The front door opened and the counter boy entered, picking his teeth with a quill. Scarlett rose, pulled her shawl about her and tied her bonnet strings firmly under her chin. Her mind was made up.
“ Are you busy this afternoon? Can you come with me now?” she asked.
“ Where?”
“ I want you to drive to the mill with me. I promised Frank I wouldn’t drive out of town by myself.”
“ To the mill in this rain?”
“ Yes, I want to buy that mill now, before you change your mind.”
He laughed so loudly the boy behind the counter started and looked at him curiously.
“ Have you forgotten you are married? Mrs. Kennedy can’t afford to be seen driving out into the country with that Butler reprobate, who isn’t received in the best parlors. Have you forgotten your reputation?”
“ Reputation, fidd
