A Father's Gem

A Father’s Gem

By Dana Wagner

Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of the bridal suite, bathing the room in the warm glow of late afternoon. Gemma stood before a full-length mirror as several women she didn’t know, or even understand, hovered around her making adjustments to her gown, hair, and makeup. Her dress was exquisite, handmade by the French-speaking woman that had been flown in directly from Paris by the groom. It was one-of-a kind, uniquely made for her.

 Nervously, Gemma toyed with her engagement ring. The four carat pink Ashoka cut diamond was flanked by two flawless trapezoidal white diamonds. The center stone was held in place by rose gold prongs while the rest of the band was made of tiny white diamonds set in platinum. It was the ultimate statement of status and wealth. 

It seemed counterproductive to Gemma that her soon-to-be husband would go to such expenses, seeing as she had been given to him to settle a debt. Surely, he didn’t need repayment if he could commission such things on a whim. She didn’t know the sum that her father owed, but she knew it was substantial. 

Her fiance was a dangerous and powerful man. A descendant of the Rockefellers who had used his ancestry and fortune as a stepping stone to gain more wealth. Her father had referred to him as a loan shark, though Gemma didn’t know exactly what that meant, or if it was even true. All she knew was that her father owed him an exorbitant amount of money and she was the only payment he had to offer. It had been a shock when he had told her. 

If only her mother were here. Surely she wouldn’t have let things get this far. Her mother came from money, too. Not nearly as much as her fiance, but enough that Gemma was considered well-bred enough to be worthy of the socially elite man’s attention. Three years ago, her mother had succumbed to illness after a long, expensive battle. It had taken only two years beyond that for her father to blow through the remainder of their fortune. And one more year to land her in this predicament.

Her mother’s family had refused to bail him out after many warnings he chose not to heed about his lofty spending. That is why her father had taken desperate measures for financial assistance. It is how she ended up here, in this lavish venue as the main attraction for the ceremony of the century. Gemma wondered if her grandparents would have paid the debt, or at least taken her in if they had known the consequences of their refusal.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she twisted the monument of a ring so the pink diamond was back prominently at center. Her father entered at the invitation of a maid who barely spoke English. Gemma wasn’t sure of her native language, it was unfamiliar to her own ears.

“Gemma, you make a beautiful bride.” Her father beamed as he assessed her. “No doubt your groom will be pleased.”

“Let’s hope so,” Gemma said. “You have nothing else to offer the man.”

The Parisian woman rattled something off in French and the room emptied. The maid didn’t understand her words but scurried out the door when she gestured to the hall.

“My darling, you are still so young and the matters of business are beyond your grasp. Thankfully, your husband will continue to shelter you from the harshness of that world. You will live in luxury, and so will your children and many generations beyond them. This is good for you.”

“I am marrying a man I do not love, and barely know. One that is eleven years older than me.” Gemma reminded him.

“You are a good daughter. Did I tell you your grandparents are elated by the union. They have been bragging about their young granddaughter catching the eye of a man with historical significance, and quickly winning his heart. It will elevate even their status in society. They couldn’t be more pleased.”

“I wonder, Father, would they feel the same way if they knew you used me as a bargaining chip? Do you think that would please them?”

“Well, now, that is a question that will just have to go unanswered, my little gem.”

“Father, must I go through with this?” She pleaded her case once more. “I could work for him instead, until your debt has been settled. I am only nineteen, I am not ready to be married. Please try to negotiate with him.”

“It will do no good. This is the arrangement he has agreed to. If there were some other way, I assure you I would have pursued it instead. I’m not sure why you are complaining. You are wearing a gown that costs more than a brand new car. Your ring is worth more than most people will see in a lifetime. He spoils you before your vows have even been spoken, surely that will continue as his affections grow. He’s an attractive man, according to all the magazine gossip. You could do much worse.”

“It is not about money for me, or status. I want to love my husband. I don’t want to sleep with a man I barely know tonight.” Gemma had to fight to hold back tears, her makeup had taken hours to perfect, and she did not want to go through the ritual again.

“Oh,” her father said and dropped his eyes to the floor momentarily. “It is understandable to be nervous about your wedding night. Your mother assured me she spoke to you about these things several years ago so, you are no doubt prepared.” His eyes returned to her face and he smiled. “Well then, I suppose I should go wait for you outside the sanctuary door. It won’t be long before I get to walk my little gem down the aisle. You really are a beautiful girl. I suppose that is why he agreed to my proposition.”

“Your proposition? Father, for three months you have told me that he initiated the arrangement, that it was his idea. You said he demanded that we be married.”

“Did I say that? I don’t recall. Perhaps you misunderstood. I suppose I may have exaggerated his eagerness to encourage your own excitement. No matter. We have arrived at this moment regardless. I shall see you downstairs shortly.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she turned her back to him. He cleared his throat and shut the door behind him.