“I enjoy your company, My Lady. I hope you might rethink how you view our courtship,” Lothar said, as they reached the house.
“I enjoy your company as well, Your Grace and that is the point. We should get married wanting to do so and not as part of a business negotiations. I know it is how things are done but I cannot abide by it,” Gemma answered.
I do want to marry you because I feel more for you than any woman before you or anythat could come after you.Lothar thought but did not say anything. They walked to the estate and Lothar wondered if the gift he had planned to give her would still be a good idea.
I do not want to chase after another woman who does not want me.Lothar thought but he knew that Gemma would not be a woman he would stop caring for as easily as he had with Henny.
Lothar asked Gemma to take a seat in the tea room. When they entered their mothers got up to leave, allowing them a few moments to themselves.
Lothar went to the old cupboard that nearly filled one wall, unlocked it and took a small wooden box out before locking it again. He placed the wooden box in front of Gemma. She frowned up at him and he gestured for her to open it.
She did so carefully to reveal a chess board with hand carved pieces. “This is a stunningly beautiful set, Your Grace.”
“It belonged to my grandmother. She was the one who taught me how to play. I want you to have it, My Lady,” Lothar said.
“Oh no, Your Grace. I could not possibly accept this gift. It must be part of your family for years now. The memories alone make it priceless.”
“Nonsense, My Lady. My grandmother would have loved you,” Lothar replied.
As I do, he thought but did not dare speak aloud.
“Your Grace, I do not know what to say,” Gemma said as she ran her fingers over the dents and chips in the board. “This is the loveliest gift anyone has ever given me.”
“Say that you will play a game with me. Perhaps with a tiny wager attached?” Lothar said the last part without thinking. He felt at a loss after Gemma had made it clear that she had not changed her mind and would be yet another heartbreak.
“A wager, Your Grace?” Gemma said looking suspicious. Lothar’s mind raced, he had no inclination what he could ask for. He did not want to cheapen their relationship, but it was all he wanted and all he could think of.
“I was thinking to perhaps reduce the payments I may owe you, My Lady. Or was there something you had in mind?” Lothar asked hoping she would say something more interesting than he had.
“Payments? We could wager the final two months on our courtship, Your Grace,” Gemma replied.
“Well, My Lady. I was hoping I could gain an upper hand on that loan you spoke of earlier. I also fear you may start charging me for your sage advice,” Lothar explained.
“We shall have to see about that, Your Grace. So what is it to be? Gemma asked.
Well that does qualify as interesting!Lothar released a breath he did not even know he was holding.
Chapter 17
Gemma had no idea what had gotten into her. She was not the type of person to take risks. When Lothar had mentioned a wager, she had wanted to have fun. Now as she stared at the Chessboard in utter disbelief, she wondered why she had agreed in the first place.
It had been a long time since she had been defeated in a game. She had thought that she would be more upset than she felt right now.
Gemma was sure she would beat him but every move he made was advanced. Gemma was used to playing with new players and those who went for a more reserved move. In less than five minutes he had trapped her queen. She had even had to change her next moves to defeat his. Gemma enjoyed being challenged. Her grandfather played extraordinary well, it was just that Lothar played with a different strategy.
Gemma started laughing. There was nothing she could do, no way out. She had lost! Lothar had just beat her at their game of chess.Her grandfather laughed and Lothar joined in. His deep chuckle making Gemma glad she was seated. “Well done, Your Grace,” Gemma said.
“I take it I have two months, My Lady.”
***
Gemma had blushed then and did now at the memory of how he had gazed into her eyes. The heat that had burned behind those chocolatey eyes had stolen her breath away. She had expected him to stay later seeing as he had won their wager. Instead he had thanked her for a lovely day and had bid her a good evening.
Gemma awoke the next morning with a feeling of joy. The first thing that crossed her mind was Lothar. She had felt so safe and protected in his arms. He had not laughed at her fear and had validated her feelings and had made her feel that she could take on the world by his side.
She had the rare opportunity to feel petite and vulnerable, a feeling she rarely encountered. Being an unusually tall woman meant that the average man found her intimidating being close to their size.
Lothar must be admired for his stature where as I am considered freakish.Gemma thought as memories of her interactions with other children flooded her mind. Samantha had been a true friend, but she had only met her when she had been twelve years of age.
