Of course, the crime was shocking news, but nothing in the immediate aftermath suggested that further violence was inevitable. King George V offered seven days of mourning by the British court. Czar Nicholas II of Russia outdid Great Britain by declaring a mourning period of twelve days. And President Wilson of the United States cabled official sympathies.
The Serbians had immediately set themselves to the task of investigating and interrogating the conspirators, but their efforts were badly mishandled. The conspirators changed their stories, which caused a great deal of confusion. But finally the last of the culprits broke down and revealed the existence of a large terrorist organization in Serbia called the Black Hand.
Friedrich von Wiesner of Austria was dispatched to Sarajevo to see what could be uncovered. His findings—whether true or not—were that the Serbian government was involved in the plot. Still, most European capitals continued to concern themselves very little with what was considered another Balkan conflict. Stress of that kind had been going on since 1912. No major crisis would grow out of the affair. But tension between Serbia and Austria intensified. In order to soothe Austria and play down the situation, which was becoming incendiary, the Serbian government forbade public assemblies, closed all theaters and dance halls, but made no attempt to censure the national press that raged against Austria. Austrian newspapers were no less violent in attacking Serbia.
On July 19, the Austrian council met in secret and decided that Serbia would have to be beaten into the dust. Austria demanded that the Serbian government formally condemn all anti-Austrian propaganda, expel from office anyone fomenting it and accept unequivocally the complete collaboration of Austrian agents on Serbian soil in the suppression of such propaganda. Belgrade was given forty-eight hours to comply or capitulate. The Serbian cabinet frantically contacted the Regent, Prince Alexander, to appeal for help from Czar Nicholas II. The answer was immediate: should Serbia be attacked, Russia would come to her aid at once.
Meanwhile, Vienna sent a secret communiqué to Kaiser Wilhelm II: If Serbia didn’t comply with Austria’s demands, could she count on Germany to sustain her as an ally? Germany’s reply was an unequivocal yes.
Publication of the ultimatum was followed by two massive mobilizations. The Russian and German armies were ready. A shock wave was spreading across an unsuspecting Europe.
Rubin tried to absorb the latest developments. Wouldn’t France have to take a stand, since France had an alliance with Russia? Germany had been hell-bent for some time on expansion, and her navy had already grown to greater proportions than Great Britain was comfortable with. Would Germany cross the borders into France? Would England feel compelled to aid her neighbor? The English navy lay off the coast of France, which placed Great Britain in a very awkward position.
Rubin sighed deeply, got up and poured himself a brandy. His own problems paled in the light of all these events. But if … and, dear God, it could only be conjecture … if England became involved, what would happen to Magda? He would have to enlist, and then she would be alone in a foreign country without a friend. …But why are you worrying, Rubin …Your imagination is working overtime …This whole mess will probably be over tomorrow. …
But something kept nudging him, and his anxiety persisted. It would not be dismissed lightly. And suddenly he thought of someone else who was vulnerable. Solange … Even if his fears were groundless, it would be good to see her. And if war did come, Solange would be here to look after Magda. Yes, he would insist that she come.
He went in to see Magda. She was studying a decorating magazine.
“Darling … I’ve been thinking,” he said.
“Yes?” She had found an especially attractive fabric for the drawing room draperies.
“It might be good to ask Solange to come over for a while.”
Magda froze. Why did Rubin want Solange in London? Wasn’t she capable of standing alone, without the help of a countess? Did Rubin think she still needed her? Suddenly she felt the old insecurity about herself, and very angry. But just as quickly she checked her impulse to strike back, to blurt out her thoughts. Quietly she answered, “That would be a nice gesture, Rubin … after the flat is finished. The last of the furniture will be delivered tomorrow, and we’re moving on August first. I want it to be perfect … and then we’ll ask her.”
“Solange won’t mind if—”
“I’m not thinking of what she’d mind … I want to have our home looking proper before we entertain.”
Rubin knew she was annoyed. The careful cadence of her speech made that clear enough, and, thinking about it, he understood why …He’d bring it up again in a couple of weeks, he thought, when the apartment was further along.
Suddenly, Magda realized that Solange in London was indeed something to think about …Solange could be a great asset to her …Why didn’t I think of it sooner? Solange can bring me the kind of prestige the Hacks will acknowledge. …The niece of a countess …The English love titles. …
The idea was sheer genius.
“You’re perfectly right, Rubin. I think we should ask her right away. You’re very generous to think of it. I’m sorry not to have understood right away … of course I need a friend like Solange. …You’ll phone her then?”
“First thing tomorrow.”
Magda put her head against Rubin’s shoulder. “I love Solange … in spite of the fact she said you’d never marry me.”
“Solange didn’t know how much I love you.”
“No … but I did … I’m the smartest of the three.” She gently nibbled his earlobe.
“Smartest, and prettiest. An unbeatable combination …Now get that pile of magazines off the bed.”
Undressing quickly, he got into bed and waited for her. She joined him, pressing her body against his. She felt Rubin grow harder and larger and spread her legs to receive him.
There was no such thing as war, not tonight … not now …With an intensity that startled her, he said, “There’s only you, only Magda.”
Buy The Days of Winter Now!
About the Author
Cynthia Freeman (1915–1988) was the author of multiple bestselling novels, including Come Pour the Wine, No Time for Tears, and The Last Princess. Her novels sold more than twenty million copies worldwide. Born in New York City’s Lower East Side, she moved as a young child with her family to Northern California, where she grew up. She fell in love with and married her grandmother’s physician. After raising a family and becoming a successful interior decorator, a chronic illness forced her to adopt a more sedentary lifestyle. At the age of fifty-five, she began her literary career with the publication of A World Full of Strangers. Her love of San Francisco and her Jewish heritage drove her to write novels with the universal themes of survival, love, hate, self-discovery, joy, and pain, conveying the author’s steadfast belief in the ability of the human spirit to triumph over life’s sorrows.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1986 by Cynthia Freeman
Cover design by Mimi Bark
978-1-4804-3569-8
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Seasons of the Heart Page 44