“What? My brothers? An original Remington painting fell on the skull of Paul. Antoine drowned while cleaning out the carp pool. Georges was found dead in his bed, having choked while devouring a large bowl of lime gelatin.”
“Ill luck,” Doc said, shaking his head. “And there has not been a count to join you here?”
She laughed. “Oh, yes. I have had three husbands, my dear Dr. Tanner.” She turned her smile onto Ryan, seated at her right. “And even more bad luck. I had hoped that one of them would supply me with the male heir that I need so much, but all of them failed. And having failed to get me with child, the fates snatched them away from me.”
Straub giggled loudly. “The fates always operate at your command, my lady.”
She didn’t smile. “Just as with my brothers, all my husbands suffered extraordinary accidents. First was Nicholas. A sweet man. He was found dead in an old freezer chest in one of the outbuildings. He had been missing for several days. He was dressed in my underwear. Then came Robert. Built like a bull, but absent in the region of fatherhood. He had the unfortunate habit of smoking in bed. Little black cigars from the Caribbean. When someone finally heard his screams, the bed was totally ablaze and nothing could be done to save him.”
“Chains don’t melt,” Straub said runically, getting an angry glare from the countess.
“The bald, cockless fool means the chains of love,” she said smoothly.
“And your third husband?” Mildred prompted, pouring herself a crystal goblet of water.
“That was John. A tender lover. But when it came to the moment of most intense passion, I’m sorry to say that there wasn’t much there. John flattered to deceive me.”
“So he died?” Ryan asked.
“He died. I didn’t know it, or he could have been saved, but the poor man took to walking in his sleep. Climbed to the attic turrets and slipped over the edge. We found him next morning, his thigh bones driven up through his shoulders.”
“My God,” Mildred breathed.
“Beware of blasphemy.” Katya warned. “For He sees all and hears all.”
“I’m sorry. But I have never heard a a story to compare with that, Countess.”
“That was a month ago. Since then, I have been distraught with grief. My clock is running out and I must, must, must have a son. So, we shall see what those fates provide.”
Another snigger came from Straub, who was rolling his silver disk back and forth, so that it caught the light from the pendant-drop chandeliers.
Ryan glanced at it and found that it suddenly held his attention, seeming to lock in his mind. With a firm shake of his head he was able to free himself, but it set him wondering again about Straub.
The man seemed a crazed shell of what he’d been, yet there was something creepy, something that indicated that there might still be a river of power running quietly, far beneath the triple-mad exterior.
“Is there anything that any of you wish to visit while you stay here with us? Any attraction of old Memphis that we can escort you to and ensure your safety against local rowdies? Parts of the city are still there from pre-dark times.”
Mildred half raised her hand, as though she were attracting the attention of a schoolteacher. “I’ve always had an interest in going to Graceland,” she said hesitantly.
The countess nodded and smiled. “Others of our visitors have mentioned that place. The King’s home. I have been there, and it is tawdry beyond belief. But if you like the songs of Elvis, then I suggest there is some fascination in visiting his home.”
Though the request had come from Mildred, the ruler of the ville had ostentatiously addressed her reply to Ryan, leaning toward him so that the front of her dress cupped open and revealed the shadowed valley between her breasts.
Krysty caught his eye and shook her head in mock irritation, though Katya’s interest in Ryan was so blatant it didn’t seem to be offensive.
“We shall all go together,” she declared. “Straub, make the arrangements and fix enough sec men.”