Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 29: The Calm Before the Storm

Josette and Lorie returned in the late afternoon, laden with shopping bags. They had lunched at a restaurant specializing in Italian food and felt extra full and tired.

"Do you think anybody's home?" Lorie asked.

Josette shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows? Probably Peter."

"I'm going to find him and show him what we bought," Lorie took off at a gallop toward the music room, forgetting all about her earlier complaints of being exhausted.

"Lorie! Make sure you aren't disturbing him!" Josette called after her daughter, to no avail. Lorie was already gone.

Josette took off her hat and coat and rang the bell. Ana promptly appeared, looking somber as always.

"Madame?" The maid asked.

Josette pointed toward the pile of bags on the floor. "Please take these upstairs," she gestured with her hand to get her point across.

Ana nodded and picked the bags up. She then proceeded to take them to Josette's bedroom. Josette headed for the study. She wanted to relax with a book. To her surprise, when she opened the door, she spotted Nicolae seated by the window.

"Oh," Josette exclaimed. "You're home. I didn't think anyone was here."

Nicolae smiled and set the book he was reading down. "I decided to take the day off from work. It can be so tedious at times."

"I wish I had known," Josette replied. "You could've come with us on our little expedition."

Nicolae shook his head, an amused glimmer in his eyes. "No, thank you. I don't think I could've kept up with you two ladies. I just wanted a quiet morning and some time to catch up on my reading."

Josette plopped down into an armchair across from Nicolae, and sighed.

"Tired?" Nicolae raised his eyebrows.

"Uh-huh," Josette yawned and stretched her arms over her head. "Shopping can be exhausting. Especially when you have Lorie as a companion."

"She certainly is full of energy," Nicolae agreed. "Where is the little imp now?"

"In the music room... bothering Peter," Josette answered.

"I take it you already had lunch," Nicolae casually remarked.

"Yes! We found a lovely Italian restaurant. I'm afraid we both overdid it! Their pasta was to die for," Josette patted her stomach. "I hope my clothes will still fit me!"

"I'm sure they will," Nicolae said. "You've been walking all over Vienna, so I doubt you've gained even one ounce!"

"I suppose that's true," Josette sighed. "Are your father and brother home too?"

"No. Father has a bunch of meetings today," Nicolae replied. "As for Drogo... I have no idea where he is."

"I see," Josette sounded disappointed.

Nicolae observed her closely for a while. "You're bored, aren't you?" He finally asked.

"Not bored... just lonely," Josette murmured. "I hardly ever see Viktor." She gazed at Nicolae with her big hazel eyes. "Is this how life will always be around here?"

Nicolae looked away. "I wish I could tell you otherwise... but yes. I'm afraid Father is a workaholic."

Josette sighed. "He never stops... not even on the weekends... I sometimes wonder why he wanted to remarry..."

"Father loves you dearly, Josette," Nicolae reassured her. "I've never seen him so taken with anyone as he is with you. And I know he loves Lorie as though she was his own."