Chapter Four: Master of the House
Soon discussions between Marilla, Rachel and Sarah Blythe were in full swing at Green Gables. Marilla had made sure Anne was sleeping upstairs and was unaware of what was being discussed on the floor below.
"We will put the title of Green Gables into Gilbert's name. Mr Barry is not intending to renew the lease of the fields for next harvest. John and Davy can tend to them and Anne is going to have to give up Summerside." Marilla looked into her tea cup thoughtfully, as Rachel and Sarah observed her carefully from across the kitchen table.
"Marilla, you can't put Green Gables in Gilbert's name," Sarah Blythe gasped. Her cheeks flamed red as though she herself were responsible for Anne's current condition.
"Gilbert needs a title to his name if this marriage is to look strong from the outset," Rachel Lynde said firmly. "It will help quell the gossip, if only a little."
"Gilbert's practice is going to have to run out of Avonlea, at least for the first few years, now." Mrs Blythe observed and her heart softened slightly at the thought of having her son, and soon grandchild, so close by. Marilla cast Sarah Blythe an assuring glance before commenting.
"Everything we do from here on in, ladies, is going to have to be done with complete discretion. Whilst this situation is hardly ideal, Anne and Gilbert have a great deal to their name already. We need to ensure Gilbert gets through his final year of Medicine and that Anne, and the babe, are kept safe and well. That is all that matters."
Later that afternoon Marilla headed back up to the East Gable room to check on Anne.
"Anne," Marilla spoke softly, gently stroking her arm in an effort to rouse her. The poor girl looked deathly pale, her red hair framing her pretty face and her thin frame giving away no sign of the secret life hiding within it.
Marilla was reluctant to wake her, but wanted to speak to her before Gilbert returned from Carmody. Marilla had been stunned by Rachel's revelation, but like Rachel she chose not to cast judgment, rather to focus on addressing the situation practically and as best she could. Marilla Cuthbert had always prided herself on being unflappable if nothing else.
"Anne, we need to get you out of these clothes and into your nightgown," Marilla said gently. "I know you are feeling poorly, but it needs to be done."
"Marilla?" A small, pale hand reached out for her. It was shaking almost as badly as it had done the first night Anne had arrived at Green Gables.
"It's just a cold," Anne whispered, opening her eyes slowly, trying to look convincing.
"Anne," Marilla said quietly, brushing the beads of sweat of Anne's forehead. "I know it's not a cold."
Anne sighed, too feeble to lift her head and simply lay there, allowing Marilla to stroke her head.
"What did Gilbert say?" She asked, her voice small and childlike.
"Gilbert told Rachel that he suspects you are with child," Marilla said simply and Anne's face snapped around to meet hers.
"Gil told Mrs Lynde?" Anne blinked at Marilla, trying to envision a scenario where Gilbert Blythe would volunteer that he had engaged in relations out of wedlock to Rachel Lynde.
"Rachel guessed and cornered him," Marilla explained wryly.
"Oh!" Anne's grey eyes grew wide as she tried, in vain, to envision Gil and Rachel Lynde in such an exchange. It seemed there were limits to even her imagination. "Really?" Anne laughed despite herself before coming back down to reality. "Oh Marilla, I'm sorry, this is absolutely the worst thing I have ever done."
"Anne," Marilla held her small hand tightly. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Anne's cheeks flamed. This was all her fault. She had tempted Gilbert and pushed him beyond the boundaries that they had set themselves. She had been the seductress, so overwhelmed with years of pent up yearning and desire. She had been the one who had begged him to continue. She was the one who had insisted on knowing him as she had known no other.
"Marilla, I am certain that I have acted in a way that could place me in such a condition, I am certain that my monthly bleeding is two weeks late and I am quite certain of the fact that I feel sick to my stomach."
Marilla nodded, unsure as to what to say.
"You need to get changed into your bed clothes, Anne." Marilla observed practically. "Your corset won't be doing you any favours."
"Will you help me?" Anne asked weakly as Marilla helped her with her boots and out of her dress, placing a fresh nightgown over her shoulders. Anne's whole body trembled as she slid back under the covers, her face welling up with tears."
"I have bought shame upon you, Gilbert, upon Green Gables, the Blythes, Summerside, Matthew…"
Matthew. Matthew would have been so disappointed in her. A silent tear slipped down her cheek.
"Anne Shirley, I will not have this melodramatic display of self-loathing and pity in my home. A babe is a wonderful blessing. I was the last baby to be born at Green Gables, so I'd say we're about due for new blood." Marilla continued. "Gilbert Blythe has loved you, for better or for worse, since you were 11 years old. I hardly think the boy is going to stop now, particularly given the fact that he is as much a part of this circumstance as you are."
Marilla watched helplessly, as s sad, little face lay her head down on the pillow with silent tears streaming down.
Gilbert had left John and the buggy at the Blythe homestead and walked back to Green Gables, so as to not arouse the suspicion of any passing neighbours.
Gilbert entered Green Gables to find Mrs Lynde and his mother in a storm of white lace.
"We will be ready for next Saturday, Gilbert." Mrs Rachel Lynde said confidently.
"I will write to Reverend Allan, and make the arrangements, first thing tomorrow morning," Gilbert assured Mrs Lynde and his mother.
"The doctor?" Marilla asked, returning to the kitchen from the East Gable room.
"Doctor Scott has asked that Anne be at the Wright farm on Tuesday morning. He is scheduled to see Diana Wright then and he thought this may aid discretion. Until then we are to monitor Anne's intake of fluids and address her nausea as best we can by continuing with ginger and peppermint treatments."
"Gilbert, may I have a word with you in the parlour, please?" Gilbert's heart thumped loudly in his chest. Marilla had the right to be extremely angry with him. She had placed the utmost trust in Gilbert, often leaving he and Anne unchaperoned when she should have, certainly in retrospect, done otherwise.
"Please take a seat," Marilla offered as they entered the parlour and Gilbert sat nervously on the edge of the chair.
"Miss Cuthbert, I'm truly sorry for this." Gilbert said sincerely, his face white and uncertain.
"How is she?"
"Anne is as can be expected. What are your intentions?" Marilla asked straightforwardly.
"I haven't had the opportunity to discuss anything with Anne, but my hope is that she will agree to bringing our wedding forward a year to this upcoming Saturday. I will have to return to Redmond in three weeks' time to finish my final year, otherwise I won't be able to earn an appropriate income to support Anne – and our child…" Gilbert paused for a moment, truly stressed. "All I have to my name at present is a very modest sum of savings and my education. Anne is also, naturally, going to have to notify Summerside immediately that she will not be returning this school year. I hope that Anne will be happy living with my parents for the year."
"Gilbert, whilst you were gone your mother, Mrs Lynde and I had a discussion and reached a decision. I am going to put the title of Green Gables into your name tomorrow."
"Miss Cuthbert, you can't do that!" Gilbert's eyes flashed in horror. "This is your home. Your livelihood."
"And so it will remain Gilbert, but you need something to your name to make this work. You and Anne will marry and move into the master bedroom, Rachel will maintain her area and I will move into the spare room. Davy and Dora will also remain here, until such time as they are ready to leave. Your mother has already agreed that your father will help tend to the fields, now that Mr Barry is no longer renting them from us. As of tomorrow morning, after I have visited the bank, you will be the master of Green Gables."
"Miss Cuthbert…" Gilbert started feeling extremely uncomfortable.
"Gilbert, I know that this isn't an easy pill to swallow. You are stubborn, hardworking and like to achieve things on your own merits. We all find those aspects of your character extremely admirable, but in this instance this is what is best for both you and Anne. You need us to protect and support you both right now." Marilla continued. "We will say Anne has decided to stay at home with me this year, as my eyesight is weakening again and she wishes to focus on her writing. You elected to marry now, as you saw no further reason to wait. If you marry on Saturday, you still have a two-week window in which to conceive a child," Marilla's expression flushed at this statement and Gilbert looked guiltily at the floorboards. "Not that I think any of this will stop the likes of the Pyes' tongues wagging."
Gilbert flinched at the thought of Josie Pye having anything over Anne and suddenly felt more amenable to Marilla's kind offer.
"Thank you for your help, Miss Cuthbert," Gilbert reached out to shake Marilla's hand. "I will ensure your kindness is repaid ten-fold in the future."
Marilla simply smiled knowingly and took Gilbert's outstretched hand in both of hers.
"Between the two of us, I would say we know Anne's personality fairly well. She's very passionate, very contagious and very loving." Marilla gave him an arched look. "I have seen you two interact with one another since Anne was 11 years old and you have always cared for her with your whole heart. Whilst the circumstances are certainly not ideal, I know that your mother is pleased that you will at least have to start your medical practice in Avonlea and we all cannot wait to meet our grandchild."
At the thought of a small baby, with red curls and big grey eyes, Gilbert allowed his expression to soften.
"I realise it's not appropriate, but may I please go up and check on Anne?" Gilbert asked tentatively and Marilla all but rolled her eyes at Gilbert's sudden consideration for propriety.
"You may, Gilbert."
"Anne-girl," Gilbert whispered softly into the darkened East Gable room.
"Gil?" Anne mumbled softly in her sleep, as Gilbert drew a chair up beside the bed and reached and for her hand. "I love you."
"I love you too," Gilbert whispered. "Goodnight, my love."
