A Lesson in Friendship
Page 27
Ginny stood for a moment wondering if Richter's mother thought she was trying to get into her son's bed. Shivering at the thought, Ginny said, “No, madam. I'm a friend of his. If you would let him know that Lord and Lady Conway and Mrs. Charlotte Stevens are here to see him.”
Just then, a familiar voice echoed out of the house. A second later, Wilhelm was standing next to his mother speaking in rapid fire German. When he saw who was at the door, he stopped.
“Lady Sarah. What brings you to Germany?”
Ginny knew he was shocked right down to his toes. Obviously, she was the last person he expected to see on his doorstep.
“Mr. Richter, it's great to see you. I'm actually Lady Conway now.” Turning to point at the carriage, still sitting in front of his home, Ginny pointed and said, “I've brought my husband, and Charlotte as well.”
If he looked shocked before, Wilhelm looked close to passing out when caught sight of Charlotte. The feeling was mutual, as Charlotte turned as pale as a ghost. two stared at each other until Wilhelm's mother cleared her throat.
Wilhelm turned toward the woman and spoke again in German. When the older lady's eyes grew wide and she muttered, “Oh,” Ginny assumed that Wilhelm had told the woman about her sister. That had to be a good sign. The mother spoke back in German and Wilhelm turned once again to the group on his doorstep.
“Excuse my surprise, Lady Conway. Would you all please come in?”
At the invitation, Oliver exited the carriage and turned to assist his sister-in-law. Ginny entered the house and was immediately shepherded into a cozy parlor. A sense of giddiness came over Ginny, knowing that Charlotte would get her happy ending.
“What a beautiful home you have, Mrs. Richter,” Ginny stated, looking around the cozy parlor. The biggest piece of furniture was a piano, set nicely in the corner by the front window.
“Dankeschön,” Mrs. Richter replied as she gestured for everyone to take a seat. “Allow me to get some refreshments.” The woman bolted from the room.
Oliver took his wife's arm and directed her to a small couch. Charlotte sat on another couch, next to Wilhelm. She hadn't looked at him since entering the house. Ginny looked at Oliver, who once again shrugged. gave him an annoyed look. man was no help at all.
When the silence continued, Ginny knew she would, once again, be the one to break it. Spotting some paintings across the hall in what looked like a dining room, Ginny said, “Why Oliver, look, paintings. Shall we go and look at them?”
Without waiting for his consent, Ginny walked from the room. Oliver, who gave Wilhelm a “what are you gonna do” look, stood up and followed his wife from the room. When they were far enough away, Wilhelm finally spoke.
“I have thought of you every day since I left.”
Charlotte looked up for the first time. “How is your father?”
“He is still ill and keeps to his bed. I suspect he will not be with us much longer.”
Without thinking about it, Charlotte took his hand and said, “I am so sorry, Wilhelm. Is there anything I can do?”
Smiling, he shook his head. “No, but I thank you for asking. And I thank you for coming. I wanted to return, but, as you can see, I could not.”
“I have thought about you too, but that is not the reason for my coming. I have some news that may come as a shock to you. God knows it came as a shock to me.”
Squeezing her hands in return, Wilhelm asked, “What is it?”
Looking him in the eye, wanting him to sense her sincerity, she finally made her confession. “I am with child, Wilhelm. I am with your child.”
Wilhelm sat still, saying nothing. Charlotte's mind raced with possibilities. Was he mad at her? Was he disappointed? Did he think she was lying about the babe being his? She watched him desperately, waiting for him to say something, anything.
When he did finally say something, it wasn't what she'd expected. “Mutter!” When his mother didn't appear right away, he called even louder. The sound brought Ginny and Oliver back into the room. Wilhelm's mother followed soon after.
“Worum handelt es sich?” the woman asked.
“Charlotte... werdende Mutter... baby... my baby...” His frustration was rising as he couldn't get the words out. His mother seemed to comprehend and turned and stared Charlotte.
Charlotte, who finally understood that Wilhelm was telling his mother that they had slept together despite not being married, turned an alarming shade of red. She dropped back down on the couch and covered her face in her hands.
Oblivious to her suffering, Wilhelm kept sputtering words, “Heiraten... now, we must...”
With everyone flustered, Ginny thought it was time to calm things down. “Wilhelm!” she screamed. The man finally turned and looked at her. “Sit down.” Without thinking, he did as he was told.
“Mrs. Richter, if you would please have a seat,” Ginny directed her to the other couch. Everyone was looking at her, except Charlotte, who was still covering her face with her hands.
“Wilhelm, do you accept that the child is yours?” Ginny spoke as if he were a five year old, hoping that nothing was misunderstood.
“Ja, of course. I...”
Before he could go off sputtering again, Ginny put her hand up. He stopped speaking and again looked at her.
“Will you give my sister your name? Will you marry her?”
“Ja, ja. That is what I have been trying to say.” Wilhelm finally turned to Charlotte on the couch and asked, “Will you marry me?”
It took a moment before Charlotte looked up and saw Wilhelm was addressing her. She was utterly speechless. Of all the scenarios she'd played in her head during the two weeks of travel, this was the last she thought he'd say, but the only thing she'dwished for. Could be that her dreams were coming true? Could it be that she was going to marry the man she loved? Because she was beyond speech, she simply nodded.
Wilhelm took her in his arms and hugged her tightly, before releasing her and looking worried. “The baby, I did not hurt him, did I?”
Charlotte, with tears streaming down her face, shook her head. Mrs. Richter was screeching with joy. In a strange combination of German and English, she went on about her son getting married and her being a grandmother.
From all the commotion, the rest of the family filed into the room to hear the joyous news. Everyone was invited to dinner, where they could discuss the upcoming wedding. Ginny and Oliver were introduced to sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles. Not sure if everyone lived in the house, or if someone was sent to round up the hordes, Ginny was fairly overwhelmed.
Over dinner, it was decided that Charlotte would stay with the Richter's until the wedding, which would take place as soon as possible. There was no need to read the Banns in Germany, so as soon as the minister was available, they would wed.
Before leaving that evening to go back to their inn, Ginny overheard Wilhelm tell Charlotte how much he loved her and how happy he was that she would marry him while his father was still alive. Giving the couple their privacy, Ginny and Oliver left and promised to return the next day with Charlotte's things.
In the carriage on the ride to the inn, Oliver took his wife's hand and kissed the palm gently. Looking in her eyes, his fairly sparkled with mirth.
“Once again, you made a splendid match. Perhaps you have a calling.”
“No, they made their own matches. I just ensured that they followed through.”
“And what of our match?”
Smiling, she said, “That was all you, my dear. I had little to do with that.”
“You did make me work for it. Even made me your friend first.”
“I think the best relationships start off as friendships. Don't you?”
“I do now,” he said, cradling her against his body.
Ginny knew she was ready, but she would always be a little sad to leave. It was getting harder to make friends and have relationships without missing the people when she was gone. But, for whatever reason, this was her life at the mo
ment. Still, a part of her knew she would eventually return to her own life. And she would take little pieces of her adventures with her.
Squeezing her husband soundly, Ginny allowed the wave to take her away... again.