Chapter 36

Johnny and I beat the crowd to the drawing room. I mixed two vodka tonics with additional splashes of gin and ginger ale as we waited.

“Cheers,” Johnny said when I finished. John Senior and Anne walked in, followed by the baron and baroness. We moved over by the french doors to make room for them at the bar. John Senior finished mixing drinks for himself and his guests as Malcolm and Bruni finally made their appearance. Neither Bruni nor Elsa paid me any particular attention. Johnny and I drank and chatted until we were joined by the tall man who said, “I trust you had a relaxing morning. I certainly did.”

“Excellent. That’s the way it should be,” said Johnny. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you. How well do you know the von Hofmanstals?”

“I shouldn’t say that I know them well. I’m more familiar with Hugo. He and I met at a shoot in Scotland years ago and have collaborated on a few projects since then — strictly business. I am less familiar with the baroness. She’s quite something, isn’t she?”

“That she is,” said Johnny, smiling. “How about Bruni?”

“I have met her off and on too. Usually in France, at the odd party, but that is the extent of my relationship with the family. I take it you are on more familiar terms?”

“Yes, my parents have met up with them on numerous occasions in Europe somewhere or at their castle. This is the first time we’ve been able to reciprocate.”

“I see. Well, this visit will give me a chance to know them better. I’m looking forward to it.”

During the conversation, I watched the tall man’s eyes flick toward the baroness. He had to make an effort not to stare. She looked stunning in a pale-green button-down silk blouse that was open and transparent enough to draw the eye. I suppose his height did give him glimpses that were unavailable to those of shorter stature. Bruni was more conservative in a pale-gray sweater. Both of them wore skirts and high heels. They were an attractive pair. Of that there was no question.

Stanley announced that lunch was ready. We finished our drinks and moved to the dining room. Bruni ignored me.

I was seated between Elsa and Johnny, with Elsa on my right, next to Anne. The baron was seated next to John Senior in his usual place. Bruni was beside him. Malcolm sat next to her and opposite Elsa. He had to turn his head away so as not to appear completely voyeuristic. Elsa was fully aware of his discomfiture and enjoyed every minute. She turned to me with a smile on her face.

“So, Liebchen, I’m so glad we have another chance to talk. How are things going with my daughter?’

“Stormy.”

“Yes, I heard her come in. I think everybody did.”

I switched to German. “She told me she’s married.”

“It is true, but there are all kinds of marriages. Her husband is an extraordinary man, but he is not flexible, and neither is she. They are like two snow leopards. They are forced to live solitary lives except when mating. Sometimes, even that cannot be tolerated.”

“I suspected something like that.”

“Their break is a recent development. I shouldn’t be telling you these things, but it is pertinent information, yes?”

“Quite pertinent.”

“There is a divorce in progress. It is a prickly subject, but lucky for you, I’m the very opposite of prickly…”

She was interrupted by Stanley, who poured us each a cold Sancerre. I looked around the table. Bruni and Johnny were listening to John Senior and the baron discuss some aspect of central bank policy options, while Malcolm spoke with Anne about England. It was unlikely that the others heard what we were talking about.

Once Stanley had poured our wine, we clinked glasses and drank. It was wonderfully refreshing.

Elsa continued. “My husband and I have strong personalities, but we are also mutually supportive. We are ultimately pragmatists. When we started together, we had a choice to make. We could either follow separate paths and meet for brief spaces of time or form a real partnership, where we were rarely separated and our thoughts were open to each other. Of course we have our private times, but it takes neither of us very long to recharge ourselves and find our way back again. Together, we form a team that has few weaknesses and many strengths. Apart, our power is weakened. Both of us, in the parlance of economics, desire to maximize our preferences, but individually, our behaviors show diminishing marginal rates of substitution, when it comes to others. My daughter and I are not altogether different, although she has yet to understand that. Do you follow what I’m saying?”

“I think so. The sustained connection between you and the baron is far more important and beneficial than being alone. Bruni is the same in that way, although she has not come to that realization yet.”

Elsa touched my cheek. She beamed like a small star as she said, “Not just a pretty face, after all, and here is our soup.”

The soup was a butternut squash puree with a touch of heat and salt to give a zing. Sprinkled on top were a dozen tiny croutons. Dagmar’s creation was a sophisticated blend of flavors whose balance was a culinary masterpiece.

I picked up my spoon and savored the first taste as I simultaneously digested what Elsa had related and implied. Elsa needed alone time, and so did Bruni, but the benefits of a connected long-term relationship always triumphed. Bruni had yet to experience the upside of such a marriage, and as her mother stated, such a relationship was what she ultimately needed. Perhaps it was a hint.

I asked my intuitive part. It replied that it was more than a hint. Her daughter was very much on Elsa’s mind.

Johnny had mentioned that this new part might be an asset. It was, but I realized I could abdicate my own judgement quite easily in favor of its prescient calculating detachment. I had the choice to reject this addition or accept it. I considered both choices but decided that neither was the answer. What I needed was an assimilation of myself and it, not altogether different from what Elsa and Hugo had achieved. By working with this new addition as a team, I realized I might be willing to risk more and worry less. Difficulties and threats could become advantages and opportunities, rather than the evils I thought they were. It was what I knew I needed to do to transform myself.

I put down my spoon. I had barely tasted the soup. Luckily, there was still some left. I picked my spoon up again and savored what remained. I had a new fault. It was so easy to slip into my mind and play with my new friend, thereby shutting out the rich world around me.

“Elsa?”

“Yes, Liebchen.”

“You studied economics?”

“I hold advanced degrees in mathematics and economics, as well as accounting.”

“So you’re not just a pretty face either.”

She laughed. “Not at all. It keeps me amused and curious. I’m always underestimated. Hugo and I have a great time. Rivals and allies put all their attention on him while ignoring me completely. I become part of the furniture, and when he leaves, they have no idea I’m still there. They say things they normally wouldn’t, if he were present.”

“How could they not notice you?”

“I have tricks that can make me look so plain and uninteresting that if I came up to you, you wouldn’t recognize me.”

“That I would have to see to believe.”

She leaned over in my direction and grabbed the last little crouton that was in my soup bowl with her fingers. She used her right arm to prevent her blouse from touching her bowl in a way that was suspiciously revealing.

The performance was impressive but not directed at me. I looked over at Malcolm. He was acting strangely. His breath was ragged and beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. I thought he might even launch himself across the table, but Stanley got to him first and whispered something in his ear. Malcolm’s ardor subsided, and in a few seconds, he was calm and collected. I would have to ask Stanley what he said. I needed his advice in any event. The man had a skillset that was clearly in a class by itself. Stanley nodded in our direction before turning around and opening another bottle of wine.

“Yummy?” I asked the baroness.

“Totally delicious. If I could figure out a way to steal this cook, I would.”

“You are a thoroughly wicked woman.”

“In so many ways, you have no idea.”

I shook my head and smiled broadly as I held up my glass, “Elsa, it’s a pleasure to have met you. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

“And me too.”

We touched glasses, and she said, “So, what would you like to discuss? Galois theory, perhaps, or Laffer curves?”

“Neither — tell me something. I take it Anne and John are unaware of Bruni’s marriage or pending divorce?”

Switching back to German, she said in a low voice, “Correct, and we’d rather wait until it’s all finished before we tell them. Some things happen for which there are no preparations. Not even Hugo and I found out about the marriage until after she had eloped. Hugo was beside himself. He felt that she had betrayed him by going behind his back when there was no need. I was baffled and heartbroken, but Brunhilde is not easily cowed or silenced, as you well know. She’s also correct in many of her decisions, when it comes to laws, structures, and relationships between parties. She made us sit down and listen calmly and rationally. This took some time, but she made us do it in spite of ourselves. She stated her case. In the end, what was done could not be undone only endured. Although I quite agreed with her logic, she completely missed the point. One must connect with one’s partner mentally, emotionally, and sexually, or there will be tears. Marriage must invigorate and sustain, or it is no marriage. Hugo and I take great pains to keep the sparks flying, but there must be a real spark to begin with, yes? That is hard to know going in but easy to see on the exit. I’m only too happy to see the last of that marriage.”

Elsa sipped some wine and then put a smile on her face as she turned to me and said, “I can’t believe I told you all this, but I suspect I had to tell someone. I ask that you keep it to yourself.”

“Johnny knows, but I see no reason to announce the fact. Malcolm knows too.”

“He does?”

“He mentioned that he saw her husband in Cannes when he first arrived. I’m sure Bruni got to him before he made it public knowledge.”

“I see.”

Elsa looked over at Malcolm with a look quite different than previously. It was not a look he would have savored had he seen it. He was busy talking to Bruni. She turned in my direction, and our eyes met. She didn’t look away, and I didn’t either.

“How do you feel about my revelations?” Elsa asked.

“They make sense, and I wish her happiness in whatever she does.”

“Yes. I quite agree. She deserves it.”

Elsa really was concerned about her daughter.

Our next course of crab cakes with a sharp sauce followed, accompanied by a light salad. Another demonstration of perfection. During this time, Elsa and I chatted about places in Europe we had both visited. Anne joined us. Both ladies were charming and attentive. I enjoyed myself and reveled in their company.

When we had finished, Mrs. Dodge asked if we might go through. We rose, and Elsa stood close to me.

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed meeting you. Dinner last night was lovely and so was this afternoon. I look forward to our next chat.” Once again she moved close to me to kiss me softly on both cheeks. Our hips touched in the most tantalizing fashion before she moved away. Whether this was deliberate, I could not say. I suspected it was simply Elsa being who she was.

It was time to talk to Stanley.