The look of horror on Gretchen’s face stuck with Anna. Gretchen really had no idea what she was doing. Anna wavered between sadness, hurt and anger as she thought about the conversation. What would Wilhelm and Kurt do with Gretchen?
A plate of fish and vegetables appeared in front of her and she ate quietly. Conversation flowed around her, mostly in English. Alex leaned over and kissed her frequently, which she liked.
After lunch they went back up to the bedroom and Anna took a nap. Alex said that they would be up very late tonight and that she should rest. She was more than happy to do so.
Early evening, Alex woke her so she could get ready for the New Year’s Eve Party. She and Alex took a shower together and Alex held her against the wall and made love to her again.
She was still flushed from lovemaking when Brigitte came in to help her get ready. Brigitte styled her hair in a loose up-do with curls hanging loose around her face. As she pushed the final pins into place, Alex walked out of the dressing room looking so handsome Anna could hardly speak.
He wore an elegant black tailcoat and trousers with a white waistcoat and bow tie. A wide blue sash under his coat ran from his right shoulder to his left hip and a neck badge hung from a blue ribbon under his bow tie. The neck badge had the family crest on a four-armed star.
“Oh, my,” Anna murmured, staring at her husband. “You look...wow, Alex.”
He stood with his arms held out from his side, presenting himself to her. “You approve?”
Anna nodded enthusiastically. “The more time I spend with you, the more I understand the gossip about you.”
“Gossip?” He raised his brow over his sparkling eyes.
“How women melted at your feet and such. I thought I understood before....” She blinked several times. “Wow,” she breathed.
Alex chuckled. “Now you know how I feel every time I look at you.”
Anna blushed. “Alex!”
“Anna, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I can’t wait to show you off tonight.” He straightened and beamed down at her. “Finish getting ready. I’ll be back in a little bit. I have to go get something.”
She watched him as he strode out of the room. A shiver ran down her spine. “I can’t believe I’m married to him,” she said softly as Brigitte smoothed her hair.
Brigitte smiled. “Many women will be green with envy tonight. I think many men as well for the Herzog.”
Anna smiled shyly. Brigitte applied her makeup and then took her into the dressing room, walking through the massive closet.
She looked at her dress hanging in the corner. “I hope it fits.”
Brigitte helped her into a white silk corset and stockings, and arranged the dress for Anna to step into. Anna held her breath as Brigitte zipped up the dress and sighed in relief when it fit. “I guess Kaitlyn found the bigger size. I’m so glad.”
“It is a beautiful dress, Herzogin.”
Anna stared at herself in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself. Her cheeks were pink, her hair stylish. She looked all grown up and could hardly believe it. She was a grown up married woman who was going to have a baby. Was it possible to really be this happy? Tears of joy sprang to her eyes.
Alex appeared behind her in the mirror with a huge grin on his face. “You look wunderschön, Schatzi.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck and she sighed. “Absolutely beautiful.”
He turned and placed several velvet-covered boxes on the table behind her.
“What are these?” she asked hesitantly.
Alex grinned. “Some things I picked out for you to wear.”
Anna looked down at her dress. “I have my dress already.”
He chuckled. “Accessories. Fit for a Herzogin.”
He opened a flat box to reveal a necklace of diamond flowers.
“Oh, Alex...,” she whispered.
He took off her other necklace and handed it to Brigitte, then fastened the new necklace around her. “No one will know you are anything but my beautiful wife tonight, Anna. You have no obligation but to have fun and enjoy yourself.”
Anna felt herself tearing up again. “Just your wife,” she repeated softly. What a wonderful thought.
He opened a smaller box and handed her the matching earrings and put a matching bracelet on her empty wrist. She still wore her signet bracelet on her other arm. Ilsa wore one as well, Alex had told her.
He opened another box with a three-inch wide blue ribbon similar to what he was wearing. The same badge hung at the end.
“What’s this?” Anna asked as he placed it over her head from her right shoulder to her left hip.
“Mark of rank,” he answered, watching Brigitte pin it into place. “And finally, the most important piece.” He grinned and opened a very large box to reveal a beautiful diamond tiara.
It had seven large pear shaped diamonds spaced around the semi-circle, with other pear and round shaped diamonds that seemed to magically hover beneath.
“It’s beautiful, Alex,” she said breathlessly, looking up at him. “I really get to wear this?”
Alex nodded. “Ja. Mutti helped me pick it out. It’s one of her favorites.”
Brigitte took it from Alex and pinned it into Anna’s hair.
Anna looked in the mirror again when Brigitte was done. Now she really didn’t recognize herself. She turned and flung herself into Alex’s arms. “I feel like Cinderella.”
Alex cradled her cheek and kissed her. “I love you, Schatzi.”
“I love you, Alex.”
*****
The adult members of the family, as well as Alex’s men, ate dinner in the dining room together dressed in their formal wear. Albrecht and his family were there as were Liesl and her fiancé, an Irishman named Patrick. Kurt was unusually quiet during dinner and Anna wondered what happened with Gretchen.
Anna thought it was such an elegant dinner. The men were all dressed in tails, white vests and bow ties. The women in beautiful, fashionable gowns. Wilhelm and Ilsa both wore blue ribbons like Alex and Anna wore. Ilsa, Liesl and Greta all wore tiaras, though Liesl and Greta’s were smaller than the ones that Ilsa and Anna wore.
After dinner, Wilhelm pulled Alex and Anna aside.
“Gretchen is not attending tonight, which I’m sure you deduced,” Wilhelm said in a soft voice. “I’ve left it up to Kurt whether or not she will stay. She is his wife, after all, and you’ll be returning to San Francisco soon. I have no concern about Gretchen speaking to Devin’s lackey again. She was truly horrified at how you were raised, Anna. Her father wasn’t exactly the nicest man when she was growing up.”
“I don’t want her anywhere near Anna until we leave, Vati,” Alex said.
Wilhelm nodded. “That’s understandable. I don’t think she’ll desire to be very social. I wasn’t very kind to her after you left.”
When it was time, they made their way out to the entrance hall to begin greeting guests. Alex and Anna stood in the receiving line with his parents, and Anna was introduced to German society as Alex’s wife.
It amazed her that Alex knew all these people, even after being out of the country for years. But everyone knew Alex and wanted to meet his new bride. Many were surprised that she was American.
When they were finally able to make it into the great hall, Alex led her out to the dance floor and they waltzed around the room. Anna giggled and grinned the entire time.
“I had no idea you could dance like this, Alex,” she said as he spun her around.
Alex’s eyes sparkled. “Every proper German knows how to waltz,” he laughed. “You look beautiful. I may have a hard time keeping you in my sights, tonight. I can see many men who want to dance with you.”
Anna bit her lip nervously.
“Anna, they won’t hurt you. You are my wife and nothing else. Remember?”
Her face brightened and her heart grew light again. “I forgot.”
He grinned at her. “There’s th
at beautiful smile. My men are keeping an eye on you, Schatzi. But the people in this room respect my family. No harm will come to you.”
Alex was right. Anna danced every dance and met so many nice people. She had a wonderful time. Part of her kept wondering what would happen to ruin the evening, but nothing did. It was the best night of her life.
At midnight, Alex was by her side and gave Anna her first ever New Year’s kiss. They danced again and then she was swept away by more charming men. She got glimpses of Alex dancing and having a good time as well. He kept bodily distance between himself and the women he danced with, but with Anna he held her close and kissed her frequently.
The party went very late. Anna was so tired by the end that Alex carried her upstairs, helped her undress and put her into bed. She snuggled close to him and slept.
Chapter Forty-Two
Too soon it was time to return to San Francisco. Anna had loved being in Germany, surrounded by a loving family. They arrived home mid Thursday morning. Alex wanted to give Anna a few days to adjust back to the time zone before dancing again on Monday.
Anna looked out the window as they drove through the city. It looked like.... “Are we going to Aaron’s house?”
Alex grinned. “Nein, Schatzi.”
“Where are we going?” She was tired and wanted to go home.
“Home.”
Anna frowned. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t the way to your house.”
Alex pulled her close. “It is the way to our house, Schatzi.”
She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
“I sold my house. I wanted to start fresh with you. So I bought us a house in a nicer neighborhood.”
Pacific Heights was a very nice neighborhood. “You bought a new house?”
Alex nodded. “Is that all right? A house that is only ours. No past memories. A place to make memories together.” He stroked her stomach. “And raise our baby.”
Anna smiled and leaned against his chest. “I think it’s wonderful.”
They had spoken to Heinrich, Alex’s uncle who was a doctor, about the baby. He had examined her and said everything looked great. She would be able to dance for several more months, though whether or not she would be able to perform was up to Isaak. Alex felt confident she’d be able to dance La Bayadere in February, though much beyond that might be difficult.
The idea of not dancing for a while didn’t bother Anna as much as she thought it might. She felt like a new person, being Alex’s wife. She had nothing to fear from Devin anymore. Alex would never hurt her. She didn’t need to dance to keep herself sane. She could dance just because she enjoyed it.
Anna sighed, content and happy.
They were near Presidio when the limo pulled into a neighborhood with a circular road. It parked in front of a white house with arched windows lining the bottom floor and square windows on the upper floor. The cobblestone walkway that lead to the door was lined with flowers. Steps led to the front door, which had an arch made of some sort of vine.
“Oh, Alex!” Anna said, stepping out of the limo, hand in his. He swept her up off her feet and carried her towards the door.
Frau Gersten opened the door with a smile and greeted them warmly. “Guten Morgen, Herzog. Guten Morgen, Herzogin.”
Anna gasped as he carried her into the entryway. White marble floors stretched out before them, welcoming them deeper into the house, past the marble columns on either side of the door. Two additional columns stood on either side of the wide staircase leading to the upper floor. Off to the right she could see a large dining room, and to the left what looked like a formal living room.
“When did you buy it?” Anna asked, turning her head, trying to see everything at once.
“I was looking around when I was here in August and found this place,” he answered. “I had Kurt sign the papers when he was here in November. I couldn’t risk anyone knowing I was buying, so Kurt ‘bought’ it and then had it transferred into our names after we were married.”
“It’s wonderful,” she sighed.
Alex took her hand and gave her the tour. The main floor consisted of a large living room, a library, a great room, a dining room and a kitchen with a breakfast area. The top floor had a huge master suite and three additional bedrooms, including a small one next to the master that Alex said would be a perfect nursery.
The basement level had a movie theater, a gym, a suite for Frau Gersten, two bedrooms for Seth and Tony, and a three-car garage.
Both Anna’s and Alex’s cars were parked in the garage, along with the SUV. Anna’s things had been moved from her apartment to the house. Jenna, Anna was happy to learn, had moved in with Matt while they were gone.
*****
Later that evening, Alex and Anna were cuddled up on the couch in the library when the doorbell rang. They looked at each other, surprised. They had decided not to let anyone know they were back in town until the next day so they could have time together alone.
Frau Gersten’s footsteps echoed in the entryway and they could hear her open the door. A few minutes later she appeared in the doorway. “Devin Andersen to see you, Herzog.”
Anna’s stomach lurched and she raised her hand to her mouth. She stared at Alex with wide eyes.
“Do you remember where the bathroom is?”
Anna nodded and ran out of the room. She ran behind the stairs and to the powder room, closing the door behind her.
After she’d thrown up, she rested her head on the wall for a few minutes before standing. She cleaned her mouth out with water from the sink.
Why was Devin here? What did he want? Did he want her already? She wanted to spend her first evening home with Alex, not Devin.
She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she didn’t need to worry. Alex would never let Devin take her away from him.
“I don’t need to be afraid of him,” she whispered to herself as she stood. “I’m not afraid of him.”
She opened the door and walked calmly back into the living room where she heard Alex and Devin talking.
Chapter Forty-Three
Devin sat casually in the entryway while he waited for the newlyweds to receive him. Under his calm demeanor, however, his blood boiled. He hadn’t lost his temper this frequently since he was a teenager. The last week and a half had been very trying and he had lost it several times. Several girls at the Manor were dead because of it, but that was no matter. He had plenty of others and could get new ones if he needed to.
Every free moment available had been spent researching a way to get rid of Alex. Damn fucking Alex. He ruined everything Devin had been so carefully putting into place. But Devin was confident he would find a way to eliminate him and get Anna back under his control. He needed her to solidify his power and position and would do whatever it took to make sure that happened.
He heard light, but fast, footsteps and saw Anna dart across the room and into another room. Her hand was over her mouth and Devin wondered if she was ill. Poor Anna. Pregnancy sickness was no fun. He wondered if she knew by now that she was pregnant. He hoped so. Otherwise she would be thinking she had caught a very nasty flu bug.
Alex walked towards him through a wide entryway. He glanced in the direction where Anna had disappeared with a worried look on his face, then looked back at Devin and hardened his eyes. His chin was raised and he walked tall. Confident, cocky bastard. Devin would get Anna back and Alex would not be able to do anything about it.
Devin stood and extended his hand. “Good evening, Alex,” he said with a smile.
They shook hands. “Good evening, Devin,” Alex said cordially. “What brings you to our home?”
Devin gritted his teeth at his use of “our home.” “I wanted to be sure that Anna got home safely.”
“She is home safely. She’ll join us in a few minutes.” Alex motioned through the entryway he’d just come through. “Won’t you come in?”
Devin stood and followed Alex into a richly appointed living room
with a marble fireplace at one end. Alex motioned to a chair across from a long couch and then sat down on the couch. He leaned back and crossed his ankles with his arm along the back of the couch.
He’s trying to tell me he’s not intimidated by me.
Devin sat across from him with his ankle crossed over his knee and arms resting lightly on the arms of the chair.
The woman who had answered the door walked into the room. “Herzog, would you like something to drink?”
Alex looked at Devin. “Would you like something?”
“Scotch on the rocks?”
Alex nodded and looked at the woman. “Bring Anna some clear soda and I’ll have a brandy.”
The woman curtsied slightly and left the room.
“I take it you heard the news?” Alex asked, amusement evident in his eyes.
Devin swallowed his irritation and forced a smile. “Yes, I did. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I am very happy. I believe Anna is as well.”
“She is quite the catch. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about her. Marriage is...quite the commitment.”
“It is. I’ve been in love with her since the first time I saw her here. Of course, I’ve thought about her often throughout the years.”
Devin kept his face impassive. “Over the years?”
The woman returned with a tray of drinks. She handed Devin a short round glass with ice and an amber liquid inside it. He took a sip and sighed. Alex certainly knew his liquors, Devin had to give him credit for that.
Alex took a sip of his brandy and held the glass loosely in his right hand. “Oh, yes. I first saw her when she was...oh, I believe sixteen? I’m sure you know about that.”
Devin’s jaw clenched. “I didn’t realize you had seen her.”
“It was quite startling, seeing a teenage girl appear in my bedroom. She has a way of sticking in a man’s mind.”
“Yes, she does.”
The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced Page 24
