Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Gemma had no idea what had gotten into her. She was not the type of person to take risks. When Lothar had mentioned a wager, she had wanted to have fun. Now as she stared at the Chessboard in utter disbelief, she wondered why she had agreed in the first place.

It had been a long time since she had been defeated in a game. She had thought that she would be more upset than she felt right now.

Gemma was sure she would beat him but every move he made was advanced. Gemma was used to playing with new players and those who went for a more reserved move. In less than five minutes he had trapped her queen. She had even had to change her next moves to defeat his. Gemma enjoyed being challenged. Her grandfather played extraordinary well, it was just that Lothar played with a different strategy.

Gemma started laughing. There was nothing she could do, no way out. She had lost! Lothar had just beat her at their game of chess . Her grandfather laughed and Lothar joined in. His deep chuckle making Gemma glad she was seated. “Well done, Your Grace,” Gemma said.

“I take it I have two months, My Lady.”

***

Gemma had blushed then and did now at the memory of how he had gazed into her eyes. The heat that had burned behind those chocolatey eyes had stolen her breath away. She had expected him to stay later seeing as he had won their wager. Instead he had thanked her for a lovely day and had bid her a good evening.

Gemma awoke the next morning with a feeling of joy. The first thing that crossed her mind was Lothar. She had felt so safe and protected in his arms. He had not laughed at her fear and had validated her feelings and had made her feel that she could take on the world by his side.

She had the rare opportunity to feel petite and vulnerable, a feeling she rarely encountered. Being an unusually tall woman meant that the average man found her intimidating being close to their size.

Lothar must be admired for his stature where as I am considered freakish. Gemma thought as memories of her interactions with other children flooded her mind. Samantha had been a true friend, but she had only met her when she had been twelve years of age.

Before that it was close to impossible for Gemma to make friends. Her father had bought her the biggest puppy he could find. Blossom had become her one true friend. She was patient with her as a child and protected her no matter what it was against.

Then her mind cast her to a darker time, a time she had not thought about in years.

Oh Blossom! Gemma thought with despair as the pain of seeing her truest friend change so rapidly and suffer. She had not heard of Rabies before then. It was a deeply frightening experience. The very sweet and loyal hound went from bowling her over with love, to attacking her and nearly biting her. She still felt grateful that her life had been spared that day for if she had been bitten, she would have met the same fate as Blossom.

Her father had made it plain what was needed, and he had dealt with it with bravery and respect for the hound. He had said words of love even with the hound trying to bite him and had buried the animal in a place of pride. Today Blossom’s grave could still be visited, and her father still took her flowers and soup bones.

“Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?” her mother asked as she knocked twice and came in.

“I did yes, thank you mother.” Gemma lied. She had been awake long into the morning hours. Lothar was not like other men. It did not matter how many times she tried to tar him with the same brush, he proved her wrong every time.

She had never before been so thrilled that she had lost a game. She knew herself well enough to know that she liked Lothar. He was a gentleman who had not gloated at winning.

A lesson or two could be learned from him on humility. Especially by my grandfather who had practically danced around when I had lost! Gemma recalled with smile.

Her mother handed her a letter as Gemma was still trying to focus her eyes.

“Who is it from?” Her mother inquired.

“It is from Lothar. Gemma replied with a smile as she started to read the letter.

Dearest Gemma

I hope this letter finds you well and in time. I request that you please join me at my estate today if possible. I would like to introduce you to my family who are delighted to be meeting you. I find that I miss you the moment we part, every moment an agony until we meet again. Please send word at your earliest convenience.

P.S I also urgently need your advice on my land.

Yours Lothar

Gemma tried to swallow as she read his words. They were so filled with emotion that it took her aback for a moment.

Yours? Could I ever be? Gemma thought. The mere thought of being only his intensified her blush.

“What did he write?” Her mother asked.

“He has invited me to tea to meet his sisters. One is thirteen and the other eighteen. He wrote that they were both delighted to meet me and that he wanted my opinion on his lands.” Gemma gave her mother the gist of the letter, leaving out the more personal parts.

“Are you feeling unwell? You look as though you are running a fever.” Her mother said with a concerned frown. She put her palm to Gemma’s forehead, and she had to swallow a laugh.

How do I tell my mother that my so-called fever is due to Lothar! Gemma thought as she got out of bed.

“I am well mother. I simply overcompensated with a few extra blankets.” Gemma replied hoping her mother would accept this reasoning.

“When would they like us for tea?” Her mother asked with her eyes narrowed. The sooner one was expected to attend an invitation, the better the standing was between the two parties involved.

“He says today, if possible, he misses me.” Gemma replied with more joy than she expected to feel. She knew deep down that her mother felt a failure. She had been waiting for years to see Gemma find a husband to redeem her.

A successful mother could only be so if their child was successful. In modern society, a married woman with children was the pinnacle of womanhood and success. Meaning that if one were any different, you were considered a failure.

Her mother’s eyes went wide with excitement.

“Oh that is good news!” Her mother exclaimed. “We must get ready at once!”

“Can we at least eat breakfast first, mother?” Gemma asked as her stomach groaned, having its say in the conversation.

“Well, if we must,” Her mother replied jokingly.

Breakfast was eaten in silence as her mother did her best to eat hastily. Gemma surmised that it must be that her mother wanted to leave as soon as was possible.

Gemma found it amusing how her mother had become so excited at the invitation that she would not be surprised if an outsider would think it was her mother being courted.

When they arrived at the estate, she felt immediately welcomed. Something about the place made her feel at ease. They rode in through gates that had new brass pieces amongst the old, tarnished ones. It indicated that it had been recently mended.

The house could use work on it, but Gemma did not focus on that. She could see in her mind’s eye how the house and lands could flourish. Their full potential blossoming in front of her. She could understand now why it was important for Lothar to repair his estate.

This estate could be limitless in its potential! Gemma thought in awe as the carriage stopped parallel to the front entrance if the main house. Lothar stood ready to greet them.

“Good morning Mrs. Castwell, Miss Castwell.” Lothar helped first her mother and then Gemma out of the carriage.

“Good morning, Your Grace.” Her mother replied.

“Good morning, Your Grace. How are you?” Gemma said.

“I am very well thank you, please do come in,” Lothar replied with a fond smile.

They made conversation as they were taken to the tea room. A fresh pot of tea steamed away amongst plates laden with cakes, pastries and sweet meats. Fresh flowers stood proudly in vases, their bright pink and orange a beautiful contrast to the blue pattern on the edge of the white plates. Lothar had gone to so much effort that she would thank him, if there was not a nasty surprise seated before her.

Baroness Whitcombe leered at Gemma over the brim of her tea cup. Gemma turned to Lothar with an expression that begged an explanation. Gemma had thought that she had seen the last of this woman and now she found her seated comfortably in his home!

“Mrs. Castwell, this is Baroness Whitcombe. My Lady, I believe you remember the baroness.” Lothar said.

Gemma’s mother greeted her even though she looked equally as astonished as Gemma was at this woman’s presence here.

Two young ladies walked into the room pulling their attention away from the Baroness.

“These are my sisters Charlotte and Colette.” Lothar said. Each girl curtsied when they were introduced.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Charlotte said.

“You are so pretty, why did you choose my brother?” Colette said.

Charlotte nudged her.

“I mean, it is a pleasure to meet you both.” Colette corrected.

“It is so good to meet the two of you,” Gemma said going closer to speak to them. Her mother smiled at the two girls from behind Gemma. They all took their seats and Gemma noticed that the two girls chose seating furthest from the Baroness.

It would seem as though it is not just mother and I that dislike the baroness, Gemma thought unkindly, and then corrected herself. There is no need to stoop to a lower lever solely based on your dislike of her , she chastised herself.

“My Lady?” Gemma heard Lothar’s voice break through her thoughts and realized he had asked her a question.

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.” She asked and heard the baroness say something under her breath. Gemma did not even so much as look at her.

“My Lady, I asked if you and your mother would like a tour of the estate. I highly value your expertise on the matter. As such an accomplished land owner,” Lothar said.

“I would love to, Your Grace. Mother, would you join us?” Gemma replied.

“I would love to, Your Grace. Only as you know I have trouble with my legs. You two go ahead and have a lovely tour. I shall stay here and keep the baroness company, we would not want to keep her waiting here alone.” Her mother said as she gave the baroness a look Gemma knew well.

There it is! The look that said that you had better cooperate or live to regret it. Gemma thought with a smile.

Gemma felt elated as she walked beside Lothar. He showed her the rest of the house including the rooms, kitchen and pantry. Then he took her to the newly built stables and showed her the old ones now used to store hay.

“That is a rather good use for them.” Gemma said, glad to see he used what he had and did not waste anything.

“Thank you, My Lady. It pleases me so that you approve,” Lothar replied.

Next, they walked through the gardens where young trees had started to take hold of the ground beneath them and had begun to flourish. Gemma loved how every plant was given space and consideration, and thus were doing well. It was easy to see when another person cared for nature as she did.

“My Lady, I feel you must know that the baroness is here uninvited. She arrived only an hour before you and it has felt like a hellish eternity,” Lothar said looking apologetic.

“I must admit that seeing her here today did surprise me. Especially since you had extended an invitation to my mother and I.” Gemma tried to show maturity through strong jealousy.

“I meant what I said, My Lady. The baroness and I no longer have anything in common. I wish to have one Lady in my life and that is you, Gemma,” Lothar said as he came closer to take her hands in his.

Gemma could barely hear through her rapidly bearing heart. The mere mention of her name on his lips, sent her senses into turmoil.

“If you want to spend time with the baroness then I do not have a problem, Your Grace. There has to be a choice, though, meaning you could only see one of us.” Gemma replied.

“I have chosen you, My Lady.” Lothar said without hesitation. Gemma wanted to believe him. She had been rather excited to be invited to Lothar’s home. It had made it so much less special when she had seen that the baroness had arrived before her. It seemed to be a reminder that they had met first and that she had been his first love.

The sentiment did not appear to be shared by Lothar and for that, she would give him the opportunity to prove he was telling the truth.

“I hope that is true, Your Grace. Your vegetable gardens are looking well,” Gemma said as they arrived in the turned field where small pumpkins could be seen growing in rows.

“Thank you, My Lady. I had a late start unfortunately,” Lothar said with a wry grin.

“I would expand it though, Your Grace. Does your land extend to that fence?” Gemma asked, pointing to a wooden fence quite a distance away.

“Yes, it does, My Lady.” Lothar answered.

“You can do so much with this land, Your Grace. If you were to extend the vegetable garden and plant winter crops that would be a good start. Then I would lease out part of the land and get more livestock. There is certainly enough room to do so.”

“Those are all good ideas, My lady. It had not occurred to me to lease out the land. I am not even sure how to go about doing that.” Lothar said.

“I will assist you, Your Grace,” Gemma said as she looked toward the main house. “Oh dear, I do think I should see that my mother is alright.”

“Perhaps your mother could speak sense into the baroness. She does not want a marriage nor do I. There is no further point to her visiting here again,” Lothar replied.

“My mother is quite skilled, but I doubt even she can perform such a feat.”