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Winifred Rose works at Dr. Ward's practice as a Doctor's assistant, where she meets Gilbert Blythe and becomes his secondary love interest. She is portrayed by Ashleigh Stewart.
Appearance and Personality[]
Winifred is an elegant lady and always wears beautiful dresses and stylish hats. Along with her proper fashion sense, she has wonderful golden curls, which she wears in a bun. She speaks rather gracefully with a British accent. She also has straight teeth and icy blue eyes.
Winifred does not discriminate, and always treats Bash, Gilbert's black friend, kindly. She can be described by Gilbert as generous and kind. She also has a good sense of humor, shown in her first appearance where she is talking to a skeleton in Dr. Ward's office.
Story[]
Winifred is first introduced talking to a skeleton hanging in Dr. Ward's study as she dusts it. When Gilbert clears his throat after watching her for a brief moment, she makes a joke out of it instead of feeling embarrassed, solidifying her character as bold and funny.
The two converse for a while longer, and Gilbert invites Winifred to tea. Winifred, smiling kindly, accepts his invitation. When the day of the tea arrives, the two appear at a tea shop together. Gilbert pulls back Winifred's seat, and she sits down gracefully. While Gilbert attempts to make light conversation, Winifred jokingly tells him that such things should not be mentioned at tea. She states that one of the only "acceptable" topics to converse about is the weather. The two chat for a beat longer, and they soon get up to leave. Winifred accepts his hand and they walk out.
Later, when Bash falls ill and is brought by Gilbert to Dr. Ward's office to be inspected, Winifred believes he is there for her and tries to joke with him. She soon realizes the solemn nature of his visit and guides the two to Dr. Ward, where Bash is inspected.
During the Island County Fair, which Avonlea hosts, the whole town attends with much glee and excitement. Winifred walks around with Gilbert by her arm, chaperoned by Winifred's parents. The group is having small-talk and lovely chatter. After Anne realizes her feelings for Gilbert may be real and tells Diana about them, she spots Gilbert and Winifred walking and laughing together. Anne immediately gets upset.
Just before Anne's cake is about to be tasted by the judges, she runs up to her family and immediately comes face to face with Winifred. She stares at Winifred, slightly confusing the latter, and Gilbert soon introduces the red-head as his classmate and family friend to Winifred. The blonde girl is delighted to meet Gilbert's friend, and asks Anne whether she spells her name with or without an 'E.' When Anne does not answer, Gilbert takes the silence as an opportunity to introduce Winifred. When Gilbert hesitates to continue speaking, Winifred looks at him before reaching out her hand and introducing herself. Anne, reluctantly, takes her hand and offers a grim smile.
When Anne's cake is rejected and made fun of by the judges and laughed at by the crowd, she runs off to another area of the fair. Gilbert, removing Winifred's arm off him, follows suit, calling her name. As the two appear in front of "The Tunnel of Love," Anne wishes Gilbert much happiness, referring to his interest in Winifred. Confused, the boy states that Anne's cake's rejection would have amused Mary had she been alive, and Anne runs away from Gilbert, upset that he did not realize what Anne had been referring to.
Later, Gilbert has a talk with Winifred's father, discussing his future with Winifred and the position he would be getting in a school of his choice. After this, Gilbert realizes that he can not marry Winifred because he is still in love with Anne.
Later, Gilbert arrives at Winifred's home to tell her that he will not marry her. This greatly upsets the girl, as she had been led on and truly believed that the Blythe boy loved her. She wonders why he has been leading her on, and expresses her anger and humiliation as she realizes that her mother is waiting for Gilbert to propose to her daughter and has arranged meetings with the minister in advance. Winifred asks Gilbert when his happy day is, referring to when his wedding day is going to be with the new girl, to which he responds that he does not have plans to marry. This further upsets Winifred. When Gilbert explains to her that the girl he loves does not have feelings for him, she gets angrier as she ponders why she has been cast to the side for an unrequited love.
When Winifred states that Gilbert will not even "settle" for her, the Blythe boy assures her that she is a wonderful woman, and only deserves the best - not to have someone "settle" for her. He states that he hopes that she will find a caring man who will love every aspect of her, to which Winifred ignores as she tries to calm her breathing and collect her thoughts.
Winifred continues crying and Gilbert grabs her hand, in a futile attempt to soothe and reassure her. Winifred pulls away and goes to stand in front of her window, taking deep breaths. She tells Gilbert that he can never utter a word to anyone about what has transpired and tells him that she will be going overseas in order to avoid gossip and shame. She grimly comments that the whole town is expecting their engagement and calling it off will cause confusion and scandal. She asks Gilbert to give her two weeks to get her affairs in order, to which he agrees to and gives his promise, and then leaves the room.