I would say that it may be time to cut to the chase.BigBlue said:...(snip)...I could really tell she was bending over backwards to avoid any contact with me so as not to encourage gossiping.
I'd reiterate to her the depth of my feelings. At that point, I would ask her how she feels about me. Truly.
The "gossip" fear does not bode well. If your friend is asking what the problem is, then "gossip" is beside the point. Relationships are ever metamorphosing. What is good at one point, doesn't cut it a period of time later.
If she just wants to be friends, you need to know that. Otherwise, you two are free to effectively become "an item" and gossiping becomes moot. If you feel that you can be "just a friend", then you may be able to accept that that's all she wants.
You have had no problem telling her how you feel from the outset. If she values your honesty and has ambivalent feelings toward you, she needs to address these with you. I'd call her bet. I'd let her know that I need to know where she stands, how her feelings have changed from what they were initially.
If she is afraid of "gossip", what specific "gossip" is she afraid of? Theirin lies the depth of the well.
JMHO. Good luck.