“I often wondered when he would find a bride. He seemed like such a rogue,” Frida said, her eyes glittering with wine and a hint of cruelty. “When word reached me that he had found a wife, I was shocked. I must admit I thought he would perhaps one day marry our dear Csilla. They are very much alike in their particular predilections. ”
Tilting my head, I graced the nasty gossip with a wide smile. “Aren’t they?”
Frida’s wicked expression dimmed somewhat. “Yes. But I’m sure he has taken you under his wing to show you the wonders of married life. ” The innuendo dripped from her lips as her keen dark eyes watched me with anticipation.
With a light laugh, I flipped open my fan. Fluttering it before my face to create a small breeze, I graced her with a bemused smile. “Well, he would be a rather bad husband if he did not. ”
Moving her heavy body closer to mine, she whispered conspiratorially, “Well, if he had not, I’m certain you could have found one of these dashing young men to do the honors. ” With a hard edge to her smile, she added, “While he was away, on business, of course, with the Baroness. ”
“She may be his mistress, but I am his wife and carry his title,” I said keeping the steel from my tone. I refused to be baited.
Her smile faded to a hard little line as she pressed her lips together. The ostrich feathers of her turban bobbed around her head as she settled into a chair to watch the gaiety on the lawn. “Sometimes titles are all women such as we can cling to when our husbands are distracted. ” She added in a curious tone, “Or perhaps we enjoy their distraction allowing us to pursue other. . . interests. ”
Settling upon a stone bench, I shrugged my shoulders.
Frida’s gaze shifted to Adem. “Yes, I could see that. ”
“Then you see what is not there,” I said.
Hearing her words, Adem merely shook his head and returned to watching the antics of the Hungarian aristocrats and a few foreign guests. Csilla was in fine form, laughing gaily, prancing about with a glass of wine in one hand. It was clear that she had selected a young Frenchman to bed. She was particularly enthralled with his accent and broad shoulders. I could see the allure of his blond curls and blue eyes, but his beauty was dim in comparison to my lost love.
Laughter sang through the air as people cheated flamboyantly at the game while flirting outrageously with each other. At one point in my young life I would have been scandalized by the flagrant actions of those around me, but I had lost my innocence in Vlad’s castle. When two men playfully tried to lift the skirts of the baroness, I thought it fairly tame compared to how Vlad had torn off my dress.
“Countess, this just arrived,” Brice said, his tall form stepping to my side. Upon his tray was a simple card.
“Thank you, Brice,” I said with a true smile. Plucking up the card, I read it over swiftly. “Is there a messenger awaiting a reply?”
“Yes, madam. ”
“My response is that I shall be there in due haste,” I said as I gathered my shawl about my shoulders and stood. Gesturing to Adem, I swiftly walked into the house ignoring Frida’s query and speculative gaze.
Adem fell into step behind me as I rushed toward my suite.
“Your master finally agreed to my request to meet with him,” I informed Adem. “It took him long enough, didn’t it?”
“Sometimes he has no awareness of the passage of time, and other times he merely likes to make people wait. ”
I could see the truth in Adem’s comment, but I was not mollified. I was in a temper over Astir’s dismissive behavior. I quickly dressed in a blue silk gown and matching turban with ostrich feathers. Magda fussed over my hair and clothing as I rushed to the waiting carriage. My slippers were new and slightly pinched my feet, but I was pleased with my attire. It was one of the many new outfits Vlad had bought me and I felt very fashionable. Upon my throat, wrists and ears I wore diamon
ds and aquamarines, another gift, this time from my brother. He had presented them to me as a wedding gift and I was very fond of them. The color of the aquamarines matched my eyes and the diamonds sparkled brilliantly upon my limbs as I moved.
Once settled in Astir’s carriage, I allowed myself a moment of peace to gather my wits about me and set my words in order. My temper would get the best of me if I was not careful and I needed Astir to be my supporter, not my enemy. The carriage groaned as the horses were urged forward and the wheels turned carrying me away from the palace. I should have probably informed the baroness I was departing, but a bit of mystery would keep her in awe of me. I did not want her to feel too familiar. It was difficult enough to deal with her at times since she so passionately desired to be my dear friend.
Astir’s message had been simple. It was a summons to a cafe that was one of the finer establishments in Buda. I had not ventured out since my arrival and it was a lovely balm to my tattered soul to see the city in all its beauty. I could hear the violins playing in one restaurant mingling with the soft whisper of the Danube. The gentle rocking of the carriage and the clacking of the horse hooves against the cobblestones was a lovely reminder of a happier time in Buda. Perhaps I had been foolish, but for a time I had been at peace with my life with Vlad. Of course it had been while my brother had been visiting and there were times when Vlad did strike me, but it had been such a relief from the brutality of the castle I had been seduced into complacency.
The driver called out to the horses as the carriage was brought to a stop before the establishment to which I had been summoned by Astir. Gathering up my lace shawl, I prepared to disembark. Pressing away my anger, I focused my thoughts on that which I needed from Astir. It was Adem who swung open the door and quickly unfolded the step. Tucking my hand into his, I allowed him to help me down.
Sweet, lovely music wafted on the night breeze. It was a delicate melody that enraptured me. Following the song, I entered the cafe. Inside, the atmosphere was just as lovely as the music. The furniture was dark wood that gleamed with a fine polish under the candlelight. The windows were covered in lush dark red drapes and the air was thick with the fragrance of wax, food, tea, and coffee. Customers clustered around the tables, laughing, chatting, or listening to the musicians tucked into a corner. A few glanced in my direction, but most continued on in their activities without a second thought to the woman with red hair. It was a relief. For too many days I had been the center of attention and speculation, and now I was merely another customer among many.
The host escorted me to a secluded table per my request. The candles burned brilliantly in the chandelier above as I took my seat. Astir was nowhere to be seen, but it did not surprise me that he would allow me to be seated first. He had a certain penchant for the grand entrance. I had just ordered a coffee when I saw the wait-staff rushing to the front of the cafe in great excitement. I soon saw why.
Astir swept past the tables in grand fashion clad in a black and white gown of the finest silk and organza with an utterly atrocious turban of white satin adorned with feathers, jewels, and ribbons. His hair was arranged in the most recent fashionable style with grand golden curls, braids and rolls. A black beaded shawl was about his shoulders and as I gazed at him, I suddenly recognized him as a woman and not a man.
Astir was a handsome woman with a slight masculinity to her features.
I was awestruck.
“Dear God in Heaven, it is warm. Open some windows!” Astir waved an ostrich fan at the host. “I’m simply sweltering!”