“Yes, it is.” Gemma tried to muster a genuine smile. Ashley paused for a moment seeming to sense there was something amiss but, she did not say anything on the topic. Soon their bags were packed, and the carriage was prepared for the journey to the docks. Gemma sat quietly as the rest of her family chatted away excitedly about the voyage to come. Gemma tried to join in where she could but found that it lifted her spirits only by a fraction.
They soon arrived at the docks where their luggage was boarded, and they could enjoy a light meal and refreshments while they waited. Gemma drank tea but could not eat. Breakfast had been enough of a trial for her. Gemma heard the ship’s crew ring the bell which meant it was time to board. She put down the remainder of her tea and got up to follow her family who had started heading towards the ferry.
The ferry would take them to a vessel too large to dock. Gemma boarded and felt unsteady on her feet. It had little to do with the ferry, Gemma was used to the feeling of the wavesrocking the boat back and forth. Her stomach protested as she was about to leave Lothar far behind. She would give anything to have those two months of courtship he had won in the chess game.
Is life not strange? I did not want him when I could have him. Now that it seems we are over, I want him! I am no better than the baroness. I had thought he would be there if I decided to get married after our courtship. I had been selfish and naïve!
“Wait! Please wait!” Gemma’s heart slammed into her chest as she heard the familiar deep voice, over the sounds of the ferry, and the well-wishers on shore.
Get yourself together! There are many men that have deep voicesGemma told herself as she saw Lothar heading toward the ferry.Now your mind is playing tricks on you!I would rather lose my mind and have him with me than to be sane and hold onto my sanity without him!Gemma’s mind raced as her hallucination started to envelop her.
“My Lady, you have no idea how happy I am that I have caught you before your departure,” Lothar said taking her hand in his.
“Your Grace, is it really you?” Gemma asked as she felt the warmth of his hand as confirmation that he was indeed real.
“How dare you show your face here,” her father yelled as he stormed toward them.
“Sir I dare do so since I love your daughter and want her to be my wife,” Lothar replied to her father and stood his ground.
“I told you, Your Grace. Gemma will not be second best in your sordid love affairs. We come from a family who value having only one wife and making her feel like the only woman in the world. Without your title this young woman is a queen and should be treated as such.” Her father’s voice was laced with anger. He was a calm man who rarely lost his temper. For him to be this upset, he must feel terribly hurt.
“Father please calm down,” Gemma asked quietly. Her father looked at her for a moment before taking her to the side.
“I only want what is best for you, dear girl. You are not second to us. I will not allow you to be second to anyone.” Her father spoke softly so that only she could hear.
“Father, he has no feelings for the baroness, I know it in my heart,” Gemma replied.
“He has a long way to go before he has proven himself,” her father warned.
“I know that he is up to the task, father,” Gemma replied with a confidence she felt down to her bones.
“Very well.” Her father said and headed towards Lothar. They spoke quietly for a moment. First it looked as though her father wanted to attack him but then calmed down. She could tell little by watching their exchange. Their faces were both solemn and she could not hear a single word spoken. After a while they headed back to her and the waiting family.
Gemma let go of a breath she had not realized she had been holding, only to have it stolen away when Lothar went down on one knee and presented her with the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen. There was a large diamond surrounded by smaller ones that had been cast to look like the petals of a flower.
“Miss Gemma Castwell, would you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?” Lothar asked.
“Yes! Yes of course!” Gemma exclaimed as Lothar gently put the ring on her left hand and embraced her. Her family first looked to her father who gave a nod of approval.
“Remain calm,” Her father said as he raised his hand up. “If he does anything to hurt Gemma or upset any one of us, we could just throw him overboard,” her father said as an over exaggeration to highlight their unneeded worry. Gemma knewit was a joke but did not doubt that he father would do as he threatened.
Fortunately she knew he would never hurt her and that she was the only woman in his life. He had mended that which had been broken inside her and she had watched him grow into the man of her dreams. Their hearts were not only solely for each other but now beat to the same rhythm.
Epilogue
The bitter winter and their struggles were miles away as they looked at each other with adoration. They had enjoyed the voyage to a warmer climate. Their last month of courtship was spent arriving at a row of islands where the sun beat down on the ship.
They had the opportunity to have a summer romance as they got know one another. Though it was winter where they had come from, it was warmer in other places. The voyage would also take so long that they would more than likely enjoy two summers.
They had both agreed on their wedding details, but Lothar insisted that Gemma have the final say on all things. They had seen each other every day and had spent time among family when they had gotten to know one another.
They had seen for themselves that they were both madly in love. Gemma had discovered that money had been taken out of the marriage negotiations. It had only affirmed that she had made the right choice. It made her want to marry him that very moment. They were hours away from being back home where friends and family eagerly awaited their arrival. They had been to many islands and had seen the most beautiful sights in the eight months they had been on their voyage.
They had stayed at the first island for a week before departing to others. By the time they left the islands, they were starting to experience autumn. Though it was not nearly as cold as England, they had their hearts set on a May wedding with their families.
They planned to get married in May and had come home to arrange the final preparations before their wedding.
May
