Anne with an E The Next Chapter

The Darkness

As Ruby and James left the Barry's, Ruby felt like she was on top of the world. James Andrews was available and she was available and he looked at her in a way no boy had ever looked at her. The road was dark already and the snow and ice pellets had stopped falling. It was a pretty walk home with Avonlea coated in a blanket of white and the full moon shining its light on them.

"That was...interesting?" James said "I wonder what happened to Diana".

"She might have caught a chill when she ran out to bring Jerry his hat" Ruby offered.

"Ah yes, good observation Ruby, the fairer sexe is not meant for such conditions. You must be the brightest, and prettiest girl in all of Avonlea" he flattered her. "Is this why your parents named you Ruby... because you shine like a gem?"

Ruby giggled and looked down at her feet as she walked, glancing up at James from the corner of her eye. James smiled with that piercing dimple and he truly was the most dashing gentleman she'd ever met. He walked close to her and took her hand unexpectedly.

"Oh Ruby, he stopped her, "your hands are ice, let me see". He took both his hands in his and brought her hands up to his mouth. As he did, he looked up and stared into her deep blue eyes. He blew gently on her hands, with their faces all but a few inches apart. Stunned by this move, Ruby simply looked at him with complete and utter amazement.

"Ruby" he whispered "I am beyond smitten with you. I feel this powerful connection drawing me to you and I can't help but want to kiss you in this moment". Without a word, James slipped his hands to Ruby's back and pulled her in for a deep and passionate kiss. He seemed ravenous and utterly enamoured with her.

James pulled away, looking like he had been blown away by some mysterious force. Ruby smiled and her cheeks turned a deep pink. He looked at her and then checked his pocket watch. "It's early yet, and you are chilly, yes?". Ruby smiled sweetly and nodded.

"I'm staying at my Aunt Harriet's old house while I'm here, please won't you come and have a drink with me and warm up. No one is there and we can talk and get to know one another better?"

"Oh I should get home, my parents will be worried" Ruby said looking up the road.

"It's just here Ruby, we will walk right by it. I want you to see it, it might just end up being mine one day. Just one drink and then I will take you straight home". Ruby felt that this was likely not proper, and she really wanted to get home, but she just didn't know how to say no, and she was rather enjoying all this attention. He had just KISSED her, it must mean he really liked her.

"Ok"she said, "but just one". He smiled and took her by the hand pulling her along as they laughed together.

In three homes not far from James' vacation home, Jerry laughed with his family around a traditional thanksgiving dinner, singing and laughing and feeling completely content. Anne and Gilbert dined on a floor covered in blankets feeling grateful for a peaceful end to an otherwise dramatic day. Diana laid awake, feeling like something dreadful was looming and she couldn't shake the anxiety in her body.

As Ruby and James walked up to the house, she recognized the beautiful victorian mansion. It was unique in that it was a sturdy two story brick house with a beautiful circular porch to one side of it. Ruby had often been by it and dreamed about having the same type of house one day. She could see herself sitting at a table having afternoon tea and pastries with her friends in the open air. Her own home was a simple cape cod style with no raised balcony or porch. She and her siblings had to share rooms and though they lived a modest lifestyle, they were managing fine. Her parents often talked about the good life they had here in Avonlea but that they wanted their children to strive for more and to achieve more in life. For their daughters, it was to marry well and also have an education of their own.