“That hardly matters if he is not engaged to the woman in question,” her grandfather added.
“I would not mind at all to see you settled as well,” her father said. “We have the wealth, but not the title we deserve. This Lothar you met is a duke. If you married him, then that would elevate this family into more of the stature it deserves.”
“You would have me marry just to give us all a title, Father?” Gemma said with surprise.
“I would just like to see my family all happy and settled,” he replied, putting his hands up in mock surrender.
***
A few days later, Gemma attended her cousin’s garden party. Gemma was not much of a socialite, but it would have reflected poorly on their family had she not attended. At times, an invitation served more as a reminder of an event, than an ask to attend.
Gemma felt nervous, even though her cousin Susan was a lovely young lady. Gemma knew that she was expected to act a certain way, and it was tiring to do so for hours on end. Thenthere was the purpose of these parties, and that was for single ladies and gentlemen to meet. Her cousin had taken great pride in having brought together many of the couples that were in attendance tonight. It was the very last place she wanted to be until she spotted Lothar standing near the drinks cart.
He wore all black except for the dress shirt he had on. Instead of wearing white as most men did, Lothar wore a light-brown shirt. Gemma liked that he could be different and look so comfortable, so confident. Gemma had felt like the proverbial sore thumb that stuck out everywhere she went.
She smiled but caught herself in time. She reminded herself once again that he may not be married but that his heart was not available. Gemma looked around to see if she could make conversation. She joined first one group of women and then the next but found their conversations to be utterly dull. Gemma thought she saw one of the women she had gone to school with and went over to greet her.
“Samantha?” Gemma asked the woman. Gemma was an only child, and Samantha had been as well. Wanting their child to socialize properly, her parents had Gemma’s friends come over to enjoy the finest tutors and a healthy social setting.
“Gemma Castwell, as I live and breathe,” Samantha answered in a thick, American, southern accent. Her friend had come over to England as a small child, yet her parents and she had retained their Georgian accent. They young women shared a short embrace.
“How have you been?”
“I have been good, thank you, and yourself?” Gemma said with a genuine smile. Samantha had been one of the few people in school who would be seen in public or on school grounds with the giant girl. Samantha had been and still was opposite in appearance to Gemma. She was five-feet tall, with an hourglass-figure who in comparison, looked more like she would be Gemma’s much younger sister than a woman a year Gemma’s senior.
“Well, as you know, I have gotten engaged recently,” Samantha answered as she showed Gemma her ring.
“Congratulations,” Gemma said as she looked at a ring fitted with a diamond so large that Gemma wondered, without jealousy, how her finger could carry the weight of it.
“Thank you. And where is your husband?” Samantha asked.
“I am not married. You know, that sort of thing was not something I ever planned to do,” Gemma replied.
“I remember. I just thought that you might change your mind as you got older.” Samantha replied.
“Well, no… I have not thought about the future as it is not promised to anyone. But I am so delighted for you,” Gemma said, and truly was happy for her friend. Though she was tired of being asked the same questions about having a husband and when she planned to get one.
It is what all people do, though I have not been someone who followed the more fashionable choices that most adhered to, Gemma reminded herself.
Where girls would start to dream of marriage at an early age and plan every detail to the finest point. Gemma could not be less interested in the subject. Two more women came over to speak to Samantha. Gemma tried to stay in the conversation but, once again found what they spoke about very dull indeed.
Gemma stood there and nodded where it seemed appropriate.
“The Rothmans are a good prospect. Then again, there is that mother of theirs,” a woman with blonde hair spoke.
“I would rather say the Fairchild estate alone is worth giving Robert the time of day,” her brunette friend chimed in. What do you think, Samantha?”
“Oh ladies, I would not have the first clue. I am taken, as you are both aware.”
“Yes, yes, we are quite aware,” they both said at the same time and then burst into giggles. A sound that was not necessarily unpleasant, rather it was too loud.
“What about the Duke of Exeter? Being a duchess might be nice,” the brunette said.
“Do not be ridiculous. The man is almost penniless,” the blonde said with a snicker.
“Besides, one feels sorry for the woman that dares marry him. His heart was lost years ago. He will never love another woman the way he does her,” the brunette said, and she had the decency to at least look sincere.
Gemma immediately disliked these two women. They might have been like most women who liked to discuss prospects. Most women, however, were not saying something vile about a lovely man.
