Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

her, he knew no other woman who would knowingly tolerate that her husband met another
woman.
Since Alexandra had arrived Katharina seemed to have changed. Not that she was less
cheerful, on the contrary, she was dancing on a taut rope between him and Alexandra like a
sleepwalker, avoiding all dangerous situations that could cause her to fall. The vibrations he
felt from being obliged to hold onto his end of that rope were an entirely novel experience. And
Alexandra, what did she feel? He shied from asking her.
Katharina appeared in the archway to the courtyard. He watched her every movement.
How dissimilar they were, Katharina and Alexandra. The one sweet, soft, and seductive,
the other self-sure, proud, and his continuing supreme challenge. Was he tired of the
demanding relationship with Alexandra? Katharina was so much easier to be with. In her
presence he did not have to use his mind all the time. Whatever it was, for the time being he
needed them both.
She greeted him with a shy kiss on his cheek. "May I get you a piece of cake or Torte?"
she asked already on her way to the confiserie.
When she came back she sat down across from him, well out of his reach.
She is withholding herself, he thought, that is what has changed. Absentmindedly he
heard her say, "You were reading the papers, what is happening in Georgia and Russia? I long
to be with Alexandra, I have not seen her for two weeks."
Before he could tell her the disturbing news from St. Petersburg, a waitress brought their
two Torte sections, one with whipped ceam, the other without. "The Sahnestück is for the
gentleman," Katharina teased with a mocking smile. "You like Schlagsahne, don’t you?"
She reached over with her fork and with a smile snatched a spoonful of his whipped
cream. "Please allow me to eat a little of this airy temptation on the sly, Herr Professor."
She licked the last speck of cream off her fork. "You look so serious today. Do you have
bad news? What would you think of going on a pilgrimage to Andechs? The three, or if you
wish, all five of us? Then I am only the fifth wheel on your royal carriage? It is so beautiful out
there at this time of the year."
Oh, stop staring at her, he told himself, and self-consciously destroyed the beauty of his
piece of cake with his fork.
She began to laugh. "Konrad, first you look at me as if you want to devour me and now
you destroy the innocent cake. Come, let’s be easy on each other. I feel so happy since
Alexandra is here, I walk between the two of you and love you both equally."
"I am concerned for our friends in St. Petersburg." He evaded her dark eyes. "After the
assassination of the head of internal security the government has imposed martial law in St.
Petersburg. We had hoped that with that man disposed of, the political situation would ease up.
Now they are looking for a culprit." Konrad made a gloomy face.
Katharina smiled radiantly. "May I divert you from your worries? I had come to ask your
help and company."
He nodded and they finished their torte and got up. She put her arm into his and her
solid, warm closeness restored his balance.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Oh," she smiled enigmatically, "I want you to be my husband for a couple of hours. Or,
if you prefer, my rich gentleman friend."
He frowned. "It depends on what services you expect from me!"
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