“My dear. You have not lived until you have walked down the aisle and held your child in your arms for the first time. The love you feel for those children is a million-fold when it is your own.”
Chapter 8
Lothar returned home feeling drained. He had missed Gemma so much since she had left at the party. It had taken him all the courage he could muster to speak to her father. He had looked forward to seeing her again, and she, on the other hand, had seemed completely bored with him. She had reminded him more of Henny than taking his mind away from her.
The fact that Gemma was so different from most women, including Henny, had made him enjoy her company even more. He had felt like such a fool in front of her parents. It was as though they had just met, and the Gemma he knew was a figment of his imagination.
Do I have affection for two women I completely misunderstood?Lothar thought with misery. He arrived home and wanted to rest. He was on his way to his sleeping quarters when his mother called to him.
“Good evening, mother,” Lothar said as he embraced his mother.
“You do not look as pleased as I thought you would be,” Violet said.
“Gemma did not seem to like the fact that I had been there today. She was not at all like I remembered her,” Lothar admitted.
“People are not the same all the time. Perhaps she feels more confident in a less personal setting. Did you speak to her?”
“Only briefly, mother. As I said, she did not seem eager to speak with me,” Lothar bemoaned.
“Is it not possible that you may be reading too much into it? You may be expecting her to be like Henny. You must move on from her for once and for all, Lothar,” Violet said, looking annoyed.
“It has nothing to do with Henny, mother. Gemma is not the woman I thought her to be. I think I have made a terrible mistake. I must, however, bring my side of the arrangements I have made with her father. Likewise, I have agreed to court Gemma for three months,” Lothar explained.
“I am glad to hear it. Now go see her tomorrow and this time listen to her, ask her about how she feels about all this,” Violet said.
“I know that she does not want to get married,” Lothar said.
“Then why did you go see her father, despite knowing that she did not want it?” Violet said with a disapproving tone.
“I figured I could convince her otherwise, but I see now I should have discussed it with her first. Truthfully, Mother, I thought to convince her father to speak on my behalf, get her to allow me to show her what type of husband I would be. Now, it would seem as though I have overstepped,” Lothar said softly.
“Then you should make it up to her. Take her flowers tomorrow and be sure to listen to what she has to say.” Violet offered.
“I brought her flowers today. I will, however, be sure to listen to her more. Mother, how am I going to convince her to marry me?” Lothar asked.
“Why is it that you want to marry her?” Violet answered his question with a question.
“I found her lovely the moment I met her. When I discovered she was unwed, I felt as though fate had given me a second chance. Now I feel as though fate is laughing at my expense,” Lothar said in a sad voice.
“Then you must do everything you can until she is yours. Fight for her, even if that means fighting with her. The answer you gave was the one I was hoping to hear from you. We standto gain a substantial amount of funds with this arrangement. This mustn't be the only reason you two get married. You must show her the reason you want her as your wife and show her you desire to be with her and not her funds.” Violet said.
“Thank you, Mother. I will do my best. I will do my best. For now, I think I will go rest,” Lothar said as he got up to leave.
“Then you should avoid seeing your sisters. They have been waiting all day to play cards with you,” Violet warned.
Lothar smiled to himself. He knew his mother had mentioned his sisters and their wishes, knowing he could not disappoint them.
“Very well ladies, just one game,” Lothar said as he entered the sitting room nearby. His sisters cheered and came closer to embrace him.
“This will be wonderful,” Colette said as she took the pack of cards from the table behind where she and Charlotte were seated.
“This time, brother, I will be victorious,” Charlotte said jokingly.
“Not likely, dear sister,” Lothar replied, and he took a seat at the table. Colette dealt with the cards and then sat down to examine her cards. Lothar watched their faces. Not one of themknew how to conceal their reactions. Colette looked pleased with herself, whereas Charlotte looked defeated already.
“So how did it go with your new lady love?” Charlotte asked.
“She seemed less herself this afternoon,” Lothar answered truthfully.
