A/N: There's the thing about how I have no idea about hotels and all that at the time that Kit was "alive…" I'm currently stuck in a room with a whole bunch of computer game obsessed freaks…thus, the result…
--------------------------------------------------
Within a month, the two were comfortably settled at Gilbert's home. Kit was now so infatuated with Gilbert that she hardly ever thought about anyone else, and a young sailor named Nat hadn't crossed her mind ever since the storm aboard the ship. Gilbert and Kit went just about everywhere together and often flirted with each other, both too shy to say anything thought they both knew they were enamored with each other.
One day, Gilbert took her to a beach on the other end of Barbados, to the only well-established resort on the island. He decided that he would propose to her while they were there. They set off aboard a small ship, and when they arrived, Kit and Gilbert checked in. Kit found that they had a two-roomed suite tastefully painted in hues of pastel pink, blue, and purple. She enjoyed this very much, and began to suspect that Gilbert would be proposing on this trip.
* * * * *
The two spent a lot of time on the beach, just strolling back and forth, enjoying the warm sun and each other's company. Ironically, Gilbert would never swim in the tempting blue ocean; being a New Englander at heart, he was rather loath to swim. Kit however, would enjoy her time in the water, once remembering Nat's comment about staying out of water and being thankful that he was not there to remind her. Gilbert looked at her with doubtful eyes. Did he want a water nymph for a wife?
* * * * *
On the last day of their stay, Gilbert took Kit to an expensive restaurant near the hotel. He was ever so gallant, doing little things such as helping her with her jacket and pushing in her chair for her. Kit knew this was the night he would propose, and though she was bursting with love for him, she did not know why her heart told her this was not right. However, she reasoned with herself, trying to justify that he was meant for her and she for him, that he had been ever so kind to her, and that he was rich and could provide her with money and a happy life until she died.
So when Gilbert looked deeply into her eyes and asked that fateful question, "Will you marry me?" Kit closed her eyes, ignored her heart, and said, "Yes." Gilbert did not kiss her, for he was a rather conservative man, and also because he wanted their first kiss to signify their marriage, long lasting and sweet. Kit didn't mind this at all; in fact, she was rather relieved.
* * * * *
The next morning, Gilbert went downstairs to check out of the hotel. At the front desk, there was a extremely beautiful girl with eyes like gleaming emeralds, her nut brown hair cascading down her back in graceful curves. With a quick look at her name tag, he figured out that her name was Anne Meredith, and that she was from Spighmoor, the very town in which he was born and raised, a few miles away from Weathersfield.
They immediately began a conversation, falling more and more in love as they talked. It was love at first sight, and Gilbert vaguely wondered why he had proposed to Kit so soon. It was only when the doorman told Gilbert, "Excuse me, sir, the lady is waiting," that he realized that he had to go.
"You will be here until the end of the year, will you not?" he asked Anne.
"I will…I hope you'll come again soon," she replied.
"I will…I promise."
* * * * *
Neither Gilbert nor Kit said anything much on their journey back to Gilbert's estate. Gilbert was busy thinking about Anne, and Kit was busy wondering why she accepted Gilbert's proposal…she did not love him, she never had; it had just been a temporary infatuation; all along, deep in her heart, she had loved Nat. Nat was her one and only, and Gilbert was just a very good friend.
---------------------------------------------
A/N: I know, I know, I really rushed this chapter. I had to finish before my mom came to pick me up, and I really, really needed to get this chapter over. 2 or so more? And, notice the Gilbert/Anne thing! I'm an Anne of Green Gables person too! Probably no more posts until next week…