Heinrich von Rheingarten approached Dorr's florist the next day at the appointed hour. The bell jangled as he opened the door; he found himself alone with the erstwhile senator. James Dorr was assembling a bouquet of red roses. He noticed that Philip was lurking in a corner silently.
"Greetings, senator Dorr. And to your son."
"Baron. I thought that perhaps you and I should have a chat before you see my wife. Yes, she is eager to see you as much as it pains me to admit it. And poor Eugénie's world has turned upside down over night. She had no idea. I must ask, what exactly are your intentions? Do you mean to spirit her away? Make my daughter a baroness?"
"No, senator. The German aristocracy was stripped of their titles when the war ended. There is no more Baron von Rheingarten, strictly speaking."
"All evidence to the contrary. I saw the business card you gave Genie."
"Ah yes. That is what we Germans call 'das Marketing.' I am in England to promote the wines from my vineyard, and the peerage is still alive and well in your corner of the world. But you raise a valid point. It is a matter of inheritance, even if I have no title to bestow. Speaking of which, you never touched the money I left for her in our Swiss bank account."
"No. I have no need for your money."
"So proud you are, senator. Moneyed or not, you are a luckier man than I. I lost my eldest son in the war. My second son was shot down over the channel, of all places, a few years after I had left. He survived, but sustained injuries that plague him to this day. He is in ill health; I will never have grandchildren. Still, I am grateful for every day that I have with him. The war did not take him from me, and that is enough."
"And where does Eugénie fit into this?"
"If she is to inherit my vineyard one day, I want to know her. I waited for many years, out of respect to you and your family. But she is an adult now. She must be well-informed in order to make her own decisions."
"Of course. And in the name of being well-informed, are you considered a war criminal? How, dare I ask, did you escape Nuremburg? Surely you must have been prosecuted."
"I made myself useful to the Americans and left the military behind me. I retired to my vineyard and have no more to do with war or government."
"It seems that we have quite a bit in common, then." said James, indicating his shop full of flora with his hands, though his double-entendre did not escape the former Baron. "Eugénie and Felicity," James continued. "They are at our country home. Philip will drive you there."
Heinrich pulled an awkward face. "I did not expect such generosity from you, senator." He paused. "I should call my wife to let her know that I am otherwise occupied and that she is not to worry."
"Please, use our phone in the office. Phil's wife Hannah can assist you."
After Heinrich asked the operator to place a call to the Royal Phoenix Hotel, Hannah listened intently to his conversation. It was clear to her that the woman did not know of her husband's infidelity. Hannah Dorr's English was so good by this point that Heinrich never suspected that German was her native tongue. She would soon be informing James of what she'd gleaned.
Heinrich returned to the front room.
"Herr von Rheingarten, may I ask a small favour? Place your finger here, on this ribbon so that I can tie a more perfect knot. This bouquet is for someone very special, you see," James said.
Heinrich obliged, placing his finger on the ribbon that tied the bouquet of roses.
"Thank you." He turned toward the back of the shop and called, "Phil? I believe that the Baron is ready to leave."
James and Philip exchanged a parting glance as the younger Dorr led the erstwhile Baron away. "Look out for your mum, Phil," James whispered after them. Once they were gone, James went into the back to see Hannah. He looked at her expectantly; she nodded. James was suddenly very nervous.