Chapter 73

Breakfast was a subdued affair other than perhaps for Bruni and myself. She glowed beside me, radiating a happiness that was as fresh and full of promise as the morning that lay outside the curtains. The rest of the dining room was dark in comparison. The curtains were shut to hide the damage of last night’s storm, but other than that, there was no indication that something untoward had happened.

John and Anne read the paper, as did the baron. Elsa looked at something far away as she sipped her coffee. I noted a raised eyebrow when she looked at her daughter as she sat down. Bruni’s radiance didn’t seem to bother Elsa, other than put a smile on her face before she went into her morning trance. Maw sat next to Johnny. He asked her a question in a whisper that I hoped was to arrange to speak with her. She seemed quite eager and nodded with some enthusiasm, although it might have been that he asked if she wished for him to pass the toast. I could not tell. He did pass the silver toast holder. Stanley and crew glided in and out. Bruni asked for seconds, which caused a mild stir. Other than that, the meal proceeded at a regular pace. Malcolm looked strangely pleased and gave me a wink for what reason I could not fathom. The meal passed with hardly a word spoken. I did yelp once when Bruni grabbed my leg.

The end of the meal was signaled when John Senior rose and walked out. He’d said not one word to anyone the entire time. I was not relishing my coming meeting, when Elsa slipped up beside me and whispered, “I’m very happy for you two.” She kissed me on the cheek and patted my arm. She did the same to Bruni.

Bruni took me outside via the drawing room doors. The morning light was bright, the grass wet, and no cloud marred the sky’s perfection.

She marveled at the day. “Mother gave us her unqualified blessing.”

“I noticed that.”

“We’re embarked on an adventure. I’m excited and more alive than I’ve been in a long time.”

“I’m happy for you. I feel the same. Even my meeting does not seem so foreboding with you here, but I’m concerned about it nonetheless. John looked singularly bleak.”

“John is in a dark state.”

I looked into the distance and noticed that Maw, Johnny, and Robert were headed in the direction of the river along the access road. Johnny was not letting any moss grow on his desire to have it out with Maw. I would have loved to listen in on that conversation. Maw was a genius in her field, but Johnny was as well. He was her descendant, and I believed that attributes often skipped generations. They were evenly matched, although I figured the odds favored Johnny, in that he had moral rightness on his side, and he had the look. When Johnny had it on, he was not to be trifled with. He could talk anyone into or out of anything.

“Are you thinking about your meeting?” asked Bruni as she walked beside me holding on to my left arm with two hands. She had noticed that my attention had wandered.

“No, I was observing another.” I pointed in Maw’s direction.

Bruni looked up and briefly shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand. “Johnny and his grandmother?”

“Yes, and Johnny had the look this morning.”

“What’s the look?”

“Imagine a brilliant mind focused for a brief period on a single objective, willing to do whatever is necessary with no reservations whatsoever. Johnny raises himself to that status on rare occasions, but when he does, look out. He is right now doing the sales presentation of his life. He wants to close Mrs. Leland for a very large sum of money.”

“I like that. Do you think he has a chance?”

“Better than fifty-fifty. I’ve watched him over the years. His genius is remarkable. All my life I’ve been in awe of his skill at persuasion. It’s gotten us into and out of trouble more times than I can count. I’m a feeble flame in comparison. When he burns bright, he’s like a small sun.”

“You admire him.”

“Tremendously. We had a parting of the ways a time back, but we’ve settled that. Mrs. Leland was the cause, and Johnny is determined to make her pay for that crime.”

“You’re lucky to have such a friend. I have very few. You make that list and so do my parents.”

“You’ve more than I do. I have two. Johnny and you. I have hopes for three or four more.”

“Who, may I ask?”

“Your parents. They are quite outstanding. Bonnie will be one and Stanley too. So, four more.”

“My parents are worthy of that. Most children have trouble with their folks. I never had any, other than being headstrong on occasion and incurring their wrath, but those moments were few. My childhood was not always happy, but overall, it was wonderful because of them. Bonnie I’m not so sure about. She makes me a little jealous.”

“Really?”

“Speaking of looks. Women have them, and when it comes to you, I get upset if I see it on their faces. Bonnie had it.”

“You needn’t worry. Bonnie says that’s off the table, and she means it. At the same time, she wants me involved in her business, which would be an opportunity. You’ll be part of that. I’m likely on dangerous ground in saying that I think she has exceptional qualities. She’ll be an ally to both of us, and a worthy one at that.”

“You have a knack for stepping onto dangerous ground.”

“I do, but you needn’t worry.”

“Even with your father’s reputation?”

“Even with my father’s reputation.” I stopped her and held her. I took her face in my hands. “You are more than enough for me. I am a moth, and you are a flame.”

“What about when I grow old?”

“Have you seen your mother lately?”

“You really do know how to put your foot in it, don’t you?”

“I suppose I just did, but it proves my point. You’ll always melt men’s hearts and drive them mad for a very long time. Mine right along with them. I can’t prevent that, but you are who you are.”

“I suppose I’m assuaged, but you do need lessons in handling me. I suppose I’ll have to teach you. I hope you’re a good student.”

“Very good.”

Bruni turned and faced the house. “Which room will we live in?”

“Alice’s.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very. I asked her permission years and years ago one afternoon. I told her that I liked her apartment and asked her if I could live in it. She said yes, one day, and changed the subject.”

“You think she was a seer?”

“I think she was. She had a gift. Stanley thinks so and so does Dagmar.”

Bruni walked a few steps with me and said, “One of the reasons I asked about which room you would take has to do with Johnny’s parents. Perhaps they think you’ll kick them out?”

“They might think that, but I won’t. They can have the master bedroom for the rest of their lives. I could not live in it. It would feel like I was trespassing in my own house.”

“You’re smarter than you look, and you’re very good-looking.”

I kissed her. “So are you. What can you advise me about the meeting, since you’re probably pretty good in that department?”

“Know your agenda and keep to it is my first rule. Speak less and listen more is the second. Lastly, get it in writing before you leave, if it involves a decision or an agreement. That pretty much sums it up. Do you know what you want? That will determine your agenda. Others have theirs, which is why you have to listen for what is important to them. Once you know their key issues, the negotiation starts. Give away what’s not important, like the bedroom. Hold on to what is necessary with determination. Use your head, not your heart.”

“Clever and wise.”

“I am. How about we go inside? You should change into something more formal, a business suit. Bring a briefcase. It intimidates.”