If I were to miss hitting the animal in the head or just behind the front leg, close to the heart, then my father would fire after me. “Not once, sir, did we allow an animal to suffer!” If Mr. Castwell was not of the same thinking, then the story would not agree with him.
“I am the same. I followed a deer for almost two hours once. It had been a misfire from another hunter,” Mr. Castwell stated shortly. Lothar saw it as encouragement and went on.
“My father and I had been on a hunt when we had heard several shots fired in the distance. We had gone closer to congratulate the hunters when their injured prize had limped past us. My father and I had the same idea and had both shot at the animal.
Mercifully, it fell to the ground. What had made us both so dismayed was the fact that not one of the party of three hunters had even attempted to do the same. They had headed in the opposite direction. That is perhaps where I should have left the matter,” Lothar finished with a wry smile.
Andrew grinned, and Lothar knew he had guessed the obvious outcome of his story.
“I had followed them and confronted them. I had found them and told them off when one of them had thrown an insult towards my father. I had walked right up to him and punched him square in the jaw. It is not something I am very proud of,” Lothar said, more saddened by how much he still missed his father than what he had done that day.
It still haunted him that he had wished Lothar goodnight one night and then had not awoken the next morning. The doctor had rushed to see him, only to deliver the heart-breaking news that he was gone.
“Your father sounds like a good man, Lothar, and I am truly sorry for your loss,” Andrew said. “You mentionedyour father William, and said may he rest in peace,” Andrew explained. Lothar realized that his face must be giving his feelings away.
I would hate to have this man think that I am soft.Lothar thought.
“Thank you, sir. I do apologize. Our family is a close-knit kind. I truly miss him.”
Andrew got up from his chair, drained his glass of the last of its contents, and smiled at Lothar. “Now that I know you will not be a menace with a weapon. Shall we go target shooting?” Andrew asked. Lothar had grown up without the luxuries that more wealthy families found the norm. He had honed his shooting skills by putting old tins on a wall and shooting at them.
He had seen other families on their lands. A servant would throw a clay disc into the air at his master’s command. He would then shoot the clay disc before it fell to the floor. Lothar had wanted to try it ever since.
“That does sound amusing. Thank you, sir,” Lothar said as he also got up from his chair. He followed Andrew from the study, down the hallway, and then down the stairs. From there, walked straight out the front door. Andrew took a sharp left and went toward a side door. It was opened for them as they approached and led out directly into the gardens.
Lothar breathed in the sweet scent of Jasmin and roses. The grass that had been cut recently felt as soft as carpet to walk on. The contrasts to his home and Gemma’s started to chip away at his confidence.
How can I convince her father to allow his daughter to live in a place a lot less glamorous? How can I expect her to be content?Lothar thought and knew he had to revive his estate for no other reason than to make Gemma feel like the duchess she was going to become.
They arrived at a clearing that seemed to know no end as the land wound its way into the hills in the distance. A footman ran towards them with a rifle in each hand.
“Excellent Jonathan, thank you,” Andrew said as he handed him the weapons. Andrew handed one to Lothar and took the round, steel bullets and gunpowder satchel from Jonathan.
He loaded his weapon with the bullets and pushed them further into the muzzle with a specially designed rod. Next, a small cloth and gunpowder were applied. Lothar did the same. They both held their rifles pointed to the ground as they waited for Jonathan to stand safely with the pile of clay discs.
“So Lothar—Pull!” Andrew interrupted himself to shout to Jonathan to throw the first disc. He kept his eye on his target.When the clay disc began its descent, Andrew shot it into pieces, signifying an excellent shot.
“Excellent shot, sir! “Lothar exclaimed. “I believe you wanted to ask me a question.”
“Yes. I wondered what would happen to my daughter once you no longer require the financial benefits from this union—Pull!” Andrew asked, then aimed again. Lothar waited for Andrew to shoot before he gave his answer.
The shot was spot on again.
“Well done, Sir. As to your question. I do not take marriage lightly. The woman I shall marry will be someone I intend to spend the rest of my days with. I will treat her with kindness and value her opinions and feelings at all times,” Lothar said, speaking from the heart.
It would be the easiest thing in the world to take care of Gemma. Lothar thought of her. The way she would light up the room and how empty it seemed after she had left.
“Pull!” Andrew said and aimed. This time, he only shot the edge of the clay disc. “That one got away. I am pleased to hear that, Lothar. There is one thing you must understand about our family. I value my wife and my daughters highly. Their opinions matter, and I will not have them anywhere near misogynistic behavior. In other words, they are of no less valuethan a male,” Andrew stated, not taking his eyes from Lothar’s for a moment. Lothar was not easily frightened, though the thought of trying to convince a man to allow him to court his daughter while he held a loaded gun was daunting.
“I agree, sir. My mother is responsible for our household, and it is the way I desire it to be. I am responsible for the upkeep of the estate; however, I leave the decisions to her.” Lothar was pleased that he did not have to put on an air to impress Andrew.
He had found himself in countless conversations where the men had thought very little of their wives. They had spoken of them in terms of being a good or a bad purchase. It had made him keep very few friends as men his age were mostly, in his opinion ghastly.
“Excellent. Have a turn, Lothar.” Andrew offered.
“Thank you, sir,” Lothar replied as he stepped forward. He looked down to see a marker on the ground. He stood behind it and made sure his sight was aligned. “Pull!” He yelled and waited for the disc to go airborne. Once it did, he aimed and fired.
Damn it!Lothar thought with disappointment as his shot left the clay disc unscathed. He was used to being a good shot and wanted to at the very least stand toe to toe with Andrew. “Pull!” Lothar yelled again. He took a deep breath and aimed. He heard his heart thud in his ears as adrenaline coursed through his veins.
