Chapter Text
“Just…one thing…”
Anne thought the liquor had gone straight to her head, but apparently not as much as she expected. One minute her head had been full of merriment and…pirates, and now she was shocked back to reality. She blinked, shook her head, and tried to absorb his words. He was still watching her expectantly.
“Are you…what?!” His expression went blank, which somehow served only to annoy her further. She shook her head again, the alcohol somehow clearing entirely as irritation flooded her. “Are you…confessing to me right now?”
“Well…yes.”
“You confessed to me by telling me that Winifred’s father can give you everything you want, and I’m standing in your way?” She stared at the ground, willing herself to breathe, and felt a furious heat burning her cheeks.
“No, that’s not what I meant!” Gilbert exclaimed.
“You’ve never confessed to me before, you are courting someone else, and you are here, now, in the middle of the night to tell me that your perfect…Winifred’s wealthy father supports the match and can give you a bright future! What am I missing?!”
“I…”
Anne stood and fled, too overcome to sit and listen any longer. The tears were already flowing by the time Gilbert caught up to her and placed a hand on her arm.
“Let me go!” She shouted, loud enough that the rest of the party turned to the noise. Out of the corner of her eye, Anne saw Diana inching closer to her, watching the two of them warily.
“Anne, please, let me explain,” Gilbert added, eyes darting wildly in panic. She raised her hands to his chest, and his heart dropped when he saw her face in the faint firelight, lip trembling and cheeks streaked with tears.
“Stop. I have wanted to hear this from you for so…long,” she choked out, only now realizing how long she had fought against her feelings, “but I never thought it would be like this.” She laughed ruefully. “I finally get a confession, and it comes with a list of all the reasons why someone else is a better choice.” Diana reached her just then, face full of concern. They had been fighting, but understanding flowed between them in that moment. “Take me home, please, Diana,” she begged, voice breaking.
“Anne,” Gilbert called after her. “That’s not it…I…I love you.”
Her eyes closed, squeezing a few more tears between her lids. “But not enough to ask me to court first, I see. Tell me, if I say no, will you marry her? Will you tell her you confessed to me first? What are you doing, Gilbert?”
Gilbert tried to think of an answer, but he had none, and Diana stepped forward just then. She placed her hands gently on Anne’s shoulders and pulled Anne into her arms. Diana looked back at Gilbert, eyes full of venom.
“Don’t follow us,” Diana said firmly, leading Anne off into the night without another glance back.