Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 19: New Year's Eve

It was finally New Year's Eve: the last day of the year 1850. The entire Rakoczy household was busy preparing for that evening's ball. The maids ran around dusting all the furniture, sweeping the floors, airing out the manor, polishing the silver and fluffing all the pillows until everything looked spic-and-span. Meanwhile, the cook was in a tizzy in the kitchen. She had three extra helpers for the occasion, since there would be around one hundred hungry guests to feed. The heavenly aroma of freshly baked goods and roasting meats was making everybody's mouths water. The cook had to scold Old Count Rakoczy as he snuck into the kitchen and tried to sample some of the delightful dishes being prepared.

"No, Master Rakoczy," she slapped his wrist playfully. "This is for the guests!"

"But I just want one bite," the old man protested, but retreated upon seeing the cook's stern expression. "Alright, alright... I'll leave." He still managed to steal a fresh roll and put it in his pocket.

While some of the servants were outside shoveling snow and sweeping the courtyards and paths around the manor, others were busy inside, decorating the grand ballroom by hanging silver and gold tinsel garlands along the walls. The music room was connected to the ballroom by two sets of double doors that were propped open. That way, the hired orchestra could play in there, leaving the entire ballroom to the dancers. The two pianos were arranged side by side but facing in opposite directions. A number of folding chairs were stacked up against the walls of the music room. They would later be set up for the audience, just prior to the dueling pianos performance.

Erzy and Judith strolled around, giving instructions where they were needed and praising what they considered good work.

"This is going to look fantastic," Erzy clapped her hands upon entering the ballroom.

The wood floor was polished and all the rugs had been removed. In addition to the two large crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, several tall freestanding gold candelabra were positioned at equal intervals around the periphery of the room to provide plenty of light. The windows were freshly washed and almost sparkled. Along the walls, the servants placed several groups of chairs and little tables to provide the guests with seating areas.

In the dining room, the long table had been completely removed. Instead, the entire place was set up buffet-style. Each counter had its special designation: one for cheeses and fruits, one for baked goods, one for various meats and cold cuts, one for soups and sauces, and one for desserts. Five servants would act as sommeliers providing a variety of beverages to the guests.

While Nina, Petra and the twins were running around the entire manor laughing and exclaiming with delight, Peter needed a break from all the clamor. He took Lisbeth for a quiet walk through the garden. Although it was winter and no flowers bloomed, the holly berry bushes looked festive laden with their tiny red fruits, as did the evergreen topiary animals that were decorated with shiny tinsel. The day was cold but sunny, and the forecast was for a clear, starry night.

Peter and Lisbeth strolled arm in arm, enjoying the weak sunlight. Since their first night together, Lisbeth had snuck into Peter's bedroom every consecutive evening. They spent almost the entire time making love and finding new ways of pleasuring each other. During the day, they rode in the two person sleigh and explored the surrounding areas. Lisbeth avoided Nina's questioning eyes as much as possible, but she was convinced that her friend had figured out what was going on. Luckily, Nina didn't share that knowledge with anyone else... as far as Lisbeth knew. As for the rest of the family, if they knew anything, they kept it to themselves.

"I can't wait for tonight," Lisbeth smiled as she squeezed Peter's arm.

"Me neither," Peter agreed. "The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the dueling piano recital with my brother."