Chapter 60

Robert was in the company of Bruni and Elsa, who were walking on the far side of the lawn. He was trotting jauntily beside them as we approached.

“You’ve found him,” said Johnny.

Elsa waved, and Bruni laughed. The younger von Hofmanstal said, “No, he found us. This is a timely meeting. Johnny, why don’t you and I go back to the house, and let these two talk? Since you grew up together, you can tell me more of Percy’s deepest and darkest secrets. Those suitable for blackmail are the ones I’m interested in. Come on.”

They went off, arm in arm. Bruni looked so happy and alive. Elsa took my arm. We watched as Bruni and Johnny headed back, with Robert tagging along. He didn’t need his leash around Bruni. I hoped Johnny might get some pointers from her, but I was quite certain the subject of dogs would not come up. Bruni’s last comment gave me a twinge, but I relied on Johnny’s judgment as to what to say and what not to. She would find out everything about me eventually, so how she found out was not a major concern. I sensed she was more than a little possessive and more than a little nosy as well.

“So, you two are an item, as they say.” Elsa steered me back the way I had come.

“I suppose we are.”

“Do you love her?”

“I think I do. It needs time to grow before it blossoms to its full.”

“A considered answer. Men look at their feelings and poke at them to see if they are real. Women know what they know and are less reserved. She’s a good girl, and my friend. For a mother and daughter to have such a relationship is a blessing. I love her and want no hurt or harm to come to her.”

“Nor do I.”

“She said you wanted to talk to me about speaking with her father, but she asked that I speak with you first. Hugo doesn’t like you, and that will make things difficult on every front, but you know that. I can work on him on your behalf, but there are no guarantees.”

“Is that something you would like to do?”

“It’s what I must.”

“I’d prefer it if this was something you desired rather than an obligation. The result might be the same, but the motivation is what concerns me.”

“You want to know if I approve of you?”

“I suppose I do.”

“I have reservations.”

“What are they, if I may ask?”

“I will tell you, but you won’t like it. For years I have made assessments and observations for Hugo about the principals involved in a transaction in order to weigh their strengths and weaknesses. I’ll do the same for you.”

“Tell me.”

“Very well. You’re immature in spite of your age and hold on to hurt like a child. You are tentative rather than decisive. You harbor secrets. Through omissions, you skirt the truth. You look for what could go wrong rather than what could go right. You are naturally pessimistic. You are easily led because you do not trust your judgment. You try to see only the best in yourself and others. This makes you blind to the baser motivations of those around you and in yourself. You are, thus, easily fooled. You have a deep anger that you wish to hide, but of which you are afraid, and which prevents you from acting for fear of unleashing it. You say what others want to hear rather than what you think because you want others to like you. You hide instead of embracing all that you are. I could continue.”

“That is quite a litany of faults.”

“There are others.”

I thought to myself it was a grim list but not untrue. I was at a loss as to how to continue, but then, I’d asked for it. I’d examine what she’d said later. She was either very observant or I was very shallow and transparent. Perhaps both were true. I carried on speaking as best I could.

“You’re quite right. I don’t like it, and given those attributes, I understand your reservations. So you will speak to your husband for your daughter’s sake, not for mine.”

“It is so.”

“Do I have any redeeming qualities?”

“Do you?”

“You and I know the answer to that. Although I cannot disagree with your assessment, they exist nonetheless. I am loyal, for one. I do look at the good qualities in people for another. For instance, I admire and thank you for your willingness to support your daughter in spite of your misgivings.”

“I know her well enough to not try to dissuade her.”

“Are you jealous of her?” The words slipped out before I had a chance to bite them back.

Elsa stopped, and I stopped with her. She looked at me.

“The beginning of love is the very best of times. It has no equal. I am jealous of you for that. I am jealous of her. Why shouldn’t I be? You’re both lucky that you have your youth. You don’t look in the mirror every day and ask the person looking back how they grew so old, when you feel like a child inside. I can’t have you, either, and that is also an unpleasant and insulting reminder.”

“So, you think you’ve lost your mojo.”

“What is a mojo?”

“Your magic charm — the magic that makes men swoon over you.”

“Now you’re making fun of me, which I suppose I deserve for throwing your worst faults in your face.”

“Elsa, don’t ever doubt my admiration. You had me at dinner the other night. I would hate to think what might have happened at another time.”

“You would not have liked it?”

“It would have been a complication of extraordinary magnitude. Of course I would have liked it.”

Elsa gave me a hug. “You bet you would have liked it.”

“I’ll continue to worship you from afar.”

“Now you really are making fun of me.”

“Yes and no. You’re an extraordinary woman. I admire you and always will. I know this. I am thrilled to have you in my life. I really am.”

She held me at arm’s length and looked at me. “I thank you for that. You’re either much more dangerous and cleverer than I thought or you are gifted with an uncanny ability to soothe and conciliate, which is rare. You will be good for Bruni. It will not be so easy with her father, but you have my blessing and goodwill. I have decided this.” She took my arm and continued to walk. “You are special. I see what Bruni sees in you. We will get along.”

“We will. Tell me, what is it that the baron has against me?”

“You look like him.”

“Like whom?”

“Lord Bromley.”

I stopped in my tracks. I wondered if everybody knew. “Whoa, Elsa. I thought it was Mary and the duel.”

“That too.”

“Perhaps you’d better explain.”

We had made it back to the cypress trees. I led us over to the bench Johnny and I had just vacated. It seemed to be getting a lot of use. We sat. The wind had freshened. It was going to rain, but hopefully not before Elsa had explained her last comment.

“Hugo and Lord Bromley have had many dealings in business and antiquities. They’re also collectors, and in this facet of their relationship, they are rivals.

“I’m not as captivated by the fascination for spirits and obscure magics as they are. For them, it’s an obsession. For me, it’s a business. I have gone along with my husband’s inclinations because the objects have intrinsic value. One asset is very much like another, as far as I’m concerned. With these, liquidity is not an issue, and some are quite beautiful. Others are not, but they tend to be the most desirable. With men, it’s always about power and influence. With women, it’s all about practicality. We want value for our money. Hugo looks at the prestige and influence a piece can manifest, while I check the price tag. I support him in his quest for acquisitions by keeping economics very much in the foreground. Acquisition is one of the reasons why we were invited, and why we are here. Bruni is available to handle the finances. I don’t mean to deflate your ego, but you’re a side dish, not the main course.”

Elsa reached over and patted my hand. “A very tasty one, I might add. I think Bruni has made some correct decisions. One she told me about was her determination to settle her life and be happy. I’ve been concerned for her. Her life has lacked harmony, and now I think it might be possible to change that. Deep down, I’m pleased, and I want you to know that. But back to what I was talking about.

“When it comes to collections, the bigger and better one wins. Those objects most closely linked to death are the most prized of all. John’s half-sister, Alice, was in possession of some extremely powerful pieces. They’re on the market, and buyers have gathered to find out. Lord Bromley and Hugo are two of the largest and most fanatical collectors of such artifacts. Malcolm Ault is Lord Bromley’s agent. He’s a skilled buyer, even though he looks like a clown. I’ve been toying with him, and it has disconcerted him greatly, I’m happy to say. Mrs. Leland has also been known to dabble in these, but for reasons I don’t know. She’s also a bidder, I believe. We are gathered, and tonight is not only our host’s anniversary but when the bids will be compared and perhaps a decision made — tomorrow at the latest. This all has relevance in regards to your introduction to Hugo.

“He was quite upset when he saw you. He takes his collection very seriously. It was as if his competition were right there before him. Coincidence is a very tricky business in their world. There are no coincidences. It’s what they believe. Synchronicity is everything to them. It’s very serious. It means other forces are at work…Was that a raindrop?”

“I believe it was, and there’s another. We best get back,” I said.

Elsa and I got up and began to walk toward the house.

“Now you understand better. As for that duel with your father,” Elsa said as we arrived at the french doors, “it’s a minor issue. There was no shame in it, and Hugo has every reason to appreciate its having taken place. He would never have enticed a goddess like me into marrying him without it. He has a brutal streak, which I consider quite delicious, but more importantly, as far as you’re concerned, he’s a strong man with principles, who possesses a sharp mind that can be reasoned with. We’ll find a way. Thank you for our walk. I’ll see you tonight, but one thing more: you’d better be sitting next to me at dinner. Synchronicity be damned. Just make sure of it. We’ll talk some more as to how to handle him.”

She gave me a kiss on both cheeks and strode into the drawing room.

It had just started to rain in earnest.