Pascale Auber & the Ruritanian Riddle

XLV My Other Brother - 2

I glanced over at Theo von Hentzau. He looked mildly amused. I was embarrassed to find my cheeks flushing. I had spent far too much time blushing for one evening.

"I am sure mother would be delighted to hear all about it," I responded crabbily.

"Yes, and then she will bother you until you she makes you get married," Baud said. He sounded delighted by the prospect of mother's particular variety of torture. My cheeks flushed a deeper red as he continued, "And then, once you've married, she will bother you until you have lots of fat, stupid babies."

Theo's cheeks were more than a little pink as well. "Your sister and I may have fat babies, but not stupid - " He stopped abruptly as he caught our expressions – mine was shocked and Baud's was horrified. Theo immediately backtracked. "No, no! That came out wrong! I mean no disrespect towards you, Miss Auber. My intentions are entirely honourable! Entirely. It just came out completely wrong!"

I floundered for a response,  my cheeks burning  "I  - well, that is to say -"

Baud's response was much more direct.

"I don't like you.," he said, glaring. "You're not a gentleman. I also don't like that you're friends with my sister."

"Baud, go inside," I said, my hand on his shoulder.

"Not until he goes away," Baud. insisted, looking up at me defiantly.

"Baudoin! I told you already, I will telegram mother!"

"And I told you already, I'll tell her about your – your damnable beau."

"Such language, Baudoin! I need to find some soap, so I can wash out your mouth!"

I pulled my brother back up the steps, one hand on his arm and the other fumbling for my keys.

"I'll say it again if I want, " Baud said, twisting in my grip to better glare at Theo. "He's damnable."

I suppressed a sigh as I forced the key into the lock and turned. "Baud, we're going inside right now." The lock clicked, the door spring open, and I began to drag Baudoin into the house, propping the door open with my foot. "I'm sorry, Mr. von Hentzau – but I really must go."

"Ah! Of course. Do not be sorry, Miss Auber, I quite -" He let out a frustrated burst of air, then said, "I quite understand. Boys."

Baud, struggling in my grasp, stuck out his tongue.

Theo laughed, then said, "Do come call on me at the Embassy! If  you come by around eleven, I can take you to lunch."

"Don't you dare, Pascale!" Baud protested. 

I kicked him, not too hard, on the right shin. He howled. My smile, however ,was genuine despite the heat that still rose from my cheeks. "I would enjoy that very much, Mr. von Hentzau. Tomorrow, then?"

"Tomorrow," Theo von Hentzau confirmed. He swept off his hat and bowed as I finally forced Baud through the door and myself behind him. "Good night."