"Charlton, you have to tell me everything. Your secrecy is getting my heart tied up in a knot." Georgina told her son.

Charlton chuckled. "Mother, we have the rest of the day, it's just 10 in the morning. Go on and freshen up first." He suggested. He was a bit nervous opening up, so he wanted to delay a little. Also, the dirt and grime in his hair was uncomfortable. He knew his mother was also feeling the same.

That's one thing he did not like about the benz Simplex, it didn't have a roof unlike the omnibus. He hopes that the next car to be produced has one. He did not fancy taking a shower every time he uses it. 

"You're really trying to keep everything in suspense, aren't you? If I didn't know any better, I would say you're doing this on purpose."

Teasingly he said, "Well mother, if you arrived just like when you said you will, then you would have known about it earlier."

Georgina pinched and pulled Charlton's ear. "What did you say to your mother?"

Charlton exaggeratedly expressed that he was in pain just like when he was 10, "Mother, mother, ouch! Please, I will listen to you!"

His mother laughed and finally let him go. 

--

After about an hour and a half, he knocked on his mother's door. Although he was already a grown man, he could still act like this. Growing up, although he was away for long periods of time, with him schooling in Alighieri, and in the capital, he was still close to his parents, more so with his mother.

In his younger days, it was not an uncommon occurrence for him to visit his parents' chambers. It was usually their venue whenever he wanted to share some good news and just talk about what's happening in his life. It has been a while since he last did that, but since now was a special occasion calling for some heart-to-heart talk, he chose that as their venue. It was also to ensure privacy.

Georgina knew that it must be Charlton, so she asked her lady servant to open the door.

When the servant opened that door, Charlton came in.

"So, you're ready to share about this lady that you want to marry? My son is all grown up now." she teased.

Charlton entered the room. He chuckled as he nodded his head. Then, he sat on the seat beside the coffee table waiting for his mother to dismiss her personal servant.

Georgina waved her hand at the woman and the woman gave her a bow before exiting the room.

When it was just the two of them, she started to ask.

"So, is it Ms. Emily Evans? Although she's not that bad, isn't her social standing a little too low? Then again, haven't you publicly announced before that you don't see her that way? What caused the change of heart?" Georgina bombarded.

"Mother, if it is her, would you be satisfied with my choice?" Charlton asked for the sake of asking.

His mother sighed. "Although I'm not happy about it, if you love her, then I would have no choice but to accept. Her social standing is pitiable, but her achievements are still not something to scoff at. It's just that I don't think that she's a good match with you. She seems a little bit scheming behind her angelic smile."

"It's not her." Charlton finally revealed.

Georgina clapped in delight. "Thank god! I was almost about to convince you otherwise! I did not want to play the evil mother card, but I almost did! Hahaha!"

"Mother, you just said that if I love her…" Charlton feigned hurt.

Georgina turned serious, "you do?"

"Of course not."

"Good. So, I also heard about this lady Annalys Cross. She seems to be the better choice. Although she did not attend Windsor school of nobles, I believe that she can handle herself well. Besides I also did not attend that school and I think I'm not bad as the duchess. Another plus on her side is that her father is Duke Cross who's a man of the military. She would understand and would be able to handle the pressure that comes with the position of being your wife better. Then again, you don't seem to express much interest on her. So, it's not her, is it?"

Charlton shook his head as he smiled, "Mother, you really thought this through. But to answer your question, definitely not her."

"Well, good. She's a bit too haughty and prideful for my taste. And of course, I thought this through. You're my only son. I want to ensure that the woman you choose is indeed the best suited wife for you. As an advice, let me tell you that the most important decision in life you will make is finding your life partner. Believe me, I know. When I first saw your father, I just knew that he was the one for me. Not because he was THE Charles Daniel, but because his eyes were the kindest I have ever seen, and…"

"Mother, please spare me the details of how you found father and convinced grandfather to make him your future husband again. I think I heard that one over a hundred times already." Charlton said as he winced. Gods, his mother was barely in her teens then.

Georgina laughed, "Ok, ok. Now, do tell me, who's the lady? Perhaps I should just trust your choice. Ever since you were younger, you never made the wrong one."

Charlton took a deep breath. This is it. "Mother, the woman that I love is Lady Serena Maxwell."

"Serena Maxwell, hmm… just as I thought! If it were me choosing myself I would choose her. She's as closest to perfection as one can get, nice and humble, really really a good choice. I can't believe brother Edward chose her for his son first before I did. What a pity. Anyway, stop fooling around and tell me. Who is it?" Georgina said. 

Charlton shook his head then looked at his mother in the eye. He gave her a small smile. His eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness, yearning, hope, and vulnerability. Then he said, "Mother, I'm serious. I love her, and I would marry no other in this lifetime except for her. Please, help me."

--

TBC