Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 25: A Hateful Face from the Past

While Drogo was busily plotting at home, Josette and Lorie were being shown around Vienna by Nicolae and Peter.  Built along the Danube River, Austria's capital was considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.  Since that October morning was cool but sunny, Nicolae opted to take an open horse-drawn carriage.  He pointed out that Vienna could also be toured via trams that glided over electric tracks - a fairly new mode of transportation that exemplified Austria's avant-garde technology.

However, Nicolae wanted to show the ladies all the sights at a leisurely pace.  He instructed the carriage driver to take the most scenic route.  The driver obliged and drove them along the Ringstrasse - a masterpiece of urban planning and Vienna's principal boulevard.  Stretching over 5 kilometers, the Ringstrasse was lined with some of Austria's most prestigious buildings.  Along the way, they passed by the Imperial Palace, City Hall, Parliament, as well as several museums, parks and gardens.

Josette and Lorie marveled at the beauty of the city, its large and spacious roads and, of course, its breathtaking architecture. 

"I love it here, Maman," Lorie said excitedly.  "It's so pretty!"

"Indeed, it is," Josette agreed.

"So... you aren't too disappointed to have left Paris?"  Nicolae arched an eyebrow.

"I think we will adapt just fine," Josette answered.

"Have you given your career any further thought?"  Nicolae asked.

Josette sighed.  "Yes... but I don't truly know how I feel about returning to singing."

Peter quickly interceded.  "But surely you cannot give it up!  You are exceptional at it."

Lorie interrupted them all.  "What do you mean?  Maman doesn't work!  She stays at home with me."

The adults chuckled, making Lorie narrow her eyes.  "What's so funny?"

Josette placed a hand over Lorie's tiny one.  "Nothing, cherie... I used to be an opera singer before I had you."

"You were?"  Lorie's eyes widened.  "Were you famous?"

Peter answered:  "Yes.  Your mother was one of the best sopranos in Paris."

"What's a soprano?"  Lorie asked.

"It's a type of voice," Peter explained.  "A high woman's voice."

Lorie sat quietly, considering this new information.  After a while, she asked:  "How come you don't sing at the opera anymore, Maman?"

"Because I wanted to spend all of my time with you, my darling," Josette answered.

"So now... you don't want to anymore?"  Lorie asked dejectedly.

"When did I say that?"  Josette raised her eyebrows. 

"It's just that... Nicolae and Peter think you should go back to work," Lorie clarified.

"Well," Josette reassured her, "...I believe that decision is entirely up to me."

"I suppose there's no need to make our final stop then," Peter muttered sadly.

"Why not?  What's our last stop?"  Lorie turned and faced him.

"The Vienna State Opera," Peter glanced in Josette's direction, wanting to see her reaction.

Josette quickly looked at him.  "The Opera House?  But I'd love to see it."

"I was going to take you both inside.  Josette, I'd like to introduce you to the Director, Herr Schiller... if we happen to run into him," Peter continued.  "But now...," he didn't finish his sentence.

"Wait a minute," Josette said.  "I never said I didn't want to see the opera... and I'd love to meet the director."

"But Maman," Lorie complained.  "I'm really hungry... and thirsty.  Could we stop and have lunch first?"

Josette turned toward Nicolae.  "What do you think?  I could use a little snack myself."

Nicolae and Peter quickly exchanged glances. Peter nodded almost imperceptibly, and Nicolae spoke:  "Yes.  We should definitely stop.  It's after two. You must be famished."

He then instructed the driver to take them to the Figlemuller, a world famous restaurant and one of Emperor Franz Joseph's favorite places to dine.

"They serve the best Wiener schnitzel in the world there," Peter informed Josette.

"Yummy," Lorie happily clapped her hands together.

The driver stopped on a side street and began letting them all out.  As he was about to step out of the carriage, Peter checked his pocket watch.  He suddenly slapped his forehead theatrically and exclaimed:

"Oh no!  Nicolae!  We almost forgot!  We promised our good friend Johanes we would meet him today!"

"You're right!" Nicolae shook his head dejectedly.  "How could we be so stupid?"

"Can't you cancel it?"  Josette asked.

"I'm afraid not," Peter answered.  "You see, it's Johanes' birthday.  We made plans several weeks ago. Johanes would be deeply offended if we skipped it."

"We could go with you," Lorie suggested.

"No... that's alright," Peter said.  "We are gathering at a gentlemen's club.  Plus, we wouldn't want you to miss out on this incredible place," he pointed at the gilded restaurant sign.

"I'm afraid Peter's right," Nicolae interjected.  "Please accept our apologies, Josette," he held a hand over his heart.

"So... how will we get back home?"  Josette looked around, feeling a bit lost.

"We can come back and pick you up right here in... let's say two hours?"  Nicolae offered.  "That should give you plenty of time to eat."

"Very well," Josette agreed, having no alternative.  "Luckily, my German is not that terrible.  I think I can manage on my own."

"Enjoy the schnitzel," Peter told Lorie.  "And make sure you order apple strudel for dessert."

And with that, Peter and Nicolae hopped back into the carriage and took off. 

"Come Lorelei," Josette took her daughter's hand in hers.  "Let's go have lunch."

Josette requested a table by the window, so they could watch the people passing by.  She ordered Wiener schnitzel and mashed potatoes for both of them, as well as elderflower lemonade.

Lorie looked around excitedly.

"Maman... I'm happy we get to spend some time together, just the two of us," she told Josette.

"Me too, ma petite," Josette answered with a smile.

"What's a gentlemen's club?"  Lorie was very inquisitive.

"It's a place where only men can enter," her mother explained. 

"Oh," Lorie sighed.  "That must be very boring!"

Josette laughed.  "I believe you are right, my sweet."

They were both enjoying sipping their elderflower lemonades, when Lorie suddenly noticed her mother's expression darken.  Josette quickly blinked and turned her face toward the window.  She looked clearly uncomfortable.

"Maman, what is it?"  Lorie asked.  "Are you alright?"

Josette didn't answer.  Because, truthfully, she was not alright.  Not after spotting the small group seated a several tables away from them.  Lorie turned around, trying to see what caused her mother's sudden misery.  All she saw were other people having lunch... nothing out of the ordinary.

"Do you see someone you know?"  Lorie was curiously scanning each table.

"Someone I used to know... a long time ago," Josette whispered.

She couldn't tell Lorie the whole truth.  Just a few feet away, enjoying a nice family lunch, was Lord Lawrence Danville.  His wife, Anne, was seated by his side.  Next to her was a young boy wearing a sailor suit and a straw hat:  he was none other than Lorie's half brother.