Gilbert laughed at his predicament, knowing that most men would kill to be in his position, drinking tea with a charming, intelligent and beautiful woman. One who seemed to like him quite a lot. Why? Gilbert had no answer.

Yet, as much as he tried, the joy of being in this lucky position never arrived. And in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wish that a certain redhead was sitting opposite him.

"Ahem."

He raised his head to find Winifred peering at him over her teacup, a combination of annoyance and amusement on her face.

"Oh, there you are. Where have you been? It looked as if you were far away. I didn't come here to have tea with my father, you know. You reminded me of him just then."

Gilbert blushed, almost dropping his teacup. He placed it precariously on the table to prevent an accident that would further embarrass him.

"Sorry."

She put down her own teacup in a show of elegance and Gilbert sat up straighter.

"Yes, you will need to work on that. It's insulting to not pay attention to the person you're having tea with. Didn't anyone ever teach you basic etiquette?"

"Yeah. My father did. He drilled it into my head, as a matter of fact. I just got a lot on my mind, that's all."

She raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"

"Well..."

Winifred stood. "Come. Follow me. I want to show you something."

Gilbert copied her sudden movements. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

And minutes later, they wandered through the streets, dodging passersby and climbing stairs to reach unknown heights. Gilbert soon found himself looking down over the streets of Charlottetown, a stunning view. Gilbert glanced over at Winifred, who watched him in silence.

"Wow…"

She smiled in satisfaction. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It's strange. I've never been here before, and I thought I knew Charlottetown so well…."

He felt Winifred take his hand. "And I know something that will make this even more special. Especially when there's no one around to lecture us."

"What's that?" Gilbert asked, still distracted by the scenery before him.

She tugged at his arm. "Turn around, and I'll show you."

He turned, and she held his face in her hands. "Kiss me."

Gilbert hesitated, having never kissed anyone before, but he slowly leaned in. As soon as his lips touched hers, Winifred took over the kiss and Gilbert was happy to let her, as he had no idea what he was doing. He once again, pondered his situation. Here he was in the arms of a beautiful woman. He should've felt like the luckiest guy in the world. Yet, he didn't feel that way at all.

Gilbert tried his best to lose himself in her kiss, the feel of her hands cupping his face and in his hair. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her with his non-responsiveness. But then she pulled away...

"Just as I thought. You're not interested in me at all. Are you?"

Gilbert closed his eyes in guilt, wanting nothing more than to jump off the edge to the streets of Charlottetown below. He reopened them to find her looking out at the view. "I'm sorry. You probably think I'm the most idiotic boy ever to live and hate me forever but I…

"You're in love with someone else, aren't you?"

Gilbert gasped at the unexpected question. "What?! I'm not in love with…."

She whipped around to face him. "Don't play me for a fool, Mr Blythe! I'm not stupid, you know. I can see the evidence from a mile away. Your distracted behaviour in the tea room, not kissing me back…."

"Listen, I'm sorry."

She waved dismissively at him. "You're just another failed suitor, Mr Blythe. I've had plenty of those, and I'll have plenty more to come. I'll move on from this."

She turned her back to him. "And besides, I think you're too immature for me anyway. What I don't appreciate is you leading me on."

"I was going to end things with..."

She cut him off with a narrowed look over her shoulder. "I don't think you were. I think you were too afraid of breaking my heart. You lack guts and I'm not about to wait around for you to grow a spine. Which is what I look for in a man."

Gilbert took the lecture without protest, knowing he needed to hear her harsh words. He couldn't help but smirk. He was reminded of a similar situation...a slate coming down on his head.

She let out another sigh.

"Anyway…I don't think you are a complete lost cause." She faced him fully. "Let me educate you on how to court a lady because you need all the help you can get. I already feel for the poor girl."

She paused. "As a friend. That's all right, isn't it? Men and women can be friends, right? Please tell me you agree, or I will leave you to sink or swim on your own."

Gilbert nodded without hesitation. "Of course. There's this girl, Anne, and we're great friends and…"

He broke off with a blush, and Winifred smirked in response. "I think I've found the lady…."

"No, it's not like that with her. I..."

She stepped forward. "You, Mr Blythe, are not only an idiot but the worst liar I have ever met! Yes, I have most certainly dodged a bullet here. Now come. Let me teach you how to court your Anne."

Despite his protests, Gilbert allowed her to teach him, making as many mental notes in his head as he could. And he kept them stored when the time for courtship finally came.