Timeline - Still between Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars.

Chapter 2: Marital Advice

It was dark when Anne and Gilbert finally said goodnight. Anne walked towards the house. There was enough ambient light pushing at the porch spindles to cast their slender shadows on the front lawn. There they turned and shimmied like Turkish dervishes as Anne opened the door. She slipped off her shoes before shutting it as quietly as possible. The door latched audibly. Anne froze and waited for discovery. No one came. Carefully, as to not wake Davy and Dora; the Green Gable twins, or Mrs. Lynde, or Marilla, she stole into the kitchen to get a slice of bread and a glass of water before bed. She did not know how hungry she truly was until her teeth cut through the crust.

What a night and what a story!

Now that she was inside, away from Gilbert; and away from the romantic twinkly lights of fireflies; and away from the mists floating from the Haunted Woods; she wondered and worried. Did she dream up their conversation? It sounded like something she could have concocted. She used to have the most magnificent daydreams in her youth. Was everything that Gilbert said a trick of her mind? It had to be so, at least that was how she felt standing in Marilla's kitchen. All her daydreams had died in this room. Anne had spent many an afternoon scrubbing reality into the darken floorboards. She saw effort and elbow-grease all around the spotless kitchen, but not magic. She knew she couldn't believe in magic standing where she was. It was impossible.

But when Anne closed her gray eyes other memories from the night came forward: Gilbert's hazel eyes were all soft and glazed as he spoke. He was looking for her acceptance: He was looking for her faith. She loved him too much not to give it. How could she not continue to embrace him; and how could she not let him love her; especially when his kisses were so fine. His story didn't make sense but it didn't have to make sense. She told herself, she didn't have to do anything but love him; and loving Gilbert Blythe was so easy for her to do.

Anne opened her eyes and caught her reflection in the cabinet's glass doors. Her imaginary friend Katie Maurice was looking back, her hair just as red as Anne's, her eyes were mysterious now. Anne stepped closer, seeing Katie's face change to her own. Anne's neck displayed a string of purple bruises which she camouflaged with her lace choker once again. Gilbert was eager in everything regarding Anne Shirley. Even from their first meeting, he had shown this quality.

What about before? They had both existed in a time and place before Avonlea. She had always wondered about his time in Alberta. His father went west for his health and took Gilbert with him, away from his mother. Why? Why would an ailing parent do that if they thought their own death was near? Wouldn't it make more sense for Gilbert to have stayed with his mother in Avonlea? She had an answer now, even if she had to ferret it out and piece it together. Gilbert was to heal his father under the sanitorium's cloak. Prairie cure indeed! John Blythe overcame consumption supernaturally.

Oh, poor Ruby Gillis.

That thought overwhelmed Anne with its suddenness. Their friend had died from consumption a few summers ago. It must have been harder for Gilbert than what Anne realized, knowing if he only had his powers, he could have stopped it. It suddenly seemed very unfair and disabling. Anne appreciated in a whole new way why Gilbert wanted to be a doctor. He lived in a horrid shallow of inequity; becoming a physician made restitution for all those people he wanted to help, but couldn't.

Anne also knew Gilbert had put a lot of thought into how to tell her his secrets. Maybe his comments to her were years in the making. He had rather expertly soothed her into his world. He made her concentrate on something beyond herself and beyond him too. Their children. For the first time ever, Anne Shirley realized that she would be a mother someday. What would it be like to raise a magical child, if it were a Blythe like Gilbert?

All of these thoughts were pressing so hard on her mind, she barely noticed a visitor entering the kitchen. Mrs. Lynde was there, staring at her peculiarly. Her floral robe was wrapped tightly around her front and her hair was in curlers. She had a lamp in one hand and under her arm was a box of chocolate caramels from Blair's. Anne then remembered Mrs. Lynde had visited her son in Carmody that afternoon.

"I wanted to be sure you knew how to get out of the kitchen. You've been in here for the last twenty minutes," Mrs. Lynde said. She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Anne answered. "I came in here for some bread and butter and I got stuck in a thought."

The widow was not satisfied with Anne's response. It was more than just a mere thought. Whatever it was, it was consuming her. Mrs. Lynde was the type of person that didn't beat around the bush when she had a hunch. Taking a step closer to Anne, she called, "Come here, Anne Shirley. Let me get a good look at you."

Anne inched her way closer to Mrs. Lynde who held her lamp up to Anne's face and shoulders.

"Umph! Take it off, the choker." She said.

"Mrs. Lynde," Anne said. "I don't think that's..." However, Anne saw her efforts to save herself from disgrace were making it worse. "Fine." Anne removed the choker which revealed the love bites Gilbert left.

"Well, I knew it. Marilla's an old spinster, probably never crossed her mind why you'd be wearing something so old-fashioned and uncomfortable in August, but I thought to myself. 'She's engaged now. There might be more hanky-panky than we know.' Not to mention the fact I invented that trick. I might be older than the hills now but I was young once too." She brought the light in closer to Anne's fair skin. "Oh, don't look that way, Anne! I've seen worse on my own daughters and they were much younger than yourself."

"I've had a really strange night, Mrs. Lynde," Anne said rubbing her neck. She moved across the kitchen to peer out of the window framed above the sink. The moon was fuller than full. How appropriate.

"Just how strange are we talking about? Do I have to buy you a chastity belt?"

"No, not that.." Anne chuckled. She knew Mrs. Lynde wasn't truly serious. "We're going to do things properly, of course. You know Gil's a member of the church."

"Well, what have you been thinking about that's kept you so long in here?" Mrs. Lynde said in a tone that invited confidences.

"Our children," Anne whispered back. "It was something Gilbert said." She tried to brush it away.

Mrs. Lynde smiled at Anne, pleased to see an innocent curiosity frightening her.

"You're thinking about the makin' of them, aren't you." Mrs. Lynde said. "That's what. I know that look, my own girls had it especially fixed on their faces the night before they wed. And Anne, you know you're like a daughter to me too. You can ask me anything about - the deed." Mrs. Lynde rolled her brown eyes in the direction of Marilla's bedroom. "Let's face it, Marilla's not going to be much help in the marital advice department."

Anne stared back at Mrs. Lynde, frozen. That was not what she was thinking about at all, but she did strike a chord and its tone resonated inside her from head to toe. She did want to talk about it because Gilbert was awakening thoughts and passions in her that she didn't know she had. She knew that Diana would never talk that frankly, but Mrs. Lynde had no problems in saying it like it was. Mrs. Lynde took Anne's wide-eyed response as confirmation.

"Let's go to the porch and you can have some of these caramels Robert bought for me," She smiled, tapping the box.

*/*/*

"What's your question, Anne?"

The lamp was hung on a hook from the veranda's ceiling and they sat in their porch rockers. A small tea table separated the two women. The chocolates were picked over and Anne couldn't talk on account of the candies. She just made her expressive eyes look really big and then nodded. She had no idea how Mrs. Lynde would translate her gesture.

"I see, you don't waste any time, do you?" Mrs. Lynde swallowed. "Well, I'm goin' to be honest with you Anne. It's really uncomfortable the first few times," Rachel confided. "I sort of worry about it for you as you're so small and delicate, and Gilbert's – not. But rest assured, that will work in your favor later on." She winked and patted Anne's' knee.

Gulp.

Anne wasn't sure she wanted to be there anymore. She took two more candies out of the now half-empty box and started to chew, choking down its cloying taste. She told herself she could run if she had to. Mrs. Lynde kept talking.

"...it's about trust, you know. Always work to build it up, never to tear it down." She said. "But on that first night, when he comes to you, be happy and don't fret. I am sure he'll be as gentle as possible. Gilbert loves you to pieces. That's been clear for a long while now. Kissing is sweet but love-making can be a tricky business - especially at first. Be brave and tell Gilbert what you want, because it will help both of you grow closer to each other."

"Why are you telling me this – now?" Anne asked trying to veil her discomfort. She thought that she might be sweating under such vivid illuminations. "We're not going to the altar any day soon. We plan to be engaged for three years."

"Oh, I'm just excited for you," Mrs. Lynde confided. "There's something very pleasing about you ending up with Gilbert Blythe. I always said you two were so well matched; in looks and in brains. But I suppose I miss being a mother. I miss talking to my girls. And three years is a long ways off, I know. I'm an old woman and I may not be around then. I grow sad just thinking that there's this possibility, I won't see you married. You never know what Providence will bring."

The next morning started earlier for Anne than what she would have liked. Dora Keith woke her up when she brought Anne hot water for her basin and a clean face cloth. Dora had grown tall during Anne's last year at Redmond, but in personality, she was still very much the same obedient girl that entered Green Gables with her twin brother Davy. Davy had been the mischievous one, a holy terror, but he was likable. Dora was pleasant, but it was hard to truly know her. Anne had always struggled a little bit to connect with her would-be sister because Dora possessed sense and reason that only an old soul would have. Anne had yet to aspire to her level of maturity; and in that way, Dora was the older of the two.

Dora stood in the doorway for a minute and looked as if she wanted to say something to Anne. Anne was brushing out her hair from a night's sleep, unconcerned about her loitering.

"Anne?" Dora said quietly.

Anne peered up to look at the girl whose long blonde braids hung to her hips. "Is something wrong?"

Dora opened her mouth but didn't speak loudly enough to be heard. Instead, they heard Davy shout from downstairs. "Anne, you have a visitor!"

Dora's face fell as Anne jumped up and put on her robe and checked her reflection.

"I have no idea why he's here so early," Anne said to Dora, obviously thrilled for the interruption. Anne paused, seeing Dora deflate. "Are you all right, dear?"

"Yes, I suppose," Dora said. "I'll find you later."

To Marilla's horror, Anne flew downstairs half dressed. Her hair was unbraided and it trailed behind her like a big red curtain. She swung her hair over her left shoulder to display her crown properly to young Mr. Blythe, who was grinning ear to ear to see her so unkempt.

"Anne Shirley, you get back upstairs right now and get some clothes on, I will not have this in my home." Marilla Cuthbert said with such ferociousness that Gilbert stopped smiling and gave Miss Cuthbert a wide berth.

"Oh, Marilla!" Anne said, "Gil doesn't mind. I let the chickens see me like this all the time, don't I?"

"And you scare them too," Davy said in passing. Anne wrapped her robe around her a little tighter in response and started a loose braid.

"What is so wrong with coming downstairs dressed?" Marilla asked. "You need to be able to present yourself."

"Anne's right, I do not mind...much," Gilbert said quite hesitantly now. "But I'm only here to say I won't be around for a couple of days. I'm going over to New Brunswick to help my cousin move to Avonlea, we got a telegram last night. I'll ferry over today and get her loaded. She's a seamstress and is trying to break out on her own, but Helen, my cousin, she has quite a lot of machines to haul and it's going to take two days. Anyway, Anne, Miss Cuthbert will you come for dinner on Sunday? You can meet her then."

"I suppose we could do that," Marilla said not waiting for Anne to reply. Of course, it was only a formality. They all knew Anne would go. "I'll send Anne up to your place to let Geraldine know as you'll be off the island. Gilbert, would you like some coffee while Anne gets dressed for breakfast." Marilla said haltingly, stressing her displeasure in Anne's appearance.

Gilbert frowned, "I would but I'm already running late, just needed to see Anne before leaving."

"I'll walk you to the wagon," Anne said putting her arm into his, much to Marilla's exasperation.

Anne stayed at home the rest of the day and worked diligently on packing for her new post as Principal of Summerside High School. She was confident in the classroom work, having taught at the school in Avonlea for two years, as well as random summer schools, but this contract would have her also responsible for a small staff. Anne knew she was qualified for the position, but it was very overwhelming to think that her success would affect others directly. It was not going to be just her and the board, but then she was going to be paid accordingly for her additional responsibilities.

For her off time, Anne was already making plans. Summerside was on the same train line as Charlottetown and Carmody, and it wasn't that far from Kingsport via ferry. As long as her money held out for fares, she would visit Redmond College and Green Gables on alternating weekends. Although, strictly speaking, she wouldn't be going to Kingsport to visit Gilbert at medical school. She would be going to Kingsport to visit the alumni library, or she so deviously pre-decided. She was not sure how the school board would react if they knew she was seeing her fiancé on such weekends.

She had procured a map of Summerside through Mrs. Lynde's friend, one Mrs. Braddock, who was a resident. Anne studied it assiduously to find the high school and to find Mrs. Thomas Pringle's home, where the principals boarded according to the contract. Anne traced the streets she would walk with her slender finger. The entire town was sprawled out on a concave harbor. This half-moon of the shoreline made it such a natural port, the first of Prince Edward Island. The streets would make such delightful walking for they were quite long, with many bends to enjoy, and ancient histories to discover. There was one bridge that connected the markets by the seaside to the fancy old homes of the shipping captains and admirals. If your means were more modest you'd walk around the convex shoreline to get home. Anne thought both could potentially be lovely walks. The first offered a vista of scenery; fancy gardens and old trees that would sway gently in the winds; and the latter would offer interesting people to meet, with salty old sea hands and bustling shoppers peppering the way.

Anne valiantly attempted a brave face trying to find potential gemstones in the city that would be her home. She was really thinking about how Gilbert wouldn't be there. Even when their conversations had been sorely strained the last few terms at Redmond, Anne always felt secure knowing Gilbert was still around, somewhere to be seen, or talked to if she missed him. It would be the first time since her own arrival in Avonlea that Gilbert would not be in close proximity to her. She was now glad she had agreed to accept his ring, in spite of the expense it would cause him. She needed the reassurance of his promise. Three years would be such a long time. They would have to make the most of their holidays.

When Anne went downstairs from her gable room to fetch a few books from the parlor she found Marilla and Mrs. Lynde waiting for her. They asked her to sit down for a few minutes. Anne did so but was not certain of their motives. It wasn't going to be idle chit-chat, for the sewing was put away and the twins had been shooed off to the barn to do chores.

"Anne," Marilla started. "Rachel has some news that makes me concerned."

Anne blanched remembering Mrs. Lynde from last night and the chocolates and could hardly breathe as her lungs bore up against her corsets. She thought she could trust Mrs. Lynde not to expose their conversation.

"I have learned that there is an engaged young lady from Avonlea very much in the family way," Mrs. Lynde said. "No, Anne. I will not tell you who, you don't need to know that. But she is a member of the church and a member of a very prominent family here in Avonlea.

"My concern is Anne," Marilla added. "That you should be aware that even those with reputations for probity can make poor decisions with regards to matters of the heart. I would encourage you to slow down a bit with Gilbert. I found your behavior this morning shocking."

"Because I was in my nightclothes?" Anne asked as she looked back to the landing where she greeted Gilbert. "I'm sorry, but when it comes to him, I just don't care. If he calls for me, I will go to him."

Mrs. Lynde didn't say anything, but she did give Anne a sympathetic look. She had felt the same way about her Thomas.

"And that is precisely the problem. Don't you think the two of you are moving a bit too quickly? You have three years to go, slow down."

Anne let her jaw drop showing hurt.

"We'd never! Not until the right time of course!" Anne said turning green with anger, her eyes on fire with tears. "You don't understand what it's like. He was dying and he lived because I loved him after all."

"Oh, Anne! I won't pretend I know what it's like to be engaged," Marilla continued. "And maybe I've allowed you too much latitude when you accepted him, coming and going at all hours. I know you two have a bit of catching up to do, that's why I allowed it, but I do expect you to tow the line in decorum, especially in front of Davy and Dora, who are looking up to you both."

"Marilla, Anne didn't really do anything that wrong. She had her robe on over her nightdress. There was also ten miles of red hair covering her."

Marilla put up her hand to block Rachel's speech. "All I want from you is to see more restraint," Marilla said. "If not for the two of you, then for those around you."

"Alright Marilla," Anne said. "I'll try."

"And Rachel and I have been talking, we think it's not in your best interest to visit Gilbert in Kingsport. According to Rachel's friend, Mrs. Braddock, folks from Summerside ferry to and from Kingsport all the time, but we agree that you should not. For one thing, the folks of Summerside, they don't know you. They may jump to the very worst conclusions if you do try and visit him. And it probably wouldn't help Gilbert along in his coursework. You'd be a great distraction, even if it were a welcomed one."

Anne sat in front of the ladies; who she knew both loved her and wanted the very best for her, feeling a bit drained and peaked. "I don't know what to say," Anne confessed. "If the two of you think it's for the best, I won't." But her heart broke as she said it.

The three women sat there for a few minutes in a silent lull that was only broken with sounds from the outside. Eventually, it was Mrs. Lynde that excused herself. "Well, now that that's over, I'm goin' to find out what the heck is wrong with Dora, she's been a mite shiftless lately."

Once Mrs. Lynde had left the room Anne spoke to Marilla. She wasn't sure when they'd be completely alone again like this, free to talk.

"There's something else bothering me. Gilbert told me a little about the Blythe family - you know, the ones from the old country." She popped her eyebrow up high and Marilla flinched.

Anne didn't need to look at Marilla to know she was clenching her teeth together. She said nothing at first...and then, she got up and brought out a bottle of red currant wine she kept behind a cabinet door with a couple of tumblers. She poured herself a generous portion and one for Anne too.

She handed Anne's glass to her, she then said, "You mean the Blythe's that burned at the stake?"

Their eyes met in perfect understanding. Marilla downed her glass in one motion.

"It's been a long time since I've talked about this. It's hard for me, and the wine helps. I was wondering if Gilbert would tell you, I thought he would, but I was beginning to think I'd have to." Marilla stood shaking her head as she recalled the past. "I was so mad at John when he told me. He spoiled everything. I just knew I would have to refuse him. I wasn't made to be the type of wife he needed." She chuckled, "It's funny in hindsight. Oh, how his mother hated my decision. Just hated it! But I knew, I had thought that there was no way I could handle a child with such potentially unpredictable ways."

To this statement, Anne launched into giggles and sipped her wine. Anne had been quite the collection of peculiar habits that Marilla had to break when Matthew brought her home. Marilla gave a big, warm smile to Anne. Some folks on the island didn't know Marilla could smile so big and bright, but Anne knew.

"I was wrong of course," Marilla admitted. "You, Anne with an 'e', were probably worst for odd behavior than any child John and I could have had together - magical or not."

"That's why you two quarreled?" Anne asked.

"It was," Marilla said. "But then he married Geraldine and Gilbert came along a few years later. Everyone was so surprised that in their advanced age they could have a child, but I knew better. I knew John's parents had helped with some herb or potion."

Anne still sipping, "Do you regret your quarrel still."

"I regret that I didn't forgive him for not telling me sooner," Marilla said. "Because I was never mad at him for being from such a family, but I was furious with him for making me love him when I knew in my heart our marriage wouldn't work. That was such a long time ago.

"My parents and his parents were good friends and traded work. Their entire family would come here, or we'd go there. John and Geraldine's marriage was tested to the limit with Gilbert. Sometimes she'd come over here and cry her eyes out to me, who else could she lament too? Who else knew her exact situation? She felt so betrayed by John for not explaining to her. John decided to chance that the legacy would not be passed down. But then Gilbert was a Blythe after all. I guess even for his people he was exceptionally gifted, which was so surprising because John had no ability whatsoever. Geraldine and I used to talk for hours about it." Marilla remembered. "I suppose it would make more sense to be jealous of her, and maybe at times I was, but I did like her so. She was unlike me in about every way. It's probably why we were good friends. It's a pity we fell out shortly after they reconciled."

"But you never saw them do magic, did you?" Anne said, putting her tumbler down, now empty. "Gil said that he could do things when he was little but that has all left him now."

"See, no. Experience, yes!" Marilla answered. "John would get Gilbert to do pranks on me. They would come over to help Matthew with some chore, and when they left I would have this horrible, anxious feeling I was missing something. It took me a while to figure out Gilbert was picking up my shadow and taking it home with him. Goin' an afternoon without your shadow is nerve-wracking."

"Did Matthew know then?"

"I honestly don't know," Marilla wondered. "I know I never talked about it to Matthew and Matthew never talked at all about anything he didn't have to. But, he was very observant, so I suspect it's possible he did."

"But you didn't tell anyone!"

"Who would believe me?" Marilla said a little louder than expected. "No, it's better to play the cards you have. My trump card is no-nonsense. You might be able to get away with such stories but I knew I could not. Maybe that's what Gilbert saw in you when you were little and your life had so many endless, magical daydreams. Maybe he saw at first someone that would understand."

to be continued