“Makes perfect sense, brother,” Charlotte said. She put a card down and took another from the stack on the table. “Who in the right state of mind would want to marry you?” Charlotte teased with a grin.
“Do not try to take my focus from the game,” Lothar said as he struggled to focus.
“That was not very nice, Charlotte,” Colette said, glaring at her.
“Lothar knows I am only teasing him, Colette,” Charlotte said. “If it would make you feel better, I will do so less.” Charlotte offered.
“In truth, Lothar, I do not understand why you are not married yet,” Charlotte said.
“I had not found the right woman yet,” Lothar replied.
“What about Henny?” Colette asked.
“She married another,” Lothar said, leaving the part about her husband having passed and that he could have married her. Additionally, she did notwantto marry him.
What is so defective in me that no woman would want me?Lothar thought as he waited for his sisters to each take a turn.
“So what are you going to do now?” Charlotte asked.
“I am going to fight for her,” Lothar declared and felt happy saying the words out loud.
“I did not know you were so romantic, brother,” Charlotte said.
“There is much you do not know about me, dear sister,” Lothar said. “Like the fact that I have all aces.”
“Oh, you have got to be joking!” Charlotte exclaimed.
“Sorry dears, I have a few years more experience than you have with card games,” Lothar said, as he got up to find someone to bring them tea. He felt parched after having more alcohol than he was used to having in the morning. Lothar hadwondered if it had not been Mr. Castwell's plan to make him intoxicated.
He felt a slight headache start and hoped the tea would help ease the pain. Once the tray had been brought in, and he had finally eaten something for the day, Lothar started to feel better. He still felt too tired to go anywhere but to his bed. As tired as he felt, he could only manage to lay awake with his eyes closed. After no further progress was made, Lothar decided to rather go for a walk.
Perhaps that had been the reason Henny had laughed at me. She had known that Gemma would not marry him or any man for that matter. Lothar thought as he dragged his body out into their gardens.
He thought back to how the gardens had looked at the Castwell residence. His grounds looked more like a desert than the lush park he had been in today. He knew the funds from the Castwells could do wonders for his estate. He wondered, though, if the price was a bit too high.
To sacrifice any chance of being with someone you loved was a condition he was not sure if he could adhere to. It mattered to him whether his wife loved him and was happy.
Perhaps my mother has a better grasp of the situation. Perhaps Gemma had been displeased as she had already told me that she did not want to get married. I will go to her and discuss the matter with her.
Lothar was deeply in thought and did not look where he was going. He walked following footpaths but did not look where they led. When Lothar did look up, he saw that he had arrived at his uncle's grave. The tombstone was made from marble, and it had a fence that surrounded it.
“What was your idea about leaving this place to me, uncle? I have no money, and this place is falling apart. There is a woman who can help us, but that is not the only reason I wish to marry her. I had thought that we might be cut from the same cloth. It turns out we are not even the same fabric,” Lothar spoke his thoughts aloud. He knew he would not get an answer. If he did, then he might need a burial of his own.
If only it were this easy to talk to her. I thought it had been until this morning. Lothar thought as he turned back to make his way back home. He then decided to walk to Gemma’s. If he started to walk, then he would make it in time for tea, he hoped. It had been years since Lothar had walked a long distance.
As children, it had not been uncommon to go to neighbors in closely situated towns and villages. Lothar felt a sense of freedom as he made his way to his new destination. He had made up his mind that he would find a way to make Gemma his wife. There would now be nothing and no person that would stand in his way.
The seasons had begun to change, and the sun was not as hot as it used to be. Lothar found that despite the chill in the air, he felt overheated. He wished that he had brought something to drink as his mouth had become as dry as cotton. He was hardly an hour into his walk, and he felt tired.
Come on, old man. Lothar berated himself. You used to be able to walk for days!
Lothar kept walking. He enjoyed being out in nature. He had been that way since his childhood. His parents had a difficult time getting him inside every day after playing outside. He still felt stifled if he had to sit indoors for extended periods. He looked around at the farmlands that bordered his land.
If only Gemma would allow me to show her how great we could be together.
Lothar started to see the town in the distance. He found a spring in his step, knowing he would only have to go through that town to the other side, and he would be with Gemma.
She could not have been acting when we met, could she? Lothar wondered as he got closer to the edge of town. He noticed more and more people around him. Soon, he would be in the town center and would be able to find a way out through the northern gate. Lothar was just about to leave the most crowded area when he almost stepped on a stray dog’s tail.
