"Gemma? Gemma?"
I fluttered my eyes open upon hearing the familiar voice. Ann sat on my bed with worry in her eyes.
I sat up, rubbing sleep in my eyes. "What's the matter Ann?"
"Forgive me for waking you, but I noticed something strange. You were smiling and laughing in your sleep." She looked at me as though I was a mad person.
"Was I?" I turned my gaze toward the window. I just had the most amazing dream I've had in a long time. It seemed so real, yet impossible...
Ann was waiting for me to tell her about my dream. I gave her the slightest smile. "It was just one of those dreams, Ann. A dream about a true love…" My eyes wandered to the room. I spied my boots in the corner. It was dirty and wet, proof that I have been out last night. And then it hit me.
"It wasn't a dream…" I mumbled.
This confused Ann more. "What?" She asked, shaking her head.
I grabbed Ann's shoulders to her surprise.
"I have something to tell you and Felicity."
I did not wait for her response. I jumped out of bed and started to undress myself. This prompted Ann to leave the room to give me some privacy.
"I shall meet you downstairs." She said.
She must've thought I've totally gone mad.
---
I was rather inspired to look more presentable that morning. I arranged my hair into a french twist and topped it with a small tiara, strands of hair falling on either side. I liked the outcome.
I sat in the dining table between Fee and Ann, wearing the smile that I couldn't seem to wipe off of my face.
The girls, especially Cecily, Martha and Elizabeth, looked at me in suspicion and whispered amongst themselves as if I wasn't there. They couldn't have been talking about me, could they? Did they see me last night?
I picked a muffin and slowly ate it. Their attention had made me uneasy.
"I must say, you look different today, Gemma." Felicity said. If she meant it in a good way, I wasn't sure.
"You do smile a lot today, Gemma. Does a gentleman have anything to do with this?" Ann asked.
I looked from Ann to Fee to all the girls around the table. Everybody seemed to be waiting for my response.
How did they know about me and Kartik?
Elizabeth questioned me as well. "Are you engaged with Mr. Simon Middleton?"
So that was what the whispers were all about. Perhaps they were wondering why Simon Middleton, the dashing bachelor, would fancy a plain girl like me.
"No." I simply said. That seemed to satisfy them, for they have shifted their conversations to their usual topics: balls and parties.
Felicity whispered. "So what's with the jolly mood?"
I sipped my tea. "I shall tell you after breakfast."
---
Ann, Fee and I headed to the great lawn after breakfast. We settled under the tree that faced the lake. Our favorite spot.
"Out with it, Gemma. What is this all about?" Felicity lay her back on the grass with her eyes closed.
I watched the birds feed on the fallen fruit on the ground. "I met Kartik last night."
Fee's eyes shot open. "You did not tell us?"
I looked at Ann and she had the same expression.
"I didn't want to wake you." I lied. "Besides, he means no harm."
"What did he say?" Ann asked.
"He came to warn me about Rakshana. He said his brothers were after me and my power." I couldn't stop the smile spreading on my lips.
Felicity and Ann exchanged glances. "I don't think you should be smiling, Gemma. They're dangerous." Ann said worriedly.
"That's not what I'm smiling about." I picked a white flower and plucked its petals.
"Then what, pray tell, are you smiling about?" Fee asked.
I blew the petals into the air. "Kartik has professed his love for me. He showed up after being absent for three months for fear that I might marry Simon." I giggled like a little girl.
Their mouths were hanging open.
Felicity was the first one to recover. "Ah. That was quite unexpected."
"What do you think of him, Gemma?" Ann eagerly asked.
I shrugged and smiled.
She gasped. "You fancy him too! I can see it in your eyes!"
Felicity eyed me. "Do you, Gemma?"
My cheeks turned red. I could lie to them now but they shall find out soon anyway. Besides, I was never a good liar.
I gazed into the distance and nodded. "I do love him, Fee. But I can't tell him that yet."
Ann yelped and hugged me. "I'm happy for you, Gemma!"
Fee propped herself up on her elbows. "We must speak to this fellow and know his intentions."
I glared at her. "I believe that is not necessary, Felicity."
"I don't trust him. What if it's a trap by Rakshana?"
I didn't answer. I knew in my heart Kartik wouldn't do that to me.
---
That night, Felicity, Ann and I gathered in my room. We were waiting for Kartik. Felicity sat on my bed while Ann sat on hers. I sat in front of the mirror while brushing my hair.
"If you fancy this man, what about Simon?" Ann asked. I sighed. I glanced at the box containing the brooch.
"I don't know. I don't know what to say to him." I answered.
"If I may be honest, I don't like Kartik. He's not the type for you. But I must say, anyone is a better choice than Simon." Felicity said, absent mindedly flipping the pages of a fashion magazine.
I didn't like the way Felicity talked about Kartik this way, but I just ignored her.
"I-I'd like to know him before I make judgments. I'm certain that Gemma has a good reason for liking this man." Ann said. I gave Ann a thank-you look.
Suddenly, we heard movements outside the window. Kartik appeared. His eyes widened when he saw Felicity and Ann in the room with me. He was going to climb back down when I ran to him.
"Don't leave!" I said, half-opening the window. "They're my friends. It's alright. They won't say anything to anyone."
He studied my face, and glanced at them.
"Come on in." Felicity added. "We're just here to talk."
He looked at me again and I gave him a reassuring smile.
He opened the window all the way and let himself in. I could tell he was not comfortable with their presence. I stood by him. "Thanks for coming." I whispered. He nodded.
"How do you do?" Kartik greeted both Ann and Fee.
"Mr. Kartik, would you care to sit down?" Felicity asked, pointing at the only chair in the room.
"That was very kind, but I prefer to stand." He shot a glance at me.
"Gemma told us what happened. I think it was quite lovely of you." Ann said. She, too, was uncomfortable with a man's presence in our shared room. I could tell she wanted to get out.
"Yes, it was lovely, Ann. But how do we know if this is just an act to lure our Gemma to hand the power over to the Rakshana?" Felicity boldly asked. "Or to you, Mr. Kartik?"
"Fee!" I warned her. She was so blunt. I regretted telling her so soon.
His jaw tightened. "I don't want Gemma's magic."
"Sure, you don't." Felicity mumbled and continued browsing the magazine.
I shot Fee a warning look again but she didn't seem to care.
Kartik was not irritated in the slightest. "I take it you're not in favor of me, Miss Worthington?" Kartik asked.
"I don't favor Rakshana. I think you understand why."
"I am not of Rakshana anymore." Kartik explained. "The brotherhood banished me for saving Gemma."
Ann dabbed the tip of her nose with a handkerchief. "Now I understand why Gemma—"
"Oh Ann, now you understand why he's my friend." I interrupted. I knew what Ann was going to say. You can't tell him I love him, Ann! I can't let him know that yet!
"How are we supposed to know you're not lying?" Felicity pressed. She was not going to let this go.
"If I'm lying, Gemma would've been dead three months ago. The Rakshana does not play games, Miss Worthington. And I am to protect Gemma from anyone who will try to harm her, brotherhood or not." Kartik simply said. This quieted Felicity. The look of surprise registered her face. I was secretly pleased.
Felicity looked from me to Kartik. She seemed satisified. She did not ask any more questions.
"Felicity, why don't we wait for Gemma in the tent?" Ann suggested. Again, I had to thank Ann mentally.
Felicity closed the magazine and got up. "Let's go."
They headed towards the door and as soon as they shut the door, Kartik grabbed me by the waist and kissed me.