Chapter 10

The last week of term seemed to disappear in a whirlwind. End of term results were handed out at the office, and together Anne and Gilbert opened them in front of their fire on Thursday night, both relieved to see that their troubles had not affected their grades at all. Indeed, Gilbert teased his wife that he'd made up the one point he'd been chasing- ninety-nine percent in Chemistry had become one hundred this time around. This was in an exam sat only two days after their wedding- privately, Gilbert thought himself lucky that he'd remembered to put his name at the top of the paper.

Just that day, Gilbert had been confronted by the members of his football team, who had been informed that he had been replaced as captain. Gilbert had gone to the head of the Redmond sporting program, who claimed that it had been a precautionary measure- he had only been concerned about Gilbert's injury. Gilbert had gritted his teeth as he had admitted that it wasn't healing as well as it should- and he was ordered to begin exercising it properly under the instruction of one of the medical students. He was home late, that day, his shoulder aching from the workout. Anne was not so rough with him- she'd continued to rub the liniment in each night, and heaven knew what other sappy things had flooded out of his mouth under the influence of her beautiful hands.

On Saturday evening, Gilbert lounged on the sofa reading, waiting for Anne to ready herself for the ball. He refused to dress until it was time to go- his black evening suit would show up even the slightest hair from Rusty, and he wouldn't put it past the animal to rub against him on the evening he had to go out. He sat up at Anne's quiet call.

"Did you need me, Anne?"

"Er- yes. I'm sorry, I know this is awkward- but would- could you please help me with my dress?"

Cautiously, he tiptoed to the bedroom door, and it opened to reveal Anne standing with her hands on the back of the dress holding the sides together. He closed his mouth with a snap, trying to look as if helping his wife dress was an everyday matter.

Anne swallowed, her eyes falling. "I had quite forgotten that the girls and I usually help each other to do this. This gown is really a two-person affair."

Gilbert arranged his face into something that he hoped showed nonchalance, and she turned around, unable to see the dreamy smile that broke through. Of course, she was covered by her dress and her petticoats- but the shy look on her face as she looked over her shoulder at him undid him completely. He cleared his throat then, and frowned, looking at the long row of pearl buttons running down the vivid teal gown.

"Perhaps I should have chosen something easier."

He grinned sheepishly. "No, don't. The colour looks wonderful on you. Have I seen this one before?"

Anne shrugged her slim shoulders. "I don't believe so- I wore it to a dance over the summer with Priscilla."

Gilbert frowned. "Er- do I go from top to bottom or bottom to top?"

Anne placed her hands on her waist, pushing the two sides together. "You really aren't a natural at this," she teased, her cheeks flushing. "You start at the bottom."

"Well, it is my first time." He hesitated before his fingers struggled to find the loops, and he felt her tense as he did the first few up. By the time he had reached the middle of her back, he looked up at her quiet chuckle.

"I suppose this must bring it home to you that you have a wife, now."

Gilbert's lip twitched. "You mean more than the girl who already sleeps in my room?"

"At least we're both sleeping again."

"More or less." After another minute he was done, and she turned so that he could see her dress. The deep flounces and low neckline were lined with a filmy black lace, and he smiled to see her red curls pinned up high behind her, the white tea roses he had produced earlier tucked into the elaborate arrangement. "You look wonderful, Anne."

She stepped away with an indulgent look. "Thank you. You need to get yourself ready too- it wouldn't do for the class president to be late, now, would it?"

Gilbert turned to their mirror and frowned as Anne adjusted the bodice on her slender frame before exiting and closing the door behind her. "Yes- about that," he muttered dryly, moving to unbutton his shirt with the same hands that had only just buttoned Anne's gown.

He'd been on edge all week. Professor Hallett had surprisingly managed to be at the student representative meeting on Monday night- something he had never done before- and it had all gone very well. Rather too well, he thought uneasily. He'd said nothing more than a brief greeting when the committee recognised him, and sat taking notes in silence. Gilbert sighed, rubbing his face. If Hallett was trying to unsettle him by showing up around campus more, it was working.

Several minutes later, Gilbert emerged from the bedroom shrugging into his black coat. Anne had been pulling on her cloak, and came now to stand before him, adjusting his collar and pulling the lapel straight on his right side as he had not been able to do.

"It's still hurting, isn't it?"

He half-smiled. "I'm only glad it's my left arm- or dancing would be even more painful." Gilbert's face sobered, then. "Anne, if anyone says anything to you-"

"I'll come to you as soon as I can," she finished, and to his surprise, she gave a slight smile. "I'm not afraid, Gil. We bested the island when we went for the Entrance. We created a Village Improvement Society from nothing. We've been some of Redmond's top students for two and a half years. We can do this."

Gilbert grinned. "Of course we can. We'll tell them that you were just too much in love with me to wait until we finished school."

Anne's face turned scarlet, and she gave a chuckling Gilbert a light slap on his arm. "No, I'm not taking the blame for this on my own- perhaps you were rescuing me from an abusive household."

Gilbert picked up her scarf, one eyebrow raised. "No, everyone knows you lived with the girls. Then again, Phil did hit me once-"

"You trod on her skirt, you goose. Of course, she did."

"Abusive household it is." His eyes twinkled at her, and he looped his grey scarf around his neck. "We're going to have to keep our stories straight, you know."

"We'll figure it out." She looked up at Gilbert for a long moment, her hand touching the knot of his crisp white tie. "You know, you do look very handsome."

He grinned. "Thank you. You'll be proud to introduce me as your husband, then?"

Anne smiled at him, as he wrenched the door open, and she tucked her hand in his elbow. "You know, I really will."

The Christmas dance was well underway when Anne and Gilbert walked up the pathway to Redmond's grand ballroom. The lights shone down brilliantly on every corner of the room, where hundreds of faces span in dizzying circles. Gilbert was uneasy as he parted from Anne at the dressing rooms, however soon they stood at the side of the crowd waiting to enter the dance. To his surprise, there was a loud squeal behind him, and he turned to find Priscilla and Stella approaching. Stella gushed over the jewel-bright dress Anne wore, her own purple gown looking magnificent beside Priscilla's rose pink one. For several minutes they chatted, during which Gilbert asked for a dance with the girls in turn- Anne had teased him then, her eyes sparkling. He was able to fill his card with women he knew, and ones who already knew of their situation- she would need to brave the masses.

When the time came, Gilbert drew his wife out to the dance floor, the lights glinting off her glossy head, and the jewels of the women around them- and he drew in a breath as he placed his hand high on her back, and felt her move in to his arms, her grey eyes on his steadily.

"Together?" she asked him softly, and he smiled.

"Together."

As the dance progressed, when the evening grew cool and the heavy doors were closed tightly, Anne stood on the sidelines with Phil, watching Gilbert dance with Stella. Anne smiled at the way her friend laughed, even from that distance seeing the big grin on Gilbert's face.

"Stella does look lovely tonight," she commented. "Those bright colours are wonderful on her."

Phil smiled smugly. "You should have seen the struggle it was to get her dress done up- I've never seen so many buttons." She turned to Anne, her look critical. "Speaking of which, how did you fare? We were worried about you- I wondered if we should have asked you to get ready at home." Phil saw the way Anne flinched at her innocent comment and sighed. "That was tactless, sweetie; I'm sorry. And I suppose you didn't need any help after all."

Anne swallowed, feeling her cheeks heat. "Well, I- I needed some- but I ended up asking-"

"You didn't ask him!" Phil squealed, breaking into a laugh. "And?"

Anne's face was heated. "And he buttoned me up. I'd forgotten how hard it was to do alone."

Phil slipped her arm through Anne's. "And was he-"

"Every inch the gentleman."

"I would expect no less." The brown-eyed girl sighed, looking out into the crowd. "And how are you doing?"

Anne bit her lower lip, troubled. "Well, I think. It's almost unsettling to find living together becoming normal- or something that approaches it."

Phil looked at her candidly. "That's what you want though, isn't it? For this to settle into normality?"

Anne frowned. "Yes- and no. Settling does not sit well with me. Although Gilbert did say that we couldn't manage it if we tried."

"I'm with Gilbert, then," Phil commented, amused. "The two of you have enough chemistry to be going on with- perhaps, for now, it's alright to grow comfortable."

The moment between friends was broken then with a saccharine voice that made Anne instantly tense.

"Well, if it isn't Anne Shirley!"

The two girls turned to see Claire Hallett and a friend of hers staring at Anne curiously.

"And if it isn't the daughter of the chief of staff!" Phil added, with an impudent twinkle in her eye.

Claire ignored this. "Your gowns are just lovely, dears. Did you come with anyone, Miss Shirley?"

"Actually, we did," Phil said, smiling just as sweetly. "My escort is out dancing with Miss Grant- and of course, Gilbert came with Anne. Whom did you come with?" She saw the red flush on the girl's cheeks and congratulated herself. Claire's older brother had most likely escorted her- Andrew Hallett was well known amongst the ladies of the younger classes and took every advantage to come to his old college to visit.

Anne watched the waltz winding down now, praying that Gilbert would be back at her side soon- Claire's little jabs and questions were getting on her nerves, and Phil was already intercepting most of them. She stiffened as she found herself being addressed once more.

"I did hear a rumor that might interest you, Anne."

Anne tucked a loose curl behind her ear, turning back to Claire to see that she had been joined by another friend, who looked at Phil with some dislike. "As a matter of fact, Claire, rumours rarely interest me."

"Oh, I think this one might. It's about the ex-captain of the football team."

Phil looked at Anne in some consternation to see her eyes turn green, and she hid a small smirk.

"I don't think Gilbert would pay any attention to rumours either, Claire," Anne said quietly. "He stepped down due to his injuries. But you know that already, I think."

Claire smiled. "Oh, I knew. However, I wondered if you knew that someone had checked on your escort while he was injured in the medical tent. Someone who really shouldn't have been there."

There was a brief flash of panic in Anne's chest, however, she kept her look even. "Thankfully, yes. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble the faculty's negligence could have caused Gilbert?"

Claire seemed to register this as an insult to her father, and tipped her blond head up, her eyes glittering. "I heard that you seemed quite interested in the medical tents on the day of the game," she said spitefully. "So say some of the football team."

At the gasp from Claire's friends, Anne caught Phil's eye, who was watching her carefully. "When my fiance was injured, yes."

Claire blinked, startled. "I beg your pardon? You're engaged? To whom?"

"Well, that would have been me, Miss Hallett," Gilbert said unexpectedly. He had come up behind Anne in time to overhear the question, slipping his hand into hers.

Claire was startled, but gave him a coy smile. "Would have been?" she asked. "Don't tell me the golden couple of the junior year has been having troubles?"

Gilbert smiled wickedly. "I wouldn't say that, would you, sweetheart?" he turned to Anne, who narrowed her eyes at his cheekiness.

"No, darling." Anne turned back to Claire politely. "We are not engaged, Miss Hallett- at least not any longer. I am afraid that your gossip is a little behind the times. Gilbert and I were married two weeks ago."

Claire gave Anne a disbelieving look, her blue eyes wide. "Impossible. You can't get married during college."

Gilbert nodded, looking thoughtful. "Well, I'm fairly certain that if you ask your father, he will be able to confirm that we are in fact students here- and also that we are married."

Claire seemed unable to process this, and a gushing Phil chimed in. "It was a lovely little wedding- as you might imagine, only select people were invited. Oh- and here comes my escort! What wonderful timing."

Claire looked around to see Phil sliding her arm through an awkward young man's with a sunny smile, Stella talking happily with Roger McKay from the debating club, and Priscilla close behind her. Perhaps they had deliberately flanked Anne and Gilbert- in any case, Claire drew away warily.

"You know, it is considered polite to congratulate a newlywed couple on their marriage," Phil said innocently. "Won't you congratulate Anne and Gilbert, Claire? And your father has been so understanding."

The tall girl gave a forced smile. "Well, he does greatly care for the moral wellbeing of his students. No doubt your marriage was considered necessary. Congratulations, Anne. I do hope your honeymoon doesn't interfere with your studies."

She swept her ice-blue skirts around, closely followed by her friends, and Anne breathed a sigh of relief when she was gone. The girls were swift to begin to talk, however, Anne turned to Gilbert with a vulnerable look in her eyes. His own darkened, as his hand closed over hers.

"She knows, doesn't she?" he murmured, audible only to Anne.

Anne gave a short nod. "I would guarantee it."

As the ball progressed, the number of people asking the question only rose. Gilbert was approached by the boys of the football team, who had heard via the grapevine that Gilbert was now a married man. He accepted their teasing, and as several of them left, Gilbert was left standing with Timothy.

"Blythe, why would you do something so stupid?" he asked quietly. At the brief flash in Gilbert's eyes, he held a hand up. "I don't mean Anne, the whole world knows you've been in love with her forever- but why now? How do you expect to finish college?"

Gilbert's teeth clenched. "Have you ever known me to not finish anything I start?"

Timothy folded his arms, his eyes calculating. "Well, an hour ago, I would have said no."

"I suggest that you remember that."

The sandy-headed boy turned so that no one could overhear them. "It's going to make talk. You know that."

Gilbert exhaled, his stomach sinking. "Gossip is irrelevant."

Timothy gritted his teeth. "Not when it involves you, Gil. There are plenty who would like to see you knocked down a peg. Anne, too."

Gilbert bristled at that. "If anyone so much as mentions her-"

He grabbed Gilbert's arm, his look stern. "Look, Gil, you can't just blast everyone. I'm telling you that you need to be careful."

"You don't think I know that?" Gilbert snapped. "Of course the gossip mongers will have a field day. But Anne and I chose this together- we chose this knowing that it was fast, that no one else would understand. But it's what is right for us."

Timothy rubbed his hands over his face. "Look, for the record, I like Anne. She's intelligent and pretty, and the only girl who can keep up with you around here. But think about what you're doing- even if you got through the next year-and-a-half, how will she?"

Gilbert squared his shoulders, his eyes narrowed. "Just leave that to us. If you think I'm stubborn, I promise you, that's nothing compared to my wife."

The other man gave a reluctant grin. "Well, you'll both need it." He sighed. "You're really married?"

Gilbert caught Anne's red head as she waltzed by them with one of their classmates of the junior year, and he smiled. "I am. And I couldn't be happier about it. Now, all we need to do is break it to our families."

Timothy gave him an alarmed look. "You've not yet- Gil, have you lost your mind?"

There was a reluctant chuckle then. "I fear they will think so. You won't be alone in your concerns."

Timothy grinned wryly. "You have to face her father?"

Gilbert's voice softened, and he smiled. "No. Her adopted mother." He saw the look of surprise on the other fellow's face. "Anne is more incredible than you would believe."

"I don't doubt that." Timothy slapped Gilbert on the back, a teasing grin on his face. "After all, it takes someone fairly remarkable to make the smartest fellow in our year lose the plot."

Gilbert grinned. "You have no idea."

Anne and Gilbert were to share the last dance before supper, and unbeknownst to them, they were being studied from the elaborate staircase that led to the supper rooms. Gilbert held her close to him, her cheek close to his own as they moved gracefully on the floor. From her vantage point, an expensively dressed woman observed the synchronicity of the pair.

"Interesting," Miss Christine Stuart mused.

"Mmm?"

Christine gave the gentleman a rap on his hand with her fan indulgently. "Royal, you should pay your escort more attention."

The dark headed gentleman looked down at her, his darker eyes amused. "I think you manage to gain enough of that by yourself, don't you?"

Her violet eyes narrowed teasingly. "Roy; Ronald promised that you would be a lamb for me."

Roy smiled. "It would be more effective if I had promised you that. Pray tell, what is so fascinating?"

Christine shrugged her ivory shoulders elegantly. "Your predecessor as my escort, in fact."

"Ouch. Might I know how I was only second in line to be my old classmate's escort?"

She chuckled. "Roy, You know that darling Andrew didn't really want another wealthy bachelor following me around."

"I resent following," Roy muttered. "But continue."

Christine smiled. "Ronald suggested you when his friend became unavailable; Mr Gilbert Blythe. Do you know him?"

Roy shrugged. "I've heard the name."

"Ronald knew him when he was in his freshman year here- and he is rather impressive." She pointed down to where Anne and Gilbert were dancing, Anne's copper curls gleaming in the electric lights. "With the redhead. Do you see them?"

There was a dignified pause, then- "I'm afraid he doesn't impress me from here, Chrissy."

Christine scowled. "Would you stop calling me that? Ronald knows I hate that name."

"I do however see the young lady with him. That would be Anne Shirley, I believe."

Christine's perfect black brows rose. "You know her?"

"No. I should like to, though. She read a marvellous paper on Tennyson at the Philomathic a few weeks ago- and she is quite exquisite."

"And unavailable."

Roy brushed an imaginary speck off his cuffs, unruffled. "No one is truly unavailable, Miss Stuart. Not even you."

Christine smiled. "Oh, Daddy wouldn't like that at all, Mr Gardner. I am afraid his daughter is unavailable. As is Miss Shirley." Christine's look was arch. "Mr Blythe contacted my brother to tell him that he would not be available to escort me around Kingsport this winter- as he and Miss Shirley were about to be married, of all things."

Royal began to laugh. "Good heavens- that's a drastic way to avoid a few concerts, isn't it?"

"No, they're quite serious, according to Ronald," Christine said thoughtfully. "I do wonder what possessed them to be so hurried about it all- it can't have been much of a wedding."

Roy looked down at the pair curiously. "That's very- interesting."

"That was my opinion."

He chuckled. "There's nothing like a mystery to whet the appetite, is there? And the young lady and I do share many classes- it's a wonder I haven't been introduced to her, yet."

Christine turned to him crossly. "Roy, I've lost one very handsome escort to this young woman, I shouldn't like to lose two. You promised Ronald that you would make sure that I didn't get lonely."

"Chrissy, you have as much chance of getting lonely as I do getting out of taking on my father's wretched business."

"True."

Roy offered her his arm with his deep, velvety smile. "And yet I will stand by my word. However, since it is the height of rudeness to dance together all evening, I suggest that you introduce me to your Mr Blythe, and perhaps we may while away some time in the presence of this illustrious couple."

Christine placed her gloved hand at his elbow, her look warning. "Now, no more mischief."

Roy's smile was brilliant at this. "Christine, Christine. Who could be safer than a married woman?"

Anne and Gilbert were seated on one of the long benches in the supper room, looking around them quietly. Occasionally Anne would point someone out to Gilbert, or he would whisper something that made her grin- at that moment there were two perfectly contented people in the crowded room, happily left to their own devices.

"There you are, darlings!" Phil said, dropping herself onto the bench beside Anne. Behind her stood a shy Jonas Blake, although he greeted Anne and Gilbert warmly. The gentlemen fell into an easy discussion, and Phil leant over to speak to Anne.

"Jo is so nervous- I don't think he really wanted to come tonight," she said, a trifle dismally.

Anne smiled at her. "And yet he is here, Phil."

"I told him that he would see Gilbert here," she admitted. "He was rather worried about being with the elite of Kingsport."

Anne looked up at Jonas, now chuckling as Gilbert spoke to him. "We're mostly students, Phil. And he is a college man himself."

"Yes, but he wasn't trying to impress me when he was here," Phil said crossly, her voice low. "I've told him that he needn't worry."

Her friend smiled into her brown eyes. "We were all a little dazzled by you when we first met you, Phil- you move in circles we can't imagine."

Ignoring a lifetime of training, Phil snorted. "Please, darling. I am not my parents. I- wish he would just grow comfortable with us."

"He will, dear. You just need to give him some time."

The bell to signal the return to the dance went then, and Anne excused herself with Phil to visit the dressing rooms. Priscilla was there with a slight gape in her gown, and the girls were swift to assist her before they walked down the carpeted halls to the stairs.

Anne paused suddenly, her eyes wide. Gilbert was talking to a disturbingly beautiful young woman she had seen on campus from time to time. She raised her chin and allowed the girls to walk ahead of her, relaxing a little when Gilbert turned, his smile wide as he held out his hand.

"Miss Stuart, Mr Gardner, I don't believe you know my wife."

Anne turned at the sound of a musical, melting voice, and she froze momentarily. Before her was a phantom- the very hero of her childish dreams in the flesh. He could not more closely have resembled her ideal if he had been made to order. He took her hand in his, his smile gentle.

"A pleasure, Mrs Blythe- although I remember you from our classes as Miss Shirley, of course."

Anne swallowed, darting an odd look towards the woman on his arm. "It's lovely to meet you both. Mr Gardner, I don't remember seeing you in any of my classes before."

Christine spoke up then, her violet eyes twinkling. "No, Roy was rather late to school this term- his mother did insist on him finishing his tour of Rome."

Roy turned to Gilbert, his tone polite. "My father is recently deceased, and my mother has not been well. I remained to make sure that she was well enough to travel."

Gilbert nodded. "I understand." He turned to Anne with a smile. "Christine's older brother was in his Junior year when we were freshmen- he was the one who insisted that the Lambs interview me."

Anne couldn't help but smile. "So he was responsible for you wearing a bonnet?"

Gilbert chuckled sheepishly. "Indirectly, yes."

Christine turned to Anne then. "My brother does like to cause mischief- and he often finds people who aide and abet him. Royal, of course, is far too sensible to join in."

The second bell went then, and Roy turned to Anne to solicit her for a dance. With an uneasy look at Gilbert, Anne accepted, finding herself irrationally cross that he had politely asked the sister of his friend to share the same dance with him. She internally shook herself, resolving to be perfectly sensible about the whole business.

Late in the evening, Royal Gardner approached her, his look warm as he led her to the floor. She couldn't help giving Gilbert an apologetic look- for what, she couldn't tell- only to see him wink at her, his hazel eyes twinkling at some private joke.

"You know, I have been wondering who you are for some time, now," the smooth voice said.

Anne's cheeks flushed, and she answered as calmly as she could. "Oh?"

"Yes. I was entranced by the passion you showed when you presented the paper on Tennyson. I should dearly love to discuss it with you- I was hoping that we would be introduced soon."

Anne cleared her throat, her eyes somewhere over his shoulder. "And- do you enjoy English Literature, Mr Gardner?"

"Greatly. And please, Mrs Blythe, I should like it if you called me Royal. Or Roy, if you prefer."

Anne's lip twitched. "Or I could continue to call you Mr Gardner, perhaps."

She was somewhat taken aback when he only smiled, his voice melancholy. "Mr Gardner was my father, Miss Shirley. It does make me rather feel as if I don't belong. My class, you see, graduated without me."

She frowned, wondering if she had upset him. "That must have been difficult."

"It was. And yet to meet a kindred spirit-" here, Anne almost stopped moving- "in my new year, my new class- I am reconciled to the loss of the years that the locust has eaten." Something in his eyes made Anne's insides clench uncomfortably, and she breathed out slowly. For the remainder of the dance, one in which he did not see the need to release her often, Anne's answers to his questions were brief, as she attempted to keep her mind from also following Gilbert's progress with Miss Cordelia Fitzgerald- otherwise known as Miss Stuart. The young woman had been charmingly sweet to her, and Anne wondered what made her so uneasy. It was the rumour mill, she told herself. That was all.

The dance concluded soon after, and after one last dance with Phil's Jonas, Gilbert came to help her on with her wrap, and Anne was startled to find tears pricking her eyes at his gentle manner. They said goodnight to the Patty's Place girls and their escorts, and Gilbert and Anne were silent as they began the walk toward their home. The wind had died down, and a troubled Anne now looked up at the starlight. The feelings churning in her middle were so tumultuous that she was quieter than she realised, and Gilbert watched her carefully as they walked down the side of the building, their Mushroom coming into view.

Rusty was there to greet them when they unlocked their front door, and Gilbert helped her out of her cloak with gentle hands. He watched her for a moment, before throwing himself down in his coat and tails on the old sofa, loosening his tie.

"You know, I couldn't help but dislike Mr Royal Gardner," Gilbert said suddenly.

Anne's hands were already removing the pins from her hair, and she turned to him in some surprise. "Why, Gil?"

He grimaced at the low light of the fire. "Because he looks exactly like the man you described yourself marrying, not so very long ago."

Anne's cheeks were pale, but something in her heart broke at his honesty. She reached out to touch his hand lightly. "I was under the impression that I was already married, Gilbert. Everyone is talking about it."

He grinned, brightening. "Oh? And what do they say?"

Anne let out a breath that she seemed to have been holding all night, enjoying once more the unexpected peace of their home, far away from the glitter and noise of the ballroom. "Well, they say that Miss Shirley must have put the class president into a trance to make him forget his duties."

Gilbert's eyebrow flew up. "Well- that's unflattering."

Anne smiled. "They also said that Gilbert Blythe is quite the smartest person in our year- and that he was oh so handsome in his suit tonight."

"Go on," he said smugly.

Anne chuckled, but she paused as she looked into the eyes of the man whom she trusted, seeing the need for reassurance in him. "And there is one person who says that you are her very best friend." She blinked suddenly watery eyes. "And- she- is thankful that you see her for who she is. And that you took such a big risk on her."

Gilbert's hand came up to cup her cheek, bending close enough to touch her nose to his. "Hey, now. You took the biggest risk on me," he said softly. At Anne's bewildered look, he touched his forehead to hers. "I haven't forgotten what I promised you, Anne. I know that I can't give it all to you now- but I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure that you have everything- everything- you ever dreamed of."

Anne's eyes fell before his, a rosy blush staining her cheeks. She cleared her throat then. "Right. Well, I suppose I'd better get ready for bed now." Her abrupt words made him blink, however, he didn't have time to move before she bent in, pressing a hasty kiss to his surprised mouth. Gilbert's eyebrows were in his hairline, and he couldn't fight the disbelieving smile on his face.

"And what was that, Miss We-need-to-slow-down?" he teased, grinning at the way she rose to her feet, as stately as only Anne could be.

"That is Mrs, not Miss, Gilbert Blythe. And you could call it a temporary lapse of judgment." She bowed her head then, her cheeks flushed. "And also a thank you for being a wonderful escort tonight."

Gilbert stood up then, his hazel eyes dreamy. "Any time, sweetheart."