The Dardanelles Conspiracy by Alan Bardos (best ereader for pc TXT) 📗

Esther looked sympathetic and signalled to the footman, who passed Breitner a bowl of ice cream. ‘Do you remember the first time we met, when your grandfather took pity on a lonely girl in the Gerbeaud Café? You, the dashing hussar in your crimson breeches, how could you not turn the head of a poor country bumpkin?’

Breitner tried to smile and took a spoonful of the walnut ice cream. His grandfather had taken him there as a special celebration after his posting to the 9th. ‘From what I remember you were not alone. There were three sisters, all just as provocative as the other, competing to see who could poke the most fun at the tongue-tied boy in the uniform of a cavalry officer. That is after you’d finished ignoring me and my grandfather asked you to join us.’

‘Annoyingly Kati won the teasing contest, she told you I’d modelled for Károly Lotz. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone blush quite so much, your face matched your trousers.’ Esther held her hands up to her face.

‘Well, admittedly Károly was a great romantic painter, but I don’t think anyone could capture you…’ Breitner found himself laughing. It had been a wonderful afternoon, though admittedly he had been scandalised by the idea that she may have posed naked. The thought overwhelmed him. He had no idea how to react. ‘I should never have said you reminded me of the painting…’

‘It was terribly flattering,’ Esther lifted a coy eyebrow.

‘It was quite remarkable to be around the three of you.’

‘I hope your Grandfather is in good health?’

‘He still takes the water at Balatonfüred and asks after Kati.’

‘I don’t think he ever recovered from seeing her dance to Brahms.’ Esther smiled reflectively. ‘And you had continued your connection with my younger sister in Sarajevo?’

‘Yes, she helped me with some… matters, but she was more interested in an Englishman of my acquaintance,’ Breitner said, hoping that Esther would understand the implication that he had remained true. Not even her sister could replace her in his affections.

‘I could tell from Kati’s last letter that he’d made an impression.’

'I understand that she was going to Belgium. I hope she left before the invasion?’ Breitner asked.

‘I don’t think she had an easy time of it. She’s in Holland now, doing her patriotic duty for the Central Powers by working at the Deutsche Bank. I've done my best to keep Papa’s business interests going. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come easily to me, mathematics and business are Kati's passions.’

‘It was a sad day when your father made you give up your photographic ambitions. You have a rare talent,' Breitner said. She looked at him sharply. Her father had made her give up many things.

‘Papa needed my help with the business, you remember how ill he was, and if he was going to have a daughter who worked, it would be for him.'

‘At least you have a purpose in this wretched city, which is more than I have.’ Breitner said.

‘You have a purpose, Laszlo, you can make a clean start. That’s why I had you transferred to this wonderful place.’

‘You did that, you brought me out here – you have those kind of contacts?’ Breitner was amazed.

‘Oh yes, well, Papa does. It wasn't difficult, you’re far from popular. I’m sure you've seen how much they value protocol at the embassy. I assured them that your knowledge of such things would be unrivalled.’

‘You have done this to me – made me a preening powder puff.’ Breitner managed to keep a steel grip on his emotions.

‘I’m sorry, Laszlo. I didn’t realise how much you hated it.’

‘Miss Weisz, I do not hate doing my duty. A soldier does not complain - they serve!’

‘How wonderfully pompous of you, Laszlo. I sincerely congratulate you. I had forgotten what an insufferable stuffed shirt you are.’

It was a stinging blow that set Breitner’s heart reeling. As much as he liked to think that her father would not have tolerated his brilliant and accomplished daughter throwing herself away on a junior officer. The truth was that he would never have won her heart.

Esther put her finger out to trace the line of his scar, again. ‘Look at what they’ve done to you. I was so worried about you.’

Breitner tensed but chose not to rise to the bait and gently pushed her hand away. She loved to tease him.

'Please, Laszlo, I didn't arrange for you to be transferred to humiliate you, but to help you and I hoped you might want to help me in return.’

‘What with? Do you have place settings that need to be arranged in the correct order of precedence?’

Esther pointed at the photograph of Breitner in his Hussar’s uniform. ‘Do you remember why I took that portrait?'

‘It was to commemorate our reaching an understanding to marry.’ Breitner looked away. To marry her had once consumed him at the expense of everything else. He did not see how it mattered now, or what right he had to be happy. His duty was clear and she was preventing him from doing it.

Chapter 15

Johnny Swift sat back and tried to enjoy the show. He hadn’t seen anything like it since his time in Paris. A chorus of Can-Can girls were furiously stomping through his favourite dance. Displaying frills and spills in equal measure, but his mind kept drifting.

It made him feel lonely and for some reason reminded him of Staff Nurse Lee-Perkins. There was something about the precision and passion of the dancers.

Johnny turned back to his table as a waiter arrived with another tray of champagne. He chinked glasses with his companions before pouring down the sweet, fizzy acid. Johnny spent a few moments fighting to maintain his dignity in the face of the enemy. His head was swimming