Chapter 3 – Good Friends And Glad Tidings
Leslie West was to be married to Owen the next month, and preparations were well underway for their wedding day. Now that Ingleside was the right way up and its inhabitants settled, they could turn their full attentions to the delights of connubial plans and schemes.
Leslie's happiness radiated out of her like a star. Fortune had finally recognized its own and gifts of the gods now seemed be showered before her like jewels. From a life of weary drudgery and bitter disappointment she had emerged, Venus like, as a woman with the world and all its wonders at her feet. Leslie met each day with an aura of joy about her that shone with a brilliance her friends saw, and could not help but be warmed by. Where once there had once been coolness, measured politeness and studied manners, now there was a glow, a frank openness and a bountiful spirit. And laughter; Leslie found that laughter was very near these days. The golden notes that had so bewitched Anne in the early days of their friendship seemed always ready at the crimson lips to enchant any moment out of the ordinary and lend it a spark of delight.
As delighted as she truly was for Leslie at the new and beautiful direction her life had taken, Anne was heart-sore at the thought of losing her friend to 'the winds of the world'. Just when their souls had found perfect communion and balance, Leslie would be around no more. As if in recognition of this knowledge, the two kindred spirits cherished each minute they had together, and this golden time in their lives overflowed with warmth, tenderness and compassion. Leslie's gratitude showed in her tireless efforts to make the transition from shore to Glen as painless as possible for her beloved Anne, for she knew what a wrench leaving the cottage had been for her darling; Anne in response was eternally thankful and appreciative. And so their friendship deepened and grew yet richer still, blooming like a beautiful rose, a gift from life that was treasured in the hearts of both women – "Two good, sweet women; true and faithful and to be depended on". Captain Jim had been unerring and correct in his benediction.
Owen Ford had promptly purchased the old House of Dreams from the Presbyterian Church trustees when the Blythes moved out. The lovers had chosen the little shore cottage as their sacred matrimonial spot, and the romance and full-circle charm of this was not lost on Anne, who thrilled to the idea. How perfectly poetic for the Schoolmaster's grandson to wed his bride just where John Selwyn had married his own true love over sixty years before! Anne delighted, too, in the fact that the House of Dreams was to capture yet another memory of love; it seemed to have been designed solely to be a haven for hearts strong and true, a keeper and protector of romance down through the ages.
It was to be an intimate affair, with just their nearest and dearest there to bear witness to their love vows. The Blythes and the Elliott's, of course, some of Owen's folk, and a few other kindly souls from the Glen who had always been good to Leslie in her girlhood. It had been decided that the ceremony should take place inside if there was a snow, or out in the garden if the weather gods smiled upon them, as the season was showing promise of being a mellow and mild one. That little garden with its roses and shell-lined borders was very dear to both Owen and Leslie, as it had been the scene of the acknowledgement and coronation of their love for one another. After the vows, guests would drive to Ingleside for the wedding breakfast, for no other reason than practicality where even relatively small numbers were concerned. Susan's plans for the wedding fare surpassed anything in volume that the little House of Dreams could hope to serve up. The Ford's were then taking off immediately for Europe on their wedding tour.
"Europe! Oh how enchanting – I've always longed to go and see the Old World." Anne had exclaimed with shining eyes. "To see the Greece of the ancients, the majestic snow-capped Alps, our dear motherland Britain! I envy you Leslie! And is it decided now that you will settle in Ontario, when you return from Europe?"
"I think so" said Leslie slowly, torn between the idea of leaving her beloved Four Winds and loving friends and the sense of unutterable freedom she felt almost every minute – like that of a caged bird feels upon realizing its gilded door is open. "The publishers of the Life Book say they have had so much interest they want to talk to Owen about a book tour all over Canada, so it seems we mightn't be in any one place for too long, at least right off. We will have a base though in Ontario as you say, as Owen's people are all there, and his publishing house, so it makes sense, but he says he has a yen for travel, with me at his side. It makes me so proud to hear him say that, Anne! Owen says there is so much he wants to show me, oh and Anne, I must say, I want to see it all too! I love Four Winds, of course, and it is beautiful to me to know that we will always be able to come back to the House of Dreams to visit, but I do have an unquenchable thirst to discover the world hand in hand with him, I almost tremble thinking of the adventures open to us! The lands, the seas, the mountains! I never thought that life would hold such possibilities for me, I had long resigned myself to looking after Dick and the farm, day in, day out, and now! I feel that fate has handed me the world on a plate! But my love for Owen would make me happy to follow him anywhere, Anne, I can't tell you how happy."
"Oh, I think I do know, Leslie dear" Said Anne softly, clasping her friends hands and smiling into the sea-blue eyes, all astar with hope and love. "And seeing you so heart-glad fills my own with joy! But, aah me, Owen Ford seems to be coming to whisk you away from me all too soon!"
Much time was also happily spent on Leslie's trousseau, despite her gentle protestations. Captain Jim had bequeathed the farm back to Leslie, mortgage free, intending to give her some funds to make her life easier once he'd gone. After consultation with Gilbert, Anne and the Marshall Elliotts, Leslie had sold off the stock and the property - sending some of the money to George Moore - and the rest she'd saved, taking a little out to buy materials and such like for the trousseau she never thought she would have.
"I hope you don't think me frivolous or shallow, Anne" said Lesley, half apologetically as she laid out some filmy ivory stuff to cut into pattern one evening. "I do feel a little reckless. I've never had money to spare for things for myself, so I've never spent it, but if I can just have a few pretty things to start my life with Owen, I will really feel like a bride for the first time in my life."
" Now those are two words that could never be used to describe you!" laughed Anne gaily as she added tiny flounces to a gown of periwinkle blue, which was to be Leslie's 'second day' dress. "There is absolutely nothing wrong in liking pretty things, I do myself. And every woman wants to look her best for her husband, and herself. It's high time you were able to do justice to that figure of yours – how much I admired you on first sight - I'd never seen such beauty! Your dresses are rightly fit for an empress – I especially love that beautiful cream evening dress with the seed pearl trim that Miss Cornelia has made for you – she really is a wonder with a needle! Owen Ford will be the proudest man in all Canada, with every right to be!"
Leslie laughed. Supreme happiness had chased away the last of her sorrows and light and life radiated from her very soul. She knew down deep in her soul that no hint of the darkness that kept such close company with her remained. Bitterness had been banished for good and her heart almost floated with the knowledge. The advent of Owen Ford in her life still seemed like a miracle to her and she wanted with all her heart for him to be as proud of her as Anne predicted. Deep, rose-red love went into every stitch of her new clothes and they looked all the more exquisite for it. The aura Leslie gave off was contagious. Miss Cornelia could not make pretty waists and skirts quickly enough for her darling, surpassing anything she had previously made in terms of style, and together with Anne and Susan put her heart and soul into the making of Leslie's wedding dress.
"I couldn't be more proud if I was decking out my own daughter, dearie" the kindly woman confided to Anne, as they were gathering up materials and pins after a bridal fitting, and Leslie had gone for a walk to the shore. "That girl deserves every happiness in the world, and I mean to help in any small way I can."
"Well, you certainly have provided a queen's trousseau, Miss Cornelia!" Laughed Mrs. Blythe. "I've never seen such beautiful embroidery as you've sewn on those lovely dresses!"
"Like I said", sniffed Cornelia, "I am the best sewer round these parts, and I'm happy to put my talent to good use. Lord, how I'll miss her when she goes, Anne dearie! I missed Captain Jim when he went, still do, moren't I'd ever let on to other folk in the village, for all he was a man. That old sea dog was the closest thing I had to a best friend , saving you and Leslie of course, but I'd known him longest, and he was a good friend and neighbor to me for over twenty years. There's none too many folks down on the shore road, as you know yourself, and it can sometimes feel a lonely sorta place, and it was a great comfort to me to know that Captain Jim was around and about, ready to help if it were needed. And now with you and Leslie gone… Oh, I know there's Marshall, and he's turning out to be the good husband I'd planned for him to be, but he's not so much part of my old life, which seems to be jes' sort of slipping through my hands. For the first time I'm feeling my age, Anne, and life seems to be speeding away somehow. Oh, this is not like me, talking this way!"
Miss Cornelia looked away upset, trying to hide and brush away a small tear as she did so. But it wasn't missed by the ever emotionally attuned Ingleside mistress.
"We all miss Captain Jim too", said Anne gently, taking Mrs. Elliott's work worn hands into her own. "A finer man you couldn't hope to meet, but his memories live on, Miss Cornelia; his memories live on. I feel his spirit around me every time I see the sea, or a ship on the horizon or a gull wheeling and arcing in the sky! He was the personification of Four Winds, and as such he can never be lost to us, just as Margaret could never be lost to him. Leslie will return to us by and by, dear Miss Cornelia, all the happier for the life she is leaving here to lead, and the House of Dreams will be alive again, with life and love and laughter. Life isn't running away, dearest, it's just that Leslie's life changes are such a big shock and surprise to us all; and the adjustment of life after losing loved ones – however they're lost – always takes some time to come to terms with. And for friends and old flavours, Gilbert and I will be in Four Winds forever, I hope and pray, with little Jem, and Susan and … and… maybe other future kindred spirits – Oh, Miss Cornelia, I have such happy news!"
For Leslie's trousseau wasn't the only thing nimble fingers were working on. Anne once again did indeed have joyful news of her own, and Ingleside celebrated with her. Darling little suits and smocks were laid out for making up alongside Leslie's lovely gowns and blouses in the busy household, and the women's hands knew not an idle moment. Ever remembered, the tragedy of little Joyce gave Anne's tidings an ever sweeter tinge of gladness, and Leslie and Miss Cornelia's heartfelt happiness in their friend's fortune almost matched Anne's own. Susan immediately set aside time each day to knit or stitch some sweet thing for the anticipated arrival and, the Glen folk, who were realizing just how much the Doctor and his wife had come to mean to their community, kept up a steady stream to the door with tempting dishes or little garments of their own creation.
A proud and happy Gilbert, ever mindful of the adage about Doctor's wives, and with the memory of the heart-breaking sorrow they had shared together never too far from his thoughts, made sure that Anne did not over-tax herself too much with the house, and Susan, Leslie and Miss Cornelia were staunch in backing him up.
"But I'm quite fine!" laughed Anne protestingly, as Susan took over from her unpacking a large horse hair trunk which she had dragged out onto the garret floor and was going through. "I just remembered an old shawl Miss Barry gave to me that had some exquisite beading on the trim, and I thought I would update one of Leslie's waists with it."
"That's as maybe, Mrs. Doctor dear." Said Susan, as one laying down a law, upon finding her house cleaning in the attic one morning. "But why have a dog and bark yourself, as I have said many's the time? Stitch away you may do, by the comfort of your own hearth, but hulk great heavy trunks about up here in the cold when there is someone to do it for you, you will not, with the greatest respect, and that you may tie to."
Anne succumbed meekly, for she realized that there was an army against her. And so she thrived and felt loved and protected, and life at Ingleside continued to unfold at a beautiful pace. Days passed smoothly as late Autumn changed places with early Winter, and the Queen of Seasons covered her gown of rubies and gold with a soft, velvet cloak of opal and pearl.
Anne found many a quiet hour to dream over some tiny stitched dress or bootee, happily adrift on the love-light clouds of wonder that impending motherhood affords.