Scarlet thought she was dreaming. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Billy wanted to kiss her? Her, a dirty prostitute? No one had had ever asked her that before. No man had ever kissed her because they wanted her; they kissed her because they wanted a whore. "Was this really happening?" she thought to herself as her head spun. She nearly fainted, but controlled herself enough to answer.
"Y...y...yes, Billy. If you really w--." Her words were cut off by Billy's lips upon her own. Scarlet would not have believed this was actually happening if those lips hadn't been so warm and tender. His hands remained on her face, lightly touching her soft cheeks while that kiss lingered on for an eternity, or so it seemed to Scarlet. The feel of him so close to her was so amazing. It felt like this was the first kiss she had ever experienced.
Even as a little girl, living on the farm, Scarlet had always dreampt of what her first kiss would be like. Her favorite pasttime was when she and her mother would stay up all night and for hours and talk about boys. That's what she missed most when her mother passed away. To cope with the loss of her dear mother, she supressed any thought of the opposite sex for years. She stayed as far away from them as she could, so she never truly did experience a first kiss. That is what had made the incident with the Union soldiers two years before so horrific. She hadn't been prepared for contact with men, especially ones who forced themselves upon her. This scarred her for life, and she would never be the same.
Even though she now made her living soliciting herself to men, she hated them with a passion, and she believed she always would. Every kiss and every touch she experienced meant absolutely nothing, which is why up until now, she had never really experienced a real first kiss. That is the reason this kiss was so special to Scarlet. She actually wanted this one to happen.
Billy finally let her lips go. Scarlet opened her eyes to see his eyes starring back at her. Neither of them knew what to say to each other. That kiss had occurred so spontaneously that neither was prepared for it, let alone for what would happen after it was over.
Billy began to think that maybe what he did was wrong. How could someone like her love someone like him? It was just impossible. He couldn't deny the feelings he had for her, but he believed deep down that she could never return the sentiments. How could any woman of her nature love a man?
Pierce broke the awkward silence. "I--I'm sorry. I should not have done that. I should have acted more like a gentleman. Can you ever forgive me?" He got to his feet and immediately helped Scarlet to her's.
Scarlet was too shocked to speak. First she was astonished that he was actually kissing her, and now she was absolutely dumbfounded at his reaction afterwards. She just didn't understand why he would think this way. Maybe he really didn't love her, he just felt sorry for her. But after such a loving kiss, could he really feel this way? Scarlet dearly hoped not, but she feared that it was true. She shivered uncontrollably at the thought.
Pierce, unaware of what to do about his feelings and her own, saw her shivering. He took the opportunity to take off his gray jacket and put it over her shoulders. "You poor thing, you're outside on a night like this in just that dress. Come, let's get you inside." Still incongnizant of her feelings, it didn't matter if she loved him or not, he didn't want to see her cold. He put his arm around her and escorted her in the direction of the tavern.
Scarlet still couldn't speak. She was overwhelmed in confusion. "Was it true that he feel sorry for me then?" she wondered, still afraid to open her mouth. Finally, as they neared the tavern, she motioned him to stop walking. "Billy, what happened? I don't understand. I thought...I thought you..." She couldn't bring herself to finish.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I should have acted more honorably. It will never happen again". It pained Pierce to say that. He wanted her so badly, but he couldn't bring himself to say his true feelings. Would she only laugh at him?
Scarlet would not let this happen. She wouldn't let her Billy get away. Mustering up all her courage and not caring if he shunned her for it, she looked him right in the eyes. "But Billy! Don't you get it? I lov--"
Just then a soldier running towards them in the street started yelling in their direction. "Captain, come quick! It's those damn Yankees! They've found out where our winter quarters is! We have to defend it!" It was Sergeant Franklin, who had obviously run all the way from the barracks just to find Pierce.
"Alright, I'll go head up there now. The rest of the men are in that tavern, go round them up. I'll meet you all there. Tell them to be prepared to fight!" Pierce was about to start running off in the direction Franklin had come, but then he turned to see the wide-eyed Scarlet standing there, looking absolutely frightened.
"No Billy, you can't fight! Please! You're safer here in Richmond, safer with me!" Scarlet was pleading with him desperately, trying to do all she could to keep him away from the inevitable stray bullets and sabres that lay ahead of him.
Pierce questioned the girl to himself. Could these really be the words of someone who doesn't have the capability to love another? He didn't have time to find out. He had a fort to save. "I will be fine, I swear it. I will meet you back here tomorrow night." Still unsure of how she felt, he took a chance and leaned over to kissed her on the lips once more. She responded with a smile, as did he. "Until tomorrow night then, my Scarlet!" he yelled as he dashed down the street into darkness.
