beyond himHe was in his office with the door ajar, his back to herShe tiptoed across the room and tapped gently on the door frame with the tips of her fingers"May I come in?" she whispered"I thought you'd gone back to bed," said RhettHe sounded very tiredShe remembered that he'd been up all night guarding the house She wished she could cradle his head against her heart and stroke his tiredness away"There wasn't much point to going to sleep, there'll be roosters crowing like crazy as soon as the sun's up She put one foot tentatively across the doorsill"Is it all right if I sit in here? There's not such a reek in your office "Come in," Rhett said without looking at herScarlett moved quietly to a chair just inside the of