Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

dunking in the baptismal cauldron. The wedding guests arrived for the reception at the Dadiani's town house in the bestof spirits, laughing and joking about the Georgian church and its clergy.At the wedding reception the Bredows persuaded the Dahls to stay with them in Constantinople on their way home. Theywould sail together from Batumi. At about the same time the expedition to Svaneti was set to leave. Irakli invited all tospend of a few days as guests of his half-brother David at the Dadiani mansion in Zugdidi, which lay conveniently on theway to Batumi and Svaneti. Only Alexandra protested, she needed a volunteer who would share her driving and learnquickly.She had half-hoped that Konrad would take driving lessons from her. But he grinned, it would probably not be a goodidea to learn to drive from one’s wife. He would prefer instead to continue riding with Otto.The lot fell on Vladimir, who could barely hide his excitement of spending a couple of hours every day alone withAlexandra. She was aware of providing that pretext.Konrad laughed when she told him. He had foreseen the outcome of her campaig. Konrad felt good in this relaxedenvironment—his rides with Otto into the hills, conversations with Leist, visits to Henri. Alexandra’s excursions withVladimir did not disturb him. He had become fond of this man.Vladimir discovered the unexplored pleasure of handling the big machine. His father would have considered driving anabsurd proposition, why else did he have servants?They would drive short distances out of town, drink a glass of tea or wine under the plane-trees of a local chaihane, ateahouse, watch the colorful natives, and talk.Vladimir was interested in everything, the bewildering mixture of races, languages, and customs of Georgia. The life andtimes of her famous great-grandfather, Alexander Chavchavadze. The story of the unhappy Griboyedov, who fell in lovewith Alexander Chavchavadze’s sister and was horribly slaughtered by Islamic fanatics. Alexandra enjoyed underminingVladimir’s romantic Russian notions. Vladimir’s final driving test became a day-long ride with Claudia and her parentsalong the Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi.One evening Deda took Konrad aside. "Would you like to come with me to a sema in Shavnabada?"Konrad was taken by surprise. "Lord, are you still going there? I cannot believe it."Tamunia-Deda lowered her eyes. "After you helped me at Easter to throw the skeletons out of the closets of mymarriage, Irakli and I have found a new understanding. The following Easter he came to Zedazeni with me, and nowtolerates that I regularly attend the sema in Shavnabada. The Halveji have elected me sema-bashi, dance master, whokeeps the dancers from colliding and helps any that have fallen."Konrad still could not accept Deda’s involvement in Shavnabada. Pensive, he knew Alexandra would refuse to join him."Are you aware of what happened between Persephone and Alexandra after Alexandra’s abduction? Alexandra hassworn never to see Persephone again, and you know that she is not going to give in."Deda frowned. "I heard of their meeting only from Persephone and know nothing of Alexandra’s vow. Persephone hasbecome older and wiser, she has got rid of the man with whom she was living at that time and who was a bad influenceon her. She has given up drinking."She raised her hand in defense. "Leave Alexandra out of this. I invited you, because I am worried about you. You are notconsumed by professional interests as most men are. Your only real passion is Alexandra. You float through life withoutdirection, and let her create the tensions and excitements in your marriage."Konrad winced, Deda had put her finger on a sore and occasionally troublesome aspect of his character."I admire your equanimity," Deda continued. "Look at the intimate relationship between Alexandra and Vladimir. Myhusband would not permit me to spend hours with Vladimir teaching him to drive. You have to be blind, if you have notnoticed that Vladimir is in love with her."Konrad smiled. "My indecision is occasionally troubling me, but Vladimir is not one of my worries. Deda, it would be sillyof me to point out that we are living in a different age than you and Irakli. Alexandra and I are sufficiently sure of eachother. We are neither jealous—or at least no longer—nor did I grow up with Irakli’s code of honor. Assuming you weremarried to a different man, could you not imagine that you might have the freedom to have an affair without destroyingyour marriage?"She lowered her eyes. "Maybe I am not free enough. But I can imagine that a love as strong and mutual as yours andAlexandra’s could survive. Men have always taken the freedom to philander. But men are more insecure than women,they cannot bear the idea of their wives sleeping with another man. I see what you are saying, in exchange for astronger, more intense and more equal relationship between the two of you, you give Alexandra the same freedom whichsociety grants you as a man."She looked questioningly at him. Konrad chuckled. "Well, something like that. In practice it is more complex and muchmore delicate. This kind of freedom depends on a myriad of emotional factors and an unconditional openness betweenthe two partners. It is no cure for a marital dispute, nor should an affair be used to ‘prove’ something to the other. Underthe right circumstances the strength and trust that can grow from such an experience is extraordinary, believe me."After a moment’s hesitation Konrad continued. "Vladimir has become a trusted friend. He has the ease and grace I am140