“They are all looking very well, Mother. I do wish you could have seen them. I had the privilege of sitting in on a lesson. They all read beautifully,” Gemma said proudly.
“I do wish my knees were more merciful. I can barely make it about the house without the stiffness setting in,” hermother lamented. She had been so thrilled when they had taken the children in. All her children had grown into adulthood, and now Margaret had stood in as their grandmother of sorts. They often sent pictures they had drawn to Margaret, and it made her feel closer to them.
“If it means that much to you, mother. I will invite them here for tea. Simone or Emily can come with me. I will be here. We will keep an eye on them for you. then they can be here for as long as you wish. “Gemma said. She could not stand to see her mother so upset. Anything she could do to alleviate pain in someone she loved, she would do.
“You would go to such trouble just to ease an old woman’s heart? Gemma, you truly are the kindest person I know,” her mother remarked as she got up to embrace her daughter. “That is why I want you to be settled, my dear,” Margaret went on, and looked at Gemma with such love that she could not remain annoyed at her mother for broaching the subject for the third time in the last few weeks.
The fact that her mother might be feeling she was getting on in years saddened her. Perhaps she truly did wish to have a grandchild, that it was not just insisted upon as a motherly duty.
“Of course I would, mother. I should think that you know I love you,” Gemma replied. “I know you only mention it out of concern. I still do not think that marriage is something that would suit me. My ways are so deviated from what is considered the normal way of behaving. I am not even sure if the personwho could adjust even exists,” Gemma said, being honest, as she had always been with her mother.
The sentence had barely left her lips when her mind went to Lothar. If she were as honest with herself as she was with her family, she would admit that he had periodically floated into her mind since she had last seen him at her cousin’s garden party.
He had not laughed at her or looked at her as a fool when her plate had spilled on her. She did not know what to say after that.She had thought that making light of it would loosen the tension. Yet when she had tried to think of something, her mind had gone blank. She had thus decided to retreat.
She had immediately regretted her decision when she had called for her carriage. She had longed to spend more time speaking to Lothar.
He Is interesting. That is all there is to it.Gemma had thought as they had gotten further and further away from the garden party. Her heart had felt heavy, and she missed his presence soon after departing.
“What about the duke?” Margaret asked. Gemma had been deeply in thought and was taken aback by her mother, seeming to read her mind.
“What about him, mother?” Gemma asked instead of answering the question.
“Besides the fact that you blush at the mere mention of his name? Nothing at all, my dear.” Margaret said with a knowing smile.
“I do not!” Gemma said, putting her hands on her cheeks. They did indeed feel warm to the touch.
“Might you give this young man a chance if he were to call?” Margaret asked.
“If he does, then yes, I shall, Mother,” Gemma said, looking at her mother in the eyes.
“Do you think there is any reason that he would not,” Margaret asked with concern.
“I barely know the man, mother. It would be very presumptuous of me to expect every man I meet, once or twice, to fall in love with me,” Gemma answered, even though her chest hurt to think that he would reject her.
He does seem to have a hold of my heart. First my imagination and now this. What next? My very soul?Gemma thought as it dawned on her that forgetting The Duke of Exeter would be an impossibility.
“I do not see why not,” Margaret said with a grin. Gemma chuckled at her mother’s sense of humor. “It does my heart good to hear you laugh. You should endeavor to do it more often.”
“It shall be easy as long as I keep your company, Mother,” Gemma replied fondly.
“Thank you, my dear girl. Now then, I have almost finished the socks,” Margaret said proudly.
“That was quick. I have managed to get halfway done with the scarves, and their caps are all done,” Gemma replied.
“That is wonderful. I believe we shall make it in time before the cold.” Margaret stated.
“I am confident, too. You know, mother. I think one of the reasons why I do not think I could get married is partly my approach to things. I enjoy making winter clothes for the children, I like to spend time with them. This is a very personal way to help. Most people would support them financially and I suppose there is nothing wrong with that. It is probably easier for them than to get to know who you are helping,” Gemma explained.
“I understand that much, my dear. What has that got to do with marriage?” Margaret asked, looking truly confused.
“I fear that I will not find a husband with the same values as mine. What if he does not like children or spending time with those less fortunate? Being there for those that I am capable of means the very world to me,” Gemma replied, with a heavy sigh.
“I imagine it will sort itself out. First, you would need to have a husband. Then, you can assess his values. At the very least, allow suitors to court you,” Margaret said as she reached for her cold tea and took a sip. Gemma knew it was cold by the way her mother grimaced and winced after drinking it.
“Shall I get us more tea?” Gemma asked her mother. Just then, her father appeared at the door.
“Is everything quite alright, my love?” Margaret asked him.
