Shadow of the Son, page 21
The next course was chilled cucumber and watermelon soup served in thin glass bowls to showcase the pale green of its color. A new wine was served, an unusual, golden-green Chardonnay. It was a perfect complement to the soup, which lived up to expectations. There was no conversation.
When I had finished, I thought that I might give Dagmar a freer rein in the future. Whatever she served was extraordinary. How far she would push the boundary of the culinary arts, I had no idea, but wherever she went, I would happily follow.
I turned to my right and said, “Elsa, would you care to elaborate on what you said before?”
She smiled and took a sip of wine. After a pause, she said, “Why belabor a point, when we already understand each other? Let us proceed on a different tack, Liebchen.”
“By all means,” I said.
“What do you know about Johnny’s aunt?”
“Some things, but not everything. I knew her personally, although I was quite young when she was alive. Of course, I’ve heard much about her.”
“I’m sure you have. Do you know what she did when she was away?”
“I’ve heard that expeditions were a big part of her life.”
“They were, but that wasn’t all she did. Much of her time was spent seeking out sources of arcane knowledge as well as unusual artifacts. She had the necessary funds, and many dealers in such items were happy to supply her, including your father.”
“He sold her one or two.”
“More than one or two. Your father ultimately supplied her with a large number of the items she acquired, although indirectly, through intermediaries. It was a good business for him. I think she realized that he was behind many of the pieces that were offered for sale, but she chose to overlook that fact.”
“Why would she do that?”
Elsa shrugged. “He had what she wanted. Besides, transactions need not always be positive, in the sense that there is a material gain or favorable benefit for buying or selling. There can also be more important negative elements, such as when each party feels that they have gotten the better of the other. That creates a type of negative feedback loop that can be self-sustaining.”
“Tell me.”
“Let’s examine the parts. Take secret knowledge and the occult. Is there really such a thing? Some would say it is delusion. Your father thought so. Alice, on the other hand, was willing to pay for what she believed, and he was more than willing to feed her beliefs for monetary gain. I’m sure he overcharged her.”
“He wasn’t a believer himself?”
“No, but his being here now might say differently.”
“What changed his mind, do you think?”
“You would have to ask him.”
I paused. “Perhaps I will. Coming back to what you were saying, do you think Alice was taking advantage of my father?”
“Now that is what I find so interesting. He wanted a second chance, and she strung him along.”
“Really? Given their history, that wasn’t ever going to happen.”
“Exactly, but she held out the possibility. It was an odd relationship. Each wanted what the other thought impossible, and each gained by knowing that they had taken advantage of the other’s misguided fascinations. Every acquisition kept the other’s dream alive, and so they strung each other along, one transaction at a time.”
“That has a perverse sort of logic. How do you know it’s true?”
“Alice, as I said, was rarely discreet. What she thought, she told the world. As for your father, I found out in a most peculiar way.”
“He told you?”
“Not in so many words. Your father is a slippery man in conversation. He dissembles. You never know who or what he is by the end, or even in the middle. Perhaps he doesn’t know himself. Even I have trouble assessing him. I saw Bromley truly only once, and that but briefly. He whispered to himself with his back to me as he looked out the window in our library one late afternoon. He held a whiskey glass in his hand and toasted to something I couldn’t see. It could have been the pines that surrounded our castle. It could have been an imaginary figure. ‘Another chance for pity’s sake. It’s all I’ve ever asked for. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.’ Although said in a whisper, there was such vulnerability and sincerity in the tone, I thought another man had said it, but it was him. He never knew I heard him. No one did, and that is why I know he spoke the truth.”
“Could he have meant someone else?”
“Possibly, but I doubt many others have moved him the way she did. In addition, Alice may have resided in this house, but she was away for most of that time. Who knows what she really got up to when she wasn’t here? Who knows what he did, either?”
“Do you think they met secretly?”
“That I cannot tell you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Elsa paused again. “In this instance, I would rather not say.”
“I see.”
“Do you? Men play games and women, too. Your father loves to play games. To what lengths did he and Alice go to in their game? I sometimes wonder. Your father will likely play games with you, if he hasn’t already started. He can’t restrain himself. He and Hugo are playing games right now. It is a question of how far either will go. What is delightful about you and me, Percy, is that we can play and have all of the fun with none of the consequences. That is not the case with them. It is possible to go too far, and then there will be consequences for everyone.”
“That is somewhat disturbing, Elsa.”
She smiled. “It is, and now you see everything more clearly, and I see we have another course! Hugo is not the only one who loves this cook.”
The next course of grilled sea bass with tiny asparagus drizzled with hollandaise was served before I could reply. The wine was unchanged. I ate and marveled at the food while contemplating what Elsa had said, when Johnny leaned over and whispered, “You were oblivious. I tried to interrupt twice.”
“Sorry about that,” I said.
“No need, but I thought you’d like to know. Others might be aware of that as well.” Johnny motioned with a nod toward the other end of the table. I looked up and saw Bruni observing me. It might have been a glower, but it was gone when Maw asked her a question and she turned to answer. I tried to catch Bruni’s eye, but she didn’t turn my way again. I would have to handle later whatever upset I may have inadvertently caused. Right now, I needed information, even though I wanted peace. It was then I noticed the baron staring at me. He didn’t look away, and when I smiled, he didn’t smile back. Perhaps he thought the baroness had been speaking out of school? There were many secrets held between them, and both he and I knew that his wife had a mind of her own. I decided to ignore his stare and have a talk with him in private.
In any case, Elsa was right about one thing: the best that Bruni and I could do was carve out a temporary sanctuary from time to time. Hiding would be impossible. We came with too many threads. For Bruni, there were, in addition to her work, the obligations to her family that likely needed further clarification.
Growing up, I always considered the Dodges my family, but now I had another. There was my father, and much of what was happening here was his doing. Someone had to rein him in, or as Elsa said, there would be consequences for all of us. She was very clear about that. The oddity was that I had two families. My father and my mother were my real family, even if I didn’t think they were.
Stanley entered from the drawing room door behind me. He walked quickly to Anne’s side, and whispered in her ear.
“Heavens!” she said. “Tell Percy.”
We all looked up as Anne excused herself and went out the way Stanley had entered. He came up next to me, leaned down, and whispered, “Your mother is in the foyer. I alerted Mrs. Dodge so she might be the first to greet her.”
“You did the right thing, Stanley. I will follow in a minute. Any thoughts?’
“Only one. Invite her to sit at the table and take part in the last course. This she must do. We’ll improvise as to where she will sleep.”
“Very well.”
I rose and murmured to Johnny and Elsa that I would return shortly. They both looked suitably puzzled. Instead of walking out the door, I went around to Bruni, leaned over, and said, “My mother seems to have arrived, as you predicted. This could get awkward. I’ll smile. You’ll smile. We’ll get through this. Please forgive me if I seemed preoccupied by your mother. It’s an occupational hazard with her.”
I squeezed her shoulder, and I felt her tension ease. She smiled up at me. I was forgiven.
One down, for now, with the baron still to go. Unfortunately for him, his composure would likely be strained further. My mother had thrown him over many years ago, and since then, both had avoided each other like the plague. As I walked through the drawing room, I thought that once again I had no idea what was going on. My house? That was a joke. And Bruni pregnant? I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or be scared to death.
49
“Mother?”
“Percy, darling. It’s so good to see you. My, my, but you do look handsome and well turned out.”
She smiled and offered a cheek for me to kiss.
I did and said, “Thank you for the compliment. I’m delighted to see you. Please join us for dinner.”
“Impossible. I’m not dressed for the occasion. Just the same, I’d love something to eat. I must also speak with Cobb.”
“Cobb?” Recovering from my surprise, I said, “That can be arranged, but you are now my guest. Come to dinner anyway. It’s been far too long.”
“I don’t wish to impose.”
“Surprises can be blessings, and all are welcome here. It’s an ancient tradition.” I turned and asked, “Anne? Am I not correct?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “Come, Mary. Stanley and Simon will see to your bags. Off with the coat. The wine tonight is delightful, and I have something for you to wear, although I must say, you do look presentable just the way you are.”
“If you insist, but I must use the ladies’ first.”
“Of course,” I said. “It’s on the right down the hallway where the light is. We’ll wait for you here.”
As I was speaking, Anne quickly mentioned to Stanley to move John Sr. to her place at the table. She would take John’s and he should prepare a new place setting next to her. On no account was my mother to be seated next to the baron. Stanley nodded and left.
I watched my mother click her way to the bathroom. She was dressed in a dark business suit but with a flare that Italian designers seemed to capture instinctively. It would more than do and looked like it cost a fortune. Her bobbed hair was blondish gray or a grayish blonde. I could never remember which. The color struck a fine balance between middle age and what the well-to-do thought of as “later years,” a period of time always left suitably undefined. It had been ten years since I saw her last. She had aged, but the years had added refinement rather than weight. She was slim and fit. She had always been naturally elegant, and I supposed that she always would be. It was a knack she had.
Anne interrupted my thoughts. “When your mother and I spoke on the telephone, I told her about your father’s pending arrival and your engagement to Hugo’s daughter. I said that you wished to extend an invitation for a visit this weekend, and that you apologized for such short notice. She said that she would pretty much have to drop everything and take the next flight out, but she would see what she could do. Obviously, she did just that, because here she is.”
“I’m happy she made it. I’m also glad that she and Bruni will be able to meet, although Hugo won’t likely be amused.”
“No, he won’t be, and speaking of not being amused, your father may find himself on oxygen after he catches sight of her. I mean this house is simply strewn with ex-lovers of his. He’ll be lucky to leave in one piece. I did make a point of requesting that your stepfather not make an appearance. I love your mother dearly, but the two together, at a gathering such as this one, would be like hosting a black-tie rumble with spoons and forks for weapons instead of stilettos and flick-knives. By the end of the weekend, only a smoking crater would remain to mark where the house once stood. It’s all quite beyond the imagination. Still, I’m very happy she’s arrived.”
“I’m very glad that you arranged it. It’s a pleasant surprise for once, this weekend being quite another. Up until a few days ago, I had my heart set on a nice quiet stay in the country, where we might have had a chance to sit down and talk at leisure. That hasn’t happened, and I’m sorry for it.”
“Don’t be. We had last night’s dinner, and that was lovely. It really was. You also needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine now. This weekend is all quite exciting in an unnatural sort of way—like surviving a hurricane, provided you do. Do you have any idea why she wants to speak with that man, Cobb?”
“Not a clue.”
“Well, there’s obviously been a great deal going on of which none of us have been aware, at least those in the immediate family, and I include you in that—a surprising amount in fact. Leave it to me. I will know the reason before the night is done, even if I have to shackle her to a chair and beat it out of her.” Anne giggled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put it in those terms. Let’s say the wine is very good and leave it at that. Ah, here she is at last.”
I smiled as I followed the ladies. They walked ahead arm in arm, chatting and basking in each other’s company. They reminded me of Johnny and myself.
I slipped ahead and opened the dining room doors.
50
Rather than announce my mother’s presence, I simply accompanied her to one of the two empty places to the right of the table and seated her and Anne together. In spite of the lack of ceremony, my mother’s arrival was acknowledged. The gentlemen rose as she was seated, the women looked her over and nodded. Dinner resumed as I sat back down and tried to gauge the reaction to my mother’s sudden appearance.
Johnny looked a little wide-eyed and unsure if what had occurred had actually taken place. He looked at me and said, “Well, that is unexpected. Do you think your stepfather will follow?”
“He shouldn’t, but I’ve no idea. My only thought is to eat while we have the opportunity. What will happen next is anyone’s guess.”
Elsa asked, “Is that your mother?”
“It is.”
“Was she invited?”
“Not directly, but then again, she is my mother. How could I possibly say no?”
“Just so.”
I continued in a low voice. “How is Hugo taking this? I haven’t dared look.”
“Like a stoic,” Elsa replied.
I looked up. The baron was speaking with John. He acted as if he hardly noticed. I knew I would hear about this, but since I didn’t know what to do about it anyway, I decided I would sample the wine. What else was there to do?
“So far so good,” Johnny said. “Nobody’s pulled a knife. We may make it through the evening yet. How’s Maw doing? I can’t see.”
“She’s drinking more wine.”
“Well, it’s a Lafite, after all. You do remember what I prescribed for you a while back?”
“Drink heavily and many times a day.”
“There was wisdom in my words. I suggest we both have at it.”
I drank a sip and then some more. I started in on the lamb, that had been served in my absence, and before I knew it, most of what was on my plate had disappeared. Fortified, I turned to Elsa and asked, “So, what do you think Alice was doing all that time she was away from Rhinebeck?”
“I don’t know in detail, but apropos of what we were saying, she and Bromley crossed paths on numerous occasions. You will have to ask him to get the specifics.”
“I doubt I’ll have to ask him. He said he wanted to tell me his version of their relationship before he collapsed.”
“That is good. I think it important that you speak with him. On another matter, why do you suppose your mother is here?”
“She wishes to see Anne, meet Bruni, and have a word with Cobb.”
“It must be a financial or legal matter. Cobb does a great deal more for your father than simply take his pulse and write it down. I would ask Brunhilde. I said earlier that one often has to interact with unpleasant characters. That man is one. Your father is, of course, another.”
“I thought as much.”
“Then you are correct, but enough. Let us turn to something much more pleasant and far more relevant. Do you think my grandchild will be a boy or a girl?”
It was at that moment that Stanley announced to the table that Dagmar had created a very special ending for the dinner. As he spoke, the previous course was whisked away, and plates of sweet biscuits with a small red crystal glass in the middle were placed at each setting. The baron called out to Stanley, “Is this a potion?”
“It is an old Nordic recipe created and distilled for very special occasions. The tradition calls for locating another person with whom to drink, raising your glass high while calling out in a loud voice the person’s name. Once eye contact is made, you say ‘Skaal’ and repeat the name, such as ‘Skaal, Johnny.’ Johnny will respond by lifting his glass high, and then both must keep looking into each other’s eyes as the drinks are sipped. Once done, both raise their glasses in a final salute, still looking at each other. The skaal ends the moment the glass is back on the table. Only then can another skaal begin. In this ceremony, you will skaal everyone at the table and they will skaal you. This translates into twenty skaals each. I suggest small sips. Your glasses will be replenished as needed. Please know that this is an ancient and solemn ceremony that few have had the honor to partake in. Dagmar and I will demonstrate.”
Dagmar came out of the kitchen holding a glass for Stanley and one for herself. Everyone applauded when she appeared. Once the applause had died down, Stanley cried out “Dagmar” in a loud voice and raised his glass. “Skaal, Dagmar!” Keeping his glass raised, Dagmar raised hers. They stared at each other and sipped. Still not looking away, they raised their glasses to each other one last time before lowering them. Dagmar then called out “Stanley!” and they continued the ritual until both had lowered their glasses.
