Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

∼

  “Karl! Dearest brother, how wonderful to see you!” Christina exclaimed in joy, taken completely by surprise. “We were getting quite worried about you with all the many conflicting reports of Paris.”

  “Believe me, Christina, Vienna is not any better off as far as I can see already.” He hugged her, noticing that her appearance had never been more radiant, happy, and unusually relaxed, just like any other woman truly in love. “Why did it have to be von Walden?” he thought, realizing at once how difficult it would be for him to resolve this miserable situation for both his parents as well as Christina.

  “Good Lord, Karl! Do I have a wonderful love story to tell you! Just like yours and Louise's!” She saw his face tensing and changing colors. “I'm sorry Karl, please forgive me. I didn't mean to open any old wounds.”

  “Old wounds? The wounds have never even begun to heal, sister! There'll never be any balms to heal them nor cure my grief. But let's disregard this and talk about you. I came here to embrace you and thank you for all the love and help you have given to my children. I've brought you something from Paris, although I haven't unpacked yet.”

  “Never mind the present, Karl! You know I was delighted to help out. After all, what is a family for? And speaking of family, no doubt our prejudiced and unforgiving parents have already enlightened you. I can see it written all over your face, there is no sense denying it, brother!”

  “I've come here to listen, not to judge.”

  “Then let's sit down and get comfortable in this mess. I intend to have it finished by the time we get back from our honeymoon in Venice!” she vowed.

  “What made you purchase this isolated ruin? It's almost impossible to reach it during winter.”

  “It was Thomas’ idea and I love it! I took a few pieces from my wing and shall have the rest brought over here as we progress. Just like you and Louise did. Sorry Karl, but she is still so much on my mind. And seeing you, I can't believe she is gone!”

  “That is why I make no apologies except to my own family. I don't know, myself, why I left and why I stayed away that long. No one may believe me, but I have absolutely no answer for my lengthy absence!”

  She looked at him, tears streaming down her face, as she reached for his hands.

  “Let's change the subject, dear Christina! How long have you known von Walden? What's more important, how much do you know about him?”

  “All I want to know, all I need to know, and all I care to know!” she declared firmly, slightly irritated with his brusque questions.

  “His reputation is not the best, to put it mildly.”

  “Nor was yours in 1840, to put it mildly!” she protested, instantly turning defensive and retorting bitterly, “So Mama and Papa have told you all they've heard. I am telling you, it's nothing but a combination of jealousy and a lot of gossip they have been listening to!”

  “Please, Christina. Don't get too agitated. It's not what our parents think alone that prompted me to become concerned. There have been letters from others to me, and all from people we both trust and who we know are interested in your well-being.”

  “Oh Karl, come now! You know better! No one is really that concerned about us Reinhardts. The Rombergs are the only real friends we have, and I know they certainly would never speak on the subject, not even to you!” she lied. He realized then that love could make a person capable of just about anything, remembering his own lies he had told in the name of so-called love.

  She continued. “The rest is envy, and we both know that envy is more vicious than hatred! Have you already forgotten how often we have talked about it in the past?”

  “No, Christina, I haven't,” he admitted, remembering again his own predicament with Louise. He now was forced to give her the benefit of doubt.

  “When do you plan to get married?”

  “Plan to get married? We plan to elope, as you probably have heard already. It suits us just fine since Thomas' parents are equally upset and just as much against our getting married. The Lord only knows why. Maybe they are envious, but then, who cares! I shall become Baroness Christina von Walden and to be frank, I will have more treasures in my entrance hall than those impoverished von Waldens in their small castle!” she cried, self-satisfied.

  “I wasn’t willing to believe it, but you have changed, Christina! How is it possible for you to forget your real values, a girl for whom possessions and titles never meant anything?”

  “Thomas opened my eyes to the real world on all subjects of importance in life. Now I will have a title alongside my money and to top all this, a man that I adore!” she whirled in delight.

  “In aristocratic circles, the title of baron is very insignificant, dear sister.”

  “Perhaps when one is poor, but I have money. A lot of it!” she retorted quickly. “Let us also be honest with each other, Karl. I am thirty-two and have been in love with the wrong man for as long as I can remember. Don't ask me why, for there is neither a cure nor an answer. You know that much yourself! And when I met this handsome officer, the most charming gentleman God put on this earth for me, especially for me—” her voice trailed off as she smiled elatedly, pinching Karl's cheek. “I am not about to let him slip away from me just because my parents, his parents, and a few other have and have-nots are against our being happy together! Sorry to disappoint you Karl but this is the way I feel. No one has ever been able to change our parents', Louise's, or your mind and that is the way it should be also for me!” she snapped, ready to terminate this part of their conversation.

  He smiled in agreement, but was still very worried. “Has he ever asked you to marry him?”

  “Oh Karl! Has he ever!” she cheered in delight. “The very first evening, Thomas and I knew we couldn't live without each other. He proposed the second day. It happened exactly like with Papa and Mama! Same episode, wrong people apparently! As strange as it seems, I guess they both live under the illusion that this could only happen to them. They'll just never understand!” She did not get to finish her sentence, as her servant announced Major von Walden’s arrival. Christina's facial expression changed as if witnessing a miracle.

  “Thomas, darling!”

  “Christina, my dearest! I have barely ten minutes to spare,” he uttered, kissing her hand.

  “Major Thomas von Walden— my brother, Karl Reinhardt.”

  Their dislike of each other was instantaneous and mutual, but nevertheless they tried hard to make their greeting seem as cordial and as congenial as possible.

  “How was your journey back from Paris? I presume you went through Switzerland since parts of Germany are experiencing some uprisings as well,” von Walden asked politely, though he was really entirely disinterested.

  “Delightful!” Karl mocked.

  “That's not what I hear from my headquarters.”

  “As I tell everyone, Austria has its troubles also. We all are getting acquainted with that experience right here in Vienna!”

  “I agree, but not for long,” von Walden answered firmly, walking towards the heavy silver tray with its selection of wines. “Our poor ailing Emperor will have to make room for a new Habsburger! Then we'll be able to send the troublesome Hungarians home with the help of our loyal Croats,” he added. “Sympathizers of the troublemakers will be imprisoned or killed and the whole affair will be back to the old order again!” He reveled in pride as if this resolving of Austria's revolution solely depended on him.

  Christina gazed at him in wonderment and awe, as if God himself had spoken and all the world must stand still for the time of his lengthy speech. Karl had to bite his lip, so as not to quote Rousseau, 'that man was born free and being kept in chains everywhere!' Instead, he abstained from commenting, not sure where such an answer would lead him or his family, though prison didn’t seem unlikely.

  “I must leave shortly in order to pay some visits to a few families in Lindenfels.”

  “Have you seen the Auersbachs?”

  “No, they also are on my list to b
e surprised.”

  “Still the same Karl when it comes to sneak attacks?”

  “Yes, Christina. But this is perhaps the only trait you can associate me with. Otherwise, I believe life has changed me completely!”

  “I've noticed as much. Please give the children a loving hug from me. I do miss them so very dearly!”

  “I'll gladly do that. I shall bring them along on my next visit, alright?”

  “You will?” she replied, astonished but joyful.

  “Of course, I will. What is so strange about that? They miss you, I'm sure, and I'm not about to put them in the middle of whatever problems there might be. They've suffered enough already! And thank you again, sister. I hope I'll be able to repay your kindness in full!”

  “You will. I'm sure you will, Karl!” She smiled at him, relieved that their visit had taken such a pleasant turn.

  The major saluted curtly as there had been no rapport between them, other than their mutual suspicion. And as for future visits, with or without children, he knew how to put a stop to that type of inconvenience. “My time is also up, darling!” Karl heard him say, as he walked towards his horse.

  ∼

  He rode back, feeling very confused, discouraged, and defeated; somewhat like a general who had set out to win a battle and had had to make his retreat. Only there was no one here to regroup with, nor was there any chance for a new strategy to follow, leaving his mission incomplete. He hated to admit it to himself, but Christina's chosen one was rather handsome by any standard. Von Walden's curly black hair, the deeply set, intriguing brown eyes, flawless skin and beautiful teeth in a perfectly shaped mouth would make any woman's heart beat faster. His statuesque build made him the perfect specimen of an officer in Austria's finest cavalry regiment, which he doubtlessly represented with great pride.

  Karl could not blame his sister's falling in love with him nor her loving him now unconditionally. If only the circumstances were more pleasant and a glimmer of hope for her well-deserved future happiness could be found. He realized, though, that at the moment there was nothing anyone could do, except wait and hope. His heart was heavy as he opened the door to his father's sitting room, only to find him nervously walking the floor, no doubt waiting for his return and hoping for better news from him than he would be able to offer.

  “How was your visit with your sister, son?”

  “I'm sorry, father, but I believe it is hopeless, at least at the moment.”

  “Have you met him?”

  “Oh yes, but only for a few minutes.”

  “And what was your impression?”

  “Well Father, if I didn’t know anything about him, I would say he could be the answer to any lady's dreams. However—”

  “You do know about his other preferences, then? Altmann, for example?” his father interrupted.

  “Yes, Father. George Auersbach told me years ago.”

  They both looked to the floor, trying to hide their embarrassment, never having previously even touched on such delicate matters, regardless of their father-son relationship.

  “Mother and I are heartbroken and it is killing both of us to look on and not being able to change a thing!”

  “Where is she, poor thing?” Karl asked, feeling uneasy that he wasn’t able to bring her better news.

  “She's reading to Verena.”

  “And Alex?”

  “Waiting patiently with his soldiers for you to have a battle with him. He really seems to enjoy your company!”

  “I can't tell you how happy this makes me. At least there’s some good news!”

  Otto dismissed Karl's joy. “It's like she's found the Messiah!”

  “You'll still have the rest of the family.”

  “How can we ever again hold up our heads?”

  “I'm going to see the Rombergs and the Auersbachs tomorrow. Perhaps, together, we can come up with something to remedy the situation.” Karl tried to soothe his father's hurt, not knowing any better answer. Otto followed Karl reluctantly to the playroom, mumbling despairingly to himself.

  “Ready for a battle with your father and grandfather?”

  “Yes sir!” Alex cheered.

  “You mean, you want to take on both of us?”

  “It will be my pleasure!”

  Karl turned and whispered to his father. “In a few years, we are going to send him, you know where?” He looked at his father. “I'm so ashamed of my thoughts just now.”

  “I suppose, we both had the same.”

  Karl smiled at his father, as if reading his mind and desire.

  Stephany and Verena tiptoed into the room, quietly watching what must be a daily ritual — a story for Verena, a battle for Alex. He was now replacing Christina, as no one could ever replace Louise. Oh, dear God, how he missed her, especially in these familiar surroundings that held so many memories.

  ∼

  “It's getting worse by the hour. Blood is flowing in the streets everywhere!” Egon and his son, arriving from the city, brought the sad news. Vienna refuses to surrender, so Prince Schwarzenberg has given orders to fire until all resistance has been broken! There are rumors that the Emperor’s nephew will take over shortly. I hope it's true, sir!”

  “As long as there will be an end to this useless fighting! The time is not right for a big change yet,” Karl replied seriously and added, “Are all our servants here?”

  “No sir. Only I came back with my son. They fear the mob will get out of control and damage the mansion, possibly even plunder and loot! I have a better feeling about them staying there to watch and guard the grounds. There are, however, quite a few sergeants and soldiers close by guarding the place; at least one less worry.”

  “We are only concerned that no harm will come to the people!” Otto intervened, exchanging meaningful glances with Karl, certain that he too was thinking that von Walden would doubtlessly be the one giving orders to watch the Reinhardt place.

  “Don't leave Lindenfels, unless we ask you to,” Karl instructed, momentarily thinking of his landlords in Paris: Pauline with her cats, as well as her kind husband, who had gone out of his way to get him safely to the borders of Switzerland.

  With more than two thousand civilians dead and countless wounded or crippled for life, the uprising was finally over by the end of October. But real peace had not yet been established and the endless business of court martials and executions had begun. Again, nothing had changed, other than the name of the Emperor. Only eighteen, but already carefully trained, Franz-Josef the First, as he called himself, expected a long line of Franz-Josefs to follow his reign for no other reason than carrying on the name of the Habsburgers. Once more, business was back to the old order, as Major von Walden had predicted. However, how long this was to last was anyone's guess, as it usually is with wars, revolutions, and their consequences; foundations always being carefully established just in time for a new problem to arise.

  ∼

  The inevitable, yet still somehow inconceivable, took place in a short, civil ceremony in late November as Christina Reinhardt got her wish, becoming Baroness von Walden. It was by far the most hushed up affair in Vienna, with Rudolf Altmann and the Major's sister as witnesses and their only guests. The planned honeymoon in Venice had to be postponed until the following year because the court martials, which the Major had to attend to, were taking priority over their own personal affairs.

  “Also, darling, the weather is a major factor. Traveling in November can only end in health problems,” he had explained in front of the new servants, all carefully picked by him, which came to Christina as but the first of many surprises that were to follow. Not only did they look forlorn and out of place, but were also inexperienced and vulgar, if not dirty, something that Christina had never been faced with and was totally unaccustomed to.

  “Where are my servants?” she had asked, completely shocked.

  “Back with your family, of course. You will have to learn to live with less and depend more on me! To be truthful,
I never have really liked any of them and your intimacy with them. It left me quite jealous sometimes!” he lied to appease her, which left her with no other choice but to accept his persuasive answer. He continued. “However, darling, I have kept on Benedict for us. He is very good with his duties, especially cutting the firewood.”

  “Thank you, Thomas! He being a deaf-mute, my family were the only ones who had given him decent work. I only hope his chores here will not be too hard on him!”

  “No, don't worry darling! He will spend most of his time with our dogs and horses, work with which he is very much at ease.”

  She smiled, relieved, giving him an opportunity to mention casually that his friend Rudolf von Altmann would temporarily move in with them, “as he feels quite lost, not only because of the tragic death of his mother, but also because of my marriage to you, my darling! Two Barons and one Baroness! Not a bad combination, is it? As I said, only temporarily.”

  Somehow, she was rather glad about this solution since she had known Rudolf as long as the old Romberg days, and it would offer her an opportunity to have someone to talk with. Thomas seemed to be so overworked, aftermath of the revolution and what-have-you, that he hardly ever spoke to her and had moved across the hall. She'd spend all her hours reading and writing poetry, and on the occasion of his frequent and long absences, playing the piano. Life together with her new husband had not at all proven to be what she had imagined for her marriage. “It must be my fault, too demanding and spoiled and constantly comparing my parents’ life to that of my own. I’m simply expecting too much!” she would think, promising herself to try much harder to ensure a happier marriage for both of them. “Rudolf Altmann might just be the answer and possibly the one who could give me good advice to reach my goals!” she hoped.

  ∼

  Shortly after Karl’s visit to Christina, a letter had been delivered to the Reinhardts personally, stating that she desired no visits, neither his nor those of Alex and Verena, in order to be able to fully concentrate on her forthcoming marriage to von Walden. Karl, in turn, refused to accept the contents of this letter as being written by her voluntarily and had become increasingly suspicious. He had, however, no other choice but to keep his ears and eyes open and to rely on Benedict’s information via one of their own deaf maids, who would relate in detail what was happening at the Major’s house.