Heart Attack ? Shirbert

? 51 ? rain, rings, and rights

"A ring?" Diana muttered.

"For Winifred." Anne couldn't control herself as she lost her balance and toppled over.

Gilbert heard her and looked behind himself to see a closed parlor door.

"Anyway," he turned back to Mr. Barry suspiciously, "I should be on my way. Thank you."

"Anything in the name of love, my boy." Mr. Barry followed Gilbert as he exited the parlor.

"Run!" Anne whisper-yelled, but as the girls turned, Mrs. Barry rounded the same corner.

"Anne!" She scanned Anne's clearly soaked outfit, "Why on earth are you so wet?"

She swiveled to her daughter, "Why haven't you gotten your guest a change of clothes?"

"We were, I mean-" Diana stammered, "we are."

She tugged Anne's arm, "We best get upstairs."

"Is that Anne I hear?" Mr. Barry strolled into the hallway.

Gilbert's heart was racing as he shoved the box in his pocket, praying Anne hadn't seen it.

"Anne!" He exclaimed when he saw her soaked, "Why are you...?"

Anne, entirely flustered, only stared back.

That's a ring.

"She got stuck in the rain." Diana jumped in to save her friend, who only responded by nodding in agreement.

"What brings you to our home?" Mr. Barry asked, unaware of the awkwardness around him.

Anne found her voice, "Well I was hoping to talk to you."

"Two consultations in one day! It's about time everyone valued my vast knowledge."

The Barry women rolled their eyes, Gilbert stared intensely at Anne, and Anne did everything in her power not to stare back.

"I should be on my way." Gilbert murmured, securing his cap and coat, "Thank you Mr. Barry."

"The pleasure is mine."

Gilbert glanced at Anne one last time before exiting into the rain.

"Come, young lady, let's chat." Mr. Barry motioned Anne into the parlor.

"Absolutely not," Mrs. Barry objected, "She changes first."

Anne was still staring at the door, trying to process what she'd seen.

"Come, Anne." Diana pulled on her arm and they went upstairs.

—

"What was that?" Diana closed her bedroom door behind Anne quickly.

"Whatever do you mean?" Anne's voice wavered nervously as she slowly got over her embarrassment.

"Oh don't be so obtuse," Diana rolled her eyes, "That was terribly awkward."

Diana rummaged through her drawers for dry clothing and handed it to Anne, "Go change and then you tell me everything."

Anne took the clothes from Diana and slipped into her bathroom, "I never told you about Toronto." She said through the door.

On the other side, Diana crossed her arms, "Yes you did. You told me about Liz and the Star."

"But I didn't tell you everything."

"Apparently not."

Anne tied up her hair to keep it from getting the clothes wet and exited Diana's bathroom.