A/N: So sorry for the long wait! I took a two-week trip to Bangladesh, and have been super busy. But Bangladesh is right near India and so I totally got to see what it would be like where Kartik and Gemma lived. AND I got to meet Libba Bray! She came to Joseph Beth for a book signing. I was SO excited. Anyway, Enjoy.
xxx
I spend the morning in a packing frenzy trying to bring a few articles of clothing home for my stay, though I have no idea how long I'll be there. I am still exhausted from last night, though I feel better than ever. Even Fee has noticed a new joy about me, though she's only complained about it.
"What shall I do with out you? When you get back we must go to the realms. It's been forever!" She complains shooting me a resentful glare before flouncing off to join Cecily - thoroughly ignoring me.
Mr. Lucas shows up promptly at noon, taking my bags into the cab. He drives me home in a rather awkward silence, however, I am so excited to see Father that the ride passes quickly. Will he be healthy now? Happier? I can't help but wonder if his happiness is one of those things that even a sanitarium can't fix. Mother left him broken, and I fear even the magic has no power against that.
When the cab finally arrives at home, I spot my father coming towards me with a wide smile, followed closely by Tom. I dash toward him, flinging myself into his outstretched arms. He holds me for a long moment before loosening his grip to take a look at me.
"How's my little pet?"
"She's hardly little anymore," grumbles Tom, but Father ignores him. I feel a twinge of guilt at how father treats me, always his pet. I know that Tom resents his favoritism, no matter how much we try to convince him that we're loved equally. I know he likes to hear it though, even if it is a lie.
Father smiles, looking truly happy. It's the first genuine smile I've seen from him in a long time, though his eye's still betray his sadness. He is healthier looking too, and seems to have gained back a few of his pounds from earlier days.
We walk back to the door, side by side with his arm affectionately around my waist. Grandmama is just finishing setting the table. It is almost a surprise to see four place settings instead of three, I had hardly realized how much I've missed seeing Father's place set at the head of the table.
Over dinner we discuss my schooling - Grandmama complements my needlework and drawing - and Tom prattles on about his patients at Bethlam.
"Ms. Herley, she's a piece of work really, the poor woman hears voices. I often pass her room to hear her having a conversation with someone in her head. We haven't found a cure yet, but if I do say so myself-"
Tom is interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
"Hold on just a second, I'll answer that," volunteers Tom, walking to the front door. "Hello?"
"Hello Tom! Just dropped by to give you your briefcase, you left it in the office. Hope I'm not intruding," comes a man's voice from the front door.
"Not at all," says Tom, "come on in for a minute." Tom brings the man into our dining room. He is younger looking than Tom, well built with sandy blonde hair. His dark eyes sparkle, and when he catches my eye I turn away, trying not to blush. He's quite handsome, and reminds me a bit of Simon, with his mischievous looks.
"This is Bryce Winters, a colleague of mine. Bryce this is my father, my Grandmother, and my sister, Gemma."
"How do you do?" he asks politely.
He visits for a while, and suddenly I am quite focused on finishing my dinner. It's all I can do not to catch his carefree gaze. Tom finishes his story, though I can hardly concentrate on anything but his merry laughing, along with my fathers chuckling.
"I really must be going now, but please, join my family for dinner some time, I'll send along an invitation." He smiles again, and I find myself hoping that Grandmama will accept.
"Of course," Chimes Grandmama, "We'd love to."
"Good evening Tom, Ms. Doyle."
"Good evening Mr. Winters," I return dutifully.
Suddenly I remember Kartik, and although Mr. Winters is only visiting my brother, I feel disloyal to him. Bryce winters is no Kartik, but I must admit there's something charming about him.
xxx
Now that Mr. Winters is gone and diner is over, the long day is taking its toll on me. I yawn, unable to mask my tiredness.
"Pet, why don't you head to bed? After all you've just had a whole day of travelling," suggests Father.
"Good idea," I nod, "I'll need my rest for the trip back tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?" Exclaims Grandmama, looking up from her knitting, "Why don't be ridiculous, we've arranged with Ms. Nightwing for you to stay the entire week!" She goes on about her plans, but I can focus on only one thing: I am staying here for a whole week. A whole week with Kartik miles away. I'm sure that a week is too long, Kartik said we could be apart for two days at the most before we fall ill. An entire week will surely kill us both. But of course I cannot possibly explain this to Grandmama. You see Grandma, I can't stay here because I can only go two days with out having sex with this man named Kartik. Sorry to have to leave so soon... I can only imagine her response.
"Mother, I think Gemma should be off to bed. She looks a bit pale," Father interrupts her ranting.
"Oh dear, you do look a bit sickly."
I'm sure I do, but it's not from lack of sleep. My mind races as I trudge slowly up the steps. How can I contact Kartik? I am so overwhelmed by all that's happening I feel on the verge of a mental break down. Perhaps Tom can cart me off to Bethlam tomorrow.
Kneeling on my bed, I rest my head on the cool window. The chilly night air calms me down and allows me to think strait. There must be a way to contact Kartik. Then an idea comes to me: Felicity. Jumping up in excitement, I rummage through my desk drawers to find some paper and ink.
My Dear Felicity,
I am writing to inform you that I will not be returning home for another week. Can you please give this information to whoever may need it? Father is looking well, and Tom is still a prat. One of his coworkers paid us a visit. He was quite charming. I wish Tom would learn something from him. See you in a week. Sincerely,
Gemma DoyleI hope that Fee will get the hint, I can not risk someone else reading it. It would be disastrous if Cecily, or heaven forbid Ms. Nightwing got a hold of it. I almost laugh at how formal the letter sounds, after all we've been through together it seems silly. I'm sure Fee has seen the worst of me.
When Emily comes in to put the heating pan under my covers, I hand her the letter asking that she mail it as soon as possible. Once I've crawled into my warm covers, I feel much calmer and reassured that both Kartik and I will be all right. I smile at just the thought of him, of how I feel so happy around him. It's like I'm drunk on love.
My eyelids grow heavy and my thoughts grow muddled and sluggish. The faint whisper of the wind lulls me to sleep.
xxx
The morning air is cool and crisp, but the chilly winds of the past two days are gone. A light frost covers the ground, the first sign of snow to come. With Tom at work and Grandmama and Father out paying visits to friends, I decide to finally pay a visit to Ann. We've exchanged quite a few letters and she has mentioned before that she gets Saturdays off. I hope she she'll be at her cousin's home today, for I'd very much like to see her. She was my first friend at Spence, and it's not right that I haven't seen her in such a long time.
Mr. Lucas, the man who takes care of the stables in Kartik's place, hitches up the carriage and helps me in.
"Where are you headed today ma'am?"
I show him the address of Ann's cousin's house. It's only a short ways away, and I can barely contain my excitement when we reach the house. I'm finally going to see Ann! I can't wait to tell her all that's happened, she'll be so surprised!
Judging by the size of the estate, Ann's relatives are fairly rich. The lawn is well kept, each bush or tree in perfect condition, the walkway to the door is wiped clear of all frost. The house is gigantic, the door frame alone a sight to gawk at. I walk gingerly toward the door, afraid to disturb the perfect order around me. Using the large brass knocker, I tap lightly on the door. A maid in a white apron opens te door, giving me a quizzical stare. Not exactly welcoming, but I suppose I've come unexpected.
"Hello, I'm Gemma Doyle. Is Ms. Bradshaw in?"
"Doyle. Are you Mr. Thomas Doyle's sister?" she asks, giving me a warm, sheepish smile. How could she possibly have met my brother? I try to disguise my disgust as she fawns over my brothers name, though it seems to have done the trick.
"Follow me right this way." The girl leads me down a few grand hallways before knocking on a plain white door.
"Hello?" I recognize Ann's voice calling from inside the room.
"Ms. Doyle for you Ms. Bradshaw."
Ann opens the door, and upon seeing me screeches in delight. I run forward to gather her in a long awaited hug, planting two warm kisses on her cold cheeks.
"Oh Gemma, I thought I'd never see you again!"
"I've just been missing you to much to stay away!" I laugh, "You look...well." I lie, wishing that I hadn't said anything at all.
"Thanks," she says, dismissing my comment. She's thinner than when I last saw her, and her cheeks are gaunt and pale. Still, she is Ann, and her eyes sparkle with joy.
"Do you have today off? I was thinking we could go out and spend some time catching up?"
"Yes, lets go..but, let me tell my aunt-"
"I thought it was your day off,"
"Yes but-" she doesn't finish, instead she rushes off to ask her aunts permission. I wish she would take some control, she does not need to ask permission from anyone.
"I've got to be back by four. She needs me to watch the kids while she runs errands." she says when she returns, staring at the floor. I try not to let myself be irritated by how submissive and powerless she acts. It's her free day, shouldn't she spend it how she likes?
We head to a cafe, and once seated I eagerly tell her about the blood tie. Her reaction is just as I had hoped. She gasps in horrified surprise. "You really have to- to actually have- with some one like-"
"Don't," I interrupt her fiercely, "speak badly about Kartik. He's twice the gentleman as someone like Simon is, and I love him, Ann."
Ann looks shocked, and I realize that I don't usually talk so harshly to her. I've changed a lot in these past few months. Or weeks is it? I can't even recall.
"Anyway," I begin to add, trying to soften my harsh words with some juicy gossip, "We've already done it." I lean in close wanting to see her expression.
Ann leans in close to me, her eyes bright with this new secret, "What's it like?" she squeals, drawing annoyed glances from a few people.
"It hurts," I say truthfully, "but it was just so - so..." but I'm at loss for words. Ann nods knowingly, with a cocky smile. We whisper and gossip for another hour. Ann tells me all about her awful cousins, and I wish for both our sakes that she was back at Spence. Just before four o'clock we part ways, and I return home.
I've gone almost two days with out Kartik, and I hope Fee gives him the message quickly. I'm afraid of what will happen if she does not. Not to mention, I'm beginning to miss him.
xxx
Please Review! Warning – don't get used to good things happening::dun dun dun:: Again, sorry for the long wait!
::hugs::
This Taped Heart