Gemma found it amusing how her mother had become so excited at the invitation that she would not be surprised if an outsider would think it was her mother being courted.
When they arrived at the estate, she felt immediately welcomed. Something about the place made her feel at ease. They rode in through gates that had new brass pieces amongst the old, tarnished ones. It indicated that it had been recently mended.
The house could use work on it, but Gemma did not focus on that. She could see in her mind’s eye how the house and lands could flourish. Their full potential blossoming in front of her. She could understand now why it was important for Lothar to repair his estate.
This estate could be limitless in its potential!Gemma thought in awe as the carriage stopped parallel to the front entrance if the main house. Lothar stood ready to greet them.
“Good morning Mrs. Castwell, Miss Castwell.” Lothar helped first her mother and then Gemma out of the carriage.
“Good morning, Your Grace.” Her mother replied.
“Good morning, Your Grace. How are you?” Gemma said.
“I am very well thank you, please do come in,” Lothar replied with a fond smile.
They made conversation as they were taken to the tea room. A fresh pot of tea steamed away amongst plates laden with cakes, pastries and sweet meats. Fresh flowers stood proudly in vases, their bright pink and orange a beautiful contrast to the blue pattern on the edge of the white plates. Lothar had gone to so much effort that she would thank him, if there was not a nasty surprise seated before her.
Baroness Whitcombe leered at Gemma over the brim of her tea cup. Gemma turned to Lothar with an expression that begged an explanation. Gemma had thought that she had seen the last of this woman and now she found her seated comfortably in his home!
“Mrs. Castwell, this is Baroness Whitcombe. My Lady, I believe you remember the baroness.” Lothar said.
Gemma’s mother greeted her even though she looked equally as astonished as Gemma was at this woman’s presence here.
Two young ladies walked into the room pulling their attention away from the Baroness.
“These are my sisters Charlotte and Colette.” Lothar said. Each girl curtsied when they were introduced.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Charlotte said.
“You are so pretty, why did you choose my brother?” Colette said.
Charlotte nudged her.
“I mean, it is a pleasure to meet you both.” Colette corrected.
“It is so good to meet the two of you,” Gemma said going closer to speak to them. Her mother smiled at the two girls from behind Gemma. They all took their seats and Gemma noticed that the two girls chose seating furthest from the Baroness.
It would seem as though it is not just mother and I that dislike the baroness,Gemma thought unkindly, and then corrected herself.There is no need to stoop to a lower lever solely based on your dislike of her, she chastised herself.
“My Lady?” Gemma heard Lothar’s voice break through her thoughts and realized he had asked her a question.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.” She asked and heard the baroness say something under her breath. Gemma did not even so much as look at her.
“My Lady, I asked if you and your mother would like a tour of the estate. I highly value your expertise on the matter. As such an accomplished land owner,” Lothar said.
“I would love to, Your Grace. Mother, would you join us?” Gemma replied.
“I would love to, Your Grace. Only as you know I have trouble with my legs. You two go ahead and have a lovely tour. I shall stay here and keep the baroness company, we would not want to keep her waiting here alone.” Her mother said as she gave the baroness a look Gemma knew well.
There it is! The look that said that you had better cooperate or live to regret it.Gemma thought with a smile.
Gemma felt elated as she walked beside Lothar. He showed her the rest of the house including the rooms, kitchen and pantry. Then he took her to the newly built stables and showed her the old ones now used to store hay.
“That is a rather good use for them.” Gemma said, glad to see he used what he had and did not waste anything.
“Thank you, My Lady. It pleases me so that you approve,” Lothar replied.
Next, they walked through the gardens where young trees had started to take hold of the ground beneath them and had begun to flourish. Gemma loved how every plant was given space and consideration, and thus were doing well. It was easy to see when another person cared for nature as she did.
