Jana had to put his coffee cup into his hands. “Here you are, Mr. Isaacs. It’s coffee from your own shop.” He sipped but said nothing.
Therese tried again. “How are these times for you, Mr. Isaacs? Is the Army bringing business to you as well as trouble?”
“The poor soldiers don’t have any money, Your Honour. They all want to buy tobacco and vodka, but, no money. Still, I can’t complain. I sell a little, buy a little, and the world goes round. I wish they were gone and we could live in peace again.”
“At least you can find tobacco and vodka to sell them,” complained Krausov. “I can’t get meat for love or money, and I can’t sell what I don’t have. It was a bad day when the Army came, and that’s for sure.”
“Ah, my friend Krausov is right. Soon we shall have a black market, like the bad days after the Great War. You’d remember, Friend Krausov. The rich, fat people stayed fat, and the rest of us starved. Bad times are coming again, God protect us.”
Therese made a note to speak to Timko. If the Army could spend some cash in the village, everyone would benefit. She would try Sister Brigitta too. The Convent took enough money from the peoples’ pockets; now they could use some of it to help.
“Send Rebecca to me, Mr. Isaacs, if you are worried about her. If she’s as sharp as you say, and honest, I’ll find her a job in the office. She can stay in the Convent with the nuns, they’ll protect her, and you can visit her when she’s not working. How does that sound?”
“Thank you, Your Honour, thank you!” Old Isaacs was in danger of dropping his coffee cup and kneeling at her feet.
She jumped up to avoid him. “Mr. Krausov, thank you so much for the coffee. It’s so nice to visit a home again. It’s been so long I had almost forgotten. Now I want to have a word with Jana, and I’ll go. Good morning, Mr. Isaacs, and give my regards to Rebecca.”
With Jana leading, she went to the kitchen. It was warm and bright, and a housekeeper stood cooking at the large brick stove. “Jana, can you walk with me a little way? I can’t bear the way those women looked at me just now. It made me feel–dirty, I suppose.”
“I’m going to do better than that. Rado, my brother, has gone to borrow a trap, and we’ll drive you all the way to the castle. He’s probably harnessing it up now. Isn’t it nice to see old Isaacs here? I’ve known him all my life, and he’s never been inside here. It’s not that Pappi’s a bad man or anything, it’s just that…. You know how it used to be, Jews in one place, Christians in another. They’re still like that in the village, though not one of them could tell you why. I think it’s stupid. It’s the twentieth century already, and you’d think people would be smarter by now. Listen to them talking in there. They’ve been looking at each other across the square for fifty years and never sat for a cup of coffee together. Stupid!”
Rado was a solid young man. His ginger hair and freckles gave no hint of his sister’s dark-haired beauty, but the smile was the same, and he had the same ready tongue. “Are you ready for a drive, Sister?”
“Watch your manners, Rado, and you don’t call her Sister anymore. Mistress will do. I’m coming with you. I want those old crows to see that the Mistress has friends in the village.”
Jana made Rado take them through the square. The more people who saw them, the better. Therese felt disapproving eyes on her back, and she would have been happy to creep home by the back lanes.
They met Drazevich. He was leading a SekPol patrol, and his men were checking the papers of everyone they met. Therese waved as Rado drove by. Drazevich watched her but gave no greeting.
“Who was that?” asked Rado.
“Lieutenant Drazevich, the new SekPol officer. You’d better be careful of him; he seems to be a real rat.”
Rado snorted contempt and urged the pony to a trot.
Therese made them stop at the edge of the village where the long climb up to the castle started. She always felt uncomfortable watching horses labour up the hill and would have got out and walked beside the trap anyway. Rado and Jana trotted away, waving. Therese crossed herself at the shrine marking the foot of the hill and started to climb.
Chapter 15
Therese was summoned to the General’s office late in the afternoon. “Come,” he barked in answer to her knock, but he jumped up and hurried around the desk to meet her.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it enthusiastically. The bristles of his white cavalry moustache brushed the back of her hand. “Therese, my dear! It has been so long that I almost cannot recognize you. What a beautiful woman you have turned out to be! Can you remember when we last met? Cross country, and you flying across the fields trying to keep up with the young bloods? I’m not surprised your mother wouldn’t let you have a full horse. You were quite reckless enough on your pony. Those were the days, eh?”
“General, I am so glad you have come to us. We are completely helpless here, and we need someone to protect us.”
“That’s not what I hear. Every time I ask a question, I’m told that Madam von Falberg likes it this way, or Madam von Falberg wouldn’t like it that way. I believe your father would be proud of the way you run your castle. You’ve certainly got Mefist eating from your hand.”
Therese’s face reddened. “That’s not true! Mefist has taken over everything. He’s even turned some of my girls into a harem and made me their mistress.”
“Yes, I’d heard about that. Do you mind? I mean, can I look your father in the eye?”
Therese could not help smiling at the thought. “Of course. I can’t approve, but if the officers have to have a club, then I’d rather it was done this way. At least this way I can keep an eye on things, and we won’t be troubling the village girls.”
“Well, if you can tolerate it there’s no more to be said. I’d rather have someone reliable taking care of things. Some of these young officers will go putting their private parts in places that I wouldn’t put my walking stick…. Young fools!”
“General, I’m sure you were as bad as the worst of them when you were that age. That’s what the rumours say, anyway.”
The General stroked his moustache in satisfaction. “Is that what you’ve heard? Not a word of truth in it. When I was a young officer, I drank nothing but milk and went to bed by eight o’clock every night. Now I’m older, are you going to invite me to your club tonight?”
“Certainly, General—we are all at your service, and that of your officers, of course.”
“Very good. I’ll issue a general order. All officers to report to the club at 20:00 hours, suitably attired and sparkling clean. I’ll look forward to meeting you in your own domain.”
As she moved to the door, he called her back. “Therese, did you happen to meet an officer called Drazevich from the Security Police?”
“Yes, I showed him where his detachment is in the village school. He’s planning to live down there.”
“What did you think of him?”
“I think he would make a good corporal. He’s small-minded and rude to women.”
“Rude to women, eh? Well, we’ll see what we can do about that. I’ve never met him, and SekPol HQ wished him on me. His file says nothing at all. I think he’d better live up here where I can keep an eye on him. Would you mind sending in an orderly as you leave? I think I’ll include him in my general order.”
Now Therese hesitated. “General, my girls…. None of them have ever–you know. They’re only girls, and I’m worried about them.” And about me, she added in her thoughts.
“Don’t worry, my dear—we’re all gentlemen here, and your girls shall live like princesses. You as well. You can always count on me if you have a problem. In fact, I shall give you an honourary rank, say colonel, and everyone will treat you like royalty. I must gazette that before I forget.”
“You can’t do that, General, I’d be more important than Mefist. Don’t forget he’s the one who tells me what to do.”
“Maybe, my dear, but no one else knows that. He’s a prince, of course, and that
must count for something even today. Consider yourself entitled to the privileges of a colonel. Unpaid, of course, but that’s another reality of Army life.”
The girls huddled together in the club. They wore the same finery as they had the night before, but now they looked more like frightened schoolgirls. The erotic nymphs of last night had disappeared. On the point of eight o’clock they heard the General step onto the stairs at the head of his men.
The General and his staff wore their dinner uniforms. He met Therese on the dance floor. She expected him to kiss her hand but he drew her to him and kissed her cheeks. “Therese, my dear. What a beautiful salon! Together with such beautiful ladies. Come, introduce me!”
She kept hold of his hand. “General, you’re not going to inspect them! They’re not soldiers, and you’re not on your parade ground. Come and sit down, and they’ll take care of you.”
The General nodded to his men, and in a moment the tables were full. The men took out their cigarettes, and the gramophone started. “Come on, girls. Drinks for our guests.” She took Agata’s hand and brought her to the General. “General, Agata will take care of you. Ask him what he would like to drink.”
Agata wore stockings with a green satin suspender belt. A gossamer-thin slip with green ribbons reached almost to her hips, and her blonde hair hung to her shoulders. To Therese she looked unconscious of her nudity, but petrified with fright at the thought of serving the General.
“Your Honour…” Agata stammered.
“Speak up, my dear,” said the General. “This old man would like some champagne. Can you manage that?” He reached around her and patted her bottom. An electric jolt shot through her. An expression of horror on her face, she reached behind her and arched her hips violently forwards to keep her bottom safe. She dropped her eyes to the General and found he was staring at her unprotected sex, thrust helplessly at him in her attempt to save herself. She froze for a long instant and then whipped herself out of the encircling arm and ran to the bar.
Therese was there to catch her and whisper, “Well done, Agata! Now don’t cry; he’s a nice old man, and he likes you. Maria, champagne, quickly! With two glasses. Smile, Agata, smile, you’re doing very well. Can you open the champagne for him? Remember how Horvath showed you? Good, now I want you to open the champagne and pour two glasses, right? Then just sit down and let him talk to you. Don’t drink more than half a glass, or you’ll disgrace us all. Off you go now.”
Agata had a plea in her eyes, but Therese hardened herself against it. “Go on, Agata, remember what Wanda taught you. Make us proud of you.” She thrust the tray at her and steered her towards the General. As she left, Therese patted her bottom. “And stop worrying about your dupka!”
Therese stood at the bar and watched with everyone else as Agata stiffly and uncertainly peeled the wire from the bottle. She tilted it, held the cork, and carefully twisted the bottle. The cork popped free with a sigh, and she poured the sparkling golden liquid. She sat down and smiled as the General raised his glass to her.
It was as if he had given a signal, and all the men started ordering. Girls demanding drinks flooded in, and Therese moved behind the bar to help Maria. When she had a moment to look up, the club had been transformed into a lively bistro. The girls sat scattered around the tables, and the men were admiring them. All of them had light in their eyes and were chattering with animation. Obviously the evening would be a success.
Drazevich had come. He sat at a corner table with a young man whose ears stuck out dramatically from his cropped head. Drazevich wore his normal policeman’s uniform; perhaps he could not afford a dinner uniform. The pair had no drinks in front of them, and Therese hurried over. The boy leapt to his feet, and Drazevich reluctantly joined him.
“Lieutenant Drazevich, how are you? Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
The boy thrust out his hand and said, “Stoibel, Franz, Ma’am.” He shook hands stiffly, bowing his head and clicking his heels.
“Well, Franz Stoibel, what can I get you to drink? And you, Lieutenant Drazevich?”
“Do you have any beer?” asked Drazevich.
“Certainly–and you, Franz? Beer as well?”
He reddened and stuttered, “Ma’am, could I have some wine please?”
Therese wondered how much wine the boy had drunk in his short life. “Some of our own wine, then, made here in Montebello from local grapes. Please wait a minute.”
Maria was in trouble at the bar. “I don’t know their names, Mistress. Who can I charge for the drinks?” Therese looked at the book behind the bar. Maria had listed the drinks to men called “fat Major,” “blond lieutenant,” and so on.
“Never mind. We’ll learn their names soon enough. I’ll get the girls to ask. Now a bottle of beer for Drazevich, and I’ll get a glass of Muscat for his friend. He’s called Franz Stoibel and looks as if he has just left school. You’d better go and sit with them. Be careful of Drazevich. He’s an uneducated pig, but he’s from SekPol, so watch out.”
She watched as Maria tapped on her high heels towards the corner table, and she noticed that the men at the other tables watched her too. She had not thought of Maria as particularly attractive, but she certainly turned heads tonight. It must be the way her bottom wobbles, she thought, the way it sticks out between her corset and stockings and wobbles as she walks. It must be what men call voluptuous, and they like it. Even the General, and he has Agata beside him.
Agata had begun to enjoy herself. Perhaps the champagne had loosened her tongue. The General was telling her something and gesturing widely with one arm. The other arm was wrapped comfortably around her and drawing her closer. As Therese watched, the General whispered something into her ear, and they both stood up.
They made an odd couple. The General was a distinguished man. His full head of white hair and his bristling moustache gave him a senatorial air, and the authority of his uniform and position hung about him. Beside him Agata stood slim, blonde and beautiful, her long legs made even longer by high heels and stockings. Her young breasts held the transparent slip away from her body. Her pointed, swollen nipples peeped forwards and outwards. She held her head high, conscious of the room watching them as they strolled to the entrance of the girls’ corridor.
As they passed the bar, the General turned to Therese and winked. She could not help smiling as she wrote the General’s name as the first in the book for the girls’ services.
They stayed away for a long time. None of the other men left their tables; Therese supposed it was a matter of respect. When the General returned, Agata clung to his arm. He was smiling, but Agata could not look at the rest of the room. The General brought her to the bar.
“Here is your young lady again, Therese. She was magnificent! A credit to you and her sisters.” He guided her to a barstool. “I’ll see you again soon, my dear.” He pinched her cheek and started for the door. “Oh, Therese, kick these young fellows out by eleven, would you? We’ve got work to do tomorrow.”
As soon as his footsteps died away, the girls were all on their feet and being led back to their rooms. Agata watched as Therese listed the names. Maria had taken Stoibel rather than Drazevich.
The tables were still occupied by unlucky men sitting quietly. Oh dear, thought Therese, do we have to deal with them all? Agata must have read her thoughts. “The General says that we only have to take one customer tonight. I don’t think I’d want another.”
Therese pushed a coffee over to her. “How was it? Did it hurt?”
“No, not really,” said Agata, looking down at the bar. “He kissed me, I mean, down there. He kissed my thing!” Therese was shocked. She found it hard to imagine the General doing such a thing.
“How did that feel?” she asked.
“His moustache tickles. I almost laughed at the beginning, it tickled my legs so much. Then he started to lick me, and that felt nice.” She looked straight at Therese. “It was really nice. He made me come, lots of times. I forgot every
thing, it was so wonderful. Then he got on top of me. He’s big and strong, like a horse. His thing is big too, I could hardly get my hand around it and when he pushed it in…well, I can still feel it in there. It felt so good. I was very wet, it just pushed its way in and it made me come again. Then he came and I could feel it pumping inside me. Honestly, it was good. He’s a nice man.”
“He didn’t hurt you? Are you alright?”
From the height of the barstool, she reached one foot down to the floor and opened her thighs to look at her sex. Beneath its dusting of blonde fur, Therese thought it looked pink and swollen. It still seemed tight and closed, and showed no sign of how the General could have slipped inside. Agata’s long fingers with pink varnished nails spread the lips apart. Inside she was pink, moist and pretty. “It seems to be fine, but it still feels sort of stretched and tingly.”
Then she realized the whole room had been watching them, and she closed her legs and turned to the bar. “Poor men,” she giggled. “They’ll have to wait for another day. They won’t sleep well tonight.”
Chapter 16
They met again in the morning. Around the small tables pushed together, the girls sat relaxed and happy. The night had gone well. The bar had been busy, and the girls had found that doing what comes naturally could feel very pleasant.
“Look at my book. I’m going to have too much work sorting out the names,” complained Maria. “I don’t know who drank what or who was paying for it. Who was drinking whisky? He’s just written down as ‘officer.’ It could have been anyone!”
The Prince and the Nun Page 10
