“What a wise decision to come! Did you hear him, Lotte? You must know, he is not known to make compliments very often. I shall always remember this night as long as I live!”
“The Ambassador had too much to drink already,” Lotte replied, completely unimpressed. “I know him to be quite a different man when he is sober.”
“But there is a lot of truth in wine. So what if he is a bit intoxicated! He may just have his own problems also.”
“Victoria, don't you want to take a little rest? You must be exhausted after two hours on the dance floor. I have never seen you dance this enthusiastically before! Is there any particular reason?” her mother inquired.
“Really? Two hours already? I was not aware of it. It seems I just got here.”
An officer in his splendid imperial royal uniform saluted, bowed slightly, and asked her to dance. She graciously obliged. “Never the one I am hoping for,” she thought, walking towards the dance floor, fully cognizant of the difficult predicament she was in. The gentleman leading her had to turn wherever he could find some space in this overly crowded ballroom. She, on the other hand, had to follow him, making polite conversation, while constantly and very inconspicuously searching for Philip Reinhardt.
“Midnight is almost here and then your mask comes off. Will you allow me that dance?”
“If you should happen to be near our table,” she replied noncommittally, while trying for the thousandth time to recall word for word the conversation she and Philip Reinhardt had had a year ago.
As always, she had to admit, if she were totally honest, that there had been so little time and opportunity since, for some obscure reason, her father had decided to leave early that night. However, she did remember very vividly that, while dancing to the melody of Strauss' Roses from the South, Philip Reinhardt had asked why a beautiful lady like her would be hiding behind a mask.
That night she had worn a matte mint, satin dress which had no other adornment outside of a few little roses of pearls that had been sewn onto the dress strewn just over the skirt, leaving the bodice simple and thus bringing out the beauty of the precious pearl choker with a large emerald pendant around her very slender neck. In her dark, almost auburn hair, she had also worn pearls, and just here and there a glitter of emerald colored rhinestones.
She was presently dancing with Baron von Kreibich, which would be quite pleasing to her father since he and von Kreibich had a lot in common, and had discussed here and there of the different methods of horse breeding.
“Would you believe me, Countess Victoria, if I told you that even after an absence of almost a year, all my horses came running to me at once at the sound of my whistle! Like trained circus horses! My spunky Ferdinand stayed on his hind legs until I threw him an apple. I had, of course, taught him this trick, not without some effort, but nevertheless, it's astounding how well he remembered. Hard to believe!”
“Oh, I believe you, and it's not so surprising to me at all! My Sultan seems to know the handbags I carry. He never wants to gallop unless I carry the one with the apples in it! I am aware that they can smell the apples, but from so far away? Mama and I came to the conclusion that it's the size of the bags and the way I carry them! Papa, of course, is always very skeptical whenever I make reference to the intelligence of horses, but he loves them also very much!” Victoria concluded.
Both were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice another couple dancing behind them, listening and observing their conversation attentively.
“And mine are smart enough to know when I carry sugar in my pockets, Miss Victoria! I am so glad we agree on the intellect of our four-legged friends!” Philip Reinhardt remarked laughingly.
“Good evening, Mr. Reinhardt!” she replied, trying to appear as calm as possible, although she felt the blushing in her face and her legs turning to lead.
By now, the music had stopped, allowing Victoria to manage a quick glance at Philip's dancing partner, her womanly instincts assuring her that she had no reason to worry, as the lady in question might have passed for Philip’s mother.
Baron Kreibich, completely unaware of the situation at hand, was elated to encounter yet another equestrian and broke in. “Sweets are the password to all of my parent's stables in Mecklenburg! They wouldn't dare visit without them!”
“And I am so happy to have been party to a conversation concerning those magnificent creatures! I do hope Philip will bring you to our stables very soon!” Lillian Essler said, assuming that all of them were old acquaintances. “Won’t you, Philip?” she pleaded.
“It's a promise, Aunt Lillian. With the consent of Miss Victoria, I'll make it a point to keep it!” he replied, looking at Victoria.
By the time everyone helped out with the proper introductions, champagne bottles were popped and the arrival of midnight was announced. Baron Kreibich ignored all the shouting, kissing, and embracing, still standing at attention with his heels clicking, holding Lillian Essler's hand.
“I can't believe my luck today! Am I really standing here with Lady Essler of the famous stables at Lindenfels?” he gazed at her in disbelief.
“Of course you are, young man! Would you like to bring me back to my table? My husband and I enjoy nothing better than plain old horse talk. Never mind the Opera ball!” she laughed, turning towards Philip and Victoria, who were occupied in gently removing her mask, taking care not to disturb her beautiful hairdo with all its embellishment.
“My dear Philip, I do hope that our Papa will be well in a hurry and also that Valery will have an easy birth! I am so relieved that you have chosen Dr. Werner, this time. He truly loves those babies!”
“I've already named it, should it be a girl!” he remarked with a smirk, kissing her good bye. “How does Vicky sound?”
“Victoria would be my choice. It has a very regal ring to it, considering her bloodline and family tree!” she winked mischievously at Victoria, taking her hand. “I am so happy to have met you. You are truly the most beautiful young lady at the ball tonight!”
“Thank you, Madame!” Victoria answered modestly, blushing.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Captain Kreibich, but family matters are of first importance, especially if they concern my horses!” Lillian apologized, while walking to their table.
Victoria, still in a daze and having changed colors so much during the past conversation, felt that one more flush or discomfiture wouldn't matter now, and the night was just beginning. She asked the inevitable question. “Mr. Reinhardt, who is Valery?”
He laughed and answered with the pride of ownership. “My best and very favorite horse! Wait until you see her with her new addition! Aunt Lillian never had any children, so her horses are her babies. It’s one love I sincerely share with her!” He took a quick glance at his pocket watch and then looked at Victoria. “I have been searching for you all night. For that matter, all over Vienna for the past year! Can you explain why I couldn't I find you until now?”
She would have loved to tell him how much she agreed with him, and that the feeling was absolutely mutual, but instead sighed. “You have no idea how close I came to not attending the ball tonight!”
“As far as that's concerned, we also had quite a difficult decision to make at our house. Thank God, my parents insisted I come! Can you imagine us not being able to meet again, Miss Victoria?” He suggested some refreshments as they both walked towards the lobby, and then continued. “My grandfather is ill and I might still be called home early—” He paused. “So where and how can I reach you without having to wait another year, in case we might again be separated? Above all, could I finally know your family name, and possibly your address? I have not forgiven myself for only remembering your first and middle name from our last encounter at last year's ball! Believe me, it would have made the past year quite a lot more pleasant for me!”
“For me as well!” she murmured shyly. “Papa interrupted us then.”
“And will never again! That is a promise!”
he answered very seriously.
“My full name is Victoria Elisabeth von Wintersberg, and I attend the University of Fine Arts in the—”
“Oh yes, I know exactly where it is. What hours, which days?” he broke into her explanation, worried not to be able to get all of the facts again.
“Every day! And the hours are ten to twelve, and two to four. Sometimes a servant will meet me to take me home, but mostly I'm met by Mother, and we usually have our afternoon coffee at the Cafe Pracher. The new one,” she added quickly, equally anxious that she wouldn't have time to finish before he might have to leave.
“I know the new Pracher's also. We mostly go, however, to the old one, since it is on my way home from work. Could you also tell me where you live?”
“On Ringstraβe. Number 185,” she answered hesitantly. “Papa is Vice Consul at the German Embassy.”
“Of course. Why didn't I think of this!” he said, face reddening. “How foolish of me! I should have really figured this out from his self-assured behavior. There aren't too many assignments which a Prussian gentleman could fulfill in Vienna. You must think me to be a fool! There I was, riding my Valery through the park, attending operas and concerts, visiting museums, taking long walks on the Ringstraβe, even passing the Embassy on numerous occasions, but it never occurred to me that I could have found you a lot more easily!” He shook his head in disbelief.
Victoria looked happily at him.
“This is no laughing matter, Miss von Wintersberg! I lost one very valuable year of my life!”
“How very flattering!” she said in jest. “If you weren't Viennese, I could even believe you!”
“Oh, do I hear a chord of the same history lessons? It looks like we have something in common already! I mean, looking at our history from opposite sides. You probably know that all the Prussians are as suspect to us as the Viennese are to you! Could it be possible for us to prove them wrong?” he mused.
“Mr. Reinhardt, I was really only teasing. Mama and I love Vienna!”
“And Papa?”
“Claims to have many reasons not to love any other country than Germany.” At that, they both thought it better to change the delicate subject. “We may leave tomorrow for Berlin. My brother was shot in a duel and is presently in the hospital.”
“Oh, no! I am genuinely sorry to hear that!” He looked very concerned. “I am astonished that your parents attended the ball under such grave circumstances!”
“Well, this is the other side of a Prussian diplomat. Papa considers attending a ball as part of his duty, no matter what the circumstances.”
Philip tried not to look too lost for words. “May I tell you, even if this will sound quite selfish, that I am so extremely happy your parents decided to come tonight? And I mean every word of it! And perhaps your father knows that not all duels among young men are serious!”
“I hope so. I love my brother very much!”
He compassionately nodded his head. “Of course you do! Miss von Wintersberg, before either one of us gets called away again for one reason or another, would you please answer a question for me which has vexed me ever since we had our first dance together?”
“If I am able.”
“I'm sorry, this must seem like rushing you, but a year, on the other hand, is a long time to wait also. Are you engaged or promised?”
“No, not at all!” she said candidly.
“That is hard to believe! Tell me why a lady of your beauty, intellect, and nobility is still unattached? You should have been carried off by a knight in shining armor, so to speak, a long time ago! What happened?”
“I had been engaged, for a single week, until my fiancée was killed in a hunting accident! I have never quite gotten over this tragedy,” she replied in a whisper. “I guess I really never had an occasion or reason to get over it, either!”
“Forgive me please for asking, Miss von Wintersberg. I had expected a completely different answer!”
“It's quite all right!” she smiled understandingly.
Still astonished by her revelation, he gave her a long observing look, trying to think of the appropriate words to say, but only a faint, “May I order us some refreshments?” came to his mind.
“If you would be so kind.”
Trying to sound cheerful, he continued. “Do you realize that we haven't even had a dance together tonight?”
“I have waltzed enough for both of us already! I am quite comfortable right here.”
“So am I,” he answered quickly. “I must have danced for hours before I finally saw you! I kept looking for the special hairdo from last year. You remember, the pompadour. Am I correct?”
“I always change my coiffure to complement my gown. Last year, I wore a gown which warranted a pompadour. This is why I have the cascade of ringlets tonight, Mr. Reinhardt!” she giggled, amused and a little flattered to know that he had remembered her looks from the last ball.
Both reached for their newly refilled glasses, and Philip sighed deeply again. “Had I used my God-given brains instead of my feet, I would have been looking for the most graceful beauty with the most beautiful gown, jewels, and the hairstyle of our Empress. Then, and only then, would I have found you sooner!”
“I am all of that?”
“All of that and so much more!”
“Now I know why my father has warned me of you Viennese enchanters!”
“Your father,” he mused. “As much as I hate to admit it, your father is a very wise man. I could not claim exception to this type of accusation until a year ago, and—” He smiled and glanced at his watch, as if trying to figure the exact time last year, when his coachman, approaching from behind, touched his shoulder.
“Excuse me, sir,” he stammered. “I am so glad I've found you at last. Papa Reinhardt has taken a turn for the worse and I am to bring you home right away!”
“Stay right here, Walter, and try to catch your breath. I'll take Lady von Wintersberg back to her table.” He offered Victoria his arm. “I expected as much,” he murmured half discontentedly. “But I really shouldn't complain! I was very lucky to find you again, and that, after all, was my sole purpose for attending this ball tonight. I shall get in touch with you as soon as I'm able. I have to see how the next few days will turn out as far as my grandfather is concerned. You do believe that I am anxious to see you again, in spite of your father's otherwise sound advice, don’t you?”
“I'd like to as well. If you promise it won't take another year!” she smiled.
“Please be assured that it will not!” He held her hand tightly, looking at her tenderly and passionately. Victoria felt so very happy, a feeling which for many years had eluded her.
Lotte von Wintersberg beamed with pleasure as both started to ascend the stairs. She had been watching for the reappearance of her daughter, and recognized the handsome gentlemen at her daughter's side at once. She was seated next to Consul Kronthaler and his wife, Irma, both of whom were known for their quick wit and entertaining manner. They had kept the Countess amused most of the night, Manfred being completely absorbed by laughing politely at the Ambassador's repetitious jokes.
“See Apollo and Venus walking right in our direction! What a stunning pair!” Consul Kronthaler reflected. “And so much in love!”
His wife agreed. “Yes, look at their happy faces!”
“Just our luck! He happens to be the most eligible and sought-after bachelor in Vienna, and here we are with our two sons!” he jested.
“Victoria, dear child, we were just wondering if you were not footsore by now from all that dancing?”
“No, Mama! I have not been dancing all that much. We sat in the foyer for quite a while!”
Manfred von Wintersberg finally looked in their direction. He was fairly intoxicated, but not to the point where he couldn't remember Victoria's escort. The Ambassador also fixed his eyes on Philip.
“There is nothing quite so amusing as watching two tipsy men, trying to get their recollection into per
spective!” Victoria thought, introducing Philip Reinhardt.
“Haven't we met somewhere before, young man?”
“Yes, your excellency! Once at the Hofburg ball, and twice at a banquet in Schönbrunn!” Philip answered matter-of-factly, while helping Victoria into her chair and kissing her hand politely. “I am so sorry to have to leave abruptly, but my grandfather is seriously ill,” he apologized to everyone at the table.
“Has our daughter been with this Austrian the whole evening?” Manfred von Wintersberg directed his question at his wife.
“I hope so!” she laughed, lifting her glass.
“My dear wife, you have had much too much to drink! And it certainly doesn't become you at all!” he bellowed, as everyone joined in the laughter with Lotte.
“I also feel that to have to decline to taste all these delicious wines and champagne is a sin! However, my dear husband will need someone less intoxicated than himself to lean on tonight, to make it to his bedroom, so I must suffer, I suppose!” Lotte had lamented to herself just moments before.
Even the Ambassador had joined in the laughter before he replied. “If it's the same family I am thinking about, you can put your mind at rest, Manfred! That old patriarch told me, on more than one occasion, that he had his chairs redone whenever a Prussian sat on them, adding quickly that there were of course unavoidable business affairs! Even his German shepherd dogs must carry Austrian names! Can you believe that?”
“I do!” Manfred stuttered, looking at his daughter for a better reply.
Victoria, however, was in her own little romantic world, imagining herself in the arms of Philip and being passionately kissed by him. Ignoring her husband's glassy-eyed look, Lotte wondered what it would be like to be the mother-in-law of this fine young gentleman, whom she had liked instantly, never even wasting a thought on status or wealth. Manfred now glanced slowly at Consul Kronthaler, knowing the ambassador spoke the truth, being aware that Manfred and Karl Reinhardt constantly exercised their deep-rooted hatred for each other's countries, transforming it into a clear personality clash. That left only the Consul and his wife as a last hope for some kind of acknowledgment.
Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One Page 36
