The Austrian Bride by Helen Parusel

Author:Helen Parusel [Parusel, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

24

ELLA

Vienna glistened in its snow-white brilliance. Ella linked her arm through Freddie’s as he showed her the sights. She gazed in awe at the magnificent buildings from a bygone age: the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They strolled down wide, frosted avenues and ambled down narrow cobbled streets where sweepers were clearing the snow. They passed numerous coffee houses: some narrow and long, others tucked away in half-hidden niches, and those that were imposing, with grand façades.

It was one of these that Freddie stopped in front of.

‘Here is one of the most famous coffee houses in the city. The Viennese come here to see and be seen. It’s obligatory that we sample their renowned Viennese torte.’ He pulled open one of the heavy glass doors. ‘And tomorrow, I’ll take you to my favourite hideaway coffee house, only known to insiders.’

They were greeted by a maître d’ in a black suit who wove them through the tables. Ella craned her neck at the high ceilings where chandeliers sparkled. The walls were clad with rows of huge gold mirrors, alternating with brass wall lamps. They were seated at a table draped in a white embroidered tablecloth.

As Ella sank into the red upholstered chair with gilded arms, Freddie leaned across and laughed. ‘Not my normal dive.’

After they’d ordered, Freddie asked, ‘So what made you decide to visit so spur of the moment?’

‘I have time now whilst I’m looking for a job.’

This was partly true. But the real impetus had been Max. She needed to create distance and time to think.

He’d turned up at their apartment with a contrite expression and a box wrapped in a red ribbon, containing chocolates from the finest Chocolaterie in Linz.

‘Can I come in?’ he’d asked as she stood in the doorway, looking at the proffered box.

‘Actually, no.’

He’d had the audacity to look irritated at her reply.

‘Look, it was a misunderstanding. Let’s not make a big deal about it,’ he’d said.

‘Tell me, Max. How far would you have gone?’

‘Nowhere, it was just a game, for heaven’s sake.’

‘Really?’ Her tone was incredulous. ‘Well, it didn’t feel like a game to me.’

‘You’re being ridiculous, Ella. Let’s move on.’

‘I need some time to think things over. Please don’t contact me for a few days.’

He had looked astounded as she’d closed the door – without taking the chocolates.

‘There are the other reasons I’m here,’ she said as the waiter approached, nimbly holding a tray on one uplifted palm. They fell silent until after he’d placed the formidable Viennese torte before them as well as soup-sized coffee cups.

‘I want to continue with the plans we made at Christmas.’ Ella glanced at the next table: two elegantly dressed ladies, the feathers on their hats bobbing as they nodded their heads in chatter. ‘We can talk later in your lodgings at the university. Although no one could hear us amidst the noise.’

‘Hear, no. See, yes.’

She crinkled her brow.

‘Surely, you don’t mean someone could lip-read our conversation.’

‘They are everywhere.’ He hesitated, then gave half a smile. ‘The horse-drawn carriages, I mean.

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