Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Page 21
It was like a tonic to watch their behavior towards each other and towards the strangers who destroyed the little girl’s castle. Paul felt it was his best day since his ill-fated honeymoon to Irene Haas. While in general counting the days for a return to Vienna, this time he wished for one day longer to watch the little girl rebuild again, while looking at her beautiful mother. But the next morning he would be on the train and he hated the thought of being close to Irene in a first-class compartment. Today, Irene was in Lugano, while Paul decided on Locarno, having enjoyed it the previous day. Unless there was an obligation to fulfill, each went his own way. He kept the promise never to touch her and she did whatever she wished.
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Paris was her goal again and since she had permission to do as she pleased, she would take plenty of advantage. She longed for Philip, who counted the days for her return. So far, Victoria never gave Philip’s glances towards Irene another thought. After all, he had to prove himself daily that he was still desirable, and in Irene he had found the perfect partner to make love and he was not willing to let her go.
Paul only cared that his mother never found out and Irene was just as adamant about her father. They just would go on pretending until the right time presented itself. Paul only agreed to an annulment and that takes six to seven years. She would occupy the left wing of the castle in Lindenfels, and he would have the rest of it. Their servants would neither care nor utter a word for fear of losing their well-paid and comfortable positions. Time would tell. It has always a way of working things out. Thank God he was very busy with his two factories, and he doubted that his father would ever visit as often as previously, but he would have to have a talk with him in the presence of Irene. He thought of so many things on the train while sitting, unfortunately, across from Irene.
“How will you explain to your mother that I am ‘Mrs. Irene’ and not ‘Reinhardt’?”
“To avoid confusion.”
“Ha! Erika is addressed as Frau Doctor, so where is the confusion? Both live in the palace. And I already observed she doesn’t like me; neither does your sister Gisela or her husband?” He never gave her an answer, only partly listening to her endless chatter. His thoughts were still on the beach in Locarno with mother and daughter. He felt very guilty about it, as the mother wore the widest wedding band he had ever seen.
Still in front of his mind was how fast she put a flowered wrap-around dress on, with her daughter wearing an identical one. They went to meet the French people who invited them for ice cream. That same evening, he walked around Locarno, hoping to see them again, but it was in vain. Here he was, just married, after falling deeply in love with Irene, and now he hated her. And now he had fallen for a beautiful woman who was not only married, but had a child. He felt as low and cheap as he had ever felt and sincerely hoped his thoughts would leave him by the time he arrived home and went back to work, as lots of changes were awaiting him.
Philip Reinhardt and Alfred Haas were at the train station waiting for their arrival. He knew at once that his father came only after a sort of friendly persuasion from her father, whom he considered a very fine man. Both got along splendidly. What a pity his daughter and Paul couldn’t do the same.
There were lots of embraces between Irene and her father, and Alfred Haas never noticed how cool Paul and his father were. Philip took all to Lindenfels to show the proud father his daughter’s new castle. They left shortly after to leave the tired newlyweds to themselves. Paul lost no time in showing to Irene her wing. He chose her servants and told all of them to address her as Mrs. Irene. They bowed slightly but knew immediately that something was very wrong. Irene, who was raised with servants, had not the slightest trouble in taking over and commanding. She was kind, but she promised herself that she would earn their respect. No one talked, but everyone whispered when Paul decided to take the right wing, which was always his to begin with. As far as he was concerned, things were settled.
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His father was in the factory by the time Paul arrived. Philip told him that besides the factories, his money from several banks was, with the help of Wilands, also in his and the company’s name. He would never again bother Paul unless it was urgent business. Paul only nodded and replied, “I have been well trained to carry the burden. However, should there be some question in the future, I will call on you.” Not another word was spoken. “He can have his Irene back at any time,” Paul thought, but refrained from telling him. Those two would carry on their escapades no matter what. He hated himself for his strong desire to see the Swiss mother and her sweet little daughter again and wished once more, with all his heart, that his thoughts would disappear.
∼
The following day, Irene was in Philip’s ‘House of Lust’ making passionate love as before. While having a drink on the balcony, she told him of her so-called honeymoon and Paul’s own law for their marriage.
“I worried about it more than you will ever know, dearest Irene. That altar boy of mine should have entered the priesthood a long time ago. There was even a time when I thought he loved men. I was so relieved when he started to fall for you, but look what happened. Now that he mentioned an annulment… Oh God, if I only were younger… I would never hesitate to ask Victoria for a divorce.”
“A woman like her would never give you one.”
“I just wonder how long it will be before you fall in love with someone else. That’s my biggest worry.”
“Don’t talk so foolishly, Philip. It hurts that you even entertain such a thought.”
“Honest?”
“Of course. I enjoy our setup.” And back to the bedroom they went.
∼
Summer came. The Reinhardts went to Salzburg, taking Irene along without Paul, who had an enormous workload as unemployment was almost out of control. Every morning, he encountered long lines in front of his factories for any kind of work. There was none. Peter stayed only two weeks in Salzburg, but told Erika to stay longer as his mother felt so lonely without her. Rupert and Gisela were just told they would be parents again. Their third child would be due in January. Like Peter and Erika, they were still on their honeymoon, happily married.
By now, they all knew that Paul’s marriage was a big mistake. They felt sorry for Paul, who visited his sister and brother alone or with his mother, who still had not the slightest idea about her husband and Irene’s affair. Neither had Alfred Haas, who spent many afternoons at the Reinhardts’ castle, giving the impression that he thoroughly enjoyed the marriage between a Haas and a Reinhardt.
While on her lonely honeymoon in Paris at the luxurious hotel, Prince de Galles, Irene met an Austrian businessman, who claimed to be legally separated and lived near Vienna, owning a hotel in the spa city of Baden. Since her return from Locarno, she had met the man a few times secretly while still carrying on the affair with Philip. They wrote each other frequently and, at the beginning of October, she became reckless. Philip felt that she had taken another, possibly younger, lover and when being confronted by him, she had the courage to admit it, claiming their love affair was going nowhere and her new lover was at least separated, had no children, and would ask his wife for a divorce. Philip was devastated beyond belief, crying like a little child. He had never seen a more beautiful body with snow white skin, little breasts, a tiny waist, and long, perfectly formed legs.
“I permit you to see your new lover from time to time, no matter how it hurts me,” he cried. “as long as we go on seeing each other.”
“I will think about it,” she replied without emotion, and left. She had to hurry to meet George Adler at the train station, who already had a room reserved in Hotel Bristol. It was his usual hotel whenever in Vienna. The main reason for his trip was to take all his money out of Vienna’s largest bank. A good friend of his was one of the managers, telling him most of them were inept and overextended themselves with poorly advised speculation.
Irene and George Adler met, had a bite to eat, and went together straight to
the bank, took every schilling out, went to the hotel, made love, and she accompanied him back to the station with the promise to see each other once a week at Bristol’s. He also mentioned that his wife lived a few miles away from Baden and there was no reason she couldn’t visit from time to time. Irene liked that. She was, by now, utterly bored with her life and thought of traveling again, as Paul had barely spoken to her. They even took their meals separately.
True to George’s prediction, the bank collapsed and the Viennese were not only stunned, but panicked. Each one ran to his own bank to take every schilling out, not trusting Austria’s regime, who told the citizens a few years ago and quite frequently since then that, thanks to a loan from America, their country had nicely recovered. Everybody was in shock, including Philip.
The largest amount of Philip’s money was given to Paul as a wedding present, and for his factories, which Paul deposited in Zurich while on his honeymoon. Philip had left the rest of it in the bank that collapsed. He arrived at home quite shaken, as he had retrieved very little from his own account. Victoria told him she had all her money in Switzerland and would be more than happy to give him any amount he needed. “After all,” she added. “it was Reinhardt money to begin with. I had no idea your mother left it all to me and the children.”
“Wise woman in that matter. She always thought a mistress of mine would end up with the Reinhardt fortune.” He thought to himself that he would have gladly given Irene everything he owned, just to keep her until his dying day. As it stood right now, he was without a mistress and without money. But there was his wife again, not even batting an eyelash to give him everything he would ask for.
The following days he waited for Irene to show up, but it was in vain. He hated to make a visit to his own castle as he was informed about Paul’s setups. To be seen there would doubtless give the servants a reason to put the puzzle together. He planned to go to her apartment, as it was not the first time he went there. She opened the door, looking at him as though she were seeing a stranger. “Oh, it’s you, Philip. You can come in. I am alone.”
“I’d just like to know if there is any hope of us being together again?” he said, almost in tears.
“No, Philip. I searched my soul and came to the conclusion that it was just an infatuation. Sort of two crazy, mixed-up lovers. It’s over. I don’t even enjoy seeing you, but will pretend at family gatherings like nothing ever happened. You are and were ever so right when you told me you were too old for me. Right now, you are eighty in my eyes. Like Paul said, ‘a dirty old man’.” With that cruel statement, she opened the door and let him go, but not before assuring him they were still family.
Arriving at home, Victoria told him how glad she was that Paul had put his money in a bank in Zurich. “Your trouble is,” she continued. “you are too generous and always have been. I only wish you could have loved me as deeply as I do you.” She put her arm around his neck, kissing him on his cheek. “Better shave, Philip. All our children are coming for dinner.”
“I will, and thanks for your understanding all these years.”
“Don’t get sentimental. You are the one who was short-changed,” she sighed.
He went in his bedroom, took the gun in his dresser drawer, and put it at his temple before pulling the trigger.
∼
Upon hearing about Philip Reinhardt’s suicide, most who knew him linked it to the unexpected bank crash, while the ones closest to him felt it was a love affair gone sour. Victoria, who loved this man unconditionally, had seen the many good sides of him and Paul hoped she would never find out about his liaison with Irene. She agreed with many of their mutual friends that it was due to the bank crash claiming all of his money that was deposited there. She felt she owed no one any other explanation. But she made sure he got a deservingly large funeral, something the Viennese thrived on, as the last ones were conducted only among the immediate family. Their own priest conducted the religious rites, with Irene being the only one without a tear. Her father made up for it, though, as he sobbed uncontrollably, counting Philip not only as a new relative, but also as one of his closest friends.
Paul held his arm around his mother, and it was up to Peter to give the eulogy in the name of his family. He kept it quite short, knowing that there were many present who knew about his permanent philandering. Rupert had his arm around Gisela and, as with every family occasion, they watched only the reaction of their children, who loved their grandfather deeply. Then came the Chief Engineer from Reinhardt’s factory, who said that Philip Reinhardt was not just an everyday employer but a man who treated everybody with the same respect, be it the highest or lowest salaried employee. He never treated anyone as subordinate. He had only kindness and compassion for everyone, remembering the many who lost a loved one in the First World War. It all seemed like yesterday, and yet it was so long ago. Paul promised himself to give a speech tomorrow, as many worried about their jobs. The workers needed some assurance and some confidence. No Reinhardter would join the unemployment line.
His mother, along with the Wilands, would forge a plan until Austria is on its feet again. Since most servants were at the funeral, they had prepared the the food the previous day. The mansion was overflowing, and Paul was already taking charge. Victoria was very proud of him, knowing the House of Reinhardt would be in good hands. And as for Irene, they would deal with her depending on the circumstances.
1937
18
The scene would have made a pretty postcard that morning, provided anyone was wide awake enough to notice. The snow was whiter than white, the air clear and crisp and the sky its best shade of blue. But it was New Years’ Day, and with very few exceptions, everyone simply had to sleep. The parties the night before had always been the gayest in Vienna, and who would have refused to attend ‘The Reinhardts’ party that put every other one in the shadows? As always, an evening at the Reinhardts’ surpassed all others.
A young chimney sweep carrying the traditional good luck symbol under his arm – a paper mache pig, horseshoe, and a four-leaf clover equally made from paper – whistled a happy tune going from house to mansion making sure he missed no one’s door in his territory. He knew the servants would be up regardless of their master’s own good times the previous night, so he said a warm ‘Happy New Year’ and gave the usual picturesque calendar. But he also knew that there would be a schilling awaiting him, as it had been a custom as long as anyone could remember. And to alter anything connected with tradition would never enter the mind of any Austrian. Almost any, that is … Paul Reinhardt being the exception.
It wasn’t the money he minded, as he was known as the most generous one, but the last year seemed to be endless as he was anxiously awaiting his annulment, and the words ‘Happy New Year’ sounded like a farce. But even to Paul, this morning was somehow very beautiful; enough so that he decided to take his two horses he received for Christmas for a sleigh ride. “Those Arabian beauties may be in front of a sleigh for the first time,” he thought. “but that may be better than standing in their stable.”
He made his own coffee and took a bite of a leftover bundt cake as he was not very hungry. Today the roads would be deserted, something he always appreciated. Like his own shadow, his Irish setter Bello was always right at his side and the household staff swore the dog understood every word. “Bello, you and I are going for a nice long ride and a visit, so you can play with your four-legged friends,” he said, folding his napkin. The dog barked approvingly and perked his ears as Rosa the head cook and absolute ruler of Paul’s kitchen entered.
“I am so sorry, sir,” she lamented in her still strong Czech accent while donning her apron.
“There is no need to apologize, Rosa, just because Bello and I decided to get up a bit early to take my new horses out. And it is not the first time I have made my own coffee either. I know the party kept all very busy last night,” he replied kindly. He got up, lit his pipe, and told her he didn’t know when he would be back as he would visi
t the Wilands for a card game.
“Will you please tell Mother I will be back here to enjoy supper and talk about last night’s party?”
She opened the door for him and promised she would, then returned to the messy kitchen to drink some coffee and wait for her helpers to get up.
Gaby von Walden stood in front of the open window admiring the beautiful weather. It was her first visit to Vienna in more than fourteen years, the main reason being the engagement of her brother Andreas to an operating room nurse he had known the last four years.
Theresa Bauer was everything a man like Andreas could ask for. Astrid always wondered why her son took so long to propose and ask her parents, who owned a small leather goods store, for her hand in marriage. But the excuse on her part was that, aside from being a registered nurse, she needed two more years to work with surgeons. As a Doctor of Medicine, Andreas understood only too well, and both were willing to wait. So, the von Waldens spent their New Year’s evening celebrating too. Since Theresa was the oldest of eight children, it was quite a nice event, as Gaby and Theresa got along as well. And Astrid felt not very unlike the Fosters and Reinhardts with their sons’ marriages. She gained a nice daughter, without losing a son. Also, Isabella, who was fourteen, had now many future relatives to spend the evening with, but hung mostly around Theresa like a big sister. Now she had decided to become a nurse too, causing the von Waldens to laugh, as she had chosen almost every available profession a female was fit for.
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Paul Reinhardt was right; all the roads were deserted. If it weren’t for the many crows looking for a morsel of food to find, no one would have known this place was inhabited. It was so peaceful and the hooves and sleigh bells were the only sounds on the glittering path. To his surprise, the horses took to the sleigh quite well and trotted in pleasing harmony. Bello sat close to his master, often looking up to make sure everything was all right.