Devoted To You || Gilbert Blythe

L

"I thought you did graduate?" Gilbert gives me a confused look.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the unspoken truth pressing on me. "I was kicked out of Newhaven. Expelled, to be precise. I was never good at conforming to their rigid expectations, and, well, they decided I wasn't the right fit."

His brow furrowed in surprise. "Kicked out? But that's where your trust fund is tied, isn't it?"

I nodded, the knot of uncertainty tightening within me. "Yes, and without completing Finishing School, I may never get access to the funds my mother left for me." I turn over to lay on my back. "It's like watching my future slip away, Gilbert, and I don't know how to regain control."

"I probably shouldn't be giving out advice, since even I don't know what to do with my life." Gilbert turns over as well. "Who all knows?"

I sigh. "Just you."

"What an honor." He sarcastically replies.

"I'd punch you if Delphine weren't in between us." I say making us both giggle.

"You are not a refined young woman. I don't know how I didn't see the signs."

"You were too busy ignoring me." is what I want to say. "Me either." I breathe out. "I haven't even been wearing a corset."

"I do recall you writing in one of your letters, "These things are ghastly!" He says dramatically making me laugh a little too loud. I clasp a hand over my mouth as Delphine stirred once again.

"Your turn." Gilbert snickers. I turn back over and begin to hum the lullaby again. "Sing, Ada." He says making my blush.

I began to sing the familiar melody.

"Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green.
When I am king, dilly dilly,
You shall be queen."

As I continued, I felt the weight of Gilbert's gaze on me. Our eyes met, a silent understanding passing between us. He began to sing along.

"Lavender's green,
Dilly dilly,
Lavender's blue,
If you love me,
Dilly dilly,
I will love you."

My face reddened as he said the last few lines rather firmly. I yawn as we continue to hum the melody. Gilbert, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, gently reached over Delphine and lightly tugged at a strand of my hair that had fallen in front of my face. A playful smile danced on his lips as he whispered, "Just making sure you're still awake."

The tender gesture, infused with a hint of teasing, brought a soft chuckle to my lips. Before we drifted into sleep, I felt the warmth of his presence and the subtle connection that seemed to transcend the worries of the waking world.

***

We arrived in Charlottetown around lunchtime. Gilbert, Sebastian, and I split up. Bash went for the bog, Gilbert went for Dr. Ward's, and I for Aunt Jo's.

The dread in my stomach continues to build as the carriage stops in front of Josephine's home. I take in the grand splendor of her house. I felt like a princess when I lived here. That feels like a lifetime ago. So much has changed.