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It trailed awkwardly around her bare feet as she crept quietly through the dark hallway and down the stairs Thank goodness, the banked fire in the great fireplace gave out some heat still, and enough light for her to see the door to the dining room and the kitchen beyondShe didn't care what she might find; even cold rice and stew would be all rightWith one hand holding the dark coverlet around her, she groped for the doorknob Was it to the left or the right? She hadn't noticed"Stop right there, or I'll blow a hole through your middle!" Rhett's harsh voice made her jumpThe blanket fell away and cold air assaulted her "Great balls of fire!" Scarlett turned on him and bent to gather up the folds of wool"Didn't pasha cartier I have enough to scare me witless yesterday? Do you have to start up again? You nearly made me jump out of my skin!" "What are you doing wandering around at this hour, Scarlett? I could have shot you "What are you doing skulking around scaring people?" Scarlett draped the coverlet around her shoulders as if it were an imperial robe of ermine"I'm going to the kitchen to get some breakfast" she said with all the dignity she could musterRhett smiled at the absurdly haughty figure she cut"I'll make up the fire in the stove," he said"I was thinking of some coffee myself " It's your houseI reckon you can have coffee if you want some Scarlett kicked the trailing coverlet behind her as if it were the train on a chanel purse for cheap ball gown"Well? Aren't you going to open the door for me?" Rhett threw some logs into the fireplaceThe hot coals touched off a flare of dried leaves on one branch of woodHe quickly sobered the expression on his face before Scarlett could see itHe opened the door to the dining room and stepped backScarlett swept past him, but had to stop almost at once The room was completely dark"If you'll allow me-" Rhett struck a matchHe touched it to the lamp above the table, then carefully adjusted the flameScarlett could hear the laughter in his voice but somehow it didn't make her angry"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," she admitted"Not a horse, please," Rhett laughed"I've only got three, and two of them are no diamond gucci watch black damn good He settled the glass chimney on the lamp and smiled down at her "How about some eggs and a slice of ham?" "Two slices," said ScarlettShe followed him into the kitchen and sat on a bench by the table with her feet tucked up under the blanket while he lit a fire in the big iron stoveWhen the pine kindling was crackling, she stretched her feet out to the warmthRhett brought a half-eaten ham and bowls of butter and eggs from the pantry"The coffee grinder's on the table behind you," he said"The beans are in that canIf you'll grind some while I slice the ham, breakfast will be ready that much sooner "Why don't you grind them while I cook the eggs?" "Because the stove's not hot yet, Miss GreedyThere's a prada brown handbags pan of cold corn bread next to the grinderThat should tide you over I'll do the cooking Scarlett swivelled aroundThe pan under the napkin had four squares of corn bread left in itShe dropped her wrap to reach for a pieceWhile she was chewing she put a handful of coffee beans into the grinderThen she alternated taking bites of corn bread with turning the handleWhen the corn bread was almost gone, she heard the sizzle as Rhett dropped ham slices into a skillet "That smells like heaven," she said happilyShe finished grinding the coffee with a spurt of rapid cranks"Where's the coffee pot?" She turned, saw Rhett, and began to laughHe had a dishtowel tucked into the waistband of his trousers and a long fork in one chloe bay bag camel ha