Hi everyone,
I know people don't like it I've pulled them apart... but I decided to put these chapters together in the hope people realise I am NOT having Anne fall for Roy... but he does help her on a journey in glad I had his character to play with a little... don't get me wrong book Roy I don't like because firstly he is simply a diversion... this Roy is a little more clued in the next chapter... you'll see... here is Roy and Christine...
"Anne come on you need cheering up you've been in the same mood ever since you rejected Gilbert Blythe that afternoon. Honestly you should have accepted him if…" Phil started trying to cheer her friend. Nothing had worked since Gilbert had become strictly a buddy and HE had made it clear. Phil was often confused at why they were 'just friends' when she would walk in on them snuggling on the rug reading, him playing with her hair, her gazing at her 'friend' them not being seen out in public with anyone else. But since the rejected proposal last spring (it now being October of the next school year) she could count on her hands the number of times Gilbert had come to visit and every time he had sat respectively away from Anne neither avoided or sought after her company, but when he did encounter her his conversation was polite and kind as if Anne was a mere acquaintance from one of his classes. Phil had noticed of course the sparkle which had always been present in Gilbert's eyes was lacking, he evidently missing Anne as much as Anne missed him. But she had rejected him, what was the fella supposed to do? He certainly didn't seem the type to wallow and other then the sparkle in his eyes being missing he seemed otherwise in good spirits.
"I'm not supposed to BE with Gilbert, he was only ever my chum."
"Not only ever, you dated him for three years." Phil pointed out.
"Which ended just as messily as when he proposed!" Anne said losing her temper.
"Don't lose your temper with me Anne Shirley!" Phil replied reflecting her tone. "Get a pretty dress on come out to the dance. It'll be fun." She said going in Anne's wardrobe and throwing the nearest dress at her.
Anne eventually was convinced they headed out to the dance together. She shouldn't have been surprised when she saw Gilbert in the crowds. He didn't seem to be with anyone, evidently he came alone, of course he came to socials he was part of the Lambs which seemed to demand sociality in its members. She looked at him and she noticed he looked different somehow. She ended up across the room from him she looked longingly at him, he eventually looked up and caught her eye. He didn't smile he didn't even seem to have the look at longing in his eyes, he looked… he looked sadly at her before turning back to someone she recognised as being from the lambs. She didn't see him again all night.
The next morning she decided she had to talk to him, she had to talk to Gilbert. She had to make it right, the last seven and a half months had been unbearable! She felt as though the entire right side of her body had been chopped away. She moved out the house so quickly she barely noticed the large rain clouds hanging in the sky.
The rain started and Anne instantly regretted coming out without her umbrella, having said that she doubted it would survive in the gushes of winds which pushed along harbour road.
"Pardon me—may I offer you the shelter of my umbrella?"
Anne looked up. Tall and handsome and distinguished-looking—dark, melancholy, stranger looked down at her
"Thank you," she said confusedly.
"We'd better hurry over to that little pavillion on the point," suggested the unknown. "We can wait there until this shower is over. It is not likely to rain so heavily very long."
She looked to the stranger Who was he? He was very handsome, but nothing compared to her Gilbert. She blushed luckily the coldness of the air disgusted it. Gilbert was nothing of the sort anymore. Gilbert was not hers to compare other men to.
Together they scurried to the pavilion and sat breathlessly down under its friendly roof.
"We are schoolmates, I see," he said, smiling at Anne's colors. "That ought to be sufficient introduction. My name is Royal Gardner. And you are the Miss Shirley who read the Tennyson paper at the Philomathic the other evening, aren't you?"
"Yes; but I cannot place you at all," said Anne, frankly. "Please, where DO you belong?"
"I feel as if I didn't belong anywhere yet. I put in my Freshman and Sophomore years at Redmond two years ago. I've been in Europe ever since. Now I've come back to finish my Arts course."
"This is my Junior year, too," said Anne.
"So we are classmates as well as collegemates. I am reconciled to the loss of the years that the locust has eaten," said her companion. Anne felt awkward under his gaze, she'd seen that sort of gaze before from Gilbert so many times, but they… had they been in love? She's never felt awkward under his gaze?
The rain came steadily down for the best part of an hour. But the time seemed really very short. Even with her initial awkward feeling she soon relaxed in the present company. He seemed a nice sort of chap. Nothing mean about him and obviously a gentlemen coming to her rescue like that. Anne and her companion walked home together. By the time they had reached the gate of Patty's Place he had asked permission to call, and Anne seeing no harm in it received it.
That evening a parcel was left at Patty's Place for Miss Shirley. It was a box containing a dozen magnificent roses. Phil pounced impertinently on the card that fell from it, read the name and the poetical quotation written on the back.
"Royal Gardner!" she exclaimed. "Why, Anne, I didn't know you were acquainted with Roy Gardner!"
"I met him in the park this afternoon in the rain," explained Anne hurriedly. "I didn't take my umbrella he came to my rescue with his."
"Oh!" Phil peered curiously at Anne. "And is that exceedingly commonplace incident any reason why he should send us longstemmed roses by the dozen, with a very sentimental rhyme?."
"Don't talk nonsense, Phil." In truth the blush was that of awkwardness She recalled nothing in their interaction which had called for flowers?. "Do you know Mr. Gardner?"
"I've met his two sisters, and I know of him. So does everybody worthwhile in Kingsport. The Gardners are among the richest, bluest, of Bluenoses. Roy is adorably handsome and clever. Two years ago his mother's health failed and he had to leave college and go abroad with her—his father is dead. He must have been greatly disappointed to have to give up his class, but they say he was perfectly sweet about it. Fee—fi—fo—fum, Anne. I smell romance. Almost do I envy you, but not quite. After all, Roy Gardner isn't Jonas."
"You goose!" said Anne loftily. But she lay long awake that night, nor did she wish for sleep. Was this romance? Was this the beginning of love? If everything she ever had with Gilbert was just friendship and this was the opposite perhaps it was? But it didn't FEEL like it. It left Anne ever more confused than she was before she headed out. Was love like Gilbert? Or was it this new experience?
"Hey Blythe wait up a minute." He heard behind him. He turned to see Ron running towards him.
"Ron." He said with a smile. "What can I do you for?" Gilbert asked happily. Ron being a fellow member of lambs.
"Well I'm in a bit of a pickle. You see I'm due to graduate early in January but you see I was going to surprise my family with the news."
"That sounds like a nice pickle if you ask me?" Gilbert questioned.
"Well you see mother and father not knowing have arranged for my younger sister Christine to come and study here in the new year, well I feel bad just leaving her in the lurch." He took a breath "well with you falling out of favour with your pretty lady, I thought you might like the company." Gilbert turned to object. "No please Blythe hear me out." He continued. "Christine is engaged and there aren't many people I would trust to take care of her, I know you're a gentlemen and I know you're still in love with your girl but with circumstances… Gil I just want someone to look out for her someone I can trust."
That made Gilbert stop. "Thank you." Gilbert said in a lone tone. "So she's engaged?" he said with a smile.
"Gilbert Blythe you are a life saver!"
"…By the way, Gilbert Blythe is going about constantly with Christine Stuart. Did you know?" Phil asked Anne.
Anne was trying to fasten a little gold chain about her throat. She suddenly found the clasp difficult to manage. WHAT was the matter with it—or with her fingers?
"No," she said as carelessly as she could. "Who is Christine Stuart?"
"Ronald Stuart's sister. She's in Kingsport this winter studying music. I haven't seen her, but they say she's very pretty and that Gilbert is quite crazy over her. How angry I was when you refused Gilbert, Anne. But Roy Gardner was foreordained for you. I can see that now. You were right, after all."
Anne was blushing profusely. Gilbert had found a new beau? She couldn't quite believe it. Gilbert loved her. He's loved her since they had met! The idea of him falling for someone else was ridiculous! She felt a familiar pang in her heart pulling at her she took a sigh and pushed it to one at once she felt rather dull.
Roy Gardner was waiting for Anne. Roy's (Anne reflected) wooing had certainly been as romantic as a girlish heart could desire, but— she didn't WANT a romance. Heavens above after all she had been through with Gilbert it was enough to put anyone off romance for a year or two! Maybe if she made it clear to Roy? She came down the stairs and saw Roy waiting.
Roy murmured a poetical compliment as he helped her on with her coat, she did not blush and thrill as she thought it should; Gilbert had never been very poetically romantic like this but he had made flutter and blush and thrill even at his own Very words… 'but that wasn't love' she tried to remind herself hopelessly.
"Roy can we have a word tonight?" Anne asked him.
"Of course." He told her before leading her to the ball, he talked the entire way there Anne not in the mood to talk much.
When they arrived she was acutely conscious that Gilbert was standing under the palms just across the room talking to a girl who must be Christine Stuart.
"She looks just as I've always wanted to look," thought Anne miserably. "Rose-leaf complexion—starry violet eyes—raven hair—yes, she has them all. It's a wonder her name isn't Cordelia Fitzgerald into the bargain!." Anne's heart felt betrayed, but her head reminded her heart that Gilbert had every right to find someone he could love. After all he had wasted years on her fighting for a love she was unable to share with him. Gilbert deserved to be happy.
Anne felt herself blush profusely as Gilbert came over to the group.
"Phil, Stella, Anne." Gilbert nodded with a smile. "How are you all this evening?" He asked his eyes flicking to the stranger who had HIS Anne on HIS arm.
"Oh we're all fine Gilbert, won't you introduce us to your friend?" Phil spoke for the group.
"Of course, Stella, Phil Anne this is Miss Christine Stuart, she's here studying music." He introduced her.
"Music! Well I don't have a musical bone in my body! How unique…!" Phil said enviously.
Anne and Gilbert's eyes flicked to each other. Gilbert thought Anne was more beautiful tonight then he had seen her in a long time. Was the reason this stranger? She had fallen in love. Hadn't she?
Anne in the meantime felt her heart race widely in her chest. She knew she was jealous of this Christine! How dare she come waltzing in STEALING HER Gilbert!? Was that the reason for Gilbert's blush?
"…So that's why I do think everyone has SOME musical talent." Christine ended modestly. Phil and Stella were now busy filling in their dance cards with various admirers around the room
"Oh I have to agree there's a rhythm like a poem to music, anyone who appreciates poetry appreciates music." Roy commented.
"Oh yes I agree." Christine smiled "Sorry Mr? I don't think we've been introduced?"
"Oh, of course, Christine, Gilbert this is Mr Royal Gardner." Anne introduced quietly.
A pang hit Gilbert. He had heard of Royal Gardner of course, coming back to Redmond joining the class. And she had to fall in love with the elite of society he could never hope to keep up with didn't she?
"Gilbert Blythe, class president Gilbert Blythe?" Roy recognised.
"yes." He said with as friendly smile he could muster. "Welcome back, I've heard of you of course coming back."
"Thank you thank you, well aren't we an intellectual circle all the elite of the year group." He said with a grin. "Can I get you and your pretty lady a drink? Anne would you like one?" Roy offered.
"erm, no thank you Roy." Anne said quietly.
"Gilbert? Christine?" he offered.
"No thank you." Gilbert said.
"Oh yes please." Christine said.
Roy flashed a smiled and offered his arm to Christine. "May I Mr Blythe?" he asked.
"Of course." Gilbert said letting go of Christine's arm, Anne slipping her arm out of Roy's other arm. Roy took Christine over to the drinks.
Gilbert and Anne stood in silence for a moment. "So…." Gilbert broke the silence. "Royal Gardner?" Gilbert questioned.
Anne blushed at his words. "Yes, he's been visiting quite often, he's became a good friend." Anne said quietly.
Gilbert stirred in jealousy. "Good, good then."
"Gil…" Anne started.
"I bet you're glad you straighten things out before you met him." Gilbert said. She could hear the bitterness in his voice, maybe someone who knew him less wouldn't pick up on it but Anne did.
"No Gil, its not like that." Anne said quietly.
"Isn't it?" He said with a hollow laugh. "Well, all the same hardly my business anymore is it?"
"But Gil…" She started.
"I bet he's quite the romantic. Like your ideal man." He said.
She knew what he was talking about, all those years ago when they had been together the fantasy she had made up to cover up what was happening with Diana "Gil I made him up to cover up for us and you know it!" Anne turned to him.
"And I'm supposed to believe it wasn't in the back of your mind now I see him in flesh and blood and your hanging off his arm?"
"The same why I'm supposed to believe that Christine isn't everything I feared you would cheat on me with all those years ago! We trusted each other… we loved…" She trailed realising what she was saying. "Its not deliberate, all these years later it's not intentional and I can't believe you really think it."
"Well maybe you don't know me as well as you thought you did." He said with a tremor in his voice as Christine and Roy came back over.
"Oh Gil you should try some of this punch, its really nice." Christine told him.
Gilbert's throat was dry and he needed to leave Anne's presence fast. "Maybe I will." He said "Can I take my date back?" He said addressing Roy.
"Of course." Roy said not picking up on the tension. "Pleasure to meet you."
"You too." Gilbert said quickly as he took Christine then walked away.