Poor Marilla she has a lot on her plate what with Matthew laid up and Anne's trauma and then her own to deal with.
And poor Anne having all that guilt to contend with. Anne darling, like Marilla said, it's not your fault. They're the ones to blame, not you. You're just a child.
It's lovely how the two of them support each other through their recovery like a family should. As ghastly as their experience has been, it has been a bonding moment. Now I wonder what will happen when Marilla is alone?

I really love this story! I can’t wait for the next chapter!

Goodness that was intense. I think you struck just the right note with the attack. No wonder Marilla will be traumatised by it. I was relieved when Anne broke and even more when Matthew took action. He's a quiet man Matthew, but he will always defend his women. I love the image of Anne snuggling into Marilla's warmth at night, that was a very lovely ending.

I'll be interested to see where else you take this story.

Hope you are staying well.

How awkward for them to have to share a bed, but I'm pleased Matthew was able to reassure Marilla. My favourite part was her dream, interesting that she already subconsciously thinks of Anne as her baby, but how traumatic that she died. I like that Matthew calls her Rilla.

Good on Rachel, she did provide the clarity and added strength.

Their worry is palpable, I liked how Marilla thought the worst but could bring herself to say it.

Need more

Uh oh. The plot thickens. Not sure how Anne will escape or Matthew will rescue her, looking forward to how you solve this.

I thought you wrote of their mutual unease very well. Marilla swallowing her nervousness and Anne being shy about being naked in front of a stranger, and Marilla’s I’m a girl as well, Anne was a good way to reassure her. So sad that she didn’t know what it was to have a full belly.

I also like the way we get their inner thoughts in italics.

Here’s hoping she has a happy life.

Ah, how interesting to see their different take on sex. He thought she was attending to him very well, and she hated every moment.

I do hope he doesn’t find Anne, in fact I hope he doesn’t find anyone.

First of all, this is not long. Long is 10,000 words. This is just a nice little scene.

Their interaction with Mrs Von Dyke (good name by the way, I sniggered) was excellent. That woman is not used to being crossed.

I'm pleased Marilla seems to have made her mind up. It's interesting that she had such a nice image in her mind of an orphanage, so I'm pleased she came along too to see who very mistaken she was. I'd be so tempted to take them all home, but one is enough I guess. I'll look forward to seeing how they all get on together.

Phil was nice to give Anne some work and a couple of dollars in payment. Her first impression of Matthew Cuthbert was interesting,

I hope he can convince Marilla to keep her, thought I can't imagine it will be easy. Why would they need a girl after all? *grins*

Awe. I hope she finds a family. The song that she sang. So sad.

She's resourceful, finding a ride in the hay wagon and stopping it like that. Good luck, little Anne. I hope you do find that family.

Ooo interesting. I’ll be keen to find where she ends up.