“Addictive, Your Grace?”
“Yes, My Lady. I find myself impatient to read the next installment every week. In fact please forgive for saying so, My Lady. I also find your presence quite addictive.”
“That is most kind of you to say, Your Grace,” Gemma said, and allowed herself to smile.
“You are very talented, My Lady. And please know that I would never stand in the way of your happiness. I do understand I have seemed to disregard your wishes. I assure you, My Lady. I shall not make that mistake again. Is there a chance you might find it in your heart to forgive me?” Lothar asked.
Gemma’s heart jumped in response.
“I am glad to hear that, Your Grace. How do you feel about children?” Gemma asked as a way to see how he may feel about joining her in a visit with the children and her mother. It dawned on her as she finished her sentence, that she may have asked a deeper question than she had intended to.
“I rather enjoy how children see the world and it is only natural that we should have children, My Lady,” Lothar replied. It gave her hope even if she had seen that most men did not have the knack to be able to communicate with children and thought that it could be interesting to see if Lothar were any different.
Do not get your hopes up!Gemma reminded herself.He has a lot to show before I change my mind, if at all.
“Would you care to join me tomorrow, Your Grace? We have a few children living on our land. I planned to bring them to visit my mother as she has trouble walking,” Gemma asked.
“It is why I thought dinner outside would be an outing of sorts, My Lady. It was the first concern your father had,” Lothar said. “I would be honored to join you and the children.”
Gemma smiled as they found themselves at the main house. Lothar bid her good evening and was on his way home. Gemma felt excited that he had so quickly agreed to see her tomorrow. It would be good for the children to meet someone new and a duke no less. It would be an opportunity to introduce them to titles and why they are used.
Lothar had been considerate and charming. Their visit had not seemed forced, and he fit in quite well with her family. They spoke easily to one another and shared interests. Her father had seemed to be a little bothered though, Gemma noticed. She wondered what that could mean. Was he upset even though Lothar had come to him with his plans?
I will have to speak with father, in case there is something troubling him. Could it be something to do with Lothar? No, surely he would not have dined with the man if he had issue with him. Unless something had happened during dinner.
Gemma went to find her father. He was making a fire in the fireplace. The servants knew not to bother helping with the task. It was one if her father’s mist favorite activities. He had told her countless times of how he and his family had sat by the fire and told stories. Gemma smiled hoping there were still a few stories she had not heard before.
Gemma went to her mother to embrace her before sitting on a wooden bench her father had built. Her mother had a rocking chair that she liked to sit in. Her father had made it the day the doctor had said that her knees were only going to get worse.
“Is there something on your mind, father?” Gemma asked.
“Why do you ask, do I seem distracted?” Her father replied with a question. It meant there was emotions involved. Her father was not fond of feelings or speaking of them, despite how warm and caring of a father he was.
“I thought so at dinner tonight,” Gemma said gently.
Her father looked to the ground for a moment and then took a deep breath. Gemma took note of the way his shoulders lifted and then fell again. When he looked up at her, she was taken aback to see tears threatening to fall.
It broke her heart in pieces to see her father this emotional.
“Father?” Gemma asked.
Chapter 14
Lothar could not stop smiling once since he had left Gemma. She had been the woman he had thought she was in the beginning. She had been open and charming, and she had so many interesting views on topics such as art and politics. It was not unusual for a woman to have thoughts on topics men would usually discuss. It was refreshing to hear a different stance on matters that most people simply agreed upon.
His decision to let go of Henny had allowed him to enjoy being with Gemma more. He had not felt guilty, and Gemma had been delightful. He finally realized that clinging onto the hope that Henny would change her mind was a complete waste of time.
Lothar had seen that over time love can grow between two people. In a time when arranged marriages was the norm, it was how things worked. With Henny there was no like for love to grow from… he had been a convenience.
I had deserved to be ridiculed by Henny and her and her friends. I have been at her beck and call, day and night. With Gemma in my life, Henny pales in comparison.
***
Lothar was up before the sun the next day. He could not wait to spend time with Gemma. He was touched that she trusted him enough to take him to meet children who obviously meant something to her. Her eyes lit up with fondness when she had mentioned them to him. He could not wait to start the day with her and felt the most melancholy when she had to leave or if he had to leave her.
He found children to be honest and to have a view on life that he found uplifting. He was already sure this was going to be a good day. When he had looked at his pocket watch for what felt like the hundredth time, it was finally time to leave to visit with Gemma.
***
