Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 28: Drogo Meets Lawrence

The next few days passed uneventfully.  Viktor was gone from dawn until dusk, busy with work.  Nicolae often accompanied him. Peter practically locked himself in the music room to finish composing the nocturne he had started.  Drogo kept his distance and made himself scarce — to Josette's relief... and disappointment.  She wondered where he went, and naturally could only assume that he was out chasing after innocent young women.  The thought made her jealous, despite the fact she knew it was for the best.  Bartholy Manor was lonely without the men, especially at meal times, when Josette dined solely in the company of her daughter. 

The only constant presence in the house was Ana, the maid, who wasn't much of a conversationalist. In fact, both Lorie and Josette found her rather odd.  Ana was awfully quiet and reserved, yet managed to suddenly appear out of nowhere, startling the two newcomers when they least expected it.  Neither one of them could figure out how old Ana was.  She looked like she could be anywhere from thirty to fifty.  Lorie made it a game of guessing the maid's real age.  Both she and Josette felt like Ana was always watching them... perhaps even spying on them.  But when they tried to get to know her better, Ana immediately withdrew.  They attributed her awkwardness mainly to being a foreigner.  Apparently, Viktor had brought Ana from Romania, where she had served him for many years.  While she was doggedly loyal to her master, Ana didn't seem to trust anybody else, including his three sons.  Josette found it difficult to communicate with her because Ana wasn't fluent in languages other than Romanian and Hungarian.  She managed to speak a little broken German, but was far from being able to hold an entire conversation in it.  Josette hoped that once she married Viktor, she could hire someone more to her liking.  But for now, she was stuck with his surly maid.

Josette felt melancholy and lonely at first, but decided to make the best of the situation.  She started taking Lorie on long walks to further explore Vienna on foot.  They discovered new restaurants and cafes, as well as the best places to shop for toys and new clothes.  Viktor gave Josette unlimited funds, so she updated her daughter's wardrobe along with her own.  They often bought outfits that were similar and enjoyed dressing alike, despite Drogo's snide remarks.

"You two look like Tweedledum and Tweedledee... only in pink," he remarked one morning as they passed by him on their way out.

"Said the albino giraffe," Lorie quickly retorted.

"Good one," Drogo snickered.  "Where are you two off to?  To spend more of Father's money?  Or to meet another old boyfriend, perhaps?"

Josette stopped in her tracks and faced him.  "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh... you know," Drogo said.  "Another Larry or whatever his name is..."

"His name is Lawrence Danville.  And for your information, he is married and has a child," Josette said firmly. 

"Just one?"  Drogo arched an eyebrow and glanced at Lorie, who luckily was turned the other way.

Josette turned scarlet with fury and embarrassment.  "I suggest you keep such comments to yourself," she told Drogo, poking him in the chest with a finger.

"Ouch, it seems I hit a nerve," he sneered. 

"Lorie, come, let's go," Josette grabbed her daughter's hand and pulled her out the front door.  She then slammed it behind them.

"Nice going, little brother," Nicolae clapped his hands sarcastically.  "You really know how to make a person feel good."

"So you think it's true?"  Drogo gazed at the older vampire insolently.

Nicolae shrugged and started to walk away, muttering: "Viktor certainly does."

"What did he say?  Tell me!"  Drogo grabbed Nicolae's arm to stop him from leaving the room.