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 144 Read to Me this Evening

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 Natalya are at Grossbock.  This is their usual weekend hangout.  Ernst with the acceptance and help of Aksinya's aunt and uncle, has invited himself to dinner...

When Saturday evening came around, Aksinya did not greet Herr von Taaffe at the door. She read a book in the family parlor, and Natalya sat with her. Freiherr Bockmann wanted to use the formal greeting parlor, but Aksinya liked the large fireplace in the family parlor with its very warm wood and coal fire. She remained facing the fireplace when Herr von Taaffe entered.


Ernst came around to the blazing fireplace and stood in front of Aksinya, “Countess Golitsyna, good evening.”

Aksinya made a wry face, but didn’t look up from her book, “Good evening, Herr von Taaffe.”

“Sweet Lady, I told you, you may call me, Ernst.”

“Very well, Ernst.” She glanced up from her book. “Do not neglect my lady-in-waiting. She is not your servant, and you have been introduced.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Obolenska. Good evening.”

Natalya nodded.

Freiherr Bockmann pulled a chair over for Ernst. He put it close to the left side of Aksinya’s seat. Ernst sat down. Aksinya opened her book again, and Ernst pulled it out of her hands. He laughed, “You didn’t intend to neglect me, did you?”

“No, I did accept your invitation to dine and to the opera next week.”

“I received your post.”

“Then, you see I have no intention of neglecting you. In fact, I shall give you all my attention on Wednesday evening.”

“What about tonight?”

Aksinya scowled at him, “You did not ask my permission about tonight. You came to entertain my aunt and uncle. I certainly don’t want to get in your way.”

Ernst laughed again, “I warned you I was coming. I invited myself to your aunt and uncle’s for the purpose of seeing you again. Will you let me entertain you?”

“What? Entertain me in my own relation’s home? That is certainly pretentious.”

“With your and their permission, I will attempt to engage you in a pleasant evening’s conversation.”

“I intended to read this evening.”

“Then I shall read to you.”

Aksinya’s eyebrow rose, “You would?”

Ernst nodded.

Aksinya took the book from him and stuck it between her hip and the chair, “Perhaps after dinner.” She stood, “Ernst, you may escort me to table. Uncle, I am ready for dinner.”

They went together into the family dining room.

Aksinya was pleasant to Ernst during dinner and the rest of the evening. He left before the Freiherr and Freifrau retired for the evening. Ernst did not read to Aksinya that evening, they were all too busily engaged in polite conversation.

Aksinya is being a real stinker, but in the culture, her actions are considered reasonable.  Ernst wants her attention.  She is not ready to give it so readily.  You can imagine Aksinya's mind.  She wants her books.  She is just getting comfortable with Ernst, but she would never admit that.  She snubs him, but he treats her as a friend.  Aksinya, at this point, is without any help.  The Freifrau and Freiherr, and Natalya are all happy to see her a friend with Ernst.
 
Ernst places himself where he can't be ignored.  Aksinya snubs him, but acknowledges his precense.  In this culture, that is a step ahead.  Ernst announces before the "family," Aksinya may call him by his given name.  That is very intimate.  Because she does would be a reason for her aunt and uncle to rejoice.  Aksinya bursts Ernst's bubble by reminding him of his manners.  She does it in a very strong way that lifts up Natalya.
 
The Freiherr is encouraged by Aksinya's intamacy and brings a chair for Ernst.  Ernst, likewise, acknowledges his closeness by taking the book out of Aksinya's hands.  He reminds her of her responsibility as a member of the host's family, and she turns it around at him.  We also get that Aksinya responded to Ernst's letter.  I don't show you the letter, but let you know it was.  Then, we get to the whole part that is iritating to Aksinya--tonight.  Ernst didn't ask her about this evening.  She's right, Ernst used his influence on her uncle.  Aksinya is quite proper in her response.  We get a dialog give and take about this very point.  It is a verbal contest that Ernst wins by giving everything to Aksinya.  Aksinya likes this in a man.  She does want a man she can control.  The evidence of the action is that Aksinya places her book away--it doesn't get taken out again that evening.  She allows Ernst to escort her to dinner.  This is a huge change from ignoring him to taking his arm to dinner.
 
The end is a small kicker--he didn't read to her because they were engaged in polite conversation.  Aksinya is indeed warming to Ernst von Taaffe.  Tomorrow, a small transition and dinner at Sacré Coeur.