Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

  “Thank God,” he resumed. “she’s a very level-headed and smart young lady, who wouldn’t let the young man— Why do I always forget his name, when one hears so much of it lately?”

  “Philip Reinhardt,” Lotte intervened grandly and self-assuredly.

  “Aah, yes! Lovely Victoria wouldn’t let him get the best of her. Like my own daughter, she has her pride and virtue,” he stated firmly. “Surely she must also have heard of his unflattering reputation! A notorious womanizer! I must grant that the late architect Reinhardt was, despite his hatred towards the Prussians, a very respected man and quite different from most Viennese. I’ve only met him a few times, but had never personally talked with him. Our dislike for each other was apparently mutual, a very arrogant and egocentric man!”

  Lotte felt he gave quite an accurate description of himself, having a few more of his vices in mind. She, however, just asked rather critically, “How can that be? All the newspapers are full of his praise, particularly for his great contributions towards so many, and especially the needy!”

  “The Reinhardts may own the newspapers as well!” he interrupted dryly, and with a hint of with sarcasm, but would not be sidetracked from the real issue and subject at hand. “My daughter tells me he has never dated a girl more than a week or two, not wanting to be labeled as becoming serious with any one of them. And from what I know from a reliable source, there is quite an alarming friction within his own family, because of the lovely Victoria!” He continued then, with emphasis. “Now, she deserves better than that. In any case, how did Captain Kreibich put it? Oh yes! ‘She would just be one more mare in his big stable.’ He, along with us all, is very concerned!” he cackled nervously and devoured the last remaining morsel of bread, smacking with gusto.

  Lotte felt the uneasiness of him and his babbling and she wondered why he would take such a strong stand for her daughter. “Dear Ambassador! Just to pursue a Prussian girl in these hemispheres, I would think, does take a lot of courage and determination. And for the time being, they both seem to enjoy each other’s company and have a lot in common as far as culture is concerned! I, for one, will not interfere with any of my daughter’s friendships. And if this gives her only a few days of happiness, so be it. It will be well worth it!” Lotte got quite heated up and her motherly instincts did not let anyone meddle in her daughter’s affairs. She continued, therefore, just as sharply. “I know my daughter well enough to know that she will be able to deal with whatever pleasant or unpleasant circumstances might arise. This is her chance to find herself in the company of a young and handsome, as well as unpretentious, man! And as you yourself stated so eloquently, ‘a young man of a very prominent family.’”

  “He’s also rich, very rich, dear Countess! Enormously so. Almost sinful, if one considers all the poverty surrounding us,” he stated flatly and with obvious indifference.

  “Oh, Lord!” she thought. “And this from a miser like himself, who never even opens his purse to buy a slice of bread for a hungry soul!” She noticed he was still nervously searching for more to say that would justify the importance of their meeting, so he just prattled on. “It’s a pity, lovely Victoria is not a Viennese or he a German! No doubt that young man sees something in her he has never before encountered. We Prussians are very different from anyone else; frugal and disciplined for one thing! But above all, our enormous pride,” he stated, his chest protruding even more than usual.

  “Pride, Ambassador?” Lotte questioned, irritated, having read his mind in every detail. It was evident that the Kronthalers must have let something slip about her present situations, as well as the Reinhardt’s name and fortune in connection with Victoria, which was making him quite uncomfortable, if not downright jealous. One had to consider that he too had an eligible daughter. “With an almost completely mad husband in a clinic—God only knows for how long—a son shot in a duel over a concubine, and in the forefront a dreary future with a tiny pension, you mean to speak to me of pride?”

  This was not going the way he had aimed and he looked rather confused, not having expected that kind of answer. He felt the meeting had reached its high point and he, therefore, asked if he could take her home in his coach.

  “Thank you, but I believe I’ll stay and order myself a bite to eat now,” she smiled nonchalantly.

  His face took on an embarrassed, reddish color. In all his excitement, he had overlooked that she had been sitting there all this time with nothing more than a glass of water. But, being who he was, he still did not feel the need to apologize. “Coming back to pride, dear Countess,” He now tried to appease her. “to have the strength and ability to overcome all these years of suffering without giving anyone the slightest hint, is all the more reason to be proud! And that is what I was speaking of. That this lies in our Prussian heritage!”

  “Not to overlook the merciless training lessons I took over the past twenty-seven years of marriage! I would not recommend it too highly. Not to anyone!”

  “I was told about your unusual marriage by a mutual friend, who by the way, was just as dumbfounded as I, not to have ever noticed anything. And to think that I had always admired your harmonious family life!” He got up, shaking her hand. “Serve Countess von Wintersberg the very best you have and put it on my tab!” she heard him say on his way out, looking back and waving to her with a saddened look.

  “One goes and the other arrives. Good day, Countess von Wintersberg!” She looked up at Philip, who bowed slightly, asking, “May I sit with you? I presume you are not expecting anyone else.”

  Lotte still looked up at him in surprise. “What . . . how . . . why?”

  “How did I know? I could not help but overhear his invitation last night. So, I waited until I thought he had had enough time to have his second breakfast. And as to the why, I would like to tell you also.”

  “What luck that I did not leave with the Ambassador!”

  “I’ve become an expert in window watching lately and would have noticed.” He grinned widely, exposing his perfect white teeth as he ordered a late breakfast for the two of them.

  “I hope you are not in a terrible rush. At least not for an hour or two!” he pleaded lightheartedly.

  “To tell the truth,” she laughed. “I have more than that since my daughter has gone on an excursion to one of the newly-opened museums.”

  “Ah, yes, the Museum of Natural History has finally opened its doors. Some of us thought we’d never see the day.”

  “Alright, Mr. Reinhardt. What is it you would like to do within the next few hours?”

  He hesitated for a moment, but finally took heart and almost blurted out, “I thought we might visit Lambert’s jewelry store as that might be a splendid idea to fill some of the afternoon.” He was looking at her meaningfully.

  “You mean the Lambert’s? The one which serves the House of Habsburg?”

  He laughed. “Well, I suppose they do, but not exclusively! I believe they’ll also take my money and that of anyone who can afford their prices. Of course, they also offer the very best for it, I must admit! And since I am planning to get something very special . . . I am in fact looking to buy a ring for Victoria!” he confided joyfully. “And I need your help in choosing the right color and style.”

  “If you feel you want to make Victoria happy with a little present, why not try to find a brooch? I know she’s been looking for one to brighten up her black dress. She’s refused any of mine, which is understandable,” she smiled, looking at her plain pin.

  “I believe you misunderstood my purpose.” He hesitated again. “I mean to buy a ring. A special one, you understand? With which, I would like to ask for her hand in marriage. I hope you are not going to object!”

  “Does Victoria know of this?” she gulped, completely taken aback.

  “No, not yet. I thought I’d take her by surprise at our little get-together at Aunt Lillian’s. Maybe there she won’t be able to refuse me,” he sighed. “And while we’re on the subject, I hope that my di
sclosure to you will sway you to also attend.” He looked hopefully at her.

  “But of course, under these circumstances, I will naturally be there!”

  “This will give you a chance to get to know my father, who just returned last night. We talked until we both fell asleep!”

  “And how is he taking all this? Your decision is such a big step!”

  “Just like you, Countess. He’s still awestruck, although he has known of my feelings for Victoria for quite a long time. After all, I dated almost every available girl in Vienna before, which I certainly haven’t since meeting Victoria,” he confessed candidly.

  “And your mother?”

  “Oh, well, she’s mourning and pouting somewhat at the same time. Mourning for her father and pouting because of my future plans.”

  “Primarily because Victoria is a Prussian, I presume?” He nodded sadly. “Can you imagine what it will do to her, finding out that her future daughter-in-law’s father is going to end up in an asylum and that her brother was killed because of a duel over a prostitute? Not to mention the fact that I have nothing I can give her. No dowry. I suppose I could sell our small house in Berlin.”

  “Whatever for?”

  It became apparent to the Countess that neither money or possessions had never even entered into his thinking.

  “Mother will come around from her animosity towards Prussians as soon as she has had a chance to meet Victoria, and I bet she’ll come to love her, as anyone must who meets her!”

  The Countess was still not sure that she shared his optimism. “I feel saddened at the thought of my daughter being the cause of a family conflict. We have so much of it already ourselves.”

  “What is there to be worried or sad about? It’s I who wants to marry Victoria. If anything, I hope I don’t have to worry about her not accepting me!”

  The conversation was kept on a lighter subject as they arrived at the ground floor entrance of the elegant and fashionable shop, which imported only the finest fashions and creations of France, and of which his family had been clients. He pointed to a sign on the stately carved grand entrance door that read ‘By appointment only’. “Mother is completely taken with their dressmaker and would never even think of changing.”

  Lotte thanked her good intuition to have worn her best silk suit to meet the Ambassador. “Now it serves an even more important purpose,” she mused, ascending the few red-carpeted stairs leading to the jeweler. “I shall only speak French,” she whispered to Philip, overwhelmed by the luxury and splendor of the decor.

  “As you wish.”

  A liveried servant escorted them to the salon, in which the walls had been done in alternating faint to very deep green satin stripes. There were small, golden ornamental nooks that displayed an array of tastefully selected and arranged vases, urns, cachets, and boxes. “The display alone is just divine!” she thought, still in awe when two elegantly dressed gentlemen appeared and came, slightly bowing, towards them, indicating that they were at their disposal.

  Philip nodded slightly to them and introduced her nonchalantly. “This is Countess von Wintersberg,” which in turn brought only the slightest astonished look into their faces. It was, however, astonishment at the fact that a Reinhardt was actually using a title, not knowing that in doing this, he wanted to give Lotte a certain sense of status and also the suitable prominence, her being from Germany and the store dealing almost exclusively with nobility.

  “A red ruby, for an engagement ring?” The Lamberts, father and son, looked at each other mystified, not believing what they had been told.

  “Yes, gentlemen. I am well aware of diamonds. I’m also aware of your exquisite assortment of the colored variety. I am certain you shall have the pleasure of advising and serving my future wife. But minutes ago, I was told the lady loves red. And therefore, my first gift to her will be a perfect ruby!”

  They were quick to accommodate him, not wanting to affront him and have him take his business elsewhere. “That is a most wonderful way to look at it, Mr. Reinhardt,” they assured him. “Sorry that we seemed adamant in observing the traditional ways. However, may we still beg of you to discuss this beforehand with someone in your family?” The elder Lambert apologized sincerely. “Our reputation as Vienna’s most prestigious jewelers is at stake.” “Aside from our regular patrons at the court,” both Lamberts were secretly thinking.

  “Well, let’s see . . . Mother is in Salzburg, and Father’s judgment on matters like these is just as poor as mine! That will only leave my Aunt Lillian to confer with,” he smiled amused, as he considered her taste to extend only to horses.

  “She would be the perfect person to ask. She’s not only most knowledgeable in etiquette, but also where rare and precious stones are concerned, Mr. Reinhardt,” Lambert Junior assured sincerely as his gratified father returned with one of the servants, who was carrying a glass dome which held two beautiful pieces of ruby jewelry arranged on black velvet.

  “Both of the pieces can, of course, be purchased separately,” he stated simply. “This was a very special order we had the pleasure to make a few years ago. However, the client never redeemed it,” he added and examined the ring with an almost reverent look. “This is one of the rarest and finest rubies in the world, Mr. Reinhardt,” he proclaimed proudly. “and I don’t use this term lightly nor in exaggeration. It’s almost sixteen carats and a Mogok ruby!”

  “Burmese!” his son added. “And the diamonds on each side enhance the oblong shape.”

  “One of a kind!” father Lambert interposed.

  “It looks very beautiful to me. Do you think Victoria would like it, Countess?” Philip asked.

  “I only think. . . I need a chair!” Lotte stammered, shaking her head in disbelief. “Gentlemen! Mr. Reinhardt! I simply suggested a ruby brooch to adorn a plain black dress!”

  “She’ll have that also!” Philip jested with a wink and turned to the two elated Lamberts, noticing the other piece of jewelry. “Ah, and there it is! This looks like a lovely ruby brooch!”

  “Yes, it is! And a very special one too! It’s a Victorian style brooch-pendant.” The father smiled again. “Fashioned in eighteen carat gold, of course. And those little seed pearls that are arranged to form a little bouquet tell us that it can be worn not only during the day, but also at an evening affair.”

  “How very convenient to find a companion piece in a brooch, when one was searched for and needed so desperately,” Philip mentioned, with obvious pleasure in his voice. “And since I’m certain that it will not only be worn as a brooch, but also as a pendant, why not get a chain that will enhance it!”

  “My daughter has several,” Lotte squeezed in quickly, trying to halt this buying spree. Her knees were really getting wobbly now and she gratefully accepted the offered chair.

  “There is a chain that comes with it already, Mr. Reinhardt, Madame. It was hidden underneath.”

  “Perfect! Then it’s done! I’ll take everything as it is,” Philip laughed happily, not even having asked how much everything would be.

  All three men smiled at each other, only father Lambent noticing Lotte’s obvious discomfort. “A little refreshment perhaps, Countess von Wintersberg?” he offered.

  “I don’t believe we have time right now. We’re having coffee at the Sacher in a bit,” Philip intervened, writing out a money transfer as well as giving the order to have the jewelry delivered to Lillian Essler, promptly.

  “I love your cache pots! I’d never expected to see them in a jewelry store,” Lotte commented, having finally gained back her composure, knowing that they were going to Sacher’s. If there was anything at the moment she needed, it was a good strong cup of coffee.

  “We pride ourselves on having the best,” the son said with a gleam at her interest.

  “This is in such perfect harmony between Far East and the West! The bronze mounts are positively Louis XV!” Lotte admired. “And the blue hues are superb.”

  “Oh yes, Countess. It is one of o
ur finest pieces. Are you by any chance from Alsace Lorraine? I’m mostly referring to your accent, if I may be so frank as to ask?”

  Lotte smiled, pleased, when Philip interceded. “The Countess is from Germany. But she does come from a long line of diplomats and is also the wife of one and has traveled quite extensively.”

  “And along the way, I have probably acquired an accent! With our children, however, we have conversed mostly in French.”

  “As have we. In any case, your perception in recognizing rare antiques is spectacular,” the elder Lambert assured, after having discussed with her a few more of their priceless treasures which also included an exquisite Russian chandelier and his favorite piece, a Chinese punch bowl in a Mandarin design.

  “I shall be by again, gentlemen,” Lotte commented, linking her arm into Philip’s, already having made up her mind to buy him one of the best Swiss-made watches that had caught her eye while pretending to look at a pearl brooch for herself.

  ∼

  “Philip! My dear child, Philip!” Lillian implored. “You may know everything about women, and yes, I love your selection of the beautiful ring and the gorgeous brooch! And would have probably bought it myself at any cost—”

  “But? I can hear a ‘but’ in your voice, Aunt Lillian.”

  “But not as an engagement ring!” Philip looked at her in disappointment, in his mind already racing back to Lamberts. “Come with me and hear me out,” she beckoned fondly and took his hand, walking into her dressing room. She went to her tall rosewood jewelry chest and removed several of the velvet-lined, adorned drawers that she displayed on a table in front of him. “Since we already know all about rubies, let’s look at some rarities in diamonds. Although they now belong to me, they are from the Reinhardts’ very own collection!” she declared happily. “Your great grandmother’s. I’m really sorry you were too young to remember her,” she sighed.