A Monster's Coming of Age Story
Page 36
“It will be very boring,” Ekaterine added.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Friedrich said, smiling at her. “I’m certain I could think of something to liven things up for you.”
Ekaterine exchanged a look with Varanus and said, “Thank you, no, Baron von Fuchsburg. I’m certain I don’t know what you mean, and moreover, I have no need of it whatever it may be.”
“Pity,” Friedrich said. He picked up one of his bags and looked toward the train as it was being boarded. Looking back, he asked, “And the police truly believe the story about anarchists attacking us?”
“Apparently,” Luka said, stepping aside so that the porters could carry Friedrich’s trunk onto the train. “It seems the des Louveteaux confirmed our story.” When the porters had gone, he added, “Why, I cannot imagine, but they did.”
“Perhaps to conceal their own hand in things,” Friedrich said. He looked at Varanus, and she knew what he was about to say. It would be one of five questions that he had asked repeatedly ever since that night. “Mother, what were those things?”
“As I have said, Friedrich, I do not know,” she replied. “And, as I have said, I mean to find the answer.” She patted his arm and smiled. “But not until you are safely away.”
“But how did you…” Friedrich leaned in and lowered his voice. “How did you kill them? That man Alfonse and the beast?”
Varanus looked up at her son, wishing that she could tell him the truth. But she could not. For her own sake and especially for his, she could not reveal those secrets. Not now anyway. She would not think of bringing him with her to Georgia until he had given her some grandchildren. It was only sensible.
“As I have told you before, Alistair,” she said, “I will explain when you are older.”
Friedrich sighed and threw up his hands.
“Very well,” he said, “I suppose I cannot force an answer.” He embraced her tightly and kissed her cheek again. “But know this, Mother,” he whispered in her ear, “this is not the end of things. I will discover what is going on, whether you wish to tell me or not.”
Varanus kissed Friedrich back and patted his arm.
“Travel safely,” she said.
Friedrich smiled and nodded. He climbed aboard the train and gave a parting wave before vanishing inside.
Varanus felt Korbinian wrap his arms around her from behind and rest his chin on her shoulder.
“There goes our son,” he said. “Such a fine young man.”
“He is,” Varanus murmured.
“What was that, Doctor?” Ekaterine asked, glancing toward her.
“He is a fine young man,” Varanus said.
“Indeed,” Ekaterine said.
They watched as the train built up steam and slowly pulled out of the station. Varanus had the sense of someone watching her and looked down the platform. For a moment she fancied that she saw a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman watching her from the shadows. Varanus stared hard, trying to make out details, but all she could be certain of were a pair of pale blue eyes, gloved hands, and the expensive cut of the suit. The man’s face was hidden in shadow.
“Is something wrong, Doctor?” Ekaterine asked.
Varanus looked at her, startled.
“Well, I…” she said.
Varanus looked back toward the shadows and saw nothing but the receding crowd.
“No,” she said. “I was just thinking.”
Luka cleared his throat and said, “Regardless of what you told the boy, I understand that the estate is very nearly settled.”
“It is,” Varanus said. “Grandfather was always very good with his paperwork.”
“I take that to mean we shall be departing for home soon,” Luka said.
Ekaterine looked at him, one eyebrow raised, and asked, “Are you in such a hurry to leave.”
“This may shock you, cousin,” Luka said, “but yes, I am. I long to return home to a land with good wine.”
“Nonsense, Luka,” Varanus said. “France is famous the world over for the quality of its wines.”
But Luka was adamant, his face set firmly. Even his moustache seemed to quiver with determination.
“Forgive me, Doctor,” he said, “but my forebears invented winemaking. The French vintners are charlatans.”
“Oohhh,” Ekaterine said, flashing Luka a smile. She put her hand on Varanus’s shoulder. “Ignore him.”
“Matters of wine aside, we shall be departing soon,” Varanus said. “I must go to England to settle some matters of the estate. There is a whole branch of the family there that I must…speak to.”
She would speak to them indeed, and not only about property. Perhaps the English Varanuses could help her unravel some of the mystery surrounding Grandfather, the des Louveteaux, and their relationship to the beasts.
“Come,” she said. “Let us return to the house before it grows much later. I could do with some refreshments before attending to the last of the accounts.”
“I quite agree,” Ekaterine said, taking Varanus by the arm. “Perhaps we should open a bottle of your grandfather’s best charlatan wine in celebration. Wouldn’t you like that Luka?”
Luka’s moustache twitched a little, but he did not respond. Instead, he said:
“I will go fetch the coach.”
As he departed, Varanus and Ekaterine began walking more leisurely toward the street.
“I’ve never been to England, you know,” Ekaterine said.
“Nor have I,” Varanus admitted. “Most of my family lives there, yet I have never visited. Isn’t that peculiar?”
“Most peculiar,” Ekaterine replied. She sighed and said, “I wonder what it will be like.”
“Oh, Ekaterine,” Varanus answered with a laugh, “it’s going to be an adventure!”
About the Author
G. D. Falksen (author, blogger, man about town) enjoys the finer things in life, like tea, kittens, and swing jazz. A part-time traveling lecturer, he makes regular public appearances at events across the country, though he still finds time to moonlight as an MC up and down the East Coast. In his always dwindling free time, he has written a number of short stories, serials, and the novel Blood In The Skies. Having appeared in The New York Times, on MTV, and in numerous other media, he nevertheless endeavors to maintain himself as an international man of mystery who adores elephants. For those seeking more information on the peculiar eccentric, he can be easily located at his website: www.gdfalksen.com