62
They didn't go to the house right away, they started kissing - and a lot else besides. They did not go the whole way because it did not have to go anywhere. There was nothing to prove, no fear of time running out. It would eventually, of course. According to Teddy's wristwatch church would be over in half an hour, then the Blythes - and who knew who else - would wend their way through the valley and back to Ingleside.
Nevertheless, Teddy was getting very close to the finish line, pressed hard as he was between Rilla's thighs. Never mind his trousers, never mind her skirts. He had never had to hold back before and was certainly not used to it. The poor boy was having to recite the kings and queens all the way back to Alfred. But Rilla didn't know what the signs for that were yet and cupped his face with her hands. This couldn't wait, she just had to sort it out.
"Teddy?" She brushed a stray curl from his forehead. "Look at me for a minute."
His eyes were like molasses when they opened. His gaze was slow and easy, running over every inch of her face. Her pinched nostrils like apple seeds, the dent in her bottom lip, the tip of her tongue poking out just a fraction which only happened when she was about to lisp. The downy hair by her sweet little ears, the way one eyebrow was slightly higher than the other. Eyelashes so thick they caught the light, and her eyes… Those eyes were why he practised looking into the sun. There was such a strength and power there, life-giving, golden. Beauty as he lived and breathed and meant for him.
"Asthk me to marry you," said Rilla.
That finish line suddenly seemed miles away. Teddy lay very still.
"Damn Rilla," he rested on his elbows. "I know you like to get your ducks in a row, but even you have to admit that asking is supposed to be the man's department."
"Things might change very soon - for you, I mean. And I need you to know that -"
"Rilla, would you quit it. I already know you don't want me for my money. Stop thinking so much and kiss me, would you?"
The minutes ticked away as they always do, and reluctantly they parted. Rilla was trying to fix a strap on her suspender belt when Teddy did it for her.
"First try too," she said, beginning to laugh, "you seem fairly practised at this."
"I'm not," Teddy was suddenly serious. "I've never lain with a woman that I loved before - I wish I'd known you right from the start."
"You wouldn't have loved me then - you wouldn't!" she insisted when he cocked his head in disbelief. "I don't even know why you loved my yesterday. But that night with the whiskey, when you held back my hair... I knew you would stand by me even when I made a mess. So tell me," she got to her knees and smiled at him with those huge gold eyes, "what shall we make now?"
"Ah," Teddy's eyes went wide too. "You mean babies and roses round the door, that kind of thing?"
"Not really," she said frankly. "I mean I'll always have my rosey home, Ingleside isn't going anywhere. And the babies, well, I guess you could say, I've had a good shot at that too. Right now, I feel ready for something more, don't you?"
Teddy had a thoughtful, slightly bemused look on his face, chin raised, eyes crinkled as if working out the right direction; Rilla would see that expression a lot in her future. "I want us to build something then. Something that's ours. You're good at organising-"
"And you're good at giving-"
He laughed. "I thought you were gonna say I was good at following your orders."
"Well yes, but you're also good at seeing what people need."
"That's a start, I s'pose." He left his tie dangling around his neck and placed his hands around her shoulders. "But Rilla, this might not turn out the way that you're hoping. You have to face that, honey. You have to know it might go... how does Miss Baker, say it?"
"Catawampus?"
He nodded. "We might have to begin all over again if it goes wrong. But before we begin, I need to know you'll stick with me -"
"Because you can't live without me."
"Yeah that," he kissed her quick, "and also you have a brilliant talent for wrapping government officials around your little finger. I have a feeling we're gonna need those kinds of skills in the days ahead."
Forget little compliments, this was the sort of love language that Rilla Blythe almost ignited at upon hearing. Talking together, strategising, including her in the discussion. No more waiting, no more having to fit into someone else's plans. She fell upon Teddy, hungry, greedy, insatiable; the tucked up and tidied bits on their persons came all undone again.
"Oh Teddy, I love you so much I could scream." She did too. I love Teddy Willoughby sounded through the valley and she didn't give a damn who heard it.
"Here, let me get that for you," he said a short while later, and returned the tiny hooks to the slots on the collar. He was glad to have something else to turn his attention to, or joyful crying might become a habit.
Finally, Teddy felt able to walk without carrying a hat in front of him, and every strand of grass had been removed from Rilla's hair. They walked together through the meadow, past the tree lovers and the chimes that rang in the shadowy glade.
"Hey, is this yours?"
Rilla watched as he picked up a pearly-white button and held it up to show her.
"Oh yes," she said remembering, and then, "no. That belonged to something that doesn't fit me anymore."
...
More tomorrow, love, k.
