“Lothar you are making a terrible mistake. Even if I give up on us, her family will not accept you.” Henny said.
“They will have no choice. Gemma will be my wife and you and everyone that does not like it will just have to get used to the idea.” Lothar made his way out of the room that he had been in so many times before. The ghost of his younger self haunted him as he made his way outside. Every memory he had of trying to win Henny over came flooding back to him. As it did, he banished each and every one until they were just that, a memory, a lesson… and nothing else.
He had finally confronted Henny on her actions and now felt like a new man. He just wished that Gemma had not in turn given up on them. He would give her time. If she was happy with someone else, then he would have to accept it.
Could you really do that?He asked himself and knew he would lie to say it would be easy.Perhaps I am destined to be alone? I will give her a few days, if I have not heard from her by then. I will consider that she has moved on.Lothar thought. He would fight for Gemma, would take on the entire world for her.
One thing he would not do is cling to a notion that would never come to fruition. He had wasted years pining after Henny and would not do so again.
Even If I do love her so much that it hurts to think of her when we are apart.Lothar thought as he felt tears of despair close his throat and sting his eyes. He wiped them away angrily and got into his carriage to go home. When he arrived his mother was in the tea area.
“Good evening son,” his mother greeted her son. The smile vanished from her lips when she saw what a state he was in. “What is the matter? Do I need to call our doctor?” His mother asked with worry.
“No mother, thank you but a doctor is not going to be able to save me from this condition,” Lothar said and slumped into a nearby chair. “I simply have a broken heart, it is not something I am unfamiliar with,” Lothar said, the pain in his heart starting to take control of his voice.
“I had thought things were going well with you and Miss Castwell. What has happened?” His mother asked gently. As a mother she wanted to know what had happened yet at the same time he knew she felt horrid to see her child in such pain.
“I went to see her and her entire family were there. I was sat before all the male members of the family and told how badly of a choice I am for her.” Lothar said realizing how much it had hurt him that a man he looked up to could think so little of him.
“So they have decided against you seeing her?” His mother inquired.
“No I have been given a chance. They believe I am the type of man to court more than one woman at a time. Rightfully so based on their assumptions, they are apprehensive when it comes to my courtship with Gemma,” Lothar bemoaned.
“At least you still stand a chance my boy. Did you take my advice and ask her how she felt about it all.” His mother asked.
“Yes, she had no idea her father would make sure to see me before she did. They had both sent me a letter to come to their estate as soon as I could. It was rather strange. It had the same feeling it always does when Henny interfered in my life, so I went to see her.” Lothar admitted.
“Oh Lothar you did not. After all she has caused you!” his mother exclaimed.
“It is not what you think, mother. I went there to ask her why she did it and tell her that we will never be married. That I love Gemma and that she will be my wife.”
“You told her that?” His mother asked in awe.
“I did mother. I did not care to see her either, she is a rather mean-spirited person. Thanks to Gemma I now know what a real lady is,” Lothar said with the first smile he had since he had greeted his mother.
“It is no wonder you look so distraught,” his mother said sadly.
“I will win her back mother. In fact I shall convince her entire family and every other person who questions it. I amthe right man for Gemma and as I say, I will prove it.” Lothar declared with determination.
“How do you plan to do that, son?” His mother asked.
“Whatever it will take mother. I just have one snag to my plans.” Lothar said. He was at first not sure if he should tell his mother, but he knew he had always told her everything.
“Snag you say? And what would that be?” His mother asked with a frown.
“There was another caller when I went to go see Miss Castwell earlier. They seemed to have gone for a walk and had been enjoying an intimate moment together. Something did seem out of place to me. Gemma did not seem as much ashamed as… relieved.”
Lothar suddenly looked aghast, the color completely drained from his face. “Mother I have made a terrible mistake. I believe that gentleman had tried to force himself on Gemma. I must go see her at once,” Lothar said, and then turned back to his mother who wore a very confused expression.
“What is the matter? I thought you wanted to see her as soon as you could.” His mother asked.
“It is rather late. Would it not be unsavory to ask to see a woman at this late hour?” Lothar replied with a question of his own.
“Not if you did worry for her safety.” His mother replied and with a nod he was once again off to see Gemma. He asked that fresh horses be put on his carriage. Those now resting after a hard day did not deserve to be mistreated by being ridden until they were exhausted.
Lothar got into the carriage the moment it was ready and asked the rider to go to the Castwell residence with haste. Lothar felt horrid that he had not only thought poorly of Gemma but had failed to protect her. He should have given her the benefit of the doubt but that was half the worry, all he was filled with was doubt.
He hoped she could forgive him as they finally arrived at the Castwell residence. He was denied access at the gate by the guards. He pled his case to them telling them that their lady could be in danger and still they would not allow him inside. Lothar would not give up so easily. After asking the guards to tell Gemma that he had been there to make them think that he had given up, he got into the carriage and asked the driver to drive out of sight.
