An Irony in Avonlea

Jessamine Aster was a very comely young girl by any standards. She was known throughout Avonlea for her calm nature and sweet pretense. Her aristocratic family had raised her well and many of the townsmen had looked upon the youthful beauty often and hoped in vain for the chance to court her.

Indeed when Gabriel met her he’d understood as well why she was so sought after. Her beauty wasn’t subtle but her demeanor was and men liked that. A quiet, pretty thing they could show off and be proud of. But Gabriel had never wanted quiet, pretty things and he felt heavy disappointment in himself when he realized he didn’t want Jessamine either.

He would never tell his parents of course. They had brought him all the way from Surrey in order to form an agreement with the girl’s parents. He was to marry her and carry his respected name and hers throughout the rest of their lives. They would have many children and live in a large house with servants who did their best to remain scarce. They would fake smiles and pretend to love one another and keep secrets that would never drive them apart because they weren’t allowed to be driven apart. They would never have to worry about money with their combined birthright of inheritance. Their children would have only the best and be spoiled by their grandparents and go through the same motions when they grew of age. Nothing would change and all would be discontentedly well.

These were the thoughts Gabe kept to himself as he walked in circles through out the Aster’s gardens. Their gardens were splendidly well kept. The roses here were magnificent and Gabe didn’t even like roses. What he truly pined for more than anything at that moment was Judas, Jessamine’s brother.

He had drawn a sharp breath when the boy, just three years his senior had traipsed down the stairs to greet Gabe and his family. Brazen was the only way to describe the man. Broad shoulders, smooth pale skin and lovely golden hair enchanted Gabriel and he found himself confused beyond reason. A harsh, unmerciful charm had betrayed itself in Judas’s eyes when the two had shaken hands. And indeed this trait had proven true. The very night of his arrival Jessamine’s brother had called on Gabe as he drew on thought in the Aster’s study.

Teasing provocation was all that he had offered. He had cornered Gabe, literally backing him into a corner and breathing his words over the younger man’s cheek.

“You do not want my sister.” he tauntingly acknowledged with an all but evil smirk, “I saw the change in your face when you set your eyes on me. But why do you come if girls do not hold your interest?”

The truth was, very little but music held Gabe’s interest. He had never been bothered with hormones when it came to other people and being attracted to them. Only the bittersweet sound of a string quartet or solo piano could ease his lust. For 23 years he had been content to linger about the local opera house in his city, allowing his ears to observe theatre productions and their practices. Why so suddenly was he feeling the surge of the oddly placed feelings of the heart. And why for Judas? Why not for the lovely Jessamine instead?

Why? Because Gabe’s life would forever be a life of irony. It always had been. Nothing would change of course. He would still marry Jessamine. She would still never be given the attention she deserved and would slowly but surely come to the realization that Gabe didn’t truly want or appreciate her, nor had he ever. Nor would he.

Judas would marry soon as well and the two would surely share occasional rendezvous and both of their wives would grow closer in friendship because of the misery. Their lives would be a joke of feigning happiness. They would be stared at in church on Sundays and envied. They would throw magnificent Christmas Eve parties. They would be socialites and follow every rule that would later be instilled in their offspring.

And it was enough to make Gabe go absolutely mad as the irony of it all came crashing down him as he paced, staring at roses. He never had liked roses. And he would never love Jessamine. But still he found himself surrounded by roses in Jessamine’s garden. And soon he would find himself surrounded by Ms. Aster’s entire world.