A Wager Of The Heart

52. Preparing to leave

:::Kent:::

The morning dawned bright and early, too bright and early for the arduous task that lay before us. I had little enough to do with packing so I left my room early in favor of a brisk morning stroll through the gardens. I walked slowly along the well-known paths. Hoping, almost against my will, to run into my dark haired angel.

These last few days spent in my Lady's company had revealed a very unfortunate truth. Despite Geraldine's many attributes I could not marry her. I could not consign her to a life of misery. Ironically Charity had been right when she proclaimed Geraldine to be the best person she knew. Brandan was right as well, I did not deserve her. Or rather she did not deserve me. I would not marry her but I wasn't prepared to send her scampering away either, not until I had a chance to convince Charity to stay. I still have no intentions of marriage by any means, I doubted very much that my father would allow it, even if he claimed to like the girl. We could have fun for a while at least, but I knew the subject had to be broached carefully. 

I continued to walk in the garden contemplating my plans and the sun rose high into the sky and burned away the early morning mist. I heard the soft whisper of voices and I looked to the sky to gage the time. It appeared to be nearly noon and I marveled at the amount of time I wasted thinking of my angel as I moved closer to the voices. I turned a corner and came upon Geraldine and Charity talking together.

"Good morning," I called as I stepped forward. I still had to keep myself guarded lest Charity sense something too soon. My plan needed to be handled with precision.

"Good morning Kent." Geraldine said softly as she bent her head in my direction.

"Good nearly afternoon." Charity said, her voice clipped. I raised my brow at her and she relented with a brilliant smile and I felt my heart quicken involuntarily. "You missed breakfast." She said more kindly. 

"Yes, I found myself wandering since shortly after dawn. I thought I would save my appetite for whatever pleasures the grandmother has planned for me." 

"There shall be many, I assure you." Charity said, her voice betraying the tiniest glimpse of her fear. I looked at Geraldine and wondered how she could have missed it, especially when I caught it. 

"I think my grandmother intends to serve learn-your-place pie with a healthy does of humility." Geraldine interjected lightly. 

I laughed, even if the joke was feeble, and winked at her. "I'm curious to see if her manner improves at her own home or if she simply surrounds herself with like-minded people."

Charity and Geraldine chuckled and Charity added, "She probably surrounds herself with people too simpering to dare contradict her manners. Even if her etiquette master were a sow."

Geraldine laughed and squeezed Charity's arm. "In the last fifteen years that I've had the pleasure of enjoying her company, the only time she managed even half descent manners was when she wanted something."

"Then it stands to reason we will be surrounded by morons all of the next several days. And Ursula claims I shall not be properly dressed!" Charity laughed. "I shall find a bucket I can carry her dinner in."

Geraldine laughed and held tighter to Charity, finally seemed to catch the note of trepidation in her sister's voice. "I'm hoping we slip past these supposedly great people unnoticed."

"But my dear," I interjected, "the grandmother was so keen to make an example of me I think we shall be the very center of attention."

"As long as you promise to be as unrepentant as before." Geraldine proclaimed with a smile on her beautiful face. 

"Geri!" Charity laughed as she tried to scold.

"I know of no other way to be." I declared.

"Kent!" Charity turned her mock censure on me.

"I would apologize, except that I have just given my word no to." I said sincerely. Both women laughed but Charity looked away from me to do so. I felt a sudden flash of jealousy toward Brandan and anger at the situation. There would come a time when I earned her laughter just as easily as those around me. "I think we shall make such fine specimens of ineptitude that this shall be the last invitation we ever receive from the grandmother." I said trying to capture the same levity as before.

"I dare not to hope you could be so convincing for the happiness it would bring me." Geraldine proclaimed, her large blue eyes filled with innocent hope. Charity snorted but could not hide the smile from her face. 

"I live only to please." I said bowing.

"There you are!" All three of us turned to face my mother as she came rushing forward. "Dreading a trip doesn't mean you can forgo your preparations. Come, all of you, there is still so much to be done."