Chapter 22

It was late on Thursday afternoon on the last week of college, and Anne stood in their bedroom, her brow puckered with worry with an open suitcase before her. Gilbert wandered into the room to drop a stack of books onto his bed.

"I got it down to five."

Anne looked up from folding her undergarments, her look distracted. "Five what?"

"Books. I'll end up bringing more home with me in any case."

Anne gave him an indulgent smile. "You need to remember your clothes, Gil."

"Hmm," Gilbert mumbled absently, picking up another book that sat beside his bed, sitting down to flip it open. Anne flew to move him with a cry, seeing that he had chosen to sit on several of his shirts, all folded neatly.

"Gilbert Blythe!" she said in exasperation. "Your marks are the envy of everyone at Redmond! You run the student council! You are more than capable of packing your bag, or at least looking out for a pile of clean washing-"

Gilbert took the scolding with a grin. "I just sat down for a minute. I haven't stopped all week, and neither, I might add, have you."

This seemed to be confirmed by the half-crazed look on Anne's face, and she hardly noticed him taking another seat on his bed, pulling her to stand between his knees. "Gilbert, you and I have a full day of classes tomorrow. The dance is tomorrow night, and we leave on Saturday morning for the island! The week is not yet over!"

"I know, I know, sweetheart," he said soothingly. "We still have time, don't we? I can pack in the morning. We've been out almost every night this week, and it's almost the end of the term- surely we have time to relax tonight."

A strangled sound left Anne's throat at this uncharacteristic lack of concern. "We're not away for a week, Gil- we are leaving for three months. We need to give our key to Mrs Whitley; we need to prepare everything!"

"And yet we need time to rest, love. I promise to pack early tomorrow morning."

Anne shook her head at him, a smile nevertheless evident. She touched his cheek lightly. "No, we will pack tonight," she said, in a firm tone.

Gilbert rolled his eyes, before turning his head to kiss her fingertips. "A compromise. We will pack for one hour tonight before I go and get us our supper, and then we will spend time sitting down before one or both of us collapse from exhaustion. Anything else can wait until tomorrow."

Anne chuckled, her cheeks flushing as she realised how close to him she was standing, held fast by his broad, brown hands. "And what am I supposed to do if you are the one who collapses? Leave you in front of the fire?"

Gilbert rose and gave her a wink. "I'm sure you can think of a way to get me to bed, Anne-girl."

Later that night, the two of them sat before the fireplace quietly. Gilbert stretched out long legs from his seat on the sofa, with Anne curled up pensively beside him.

"Will you have enough money until the newspaper pays you?" she asked, after a time.

Gilbert turned to her in surprise. "Of course. We worked it all out, didn't we?" He tipped his head back to look at her, deep in thought. "You know, it's not like you to be so worried," he said mildly.

Anne grimaced, her eyes following the flickering flames. "And it's not like you to be so cavalier about preparations. What if we forget something?"

Gilbert didn't point out that he could return if necessary through the summer and slipped his arm around her waist, his look tender. "Come on, what's really worrying you?"

"I- I just wish we could stay here."

Gilbert blinked at her. "Surely if we're wishing anything, it's that we could go home together for three months."

Anne swallowed. "It just seems wrong, somehow. It feels unfaithful of me to be leaving you for so long."

Gilbert pulled back to see her properly. "That's a rather strong word, Anne."

"And it's a rather strong feeling!" she fired back. "And yet I insisted that I do it. I can't imagine Diana, or Mrs Lynde ever agreeing to something like this-"

"Well, what about my mother, Anne?" Gilbert asked. "She did it for three years."

"She had to!" Anne said hotly. "She told me that it killed her to leave you both in Alberta."

Gilbert laid his head back on the sofa with a sigh, bringing his free hand up to rub his eyes. This wasn't the best time for a rational discussion, and he was fully aware of how overtired they both were. Anne had been asked to take part in the graduation ceremony for the senior class the next day, her speech only completed that afternoon. Stella had begged Anne's assistance for the Convocation ball committee when an emergency took one of the volunteers. He'd wondered uneasily if she had been dropping weight- she'd been so tired, of late.

He had met with Professor Daniels that week as well, who had added more books to the list he would take to Halifax with him. Daniels stressed the importance of studying, and of gaining adequate rest- all while holding down a full-time job, and spending almost three months away from his wife. Just how restful did he expect it would be?

Gilbert's parents had written to ask if they were the couple financially- the harvest had been good, and they wanted the young couple to know that they could assist them. Gilbert cringed- he'd shouldered his college expenses so far on his own, as had Anne- and yet he was concerned too. He'd put off replying until he had combed the little blue book that held their household finances thoroughly, asking Anne to double-check it for him as well. In the end, he had written that it wasn't necessary, they had sufficient. He shook off the concern that lingered, sensing that Anne was worried enough for now.

Gilbert turned to Anne in the dim light now, his look patient. "I don't like playing devil's advocate here- you must know that I don't want to do this either. If I had my way I would take you with me to Halifax- or suggest that you stay at home with our folks. But it's a moot point now. It's not unfaithful, it's not wrong, it's just what needs to be done- and you know we'd never go back on our word."

He was pleased to see her smile. "No. Although I am the girl who gave her word that she would never forgive you. How do you account for that?"

He bent down to press a kiss to her forehead, grinning as her red curls brushed his nose. "I'd say you upheld your word pretty well. After five years you just- renegotiated the terms of our arrangement." He pulled back at her laughter, his look now serious. "Let's not second-guess ourselves now. And hopefully, next summer we can have a proper holiday. For now, we'll earn our way, we'll write long letters to each other and gather stories to tell around our fireside next year- and in three month's time, we'll be together again. I'm proud of us, actually."

Anne turned to face him, a slight smile on her pink lips. "Why?"

"We survived," he said frankly, his hazel eyes earnest. "Six months ago we took a risk that being together was the best thing we could do, and it was. We've dealt with the worst of the gossip, the faculty is pretty happy with us- and- I think- we're happy," he said, with only a slight hesitation.

Anne gave him a candid look that did much to ease his mind. "I think so, too. It's a choice, isn't it? We're happy together because we've chosen to be so."

There was something more Gilbert could have wished to hear, but he sighed, a slight smile curving on his tired face. "Of course."

Anne watched him for a moment, her grey eyes on him wistfully. She bit her lip, before placing tentative hands on the sides of his face, and pulled him close to kiss him. His lips were warm against hers, and she felt him sigh as he pulled her closer. In that embrace, she tried to offer him a reassurance she could not yet give in words- and inside, she pleaded for time to know her own heart.

At seven o'clock the next evening, Gilbert sat in the living room at Patty's Place in his black evening suit, fiddling with his white bow tie. He rose to stand before the mirror to fix it before he heard a chuckle, and Stella walked over to him.

"Oh, come here," she said good-naturedly. "I'm rather good with ties, you know."

Gilbert grinned, allowing her to set it to rights. "So is she ready, yet?"

Stella bent to pick up a red rose she had dropped on the sofa, a gift from one of her classmates for the evening. "Patience, Gilbert. The two of you missed the whole courting phase, remember- and courting is waiting. You'll just have to wait."

"I am ready, Mr Impatient," he heard from the top of the staircase.

Gilbert looked up and a huge smile crossed his face, as he walked to the staircase to meet her. She lifted her skirts carefully, the ivory silk covered in a floating layer of chiffon that rippled as she walked. Tiny rosebuds trailed all over the bodice, and Gilbert's hazel eyes followed the flowers all the way down to the train before he met her twinkling eyes.

"I'm up here, Gil."

He began to laugh, his cheeks colouring. "I'm torn," he admitted candidly, and Anne's auburn eyebrow quirked. "I've gotten used to us getting ready for these events together- but then I've missed seeing you walk down the stairs when I pick you up from here, too."

Anne smiled, her cheeks warming. "You are a sentimental old fellow, Gil," she murmured, slipping her hand into his as she stepped off the last step.

His twisted smile was broad as he put an arm around her waist. "I am. Humour me."

There was a snort behind them, and Stella nudged the pair as she gathered her amber skirts to go upstairs. "Oh, please; no love-making on the staircase. We're a household of innocents," she mock-grumbled as she swept past them, causing Anne to choke in embarrassment.

"Gil, she didn't mean that," she stammered, only to have him grin, his hazel eyes twinkling.

"Relax, sweetheart." He pressed a soft kiss to her lips and she stilled immediately, her startled eyes on him when he pulled away. "She's just trying to get a rise out of us," he reminded her quietly. "And when it's her turn to find someone, I will repay her with interest."

She chuckled. "Then I wish you luck, Gil- Stella is much harder to embarrass than the rest of us." Anne ran her fingers over his lapels, looking up at him shyly. "She just surprised me."

Gilbert didn't say anything to this, he just leant in to kiss her again, and had almost forgotten his surroundings when a chorus of groans met them from the top of the staircase.

"Good heavens, they're at it again."

This time, Anne pulled away with a fiery glint in her eyes as she looked at her former housemates. "Well, you were the ones who insisted that the Blythes come over to get ready tonight, weren't you? And guess what? We came."

Phil stepped down the staircase, her sleek curls bouncing above the teal satin of her gown. "And a good thing too- she never would have gotten into that gown without help."

Gilbert turned back to study the pretty dress with a smile on his face. "It's stunning. How haven't I seen this one before?"

Anne chuckled, stepping lightly toward the sofa where her wraps lay. "Phil has had it ever since the holidays- she was the one to embroider the rosebuds over the chiffon. It was a little plain before she insisted on taking it home with her. I was supposed to wear it to a dance in February- however, we were both too ill to go then."

Gilbert shook his head, smiling as he helped Anne on with the green wrap that shone against ruddy curls and milky-white skin. She was exquisite- and her pretty figure showed to perfection in the loveliest gown he had ever seen her in. Fighting the urge to kiss her again, he offered her his arm as Aunt Jimsie opened the door to Jo and Aaron Thomas, who bounded up to Priscilla with a grin and a handful of daisies.

"Stella, where is Stephen?" Prissy asked, shrugging into her coat.

"Oh, I'm meeting him there," she said, unconcerned. "Now, please tell me that we haven't forgotten anything!"

Aunt Jimsie was there to check the girl's appearances, straightening sashes and tucking errant curls away. She assured a tender-hearted Anne that she would let Rusty out of the kitchen only when everyone was gone- she didn't want him escaping to try and follow Anne that night.

On the walk to Redmond, Gilbert and Anne loitered a little behind the others, enjoying the sound of the wind blowing through the pines in the darkness. There was peace and quiet, and Anne drew in a deep breath.

"I could almost be convinced to forgo the dance," she said dreamily. "It's so peaceful, here- and listen to the sound of the waves lapping against the rocks."

Gilbert smiled, watching the girls run ahead to look at the water under the bridge, sparkling in the light of the half-moon.

"Are you asking me to ask you to skip it?" he murmured. "You could convince me to, you know."

She chuckled at him. "The girls would be disappointed if we didn't go."

"Is that all that's stopping you from saying that you don't want to?"

"Honestly? Yes." She shook back a rose-spattered flounce that had shifted in the breeze, exhaling. "We have a wedding in three days. Diana is counting on us to be there, bright and ready: I know that she chose the date to make sure that we could make it, but it's coming hard on the heels of classes, convocation and a long journey. It's just all rather imminent," she said slowly.

"And then we go to work for two and a half months." Gilbert's eyes were on the street lamps that led to the college, and he chuckled. "They just don't know our world, Anne. I'm sure even my parents think of college as an extension of school. They probably all think we come home for four o'clock tea every day."

"We could only hope," Anne commented, thinking of the late hours they had both been keeping lately.

The brilliant lights of the reception hall came into view as the couple crested the hill, hearing Phil's ready laugh sound in the darkness. Gilbert stopped her then, his look serious. "Say the word, and we'll skip it. I don't mind. It's not our graduation, after all."

Anne paused for a moment, seeing that Phil and Jo had turned back to see what was taking them so long. She smiled, remembering a conversation she had had with her some months earlier.

"We shouldn't. We're only young once- and we're going to have a lovely night. Besides, we can always sleep on the train tomorrow."

He offered her his arm and grinned. "In that case, let's get going before they-"

"What is taking you so long, Mr and Mrs Blythe?" Phil called from her place at the front, exasperated. "Some of us want to get to the dance before it ends!"

Anne exchanging a knowing look with Gilbert and picked up her train with a smile. "Coming, Phil."

Only an hour later, Gilbert stood on the side of the ballroom, smiling as he watched Anne progress around the room with one of the younger members of the football team. He had danced with the girls and then wound up talking with some of the teaching staff, including Professor Winston and Professor Daniels- who had come armed with another list of things for Gilbert to research over the summer. He was introduced to several of the more promising students from the younger years and asked if he would consider running for the student body president- to which diplomatically said that he would have to wait and see what happened next year. Daniels nodded approvingly, and then Gilbert shared a solemn waltz with the dean's wife, who announced that she would take a turn with young Blythe since her husband would only oblige her once. A rather rattled Gilbert escaped her afterwards to find Anne, who teased him about being favoured above all students.

Gilbert was able to claim his wife for the last set before the interval, and when it was done he took her hand in his, and the two went out to supper in the brightly lit rooms, humming with the sound of people laughing and talking over refreshments. They had been talking together when Stella approached with a young rosy-cheeked couple.

"I have been trying to organize this for months!" Stella said dramatically. "Anne, Gilbert, I would like to present to you, Andrew and Bessie O'Connor. Bessie is-"

"The other married co-ed," the young woman supplied, with a roguish twinkle in her dark eyes. "I really did intend to meet you both properly before now- however the senior year was a little more than I had bargained for: fair warning for next year. How are you both faring?"

Anne blinked in surprise at the candid question, as Gilbert moved to introduce Jonas and Aaron to Bessie's young husband. She couldn't help but smile into the girl's twinkling eyes as she sat down beside her cozily, while Stella was caught by a classmate in conversation. "I have heard a lot about you, you know. The gossip here is something awful, isn't it?" Before Anne could stiffen in trepidation, Bessie shook her head. "Oh, not that I pay it much mind. My own poor story was hashed over for months- and that was a year ago now. Really, it was nothing more than unremitting stubbornness on both of our parts," she said candidly. "He couldn't wait to marry before his father sent him off to China, and I wouldn't give up my schooling. Heaven help our children if they take after us."

Anne chuckled, glancing furtively at Gilbert, who was talking with the gentlemen animatedly. "Isn't that every parent's worry?"

Bessie leant in confidingly, laughter in her eyes. "Confidentially, it's a rather present worry, for us. When Andrew came home four months ago for a visit, we decided that it was close enough to- er, bend the rules a little bit."

Anne gaped like a fish at the young woman's candour. "You mean- you're- now?"

"Yes. Due in October," she said cheerfully. "We're terribly excited, you see. We were only waiting until I finished my degree to have children."

Anne's cheeks were hot, however, she found herself smiling. "Congratulations to you both."

Bessie looked thoughtful, then. "Thank you. And in truth, being in limbo is rarely healthy. We were so pleased to finally be married- we've been waiting for many years. And yet until I finished college, we couldn't really begin properly- especially since Andrew needed to travel last year. It's been a tumultuous ride, as I'm sure you can imagine. And it's a rather serious thing to hold back from intimacy for so long, you see- it breeds all sorts of insecurity in your marriage, particularly when there is distance is involved." Bessie didn't seem to notice Anne's face whitening and continued thoughtfully. "Suddenly you no longer feel sure of each other, and it can be hard to navigate that." She seemed to come to herself then, with a chagrined smile. "I'm sorry. Forgive me for rambling. I have no one else to pass my wisdom on to- and there are so few who will understand the path you are on. Even your closest friends won't fully understand."

Anne drew in a deep breath and nodded. "I suppose that is true. It's- it's perhaps a little different for us, though," she admitted.

Bessie eyed Anne curiously. "I did wonder, dear. May I ask what happened? You may trust me to be discreet."

Anne's eyes were on her tall husband, and before she had fully thought it through, she told their story rapidly, her pale face troubled. There was a moment of silence, and Bessie sighed.

"So there was some truth to the rumours then," she said gently, and Anne's cheeks flushed, instantly regretting her trust. "Oh, my dear, I didn't mean that- only you know what this college is like."

"All too well."

"Still," Bessie said, turning to Anne with a mischievous smile. "You've made such a wonderful beginning. They all think you are marvellous, now. And- Gilbert Blythe!"

Anne chuckled, flushing. "It certainly could be no one else," she said softly. "He is quite the best man in the world."

"Saving my Andrew, yes." Bessie gave a sigh of satisfaction, unconsciously rubbing her middle. "The two of you were always visible, you know, even amongst my class. You were breaking records constantly. Besides, you were known to be close. In that way, you were quite lucky- it seemed all the more plausible that you marry. And Professor Hallett has been known to be far more vindictive- that was lenient, for him." She saw the pensive look on Anne's face, and she sighed. "Look, I can see how much the two of you care for each other. You'll make it work- and distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Trust me- Andrew was in China for ten months last year."

Anne smiled. "Gilbert will only be in Halifax- that isn't really so far."

Andrew O'Connor came over to them then, his smile cheerful as he held a gloved hand out to his wife. Bessie was quick to turn back to Anne with a smile and produced a dainty calling card from her purse. "Andrew is home indefinitely, now, and so we will be making our home in Kingsport- do come and see us next year, won't you both? I'd very much like to know how you get on."

Anne nodded as Gilbert came to her side, before shaking Andrew's hand. After a cheerful farewell, Bessie smiled at the way Anne settled Gilbert's tie for him, her eyes twinkling.

Oh, sweetie, she thought indulgently. It's really just a matter of time.

As couples began to take to the floor again in the brightly lit room, in another corner of the great hall Christine Stuart sat down beside Roy.

"I should think you above sulking, Royal. Why don't you go and ask her to dance? I know that you kept several spaces free."

Roy lifted his dark head, his look injured. "Why should you think I want to?"

Christine's sleek, dark head tipped back as she laughed. "Please, you've been staring at her red head all night. She's at a ball- and she can't dance with her husband for every dance."

Roy grimaced. "That husband is like a dog with a bone, with her-"

"Well, that's charming, Roy…"

"Very well. Our esteemed class president is rather protective of his wife," he said coolly. "I'm almost certain the brute of a fellow is trying to keep everyone at bay. Or perhaps just me."

"My, my, we do think ourselves the centre of the universe, don't we? Perhaps he simply doesn't like you."

"The feeling is mutual."

Christine spotted Gilbert watching the dance from the side of the room, talking with a gentleman beside him. Anne Blythe was indeed out on the dance floor with one of the sophomores, and she glanced up at Roy, intrigued. "I've never known you to be so fixated on any one girl, Roy- let alone one who is already married. Or is that the attraction?"

Roy scowled mockingly, his blue eyes following Anne. "Careful, Chrissy, that almost sounds like jealousy. Are you so afraid of losing me?"

Christine straightened her ivory shoulders with a bored expression. "You can't deflect me that easily."

Roy kicked his shoe against the chair moodily. "She looks at me as if she despises me. I've done nothing to deserve that. And that brute of a fellow is always there-"

Christine laughed, a tinny sound that had always irritated him. "Oh, Gilbert Blythe is no brute, Roy- you know that Ronald is never wrong about people. Since she is off-limits, you must find another goddess to worship."

"I am not doing that," Roy said between gritted teeth. "She is a league above everyone else in our English classes. I could challenge her if she would give me the time of day. But I offended her with my opinion on some little book she adored, and now she won't so much as look at me."

Christine gave him an odd look. "I see. Did you apologise?"

"I shouldn't need to apologise for my opinion," he said coolly. "But yes. And still, I am treated as a pariah."

Christine began to laugh. "All those spoiled misses that your mother chose for you- and you want someone who is unavailable."

"I don't want her," he growled. "But I would like to know why she looks at me as if I was vermin. Had I flattered the ridiculous story, perhaps she would have given me a chance- but stories of pathetic and downtrodden orphans hold no interest for me. And why should she care what I think?"

Christine turned to him gaping, her violet eyes alight with mirth. "You offended her with a story about orphans? You are an idiot, Roy. Don't you paid attention to the gossip?"

He stiffened. "What gossip?"

She turned to him, her violet eyes cool. "Roy; Anne Shirley was orphaned as a baby. She's a foundling."

Roy froze, and he turned to look at her moving across the floor, a picture of perfect refinement and taste.

"Impossible," he said quietly.

"Oh, it's more than possible," Christine commented, amused. "She was adopted by some islanders ten years ago. That's when she met Gilbert."

Roy spun to watch her suspiciously. "Now why would you know that?"

Christine chuckled. "I make it my mission to know who people are. Besides, I was intrigued about the Blythes after their rather impromptu wedding- especially given the way that Ronald praised him to the skies."

"Well, your brother trusts me as well." He stood up then, his eyes glittering strangely.

Christine eyed him with some trepidation. "You obviously upset her a good deal, Roy- perhaps now is a good time to accept that, and just let her be."

"No, you were right the first time," he said, his eyes fixed on the dance floor. "I should ask her to dance."

Moody Spurgeon had just delivered Anne to Gilbert's side when the two of them felt a shadow fall over their seats. Gilbert's manner instantly became aloof as he and Anne rose.

"Mr Gardner, always a pleasure." Gilbert noticed Christine then, looking slightly out of breath, almost as if she had been chasing her escort. "Miss Stuart, it's nice to see you as well. You look lovely this evening."

Christine summoned a dazzling smile. "How kind of you, Mr Blythe. Mrs Blythe, your gown is the envy of half the girls in the room- it's quite lovely."

"Thank you, Miss Stuart."

Roy's dark blue eyes glittered as he turned to Anne. "Mrs Blythe, I wondered if you would allow me the honour of your next dance."

Gilbert tried not to wince at the fingernails that pinched his arm in Anne's rather visceral reaction, however, he admired her outward calm.

"Certainly."

Gilbert cleared his throat and gave Christine a polite nod. "Well, Miss Stuart, if you are not engaged-"

Christine beamed. "Of course, Mr Blythe. I enjoy dancing more than my escort does- I would be honoured." She couldn't help but be amused by the suddenly green eyes of the woman before her, knowing faint jealousy when she saw it.

Oh, honey... I'm not the threat, here...

Christine took Gilbert's arm as the pairs moved apart, satisfied that she was looking very well that evening. And yet where was her Mr Dawson? A hundred miles away, involved in a yet another merger that took all of his time and attention. Still, he had promised to be at home during the summer holidays.

She eyed Gilbert curiously as they began to move down the set.

"I understand that you and Anne will graduate this time next year," she commented easily. "It must be a relief to see an end in sight."

Gilbert's reply was calm, and she smiled, appreciating his obvious strength as he turned them. "Perhaps. We have some decisions to make before we get to that point, of course."

Christine was quite impressed by his composure, considering the fact that he obviously wanted to turn to find Anne on the floor. Only good breeding kept his attention with her, she assumed, and she turned to see Roy's brooding face in the distance. Perhaps Roy was right about Gilbert's motives.

"He won't eat her, you know," she pointed out, with a touch of laughter in her voice. Gilbert was swift to stiffen, and Christine arched a dark eyebrow at him. "What is it that bothers you about him?"

"I would not wish to criticize your partner, Miss Stuart," Gilbert said eventually.

She gave a slight laugh. "Mr Blythe, Ronald trusts him- to a degree, at least," she said fondly. "Although your wife certainly has managed to get under his skin." At the look that crossed his face, she was swift to clarify her words. "He believes that he upsets her- and Roy merely wishes to make amends."

"I see. Does he have five years?" he asked coolly. At Christine's look of confusion, he smiled. "Anne will do as she wishes, I am afraid. I certainly wouldn't want to cross what she feels is necessary."

Christine gave Gilbert a curious look. "If I may be quite bold, what is it you think he will do, Mr Blythe? She's married. He's romantic, but even he would not be so foolish as to attempt to come between you."

Gilbert's look was cool, this time. "He bothers my wife. And it seems that he doesn't take the word 'no' kindly, Miss Stuart."

Christine laughed. "He's from one of the most wealthy families in Kingsport. Of course, he doesn't. How could he threaten you, Mr Blythe? It isn't like he would try and talk her into an annulment."

Gilbert jarred to a stop, and he was swift to apologise as he began to move them again. "Annulment?"

Christine shrugged her elegant shoulders. "Many more marriages end in our circle than yours, I think. Although you really needn't worry- Roy knows the rules of the game."

Gilbert's voice was stiff. "I don't believe marriage is a game, Miss Stuart."

Her look was pitying, seeing the worry that the confident young man was not able to mask. "Neither do I- however the world is a far more cynical place than you would believe."

Gilbert caught sight of Anne's red head then, and his hazel eyes lit with fire. "Perhaps so. But it will not change who Anne and I are," he said quietly, and that was the end of the conversation.

Across the room, Roy and Anne danced together in silence. Roy's eyes smouldered, uncomfortably aware of how close he was to her. He caught Christine's eye across the room, seeing that she was distracting Blythe's attention nicely from his young wife.

"You are the brightest star in this room tonight, Mrs Blythe," he said smoothly, watching her reaction.

Anne thanked him, her manner stiff, and Roy's lip twitched cynically. She just wouldn't make this easy, would she?

"I must also thank you for encouraging me to take a second look at Neil Cross' little story," he said, carefully watching her reaction. "Perhaps it improves on a second perusal." She did not respond to this beyond a slight nod, and indignation flared in his belly. Did she still think him so far below her notice? "You do not approve of a changed opinion?"

He was pleased when she looked at him then, and he almost smiled at the spark of green in her grey eyes. "The opinion was your own to have, Mr Gardner. I merely told you that it was wrong. What do you see in it that you missed before?"

Roy's eyes were sharp as he watched her. "I see now that your own reaction to it was an emotional one. Now, why should that be, Mrs Blythe?"

Anne looked up at him, her eyes glittering. "Why does anyone form an opinion?"

His smile was almost predatory, then. "Perhaps when one is confronted by one's past." At her silence, he continued his voice low. "You have no comment on that, Mrs Blythe? That does surprise me. Or are you ashamed?"

He had come to a standstill, and a shaking Anne pulled herself from his arms, thankful that they were at the edge of the moving crowd.

"Mr Gardner-"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were orphaned, yourself?"

She didn't flinch at the word, and green eyes sparkled in anger. "I have never hidden the fact that I was adopted, Mr Gardner. You are not privy to my concerns."

"Oh, I don't think anyone is privy to those, Miss Shirley," he said deliberately. "You could have told me that day that I had upset you, instead of keeping me at arm's length all year."

Anne's chin jutted out, with eyes like fire. "You seem to wish to get my attention, Mr Gardner. Why do so?"

As the dance moved behind them, Roy stood stiffly at attention. "I do not like being judged because of my background," Roy said slowly. "That is unfair."

He was surprised to see her laugh, however, there was no mirth in it. "Do you imagine that belongs to you alone?"

"No, I simply do not hide what I am."

Anne crimsoned. "I do not-"

"Then why not discuss it openly? You seemed to be willing to tell me what my mother and father and I saw in the orphanage we patronise- so why not talk about it now?"

Anne stiffened. "I believe I will return to my husband, Mr Gardner."

He caught her wrist then, his hold firm. "He is on the floor with my partner, remember. He won't want you to make a scene here."

Anne's chin lifted. "On the contrary- if I don't make one, he will. He knows me well."

"Does he know everything?" Roy asked, his eyes cold.

"You are asking if Gilbert knows of my background? Of course he does."

"In my experience, women rarely tell their husbands everything," he said coolly. "What does he know then? Has he ever see one of those soulless houses that accept cast-off children? Did you ever tell him about it?" At her silence, he continued. "You are a juxtaposition, Miss Shirley. A married woman who is alone, even with her husband. A student of a prestigious school who had no parents to send her there."

Anne stood tall, fury radiating from her body. "I am not ashamed of my background. I am not ashamed of the people who took me in- and I am not ashamed to have worked hard to get the education I wanted. I have nothing to prove to you."

"No, I think you are trying to prove something to the world, Mrs Blythe," Roy said coldly. "You and your husband. I think the two of you are trying to make everyone forget the rather sudden wedding last year. And I think you are a better actress than people give you credit for. As for him-" here, his disgust was palpable- "I can't decide if he is just a better actor than you, or perhaps someone who doesn't know how to act at all."

Anne's face by now was chalk white, and she turned to face Roy unflinchingly. "You don't know me at all, Mr Gardner. If you did, you would know better than to provoke me just to get a reaction."

Roy's face coloured, and he bowed to her icily. "I have no wish to remain where I am obviously unwanted. Although do consider this- what will your husband do when he realises that an orphaned heart is incapable of returning his obvious affection? I re-read the book, Miss Shirley. Perhaps you should do the same."

With this, he turned and walked away, leaving several nearby dancers looking curiously at Anne. She gathered up her skirts numbly, clenching her teeth and walking to the door of the dressing rooms, her head held high. In a small cubicle, she locked the door behind her, slumping against the wall as hot tears threatened to fall.

A shaking hand reached down to smooth the skirt of the rose-spattered gown, and yet she couldn't see the ivory silk. Instead, it was the yellow wincey of another dress, much too short for her long, coltish figure, with the stain she had carefully tried to hide from Marilla's probing eyesight. The moments of insecurity as she tried to learn everything she had missed in her first eleven years of life. The burnt pages that had tried to chronicle the girl who never belonged, the girl who then had yet to see a single wish come true.

It was several minutes before Anne could leave the room, aware that Gilbert would be waiting for her. She was furious at herself for reacting, and couldn't explain why Roy's comments had seemed to penetrate her consciousness- he was angling for a reaction, and she knew better than to allow him the satisfaction.

Gilbert knew her. He knew her faults; her temper, her pride, her forgetfulness and distraction. But why could she not tell him this? And why did it matter?

When Anne entered the ballroom, she found Gilbert standing with Phil, both scanning the room intently. Aware that they were surrounded by people, she held her head high as she walked to the two of them, who instantly sighed in relief as she stepped beside them.

Gilbert took her hand, somewhat puzzled to feel it shaking within his. "Sweetheart, I lost you."

Anne summoned a smile. "I was in the dressing rooms. I needed a break from the heat of the room," she said lightly.

He looked at her curiously. "Did you want to leave, now? We're only a dance or two from the end."

Phil touched Anne's arm, her look worried. "You are pale, sweetie. Maybe Jo and I could walk you both home? Prissy and Stella were planning on staying until the end- Jo and I want to leave sooner."

Gilbert saw the tint shake of Anne's head, and he shook his own. "No, stay, Phil. We'll be fine."

Phil promised to write often, and the two friends embraced warmly. She gave Anne's red head a pat and made Gilbert swear that he would write his wife copious love letters while he was working- and to send her a line if he felt the need to as well. She accompanied them to the cloakroom to get their belongings, and both she and Jo waved them off from the entrance to the ballroom, a slightly troubled look on her face as she watched the couple walk down the pathway together.

"What is it, Phil?" Jo asked, curiously.

She gave a short sigh, tucking her hand into his arm. "I don't know," Phil murmured. "But I'm worried."

Gilbert and Anne silently walked home in the moonlight, and within minutes was Gilbert unlocking the door to their house, holding out his hand to Anne as they crossed the threshold. When the door closed, Anne removed her wrap, surprising him as she turned suddenly to wrap herself in his arms. Gilbert smiled, feeling her body snugly against his in their dark house. He held her in silence for long minutes, his hands smoothing across her back and wondering as the tension in her body did not lessen.

Eventually, he pulled himself away, moving his hands to cup her cheeks.

"What is it?" he asked quietly. "Something is clearly troubling you."

Anne gave a shaky laugh, quite unable to articulate the number of things troubling her at the moment- no sentence could contain it all.

His hazel eyes burnt into her own, and he bent closer to her. "Sweetheart, please talk to me."

Anne's eyes fell, the lump in her throat burned. She read his concern, the trust he placed in her- and all that she had never told him seemed to flood her mind. She struggled to speak, now. "You- you know me."

"Well- yes," he said, mildly confused.

To his horror, he saw the tears gathering in her eyes, and she shook her head. "I don't- I don't want to leave," she whispered. "I don't want it to change- I don't want you to go-"

Gilbert pulled her close, his chest tightening at her evident pain. "Anne, we're not going to change; everything is going to be alright."

She was shivering now, and he closed his eyes briefly, his heart feeling as if it would crack under the weight of all that he had not yet said to her.

"I need you to look at me, sweetheart," he said, his voice tight. When she did so, he drew in a deep breath. "I love you, Anne."