A New Novel, Part 163 After They Take You to Bed, All Their Love is Forgotten

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Ernst delivers Aksinya and Natalya to their door.  Aksinya promised to speak to Ernst tomorrow...when she gets up late...with a headache...

Natalya shut the door.

The two maids came to them and immediately began to remove Aksinya’s clothing. Aksinya required the help of all three. They put her into a hot bath. Natalya stood half undressed in the center of the sitting room and directed them. The maids readied the nightclothes Natalya instructed them to get out of the small trunk they had brought on the coupe. The footmen had delivered it to the room earlier. While Aksinya bathed—with the door open, so Natalya could keep an eye on her, Natalya had the maids set out Aksinya’s and her clothing for the morrow. The maids pressed their gowns and hung them. By then, it was time to wrestle Aksinya out of the bath and put her nightgown on her. While Aksinya lay on her bed, the maids helped Natalya out of her clothing and into her nightgown. They had already warmed the beds and checked the coals again.

At the end, Natalya had them lay Aksinya under the covers, but they propped her up on the pillows so Natalya could brush her hair. Natalya finally closed the door on the two of them. Natalya took her brush and sat on the side of the bed. She began to brush Aksinya’s hair. Aksinya’s eyes were closed, but Natalya knew she wasn’t sleeping. Aksinya didn’t open her eyes, she stretched her hands out in front of her. Her voice was only slurred a little, but her accent wasn’t evident because she spoke Russian, “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.”

Natalya gave a fierce tug on Aksinya’s hair.

“What was that for? Be more gentle, Nata.”

“You have a lot to learn mistress.”

“Aksinya. I am Aksinya.”

“Yes, Aksinya. You still have a lot to learn.”

“About what?”

“About men. The first thing they tell is that they love you before…before…”

Aksinya’s head lolled, “Before what?”

“Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.”

“How do you know?”

“The number of times…”

“Number of times. You haven’t?”

Natalya tugged a little harder against Aksinya’s hair.

“Nata, please be more gentle. I’m listening to you. You are only fifteen.”

If you remember, Natalya is in charge.  Aksinya is drunk and slowly sucumbing to inebriation.  The Graf has assigned two maids to Aksinya and Natalya.  For the times that is very impressive.  Aksinya needs the help of both maids and Natalya.  I give you details of the preparations for bed and the next day.  Natalya keeps the door to the bathroom open so she can ensure the drunk Aksinya will not drown in the tub.  Remember, in this day and time, rooms were always cold in the winter.  That's why the fires, the bed warming, the hot bath before bed. 
 
Natalya had the maids sit Aksinya up in the bed so she can brush her hair and get her ready for bed.  Natalya has been angry all night.  She wants to speak to Aksinya.  Aksinya wants to talk to Natalya.  She begins:  “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.”  Natalya's response is to be rough in brushing Aksinya's hair.  We know this means she is angry and agitated.  Perhaps we will find out why Natalya is angry. 
 
Aksinya isn't very tactful either.  She snips at Natalya.  Natalya tells Aksinya that she has a lot to learn.  The a lot to learn is about men.  We knew that.  Aksinya is clueless about men.  We also knew there was something about Natalya's unusual maturity, knowledge, and comments.  Natalya is going to take this opportunity to teach Aksinya...about men.  We knew Natalya was abused, but this is new.  You might have guessed.  Her advice to Aksinya:  “Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.”  Natalya's response tells Aksinya and us that many men have told her they love her and have taken her to bed.  Natalya is only fifteen.  She was abused by many men.  We find out why tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 162 I Shall Sleep Late and Wake with a Terrible Headache

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Aksinya is dancing with Ernst's father, the Graf von Taaffe.  The waltz is just ending.  I repeated the last two paragraphs from yesterday's piece to place everything in context.  The Graf said that Aksinya had ensorcelled Ernst...

Aksinya pushed back from him, “Temptation.  I am a temptation.”

“Yes, you are, and I’m glad your eyes are at least on my Ernst.”  The Graf let go of her hand and stepped back.  The music ended, “Thank you for the dance, Countess.  Even drunk, you are a wonderful partner.”  He bowed.

Aksinya gave a slight curtsy, “Now, Franz, you may not leave me here.”

“Why not, Countess?”

“I will be unable to make it back to my seat without your help.”

The Graf von Taaffe turned a trifle to the side and signaled Ernst.  Ernst rushed to them.  The Graf father took Aksinya’s hand and put it in Ernst’s, “Please Ernst, escort the Countess and her lady-in-waiting to their rooms.  The Countess might stumble.”  He winked at his son.

As Aksinya and Ernst started toward the stone stairs that led to the third floor, Natalya joined them.  She scowled a little at Ernst.  Ernst signaled and two women servants took their places.  One led them at the front and the other followed.  They went up the stairs and entered a long hallway.  At the first room on the right, the leading servant opened the door.  The two maids went inside and lit the gas lamps and the candles.  They checked and refreshed the coal fires.  Aksinya held to Ernst at the door until they were finished.  When everything in the room was ready, they both curtsied to Aksinya, Ernst, and Natalya.

Ernst gave Aksinya’s hand to Natalya, “Lady Natalya, I give the charge of the Countess to you.”

“She has always been my charge, Herr von Taaffe.”

Ernst ignored her, “Good evening and sleep well, Aksinya.  I will speak to you in the morning that is before you depart with your uncle and aunt.”

Aksinya smiled at Ernst.  As Natalya dragged her through the door, Aksinya replied, “I shall sleep late and awake with a terrible headache, but I will speak to you by and by.”

Natalya shut the door.

Aksinya is herself a temptation on many levels, but this is the last statement she wants to hear.  She has obviously ensorcelled the Graf as well as his son.  Asmodeus would be proud--the demon likely had a hand in it all.  Aksinya is drunk.  She apologetically calls the Graf by his given name, Franz.  Remember, the Graf said she could, but Aksinya would never do that if she were sober.  Aksinya's observation and request is also unnecessary and too candid.  The Graf would have conducted her back to her seat.  She's drunk and I use this as a writing technique to move the story. 

The statement that Aksinya needs help back to her seat gives the Graf the opportunity to bring Ernst over.  The Graf realizes the slight estrangement between Aksinya and Ernst (that's one of the reasons she's drunk), now he can bring them amicably back together.  The Graf signals Ernst over.  I intentionally use matrimonial imagery here, that is, the Graf places Aksinya's hand in Ernst's.  The Graf doesn't mean for anything untoward to happen between Aksinya and Ernst, that's why he asks Ernst to escort the Countess and her chaperone.  The wink is to show he is allowing Ernst an opportunity to see the Countess off to bed and to leave the party for a moment.

Natalya is watching and joins them right away.  Natalya is still not happy with Ernst.  What follows is a short description for the travel.  The third floor, remember, is the one with the largest windows.  The implication is that those invited there are welcomed into the household and secrets of the von Taaffe's.  The details of the servant's activities are to place you firmly into the time and place again.  I don't want you to miss this important idea that we are in 1919 now--remember, it is the new year.

At the door, Ernst most properly gives Aksinya over to Natalya.  Natalya's statement might make us pause a little.  Who was in whose charge?  Natalya has taken charge here.  This is a direct confrontation, that Ernst ignores.  Neither is right, Aksinya is in the charge of a demon.

The Drunk Aksinya gives the final words to Ernst:“I shall sleep late and awake with a terrible headache, but I will speak to you by and by.”  She will and she will.  Ernst hopes the answer Aksinya gives in the morning is that she will wed him.  He and his father hoped to make the big announcement at the party, likely at midnight.  Aksinya didn't stay until midnight--get it, she missed the reason for the party.

We shall see a little more between Aksinya and Natalya tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 161 I am a Temptation

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.



Aksinya is drunk and is dancing with the Graf von Taaffe.  He has an important question and Aksinya's response does not please him.  Still, he has good news for her.  Aksinya is speaking...


“I have not given him my answer yet.”

Graf von Taaffe’s smile widened again, “He told me he would begin to train to take over the business. I think he is completely serious about you.”

“He said as much. He said he loves me.”

“Indeed, he has never, to my knowledge, told a woman that before.”

“That makes me happy. I would have liked to have kissed him a little longer.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Aksinya made a face and an unmistakable gesture of her head toward Natalya.

“Your chaperone. I understand. I would very much like you to accept my son as your husband. You would be very good for him.”

Aksinya raised her eyes to the Graf’s and cocked her head.

“We don’t have many young women, even in the aristocracy, whose presence brightens a room like yours. You are an absolute treasure to the nobility.”

Aksinya smirked.

“You may laugh at me, but you move and act like a princess, and I have seen many princesses. Most of them couldn’t hold a candle to you.”

Aksinya snickered.

“You laugh again?”

“Sir, my face is plain and my body is boyish. I indulge too much, and I…” She continued in a mumble, “I have other faults not so visible.”

“Yet, by walking into a room you captivate it. By simply existing, you capture the attention of everyone around you.”

“If I were not a Countess, I would be nothing.”

The Graf raised her hand to his lips, “If you were a washerwoman, I believe you might have captivated my Ernst. Whatever you did, it ensorcelled his heart, and I can easily see why he is fascinated by you.”

Aksinya pushed back from him, “Temptation. I am a temptation.”

“Yes, you are, and I’m glad your eyes are at least on my Ernst.” The Graf let go of her hand and stepped back. The music ended, “Thank you for the dance, Countess. Even drunk, you are a wonderful partner.” He bowed.

Do you remember the conversation at dinner?  The question on the table (pun there), was Ernst's participation in his father's business.  Aksinya warned that she didn't want Ernst to become dour.  The Graf countered that Ernst needed to become part of the business so he could take care of a family.  Thus, at dinner, the Graf was pressuring Ernst through Aksinya to take on his family's responsibility as a requirement for marriage.  A marriage obviously to Aksinya. 
 
Because Aksinya has not accepted Ernst's proposal, this ruins the Graf's plan to make a responsible man of his son--first through the family business and second through marriage.  However, everything is not lost.  Aksinya has not given her answer.  This allows the Graf to put pressure on Aksinya: "I think he is completely serious about you.”  Ernst is indeed serious about Aksinya--so serious he would do the thing he hated and that would tie him down.  He would become responsible for her sake.  He would basically give up his irresponsible life to marry her.
 
Aksinya gets this.  She finally figures out what it means for Ernst to love her.  He is willing to give up something (in a way, everything) for her.  Thus her confession: “He said as much. He said he loves me.”

The Graf puts more pressure on Aksinya.  He really wants Ernst to marry her.  Ernst told Aksinya that he didn't have much experience with women.  This becomes more evident here--although the Graf could just be ignorant of his son's activities.  We did note that much of Ernst's knowledge seemed to come from Asmodeus.

Look at Aksinya's inadvertent confession:  “That makes me happy. I would have liked to have kissed him a little longer.”  She would only say this while drunk.  Such a statement would be unseemly in the culture and the times.  The Graf plays along.  He is not shocked--perhaps he instructed Ernst in how to propose and tempt Aksinya (more likely the demon, but his response is interesting).

Natalya isn't the only one who is angry, but you knew that--didn't you?  Aksinya is a little miffed at Natalya for ruining her fun.  The Graf gets this.  Natalya was just doing her job.  The Graf likely applauds this.  His point is more poignant; he wants Aksinya to say yes to marriage and: "You would be very good for him.”

This perplexes Aksinya (it should perplex us a little too).  So far we haven't had much positive about Aksinya.  We generally don't see her the way others might see her.  We did get a couple of descriptions of her physically--we know she isn't much to look at.  We do know she has an unusual effect on others, but mostly we ascribe that (like Aksinya) to the fact she is nobility and a countess.  Now, at once, we see Aksinya through the eyes of Ernst and the Graf.  Note, this parallels the opinion of the Freiherr and Freifrau.  Aksinya's personality and her decorum are what set her apart.  It isn't just the fact she is a countess.  She herself is a treasure.

Aksinya's response shows she thinks this is just flattery.  She can't accept this about herself.  She has never imagined herself as a treasure, not in her family, not in her life.  We do see there are great positives about her, but also great negatives.  We wouldn't have called her a treasure either, but we know her better than the Graf.  Still, his flattery isn't all false.  He would not want Aksinya to be part of his family otherwise--we know by this he is telling the absolute truth from his thoughts.

Then there is a foreshadowing.  I know many readers will forget all these wonderful little hints throughout the novel.  That's why I keep giving them to you.  The Graf's statement to Aksinya really sounds like flattery to us:  "You may laugh at me, but you move and act like a princess, and I have seen many princesses. Most of them couldn’t hold a candle to you.”  What if this were true.

Aksinya doesn't dispute him but rather points out her perception of herself and we know this is also true.  Plus, she has other faults not so visible.  Okay, a little theme talk here.  Aksinya is not little miss everyone, but I certainly want everyone who reads this novel to associate themselves to some degree with Aksinya.  Aksinya represents the desire in all of us for power and for control.  She represents desire (the demon represents temptation).  She is in many ways like all of us.  Like most of us, she knows she is not beautiful.  She does not strive at what she should.  She strives at those things she should not.  She loves luxuria (indulgence).  She is like all of us in this.  These are the bad traits that everyone knows they have, and that most admit in secret, but never in public.  Aksinya is like all of us.  She is prideful.  She is tempted and sinful.  She does not work hard at the good.  She...look I could go on and on.  She is just like all of us know we are deep down inside.  She, like everyone has “...faults not so visible.”  We just know all about her faults.  They are hidden deep inside Aksinya, just as they are hidden deep inside most people.  With Aksinya, we get to see the worst side of a person--yet the worst side of a person who really is trying to do the right thing.  Aksinya knows what is right.  She knows what is good.  She just can't reject temptation.  She, however, unlike everyone else, can see the demon she carries with her.  Okay, there was a theme statement that concerns this entire novel.  Did you get that.  Everyone knows they carry around their own personal demon--they just don't really see theirs the way Aksinya can see hers.  That, in a nutshell, is just what the theme of this novel is ultimately about.  The story and plot point to this, but this is a theme concept.  It isn't something an author directly tells you in the writing.  I'll state it in more direct terms: the main theme of this novel is that Aksinya has a demon (just like everyone has a demon), the question is how to remove this demon.  You can take away that a solution Aksinya determines (or discovers), might work for anyone.  But that's the theme--a high level idea encompassed by the story and plot.

Back to the conversation.  Aksinya's reaction to the Graf's flattery: “If I were not a Countess, I would be nothing.” This is the idea pounded into her head by the girls at Sacré Coeur.  She did not think this from before.  She has been affected by others around her (but you knew that). 

The Graf's response is overwrought and ironic, but perhaps true.  Not that the demon of luxuria would have used a washerwoman as his vessel of evil.  The washerwoman idea is a foreshadowing, by the way.  (It will help if you remember in German a putzfrau is a cleaning lady--a kind of washerwoman.)  Look at the words of the Graf.  He has made inroads to Aksinya's thoughts and heart, but then he blows it: "Whatever you did, it ensorcelled his heart...”

Aksinya knows what this means.  She understands too well about sorcery.  She has truly ensorcelled Ernst's heart and she knows it.  She also knows much was the work of Asmodeus and not she herself.  This is certainly not what Aksinya wants, but it is what she desires.  Do you see this difference and how important it is.  Just like everyone, there are wants and desires.  We indulge our wants (that is what we know is right) and gain greatness.  We indulge our desires (that which we know is wrong) and find ashes.  Akinsya rightly sees she is a temptation for Ernst and for his father.

The Graf doesn't understand at all, but how could he.  He does acknowledge Aksinya's state of inebriation.  Tomorrow, preparations for bed.

A New Novel, Part 160 I'm Drunk

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.



Ernst von Taaffe asked Aksinya to marry him--she didn't answer him right away.  Natalya, Aksinya's chaperone, drags her back to the ballroom and the party...

They both returned to the ballroom. Until they entered the rooms Graf von Taaffe’s servants provided them, Natalya did not speak to Aksinya again that evening. She stuck close to Aksinya for the rest of the event. After Ernst rejoined the party, he did not let Aksinya out of his sight. Natalya watched Ernst with frosty eyes.

Aksinya sat beside the large fireplace closest to the dining room and outside the draft that blew constantly through the long room. She drank and stewed. She would not engage anyone in conversation for very long, but that didn’t matter, the party was winding down and the couples were primarily interested in dancing.

Near midnight, Graf von Taaffe stepped to Aksinya’s side, “Countess, would you honor me with this dance?”

“Why not?” Aksinya’s words were only a little slurred. Her Russian accent cut through the German. Aksinya had feigned weariness to fend off the other invitations she received that evening. She wished Ernst would ask her to dance again. She knew she could not beg off this offer from her host. She stood a little shakily.

The Graf took her hand in his and placed his arm around her back. He led her into the waltz, “I didn’t notice your Russian accent before, Countess.”

Aksinya tried unsuccessfully to pronounce her German words as she usually did, “I was not drunk before.”

“Drunk? You seem very steady on your feet for being drunk.”

“I’m used to it. I’m sorry, I should have said, I had drunk too much wine before and not that I was drunk.”

The Graf smiled, “I have happy news for you. I hoped you had as happy news for me.”

“I’m drunk.”

His smile slipped a little, “Yes, I understand.  I didn't see the ring on your finger.  Then your answer to my son was not an affirmative?”

“I have not given him my answer yet.”

Aksinya and Natalya return to the ballroom.  Natalya is obviously very angry.  We are not certain what or who her anger is directed toward.  There is a hint, Natalya watched Ernst with frosty eyes.  Ernst has made Natalya angry, but she seemed angry at Aksinya before.  Just what is bothering her...we shall see eventually.
 
Aksinya finds a warm place.  She is given the most comfortable space in the room.  This was likely the place reserved for the lady of the house.  She drank and stewed.  Aksinya isn't happy either.  So, Ernst isn't happy. Natalya isn't happy.  Aksinya isn't happy.  Is anyone happy?  Aksinya certainly isn't a very pleasant guest either, but we didn't expect her to be--she is a countess.
 
Fortunately, the Graf comes to rescue Aksinya; he asks her to dance.  Aksinya is drunk.  She is so drunk she can't pronounce her German properly.  We find that she wanted to dance with Ernst again, but Ernst was put off by Natalya--not Aksinya.  Aksinya could not turn down an invitation to dance from her host.  She is shaky--she's drunk.
 
The Graf apparently doesn't notice Aksinya is drunk.  His first words: “I didn’t notice your Russian accent before.”  Can you imagine this.  She tries to speak properly.  We aren't certain of her success, but she is out drunk and truth telling Aksinya by this point.  The Graf can't believe she is drunk.  He doesn't seem surprised or upset.  Aksinya makes the situation worse from one standpoint.  Only those who drink a lot can handle alcohol so well.  She tries to correct herself, but she isn't very successful. 
 
The Graf gets to his point: “I have happy news for you. I hoped you had as happy news for me.”  As to the Graf's news, you might guess it, we shall see it tomorrow.  You know the news he wishes to hear from Aksinya.  Her answer is perfect in perspective: “I’m drunk.”   The reason she is drunk, she implies, is the reason she can't give the Graf a happy answer.  The happy answer he expected, of course, was the Aksinya had accepted the ring and Ernst's proposal. 
 
This whole party was put together by the Graf so Ernst could propose.  He brought together his most important friends and retainers just for this very purpose.  Now, the Graf isn't happy either.  But there is still hope--Aksinya hasn't given her answer yet.  Tomorrow, the Graf's happy news.

A New Novel, Part 159 Kiss Me Again

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.



Ernst kissed Aksinya and confessed his love.  He wants to give her an engagement ring and for her to accept his proposal of marriage.  Aksinya doesn't know what to answer him.  She wants to know if Asmodeus has been encouraging Ernst...


Aksinya stared out into the darkness and whispered, “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” She spoke more loudly, “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”


“Your courtier? I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“Have you been engaging in sorcery?”

Ernst put up his hand, “Not since I met you. I realized then, I could not achieve any of it. I told you already, I don’t have the skills or the power to do it. I want to give you this ring.”

Aksinya raised her eyes to his, “I’m not sure of what I will answer to you. I’m not certain if I love you.”

“Isn’t it enough if I love you? I swear I will give you everything in my power.”

Aksinya cried, “Do not swear. Do not swear anything to me. Don’t use those words around me. Don’t you realize how dangerous that is?”

“Dangerous to swear what I am truly willing to do? I do swear it. I swear to Aksinya that I love her, will do anything I can for her, and will marry her.”

Aksinya pressed her hands over her ears, “Don’t swear. It is enough to say you will do it, but do not swear it.”

“Will you accept my ring?”

“I cannot—not yet.”

“Will you accept my love?”

“I must think on this—it is too difficult for me to decide right now. My mind is in turmoil.”

“Will you allow me to continue to court you?”

Aksinya sighed, “Will you kiss me again?”

“I will, but only if the Lady Natalya will not scream.”

Aksinya turned a little toward Natalya, “Lady Natalya, I wish to allow Ernst to kiss me again. Will you please let him?”

“Kiss him? You should hit him.”

“I wish to kiss him. Please allow me. I shall not ask for more than one tonight, but I would like to kiss him once more.”

Natalya’s anger was evident on her face, “I shall turn around for ten seconds. By the time I have counted to ten, I expect you to be at my side. If you are not, I shall certainly yell for your aunt and uncle.”

“Thank you, Lady Natalya.” Aksinya didn’t wait to see if Natalya turned, she ran to Ernst and put her arms around his neck. She clumsily brought her lips to his and lingered there in a measured kiss. He put his arms around her and held her tightly. They parted at eight seconds and Aksinya ran to Natalya’s side. Natalya noted Aksinya beside her with an impatient nod and began walking. Aksinya glanced back at Ernst. His eyes lingered on her. They did not leave her the entire time until she lost sight of him when she exited the parlor.

The most important question for Aksinya is the part Asmodeus has played in Ernst's confession and proposal.  You know why this is so important to her.  She realizes that Asmodeus has been setting her up to accomplish evil--that is his purpose.  In every case, in every thing that has happened since Aksinya called the demon, he has tempted or manipulated her to evil.  Even when she succeeded in thwarting him, Aksinya still ended up doing the demon's ultimate will.  She hopes this is not the case now.  We know how this situation must work out, but we are waiting for the other shoe to drop.  We hope Aksinya can find happiness with Ernst.  We hope everything can work out well for her and for him.  We can hope...
 
Aksinya knows.  She tells us and herself, this is a temptation.  Still, she is reassured by Ernst's reply--he hasn't seen Asmodeus in a while.  She asks about sorcery--he hasn't been attempting it.  His reaction to a person who has mastered such a skill is reasonable--he has given it up.  He still wants to give (tempt) her with the ring.
 
Aksinya can only tell the truth at this moment.  There is no reason for her to lie.  She isn't certain if she loves Ernst.  Ernst is lovestruck.  His answer is the one sided loves eternal answer--isn't it enough that I love you.  He then swears.  That is a mistake.  Aksinya tries to prevent him from continuing, but Ernst doesn't understand.  He swears to her.  Do you remember, the demon always attempts to illicit a promise.  To swear is to make a contract.  That would be okay with anyone else in the world, but around Aksinya, spiritual forces battle (or perhaps the forces of evil dominate).  To swear around Aksinya is tantamount to a red flag in front of a bull.  Remember each of the promises made in this novel.  Remember everything that was sworn.  They will not stand--they cannot stand.
 
Aksinya realizes all this, but she won't give up hope.  She won't give up hope because she is tempted and she has great desire.  She wants Ernst to love her and to give her luxuria.  She really would like to love someone.  She would like to indulge her desires.  But...she is afraid to do any of that because she knows the demon is behind everything.  Thus, her answer: “Will you kiss me again?”  Aksinya wants to indulge in her desire.  She thinks she can get away with this luxuria, with this small indulgence.
 
Aksinya asks Natalya if she may kiss Ernst again.  Listen to Natalya's response.  The power is in the hands of Natalya now.  For some reason, the control has shifted to Natalya, and her animosity is obvious.  We would have expected Natalya to applaud Aksinya's courting, but at this moment, for some reason, Natalya is bothered by it.  In spite of her discomfort and her anger, Natalya allows Aksinya to indulge herself in this temptation.
 
Aksinya kisses Ernst, and she and Natalya exit the parlor together.  The lovelorn Ernst watches Aksinya until she is out of sight.  Tomorrow, the Graf gets involved.

A New Novel, Part 158 This is a Temptation to Me

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Ernst professed his love to Aksinya and kissed her.  Natalya busted up the clinch and now they are in their respective corners.  Fighting isn't really what either of them have in mind...

Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya hastily moved to the other end of the balcony. They waited for Natalya to return to her seat.

Aksinya bent forward a little toward Ernst. She whispered and tried to get her voice to carry to him, “You…you kissed me.”

Ernst kept his voice low, “I have wanted to kiss you for a long time.”

She touched her lips, “Why?”

“Because I love you.”

“What will you gain by loving me?”

Ernst smiled, “I desire you. That is all. I love you. Do you love me?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Then I’m sorry I was so forward, but I’m not sorry I kissed you. I would hope to continue to woo you. I want you to marry me.” He pulled out a small box from his coat pockets, “I have a ring for you. I would like to give it to you tonight.”

“For me? Then you are serious?”

“Why would you think I wasn’t serious?”

“What about your father, and his wish for you to join his business?”

“I told him tonight that I would join the firm. I made arrangements with him to begin to work the following Monday. I will still be able to escort you to dinner and the opera on Wednesday. Didn’t you understand me? Even if you will not make up your mind tonight, I will continue to see you and entertain you. I will pursue you until your answer is yes. You have no other suitors?”

Aksinya shook her head.

“You don’t have another lover?”

Aksinya shook her head.

Ernst’s voice softened, “Then there are no others ahead of me. I have no competition.”

“But I have never imagined someone loving me before.”

Ernst shook his head, “Why should a man not love you. You are beautiful and intelligent. Your deportment and social skills are excellent. You enjoy all the past times I enjoy. Why should I not want to share my life with you?”

Aksinya stared out into the darkness and whispered, “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” She spoke more loudly, “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”

We find out just how clueless about everything Aksinya is.  Aksinya wonders why Ernst would kiss her.  Remember, she thinks she is ugly.  She has resolved herself to this for her entire life.  She can't imagine that any of her other features might make a man desire her, but we realize Aksinya is desirable for many reasons.  She is astounded that Ernst would kiss her, so she asks why.  His answer is just like we expect from Ernst, straightforward: "I love you."  Let me point out that I use a lot of advanced writing techniques in this small exchange.  Just one example is Aksinya's gesture--she touches her lips.  This tells you a lot about her thinking and her wonder at what happened.
 
The main point, however, is Aksinya's response to Ernst: “What will you gain by loving me?”  Remember Natalya's comment before--why does love have to be a contract with you (Aksinya).  Aksinya can't imagine love without some contract or gain.  Ernst offers her love; she wonders what he really wants.  They could go around and around like this forever.  Ernst really can't answer her question.  He mixes love and desire.  That would be a mistake usually, but he is talking to Aksinya.  To Aksinya, love and desire go hand in hand.  Even though she learned from Sister Margarethe that you don't have to have desire to have love--she doesn't fully understand it.  When Ernst asks Aksinya if she loves him, she can only answer truthfully: “I…I don’t know.”
 
Ernst was expecting her to say "yes."  His response shows this.  He is tempting her, and he brings out his next temptation--luxuria.  It is a ring, an engagement ring.  This is something dear to any girl and especially dear to Aksinya.  She loves luxuria more than anything.  If she had ever thought someone might want to marry her, she might have thought marriage desirable.  This is completely ironic, because Ernst is willing to give Aksinya luxuria to prove his love, then she accepts him as being absolutely serious.
 
Ernst adds another temptation to her.  It was drug out by Aksinya's question.  Ernst has bowed to his father's desires and will go to work for him.  He will join the family business.  Aksinya drove Ernst to this.  Ernst has changed entirely for Aksinya.  Can you guess the joy of Ernst's father.  Ernst will become a dour Ernst for Aksinya.  These are not cast off statements.  The power of the change from the happy-go-lucky Ernst to the serious Ernst is an amazing change, and it is all due to the thoughtless statements of Aksinya. 
 
Remember during the Opera of Mozart's Magic Flute, Aksinya's taunting of Ernst about her other suitor.  Ernst wants to make certain.  He asks about other suitors.  He asks about other lovers.  Notice, Aksinya doesn't really answer. She only shakes her head.  We know there is a problem that stands in the way and that problem is a demon who has made a claim on Aksinya.  I won't tell you now, but what do you think in terms of the demon's claim.  Ernst draws the wrong conclusion, and Aksinya lets him do it.  There is a small problem between them and that is Asmodeus.  Aksinya doesn't love Ernst, but she wants Ernst.  She can't answer truthfully about the demon.  She doesn't want to drive Ernst away. 
 
Look at her response: “But I have never imagined someone loving me before.” This statement is the absolute truth.  In Aksinya's mind, no one really ever loved her (not even Natalya), but she obvoiusly doesn't understand love.  Then from Ernst's heartfelt response about why someone might love Aksinya, we get her realization: “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” Everything is a temptation for her.  Everything is a carefully orchestrated temptation.  We should never forget this and Aksinya should never forget this.  Still, we want everything to be a French comedy and not a Russian tragedy.  Aksinya wants to imagine her life is her own and not plyable clay in the hands of a demon.  She asks the most important question yet: “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”  Tomorrow, Ernst answers this question and we learn more about what has been going on around Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 157 You Should Slap Him

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya and Ernst are having a wonderful and somewhat candid conversation about what he loves and she... 
Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”


“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.” Ernst pulled Aksinya closer to him, “Listen to me Aksinya. I want you to be mine.”

She trembled and tried to pull away, “What do you mean by that?”

“I want you to marry me.” He pulled her close again and put his lips on hers. Aksinya allowed him to kiss her. She sunk into his embrace. They stood there for what seemed like to Aksinya for a long time. Slowly he let her go, and she settled back with her feet solidly on the ground.

Natalya rushed from the other room. She grabbed Aksinya by the arm and tried to pull her away from Ernst, “Get back Ernst von Taaffe. I know impropriety when I see it. That was much too forward. Let her go.” She punched at the young man.

Ernst let go of Aksinya’s hands, and she fell back a step. She stared at Ernst with dawning realization, “You…you kissed me.”

“Mistress, you should have slapped him. Otherwise, he will be encouraged…”

Aksinya closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, “No, Natalya. I wish to speak with him further.”

“I will stand right here between you.”

“No,” Akisnya’s voice softened, “No, please, Lady Natalya. Just let me speak with him a moment more. I shall stand away from him, and he shall not touch me again.”

“Only if he promises...”

Ernst growled, “I will promise for now.”

Aksinya pleaded, “You see, Lady Natalya, he promised. Allow me to speak to him for a little longer after that you and I will retire for the evening.”

Natalya scowled at Ernst. She glanced at Aksinya from the sides of her eyes, “Very well, mistress. But he must stand on one side of the room and you on the other. I shall be watching.” She pointed at Ernst, “If you make a single move toward her, sir, I shall scream for her aunt and uncle and tell them everything.”

Ernst moved to the end of the enclosed balcony, “Lady Natalya, you need not fear. I will not attempt to molest your mistress again.”

Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya hastily moved to the other end of the balcony. They waited for Natalya to return to her seat.

Ernst declares his love...again.  He did before and Aksinya blew it off.  Now we know why.  She didn't believe him.  She thought it was all a joke.  She thought it was a lie...wait, Ernst was lying.  Aksinya is confused.  She doesn't know what to believe or what to trust.  Does Ernst really love her?  She thinks she is unlovable.  She thinks she is ugly and unwomanly.  Could Ernst really love a woman like her?
 
Ernst throws down another bet on the table: "I want you to be mine."  Aksinya doesn't know what he means.  She isn't stupid; she just can't process the information.  Ernst makes it clearer and ups the annie.  He should have been so straightforward to begin with.  He wants to marry her, and to seal his point, he kisses her.
 
We realize this is not the usual Ernst we have come to know and love.  This is very forthright for Ernst.  The last two times we saw him this straightforward were, when he approached Aksinya at the Advent party and when he pushed past Sister Margarethe at the door to the house.  We know he did both at the encouragement of Asmodeus.  We guess that Ernst really does want to marry Aksinya, but his action to kiss her catches us and Aksinya by surprise.
 
Aksinya like this kind of attention.  Didn't we go through this before.  The demon wanted to tempt Aksinya with real sex.  This is an intimacy that will surely tempt Aksinya.  I use some fun techniques to show you how the kiss affected her.
 
Natalya acts a proper chaperone, but her actions seem a little too intense.  She seems a little too ready to protect her mistress.  Didn't she prepare Aksinya like a bouquet for Ernst.  Didn't she pick the wonderful and beautiful dress to present Aksinya to Ernst tonight.  Ernst's action was obviously out of line for the times.  Natalya's very fervent response (as opposed to Aksinya's) shows just how far Ernst went over the line.  But surely there is more...Natalya knew what was going on--she more than Aksinya.  We will find out more about her reaction...soon, but for now, you might contemplate why Natalya's actions are what they are.
 
Aksinya is amazed more than surprised.  Nothing else that Ernst could have done would have made such an impression on her.  Natalya advises a slap--Aksinya wants to talk to him more.  Natalya's response is right on in some ways and a little too much in others.  As the chaperone, she should keep the two from untoward behaviour, but she shouldn't prevent all interaction.  Her purpose is to prevent certain things, but speaking and even limited appropriate touching is not some of them.  Still she is technically correct in what she requests.
 
Ernst and Aksinya have had a taste of the physical.  Ernst will control himself.  He doesn't like it.  Aksinya will control herself--she doesn't like it.  Aksinya promises to retire with Natalya after they speak.  Natalya threatens to scream for Aksinya's aunt and uncle.  Now, we know how far that might go.  Aksinya's aunt, uncle, and Ernst's father have gone to great lengths to get these two lovebirds together like this.  They wouldn't condone physical interaction, but they wouldn't want to do anything to prevent Ernst and Aksinya from speaking and wooing.
 
Ernst and Aksinya accomodate Natalya--they move to either end of the enclosed balcony.  Can you see them move--especially Aksinya's haste.  They wait for Natalya to sit.  Tomorrow, the rest of the conversation.

A New Novel, Part 156 It is not the Sorcery

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Aksinya and Ernst are dancing at his father's New Years party.  Their conversation is very personal.  Ernst suggests they go to a more private location...

“Come, we will converse in private.”

Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”

Ernst glanced at her. He hesitated a moment, “Very well.” He led Aksinya to where Natalya sat. Aksinya made a sign to Natalya. Ernst held to Aksinya’s fingers on his arm and took her back toward the parlor. He led her through the room and to the entrance to a smaller sunroom on the other side. The music from the ballroom still sifted to them. He touched the back of a chair and glanced at Natalya, “I wish to speak privately with the Countess. Would you sit here by the door? You can still observe us though the opening.”

Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya nodded to her. Natalya sat in the chair, and Ernst led Aksinya to the end of the sunroom. The small room was like an enclosed balcony. The outer wall was glass and overlooked a courtyard within the interior of the building. A low stone wall stood at the end as though the balcony had once been open, but the glass had been added later. He rested against the edge and held Aksinya’s hands. She pulled her hands from his and leaned on the top of the wall. The top was unfinished stone with some crumbling mortar in between. She picked at the loose pieces of it, “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?”

“The reason I am so interested in you.”

Aksinya toyed with the mortar, “I was about to tell you… you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.”

He stared out at the darkened courtyard, “It isn’t the sorcery.”

Aksinya picked at the mortar a little more fiercely, “It has always been about the sorcery.”

“Why are you trying to tell me how I feel about you?”

“It is obvious. It is because of the sorcery. Isn’t that what you told me before?”

Ernst grabbed her hands and made her look at him, “It is obvious that I love you.”

Aksinya tried to pull her hands out of his and turned her face away, “It is obvious because of the sorcery. Don’t bring in such ideas as love.”

“I’m telling you, Aksinya. It isn’t the sorcery. I love you.”

“You…you used my name.”

“Sorry, I’m telling you, it isn’t the sorcery. It never was the sorcery. That was just an excuse I used to get close to you.”

“You said you were trying to accomplish sorcery, and you wanted me to teach you.”

“I lied.”

“You said my courtier told you about me.”

“I heard about you from your uncle. He pointed me to your courtier. I don’t know why the subject of sorcery came up with him. I have been studying it. I have been completely unsuccessful. I know I can’t really do it. It requires a faith in the world I don’t have.”

“So you took my book just to get me to go to the ballet with you.”

“Your courtier said there was no other way to convince you. I wanted to get to know you. You are an astonishing person. In my mind, you are a perfect woman.”

Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”

“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.”

The private conversation...this is the kind of event a chaperone isn't supposed to prevent, but must keep in check.  Aksinya shows wisdom here.  The Lady Natalya comes along--we knew she would.  If you haven't guessed it already, the entire party was put together to support this very event. 

Ernst leads Aksinya to an enclosed balcony--how romantic.  Natalya can observe them through the opening.

I give you a detailed description of the place--this is important.  I won't build too much here about the meaning behind the details, but you can see for yourself the metaphors I set in place.  Aksinya will not hold Ernst's hands.  She rests her hands on the top and plays with the rotten mortar between the stones--there is an intentional metaphor here.  She asks the obvious question: “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?” If you remember, it wasn't what Ernst was going to say--it was what Aksinya was about to say.  Ernst gets it.  He wants to tell her: “The reason I am so interested in you.”

Now Aksinya tells us what she thinks about everything that has been going on with Ernst.  This is very important, but it is not new information.  We knew it from the beginning: "...you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.”  This was the reason Ernst gave from the beginning.  This was the idea that held Aksinya back.  This is why she kept asking for the books.

Ernst's answer: “It isn’t the sorcery.” Doesn't surprise her, she just thinks it is a lie.  Ernst is becoming angry with her.  I don't tell you this, his words show you this.  Aksinya calls him on his statements, and he answers her straightforwardly.  He says he loves her, but she still doesn't believe it.  Aksinya can't imagine that someone would love her.  Love is a strange thing to Aksinya.  We aren't certain she understands what love really is at all.  Then...Ernst uses Aksinya's name.  That is a real faux pas, and very intimate, but he thinks, perhaps that will shock her into believing him.  It shocks her, but doesn't work much--at least she listens to him. 

We get an explanation from Ernst about some of the events that made him seek out Aksinya.  We find that most of what he told her before was a lie.  It was a lie he used to get close to her, but a lie none-the-less.  And Ernst admits he lied.  We discover the details of Ernst's interaction with the Freiherr and with Asmodeus.

Still, everything Ernst tells us, we knew already.  We realized he loves Aksinya.  We realized he stole her book to get her to go out with him.  He thinks she is special and perfect.  We know all this is temptation--temptation for Ernst and temptation for Aksinya.  The kicker here is Ernst's confession (again): “But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.”  Alas, he doesn't know much at all.

Ah, love.  Aksinya is wary.  Natalya is wary.  Aksinya should be.  Natalya knows.  Tomorrow, more of the lovebirds conversation on the enclosed balcony.

A New Novel, Part 155 Dance with Me

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst Father's estate for a New Years party.  Dinner and dessert are over; now is the time for dancing...

Ernst and his father led the men from the table. Aksinya followed a servant and the ladies to the parlor. The women spoke with Aksinya and that part of the evening was very pleasant to her. After a while, the men returned to the parlor and the Graf led Ernst to Aksinya, “Countess, would you come to the ballroom. I have promised my guests a dance, and I hoped you would dance with my son.”


Aksinya stood and took Ernst’s arm. She was a little wobbly from the wine. She glanced at him, “I would be pleased to dance.”

In the ballroom, the Graf made a motion toward the sting quartet, and they began to play a waltz. Ernst clasped Aksinya’s hand and led her into the dance. He didn’t say anything and didn’t look at Aksinya at first. She asked him, “Are you embarrassed about your father’s comments at dinner?”

Ernst frowned, “Am I that obvious?”

She laughed, “Yes.”

“Do you understand his meaning?”

“Yes, I think I do. This is why you brought me, isn’t it? Your father sees me as a potential candidate for your bride.”

“Yes, it is that obvious?”

“It was that obvious from the beginning.”

“Yes… And what are your feelings?”

“Feelings have little to do with it.”

Ernst stopped cold, “Wha…what do you mean?”

Aksinya pursed her lips, “Everyone is staring.”

Ernst led off again, “Everyone is staring at you.”

“At me?”

“You are absolutely gorgeous in that dress. If you didn’t wish to be stared at, you shouldn’t wear such beautiful clothing. Didn’t you realize?”

Aksinya tossed her head, “Natalya chose my dress. I leave such things to her. If you wished perfection in decorum and dress you should be interested in her.”

“But I am not interested in her. I am interested only in you.”

“Only because of what I am…”

Ernst pulled her a little closer, “This is not the place to speak about such things.”

“Really?”

“Come, we will converse in private.”

Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”

So the evening continues.  The conversation of dinner has a break due to dessert and after dinner drinks.  I show you this little cultural phenomena and refer to its reasons.  Usually the gentlemen go to smoke after dinner.  They usually have an after dinner drink.  The ladies usually have an after dinner drink and dessert with coffee or tea. 
 
When the men return to the the parlor, it is time to begin the dance.  The Graf is pushing his son into Akinsya's arms--did you expect anything else?  Aksinya is a little tipsy--did you expect anything else?  Aksinya will dance.  Dancing is one of the major civilized pleasures of the time, and this was a period when all educated and refined people knew how to dance.

Aksinya and Ernst begin to dance.  He doesn't speak and Aksinya is a little drunk, so she does not hold her tongue.  The conversation at dinner is the topic.  Ernst is obviously upset about his father's candor.  Ernst is obvious.  Ernst has always worn his thoughts and his emotions on his sleeve.  From the beginning, he hasn't kept any secrets from us or Aksinya.  His love letters are straight forward.  His love is like a puppy dog's. 

What should surprise us is how observant Aksinya has been.  She picked up on everything.  She knew what was going on.  I ask you again, do you think she is a woman in love?  The Graf was just short of inviting Aksinya into the family at dinner.  He invited her to call him by his given name.  He gave her to Ernst to escort.  He sat her in the place of the lady of the house.  He spoke candidly to her about Ernst and his future.  The next step is obvious to everyone but Aksinya.

So Ernst asks Aksinya in a round about manner.  This is not the correct approach with her at all.  He asks: “Yes… And what are your feelings?” (her feelings about marriage to him--that is, about love for him).  Aksinya floors him with her answer: “Feelings have little to do with it.”  You can see all that is happening here.  Ernst has been dropping hints from the beginning of their relationship.  Well, okay, not so much hints as straight out declarations.  He loves her and wants to marry her.  He thought that Aksinya would fall in love with him just as he has fallen in love with her.  He thought that all the preparation would make her fall into his arms.  He thought that even if she didn't love him, he was at least so good a catch that she would just act like she loved him and everything would be well.  That isn't Aksinya.  Plus, Ernst approached Aksinya about sorcery.  He has her book.  This little perversion of the relationship is the problem.

When they stop in the middle of the dance, everyone is staring at them.  Well, duh.  They are the reason for this party.  They are the couple here.  Everyone knows what is going on.  A marriage proposal is in the works.  This is the way things are done.  Aksinya takes the staring for their motionlessness in the middle of the dance floor.  Ernst gives another reason--Aksinya's beauty.  Which is right?  We know Aksinya is not beautiful, but her dress perhaps makes her look stunning.  This is why the perceptions of the characters are untrustworthy--just like real life.  We see the happenings around the characters and have to interpret them for ourselves--just like real life.  By the way, I use an advance writing technique to show you all this.  I don't tell you everyone is staring; I show you through Aksinya and Ernst conversation that everyone is staring.  No description, just dialog.

Ernst response and declaration that Aksinya is "absolutely gorgeous" shows us that he is smitten.  Whether Aksinya is as ugly as she believes is immaterial to Ernst and to his father.  Look as Aksinya's response.  Natalya chose the dress (she likely chose it for Ernst, but Natalya is the reason, not Aksinya).  There is another way of looking at this--we choose our servants to make us look good.  That is their purpose.  There is a foreshadowing here about Natalya.  I won't do anything other than point this out to you right now.

This interaction leads to the point Aksinya has held to all this time.  She doesn't believe Ernst loves her for herself, but only for her sorcery.  That is the reason for her statement.  Aksinya is a little drunk and she is hot for a little confrontation with Ernst.  Ernst and his father put her on the spot at dinner.  She believes everything is a facade and the facade is based not on Ernst's love for her and what she is, but rather on her sorcery and the demon's actions to influence Ernst and perhaps his father. 

Ernst invites Aksinya to have a private conversation.  Of course this can't be allowed.  This action alone likely proves how inexperience Ernst is with women.  He should know this.  On the other hand, if he does know this, they his request is pure induendo.  We will see tomorrow the beginnings of thier private conversation. 

A New Novel, Part 154 You Were Chosen

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Yesterday, I forgot to mention two important points in the conversation.  The first is the comment about the tragic results of Russian stories.  This was a foreshadowing before and a foreshadowing here.  I'm certain you got that.  The second was the Graf's question: "Are you pleased with him?"  This was basically a refined way of saying: "Do you love him?"  Aksinya's answer is not very encouraging: "He is pleasant to me."  I really don't want you to miss this point.  That's why I keep bringing it up (in the novel); does Akinsya appear like a woman in love?  To the Graf, this point isn't really important, he isn't interested in love... 



Aksinya took a small spoonful of the soup, it was a delicate consume of partridge and spices. She sipped her wine again and glanced over her glass at the Graf, “I would not wish Ernst to become dour.”


The Graf smiled, “Dour by working? How should he support a family otherwise?”

“I have spoken to him about this. In Russia, my father was always busy with the affairs of our county. I would expect Ernst to do the same.”

“Well said and good advice to him.” He turned toward Ernst, “Has this wise woman been so candid with you?”

“Yes, father,” Ernst’s voice sounded slightly strained.

“Then you should listen to her, and not become dour. What, dear Countess, do you think a young nobleman should be about? That is, to prepare his way in the world?”

Ernst scowled, “Father, this is much too candid a conversation for the table.”

“What do you think, Countess?”

“What do you wish Ernst to do to prepare himself? He told me he was in the military during the war.”

Graf von Taaffe frowned a little, “He was.”

“Were you not proud of him? I was.”

The Graf’s smile returned, “We have not been a military family for a long while. I was also proud of him, but I feared for his life. I could not stand to think I would lose him too.”

Aksinya’s face displayed her curiosity.

The Graf continued, “I lost his mother, and I do not wish to lose him. To me that is unthinkable.”

“Perhaps a little frivolity is owed to a man who is willing to protect that which he believes is important.”

The Graf puffed out his chest, “Well said, Countess. And well turned.” He raised his glass to Ernst, “Ernst, you have chosen well.”

Aksinya raised her glass and took a sip of wine, “Chosen?”

“Why, he has chosen to court you, Countess. If you are willing to defend and to admonish him, this is a very welcome thing to me. His mother would have done the same.”

Aksinya blushed, “You attribute too much to me, I think.”

The Graf only continued to smile.

The servants brought out the fish course next. Ernst was unusually silent. The main course followed the fish. Then the salad was followed by the cheese. Afterward, the Graf stood, “The gentlemen shall retire to the smoking room, and the ladies may retire to the parlor for dessert.”

Now, the Graf finally begins to get to his real point.  You see this conversation is a very delicate inquiry into the thoughts of Aksinya.  There is a give and take, but mostly gentle probing by the Graf.  Aksinya is a natural at this, but she really doesn't have any agenda, the Graf does. 

As before, Aksinya thinks a little before answering.  The last point the Graf made was this: “Now, Ernst, I simply state the obvious.  Although I understand very well why you might want to spend every evening entertaining the Countess, I do wish you to be as serious as she is about your future.”  The Graf's point is about Ernst's (and Aksinya's) future.  He is trying to get (shame) Ernst to face the future (with Aksinya).  Look at Aksinya's answer, it is so coy and well thought out: “I would not wish Ernst to become dour.”  The point here is that she would not want Ernst to change.  We know why; she wants the luxuria.  There is a second innuendo in her statement.  For Ernst to become dour, the story would have to have a tragic end.  We can guess the answer to that, but it is inconceivable in the current bright environment.

Aksinya's statement gives the Graf the opportunity to bring out the big guns.  This was the point he wanted an opportunity to make since the beginning: “Dour by working? How should he support a family otherwise?”  There it is.  The Graf will refine and make this point more than once, but his point in inviting Aksinya to this party is to get Ernst to become responsible and begin to work so that Ernst can support a family (obviously with Aksinya as his wife). 

Aksinya's response is to the point, but do you get the idea that she hasn't put everything together.  She doesn't seem to get the idea that the Graf means her when it comes to family.  Aksinya's advice is the same as that which she gave Ernst at their first dinner meeting.  The Graf thinks Aksinya is working along with him.  She is simply stating what to her is obvious.  Ernst remembers his and Aksinya's conversation on this subject. 

The Graf complement's Aksinya's statement and makes a nice turn in the conversation.  The implication is that if Ernst accepts his responsibility then he will not become dour (there won't be a tragic ending).  The Graf keeps pushing.  He has enlisted Aksinya as his helper, and believes she will continue to support him.  His question: "What, dear Countess, do you think a young nobleman should be about? That is, to prepare his way in the world?”

This angers Ernst, but the Graf continues.  Aksinya isn't a pawn of anyone.  We are not certain she fully grasps what the Graf is about.  Her response supports Ernst.  Remember back to their first dinner conversation.  Aksinya was impressed with Ernst's participation in protecting his country.  Aksinya was proud of this--we could guess that.  Military service is indeed the major reason for the nobility.  She was proud of him--his father was worried about him.  Aksinya has turned the conversation.  We are not certain if she did it on purpose because she didn't like where the Graf was taking it, or if it was accidental and based on just her peception of the conversation itself. 

The turn brings up Ernst's mother.  Since Aksinya is sitting in the seat reserved for Ernst's dead mother, the irony and depth of this statement can't be ignored.  We learn that the Graf is likely overprotective of his son and that he loved his wife and loves Ernst very much.  Aksinya's next statement is very ironic on many levels: “Perhaps a little frivolity is owed to a man who is willing to protect that which he believes is important.”  Although Ernst participated in the war, he was only partially willing to protect Aksinya and her friends when they were about to be raped.  His lack of action resulted in her making the great enchantment in the street.  He stole her book.  He has not been protecting Aksinya.  We are not certain what is important to Ernst--other than frivolity.  We know what is important to Aksinya and that is akin to frivolity.  Still, the Graf doesn't understand the irony in Aksinya's words.  She didn't say them or understand them to be ironic, we just know they are.

The Graf's response and Aksinya's reaction shows us how clueless Aksinya is.  When the Graf raises his glass to her and Ernst, she thinks it is raised to Ernst alone;  she takes a sip.  She knows Ernst is courting her with the intention of marriage.  That is obviously why he brought her to his father and that his father invited Aksinya to this party.  She was chosen.  Aksinya doesn't get it.  Aksinya has proven to the Graf that she would make a perfect mate for Ernst.  She is bright and polished.  She defended him to his father.  She admonished Ernst and admonished the Graf.  In the eyes of both, Aksinya is perfect.  She is a perfect noblewoman and a perfect choice as the next Gräfin (countess) von Taaffe.  Aksinya kind of begins to understand what the conversation was about--her and Ernst's future.  The Graf made his point, therefore, he smiles.  You might wonder just what the Graf has prepared the atmosphere for.  Tomorrow, dancing together.

A New Novel, Part 153 I Have Not Found Him Dour at All

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst father's, Graf von Taaffe's, estate for a New Years party and dance.  They have been called to dinner...
They entered a large dining room and Ernst escorted Aksinya to the seat next to the head of the table. It was the seat usually reserved for the lady of the house. Ernst sat beside her and the Graf von Taaffe at the head. Natalya was seated by the Graf next to Ernst. Across from Aksinya sat her uncle and next to him, her aunt.


As soon as the first course of wine and appetizer was served, the Graf asked her, “I understand you are attending the gymnasium at Sacré Coeur.”

Aksinya touched her lips with her napkin, “My lady-in-waiting and I.”

“Yes, you made the acquaintance of my son there?”

“Through my aunt and uncle…”

“Yes, through your aunt and uncle. Your uncle is a very good friend of mine. Do you intend to continue your studies?”

“I would like to.”

“I understand you are as fond as my son of the ballet, opera, and theater.”

Aksinya tasted a bite of the appetizer. It was a small piece of hart in a light wine sauce. She took a sip of wine before she answered, “Yes, although I am still getting used to comedy. In Russia, not so many of the stories end without tragic consequences.”

The Graf laughed, “I thought we Austrians were dour.”

“I have not found Ernst dour at all.”

“That is good. Are you pleased with him?”

“He is pleasant to me.”

“Good. I intend for him to take over the business from me. Perhaps you can encourage him in this direction. He can’t continue to spend his life in frivolity.”

“Father,” Ernst complained.

“Now, Ernst, I simply state the obvious. Although I understand very well why you might want to spend every evening entertaining the Countess, I do wish you to be as serious as she is about your future.”

A servant removed the appetizer plates and another served the soup. Aksinya’s glass was filled with a new wine that was a little sweeter than the first.

You can make all you want of this--Aksinya is seated at the place reserved for the lady of the house.  This place would usually go to the highest ranking woman in the household--it goes to Aksinya.  Like I said, make of it what you want.  The Graf honors the Bockmanns, but we could have guessed he would.  He is interested in their support for Ernst in his courting of Aksinya.  Plus they seem to be the highest ranking couple next to the Graf and Aksinya.  The Graf also allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya to dinner.  He introduced Aksinya as Ernst's suitor so it is natural that Ernst should escort her.  These little plays have their place.  They are the norm for the culture and are not random or by simple desire.

At the table, the responsibility of the man on the right of the lady is to engage the lady in conversation.  The Graf begins immediately.  His question is simple.  Aksinya's answer is not as simple as it sounds.  She tells the Graf that both she and Natalya are attending the school together.  A small detail.  The Graf's response is straight to the point--can you see, he wanted to bring up Ernst.  We learn that Freiherr Bockmann is a good friend of the Graf von Taaffe.  This shouldn't surprise us, but it does make everything become clearer about the past events.

The second point the Graf wanted to bring up is about studies.  Ernst and studies, whatever could he have in mind?  The Graf makes a statement that lets us know he is very familiar with the evening meetings of Ernst and Aksinya.  The Graf's statement is simple, but it is a statement not a question.  Aksinya answers thoughtfully.  Note she does take a long moment to think through her answer.  She acknowledges the Graf's knowledge and provides an attempt to turn the conversation.  This gives me the opportunity to bring up the joke and point about being "dour."  This was a part of Ernst and Aksinya's first event conversation.  The Graf mirrors his son in the treatment of the subject.  This shows the connectin between the two.  Aksinya makes it personal: “I have not found Ernst dour at all.”

This allows the Graf to get to one of his main points: "Are you pleased with him?"  Aksinya's answer allows the Graf to bring up his second point--this is about Ernst's life and work.  Ernst isn't happy with the direction of the conversation.  This is obviously a point of contention between Ernst and his father.  The problem here is that the Graf has made a terrible mistake about Aksinya's dedication to her studies.  Perhaps she wishes to study, but we know she doesn't.  She is not a model student at all.  She is in some ways as bad as Ernst.  To use Aksinya as an example of proper dedication is not the best idea.  Neither Ernst nor the Graf realize this.  Aksinya might not even realize this.  She is a dedicated student of sorcery and luxuria, but not of much else.  Still the dinner continues and tomorrow, we shall see where the Graf's conversation will go.

A New Novel, Part 152 My Son is Courting the Countess

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns have arrived at Ernst Father's estate.  The immediate greetings are complete.  Now, the Graf leads them into the house...
The Graf seemed even more pleased, “I understand completely, Countess. Very well, it is cold outside, and I understand your delicate nature. Please, let us retire to the ballroom. There are refreshments, and I’m certain, my guests would like to make your acquaintance.” The Graf extended his arm toward Aksinya. She took it. Ernst frowned and gave his arm to Natalya. They made their way into the house with the Graf von Taaffe and the Countess Golitsyna in the lead.


The interior of the mansion was similar to the outside. The floor was set stone, and very old. Martial emblems and weapons decorated the walls. The foyer was large and the walls were very thick. Heavy tapestries attempted to contain the chill from the outside, but they only helped increase the temperature a little. Inside, with the Graf’s help, a footman took Aksinya’s cloak. They made their way up a long stone staircase to the next floor. That opened to a long room which ran over half the length of the front of the house. At the far end of the ballroom, a string quartet played gentle waltz music. Against the inside wall were two large fireplaces filled with roaring wood fires. The floors here were also stone, but thick oriental rugs covered them. The temperature was also much more to Aksinya’s liking, but a persistent draft touched the room with a slight chill.

Five other very well dressed couples conversed in the room. When the new arrivals entered, they all turned toward the Graf and his visitors. Graf von Taaffe pulled Aksinya gently ahead of him, “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.” Everyone made a deep bow or curtsy. The Graf continued, “My son, Ernst is courting the Countess."

A quiet mummer ran through the ballroom.


Graf von Taaffe smiled, “I will introduce the Countess to each of you when it is convenient for her.”

Aksinya blushed again, “Please continue, I will be pleased to make your acquaintance.”

The entire room made an obeisance to her again.

The Graf laughed and gestured Ernst forward. He placed Aksinya’s hand on Ernst’s arm and announced to the group, “Accompanying the Countess is her aunt and uncle, my friends, the Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann. You all are acquainted with them already. And also, the Countess’s lady-in-waiting, a member of the Russian court, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.”

The group bowed to the Freiherr, Freifrau, and Natalya.

The Graf nodded to Ernst, “Come Ernst let us introduce the Countess.” With Natalya directly behind them, the Graf led Aksinya around to each of his friends and holders. They were mostly lower nobility and some politicians from the local area. None were as high as a Freiherr in rank.

When the introductions were finished, Aksinya had only a few moments to stand at one of the fireplaces beside Ernst while he engaged in conversation with his father’s guests. Aksinya didn’t speak much to them. She didn’t have time to become comfortable before a house servant came around to announce that dinner was served.

I left out an important observation yesterday.  I'm certain you saw it, but just to make sure.  When Ernst's father offers his arm to Aksinya, this is most proper--the Count should escort the Countess.  Anything else is really unthinkable in the society, but Ernst frowns when he gives his arm to Natalya.  Everything is proper, but you should wonder, why did Ernst frown.  The first reason is the most obvious, he wanted to escort Aksinya, the Countess, and not Natalya.  The second, if the Graf allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya, the Countess, that would be a direct indicator of his father's pleasure and certainty that Ernst is ready to assume the duties as Graf.  Ernst wants this approval very much, especially in front of Aksinya.  We will see very soon how this all plays out.

The scene setting continues inside the house.  As I've mentioned before, my point is to provide enough description to spark your own imagination.  I agree with Arlo Guthrie and Ernest Hemingway on this that too much description makes a book like a movie or a screenplay.  You don't want to give so much to your readers that they are locked in the view only the author or producer imagined.  You want to give scope to the reader's imagination to fill out a scene in the boundary of their own imagination.  The author must put enough into the description to bound the scene for the reader and install inside it the props necessary for the story, plot, and theme.  Too much is a burden on the reader and too little an equal burden.

So the description...I already told you the house looked like a castle and gave some details that focused (bound) your mind in a certain way.  The interior just confirms to you the way you knew it had to be.  The important point is the temperature.  Anyone who has been inside a real castle knows they are impossible to heat.  It is the middle of winter.  The contrast is the warm welcome of the family and later the guests and the cold thick stone.

Remember the three floors I mentioned before?  The ballroom is on the second floor (the floor with the medium sized windows).  A string quartet plays a waltz, and the two fireplaces are blazing.  The room's still cold.  There is a persistent chill through the room--just scene setting here.

We see five couples--so this is a small party, only 16 people total.  You can guess they were all hand-picked by the Graf.  The reason for this will become obvious later.  The Graf introduces Aksinya to the group.  This is proper, but even more proper is an individual introduction especially to royalty.  I mentioned this before too.  The Graf tells them Ernst is courting Aksinya.  There is some excitement at the announcement, but they likely already know this juicy tidbit of gossip.  The Graf wants everyone to know--especially Aksinya, that he accepts her and accepts his sons decision.  Look at the etiquette of the group.  It is perfect--they are hand-picked.  Aksinya's reply is perfect too.

The Graf places Aksinya's hand on Ernst arm. In this group and at this time, he is willing to hand over the countess to his son. The precedence of rank is obvious here.  He has announced that they are courting, this is indeed the right thing to do, but he still stays close--he is not willing to give the appearance that he is handing anything else over to his son.The Graf then introduces the rest of the newcomers.  Note, the Bockmanns know these people.  Surely, at a party so far out of Wein, there might be a single person the Bockmanns might not know.  No, the Graf wants this to be a perfect party and evening.  He has picked the people for their decorum and rank.  They all know the Bockmanns--there will be no surprises tonight.  That is the obvious intention of the Graf.  The Graf laughed for pleasure.  He is happy everything is working out just as he planned it. 



 
The Graf with Ernst then takes Aksinya (and Ernst) around the room to make private introductions.  You can guess what these are like--I don't need to tell you.  Natalya follows obediently along.  We find that these people are all holders to the Graf in one way or another. 
 
Aksinya is chilled and uncomfortable.  She knew what this party would be like from the beginning--she knows all about parties.  Isn't she the one who ended up a wallflower at the Advent party?  Finally, it is time for dinner--that's a bit of luxuria Aksinya can delve into.  Tomorrow, dinner at Steinholtz.

A New Novel, Part 151 Ernst, Introduce Your Friend

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya has come to Ernst Father's estate in the mountains of Austria. Ernst greets the party, but his father quickly follows...


A man who looked like an older copy of Ernst descended the marble steps from the house. He was dressed in very conservative formal tails. His top hat sat jauntily on his head. A great smile filled his features. He laughed, “Ernst, the Freiherr and the Freifrau I know. Please introduce me to your friend.”

Ernst offered his arm to Aksinya and walked her to the gentleman, “Father, this is the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna. Countess, this is my father, the Graf Franz von Taaffe.”

Aksinya proffered her gloved hand, and The Graf took it and bowed over it. When he raised his head, his eyes twinkled, “Good evening, Countess and welcome to Steinholtz. My son has truly chosen to court a treasure.”

Aksinya blushed at that too.

The Graf reluctantly, Aksinya thought, released her hand and turned toward her aunt and uncle. The Freiherr gave slight bow and the Freifrau a curtsy. Graf von Taaffe grasped the Freiherr’s hand and pumped it up and down. He bowed over Freifrau Bockmann’s hand.

Aksinya reached behind her and pulled Natalya forward. Lady Natalya made a low curtsy. Aksinya put out her hand, “Graf von Taaffe, this is my lady-in-waiting, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.”

Graf von Taaffe bowed over Natalya’s hand, “I have heard about your good friend also, Countess Golitsyna. You are also welcome, Lady Obolenska. That is a name of Russian nobility, is it not?”

Aksinya answered for Natalya, “The Lady Natalya is a member of the court.”

Graf von Taaffe turned his smile back to Aksinya, “Is that so? Then we are all well met.”

Aksinya continued, “You may address her as the Lady Natalya.”

Graf von Taaffe grinned at Aksinya, “I do understand the formality of the Russian court, but you may address me as Franz if you wish, Countess.”

“I have not given Ernst the favor of that informality with me, yet, sir. I am a little old fashioned in my thinking. I hope you don’t mind.”

The Graf seemed even more pleased, “I understand completely, Countess. Very well, it is cold outside, and I understand your delicate nature. Please, let us retire to the ballroom. There are refreshments, and I’m certain, my guests would like to make your acquaintance.” The Graf put out his arm toward Aksinya. She took it. Ernst frowned and gave his arm to Natalya. They made their way into the house with the Graf von Taaffe and the Countess Golitsyna in the lead.

So the Graf von Taaffe steps from the house. I give you a description of him. He is much like Ernst, but he is self-controlled and mature. Ernst introduces Akinsya and we see his approval. Ernst's father is suave and well-manured. He is a count in the Germanic nobility. The Graf calls Aksinya a treasure. Aksinya blushes because she doesn't think much of her beauty. This leaves us to wonder about how Aksinya really appears to others--we also wonder if the Graf is simply flattering her.


The Freiherr is obviously a good friend to the Graf. You might wonder that they have business dealings together. I don't tell you. It is really enough to leave the depths of the relationship unsaid. They are friends and this is enough.

I imply again that Natalya is hiding.  Aksinya pulls Natalya forward and introduces her. The Graf show knowledge and consideration beyond the norm. He treats Natalya well for Aksinya's sake. The Graf's simple comment: we are all well met refers to the fact that everyone there is noble. This implies some degree of intimacy and connection. Then the question of the addresses. Aksinya begins by insisting that Natalya be addressed as a noblewoman. The Graf conveys a great boon on Aksinya by asking her to call him Franz--his first name. Aksinya is not scandalized, but this is an informality she will not accept.

The Graf is pleased because Aksinya shows such strong presence of mind, decorum, and will. She did not simply agree to call the Graf Franz. She wasn't afraid to contradict him. She holds to the decorum of the court even when offered the opportunity to be less formal. The Graf obviously knows a lot about Aksinya--he either came to the information from Ernst or some other source. Notice, he is concerned about her delicate nature--that is a reference to the cold, and Aksinya has problems with being cold. Now we head into the mansion to make the acquittance of the Graf's guests. Tomorrow, the interior and the Graf's friends.

A New Novel, Part 150 Dressed Like a Princess

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

For New Years 1919, Aksinya, Natalya, Freiherr, and Freifrau Bockmann have been invited by Ernst and his father to visit Ernst Father's estate in the mountains of Austria...

Aksinya was not enraptured with the idea of visiting Ernst’s family or his father’s estate. Still Ernst was pleasant. She certainly didn’t want her aunt and uncle gumming up all her time with the young man. She wondered mostly why he would invite her and her aunt and uncle to this affair tonight.

When their coupe arrived at front of the house, Ernst ran out and stopped at the carriage door before the vehicle came to a complete stop. He was dressed formally in dark tails, but didn’t have on his top hat. He yanked open the door before the doorman or the driver could. Aunt Brunhilda grasped Aksinya’s arm and pulled her up. She whispered with a smile, “Greet him first. He’s looking for you.”

Aksinya came to the door, and Ernst put out his hand. Aksinya allowed him to help her from the coupe. She was dressed in a light blue gown that had silver highlights sewn into the fabric. The gown flowed gently over her body. The top was high with a straight collar that accentuated her very thin body and small bosom. Her hat was a small square of blue lace with a very light veil that only reached as long as her bangs. Like always, Natalya had chosen the clothing for her. Aksinya had not closed her long mink cloak and that framed her body and the dress. Ernst stared at her for a moment then he put his lips close to her gloved hand and bowed deeply over it. His warm breath swirled with small clouds in the cold air, “Countess Golitsyna, welcome to Steinholtz.” He raised his head and gazed in her eyes with such a strange and fervent expression, she blushed.

The doorman and driver helped the Freiherr and Freifrau from the coupe and then Natalya. Finally, without moving his eyes from Aksinya, Ernst turned partially toward the Freiherr and Freifrau, “Good evening Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann.” After a moment, Ernst managed to drag his eyes from Aksinya and to the Freiherr. He gave a slight bow to the nobleman, and then took Freifrau Bockmann’s hand and bowed over it.

Okay, I don't usually let you have a look into the minds of my characters.  I let you see a little into Aksinya's thoughts.  I chose to use this technique because I didn't think it would fit well in a conversation, and I wanted you to note her mind as they arrive.  It was enough to show you she is interested superficially in Ernst, but not in his family, estate, or the party.  Although very wise about many things, Aksinya is clueless about some things in life.

When they arrived, Ernst ran out without his hat.  No one is caught outside without a hat in this culture.  To do is is the epitome of a faux pas.  Ernst rushes out to greet Aksinya.  He is like a little kid.  He gets to the carriage before it can stop moving and yanks open the door.  You would think Aksinya would get it, but she doesn't.  Her aunt does understand and pushes her out first.

Aksinya is dressed like a princess--a Russian princess; her mink cloak frames her body.  If you didn't get it already, this makes Ernst's poor heart do flip-flops.  He thinks she dressed for him--that's why I point out that Natalya picked out her clothing, like always.  Aksinya is ambivalent to Ernst;  he is deeply in love with her.  All he can do is stare.  His look makes her blush.  We also get the name of the estate, Steinholtz--roughly, in German, "stonehold."

Ernst can't take his eyes off Aksinya.  By the way, men did not kiss women's hands in Germanic cultures.  To touch your lips to a woman's hand would be considered very intimate and improper.  A man, most properly, would bow over the hand.  In Latin cultures, I understand a man might kiss a woman's hand, but he would not kiss a Germanic woman's hand twice.  In some Germanic countries, such an action could be prosecuted criminally as "touching."  I do let the moment get a little intimate: Ernst brings his lips close and his warm breath makes fog in the air.  This way I show you how cold the day is and how impassioned Ernst is. 

Ernst manages to greet the Freiherr and Freifrau.  Tomorrow, we meet Ernst's father.