Heart Attack ? Shirbert

? 33 ? engagEment, extend, and exploding

Gilbert nodded very slowly, "I do, sir, but I'm not sure if I can manage to go to the Sorbonne. Exams are weeks away and I'm not sure my earnings from Dr. Ward will quite cover tuition."

Mr. Rose's face fell, but Gilbert continued, "I appreciate your offer." He said politely. 

Mr. Rose only held that look of disappointment for one moment, "As long as your marks are satisfactory, I don't see you having any issues: money, admission or otherwise."

That's when it hit Gilbert. Mr. Rose was offering to get him into his dream school. He was handing Gilbert his ideal future.

Gilbert shifted uncomfortably, "That's such a generous offer, it doesn't feel right to...."

Mr. Rose shook his head, "You make my daughter happy, Gilbert. I care about that more than any money or connections I may use to secure your future."

For a moment, they looked at each other. Gilbert was terrified and Mr. Rose was hopeful.

"I hope you will at least consider my proposition."

"Yes," Gilbert composed himself, "I will, thank you."

Mr. Rose crossed his legs and chucked, "She loves a good diamond, you know?"

"Oh," Gilbert completely lost his newfound composure, "she does?"

"Yes." Mr. Rose smiled satisfactorily. Like his daughter, his ability to read others' expressions was poor. He thought he was doing the right thing and making Gilbert feel better about the situation.

Mr. Rose cleared his throat, "Now I think I should get you home. We need to keep Winnie in your family's good graces as well."

"Of course." Gilbert said quietly, his mind racing.

--

Anne went to the Blythe/Lacroix house later that same afternoon with a completely different goal in mind. She had spent the past month mulling over what she could say to Gilbert, but she received a letter that morning that changed her mind.

She practiced her speech countless times as she walked over to Gilbert's house. She was fiddling with the pen in her pocket that she intended on giving to him. It was so he always had something to write to her while he was away at school, wherever that may be.

The letter in her hand was a response from the Toronto Star. Anne didn't want to open it unless she was with Gilbert. 

When Anne reached the house, she knocked on the front door a few times but didn't get a response. Knowing she had permission to do this in the past, Anne opened the door and let herself in. From where she was standing, she could hear voices in the parlor.

--

The parlor room was filled with chaos as Mary sat on the couch listening to Gilbert's anxious thoughts.

Gilbert started pacing, running his hands through his hair, "You should have been there, Mary."

Mary stared up at him worriedly. Gilbert very rarely lost his cool.

"The way he laid it all out on the plate for me to take like it was just another transaction." He said disgustedly.

Mary furrowed her eyebrows, "It sounds a little unconventional."

"No," Gilbert shook his head, "it's conventional...but much more expensive. An entire future instead of a deed to a farm. What you and Bash did is unconventional."

"Since when is marrying for love unconventional?" Mary asked angrily. The rules higher society attempted to mandate were ridiculous to her.

"It's not that simple." Gilbert countered.

"I disagree." She crossed her arms, "Why would you dedicate your life to someone you don't love?"

Gilbert knew she was right, but his head was spinning. He had never felt the pressures of high society until he unintentionally inserted himself into it.

"You don't understand." He stopped pacing.

"No, I think you're stuck in the way people want you to marry." Mary stood up to get on his level, "Gilbert, you just turned 18 and you're looking to propose to someone? Why are you choosing your life now?"

Gilbert felt his anxiety settling in, "Am I not dictating my life by choosing where I go to school? Isn't placing myself at the Sorbonne giving me the best shot at succeeding in my vocation?"

Mary could see how overwhelmed he was so she softened her voice, "There are other ways to get into a university than dedicating your life to someone you don't love."

"I never said I don't love her."

The air in the room froze.

Mary sat and motioned for Gilbert to sit next to her. They had to calm down.

"Do you love her?" Mary asked calmly.

Gilbert settled down and put his head in his hands, "I don't know! How could I know now? I like her but do I love her?"

He was in full panic mode now.

"Okay, calm down." Mary rubbed his back lightly, "You don't need to make any choices right now. You haven't even taken the exam yet and you don't have to decide until after results come back."

"I take the exam next week." Gilbert mumbled, "Results will come back within the month and I'll have my acceptances weeks after."

"So you have time." Mary assured him.

Gilbert sighed, "It doesn't feel like it."

"I'm not going to tell you what to do." Mary stated, "But be sure you marry for love. Only for love."

Gilbert nodded, his chest in pain from the overwhelming emotion.

That's the moment Gilbert and Mary heard footsteps in the kitchen.

"Bash?" Mary called back, not moving away from Gilbert.

"No, uh, it's Anne." Anne replied back, feeling more anxious than she had in a while.

Gilbert jumped up and tried to shake himself out of his daze. 

Mary stood up to approach Anne and hopefully block Gilbert a little. She wanted him to have a moment to collect himself, "Whatever did we do to deserve your presence?"

"I was hoping I could talk to Gilbert." Anne felt shy. She never felt shy.

Gilbert's anxiety spiked again. He wanted to talk to Anne and finally figure out what was happening between them, but after the day he had, he wasn't as keen as he would be.

Mary looked back at Gilbert, whose eyes were wide with terror. 

"Maybe you could come back later? I think he's a little tired now." Mary wanted them to talk, but not right now. 

Anne felt her heart sink. What happened to him that he was so upset?

"Is he okay?" Anne wanted desperately to comfort him or at least see him. 

Mary hadn't noticed Gilbert who joined her at the doorway, "Thank you, Mary, but I'm okay."

Anne was relieved to see him. She could tell how distraught he was, but at least now she could do something about it. 

"Do you want to go on a walk?"

"Let's."