Page 22 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“I want you to give them your full attention. Particularly the younger son. He’s barely taken his eyes off you since you walked in. Make sure to please him well. Make him want more of you.”

“Kurt?” she asked, remembering his name.

Devin smiled. “You were listening. Good girl.” He caressed her chin with his thumb. “When you are with them, I want you to listen closely to their conversations and remember them. Then tell me about them later.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I don’t want you to fuck him just yet. But you can please him with your mouth, if he so desires.”

“Yes, my lord.” Not fuck him... yet? Did that mean she would see him again after tonight? Was he a cruel man? Does it matter? My purpose in life...

Devin kissed her cheek and then pushed her away so he could stand. “I’ll catch up with you later, Jack.” He took her hand and led her off the platform and around several groups of men. They looked up as she and Devin passed, nodded deferentially to Devin, and watched her with hungry eyes. Anna swallowed and looked back at the floor.

He guided her to a cluster of brown leather easy chairs and a loveseat near the side of the room. Several men reclined leisurely and talked. No slave girls were part of their little circle. Devin and Anna paused at the edge and she had a second to surreptitiously study the group. An older blond man with a mustache, probably in his late forties, sat directly across from where she stood.

“Gentlemen,” Devin said, “I’d like to introduce you to Anna.” He put his arm around her, squeezing gently.

Anna gave her practiced seductive smile, and Devin nudged her forward. “Go greet Wilhelm.”

She took two steps forward and dropped to her knees in a low bow. Nothing happened at first, but a moment later, a gentle hand stroked the back of her head. It circled around under her chin and lifted up. A handsome, very kind face smiled down at her. There was something about his blue eyes that felt strangely familiar, and they exuded a comforting warmth.

“It is wonderful to meet you, Anna.” He spoke softly, with a deep voice and thick accent. German. His vowels were pure, and he pronounced wonderful as “vunderfool.” Her name was “Ah-na.” She’d never met a foreigner before. It was very... exotic.

Devin cleared his throat behind her.

“G-good evening, my lord.” She brought her hands together and tried to bow her head, but the Elder held her chin in place, studying her face. She dropped her gaze to his chest and didn’t dare move.

“Look at me,” Wilhelm commanded softly, caressing her cheek with his thumb. She obeyed, meeting his gaze once more. He stared intently into her eyes, as if to read her mind. “So pretty,” he said at last. He released her chin and sat back in his chair, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

She returned her gaze to the floor and smiled. Why did the pleasure of a stranger fill her with such warmth? She liked that he called her pretty.

Devin sat down in the empty chair behind her and then spoke. “I noticed Kurt had taken an interest and thought he might enjoy some time with her.”

“Perhaps,” Wilhelm said slowly. His arm moved, and she imagined him stroking his chin as he spoke. “Kurt?”

“Ja, Vati?” came a voice behind her and to her right. Kurt’s voice wasn’t quite as low as his father’s, but it still did something to her insides. She’d never imagined German to be a sexy language.

“What do you think?”

There was a pause. “Will ich sie haben?”

Did Kurt speak English?

“English please, Kurt. It’s rude to speak German when no one else can understand you.” His rebuke was gentle.

“Sorry, Vati. I was not thinking.” Kurt’s accent was as thick as his father’s. “I would love to.”

Anna’s heart pounded. What would he want from her? Would he hurt her? Was he as handsome as his father? Where did that come from, Anna? Why does it matter if he’s handsome or not?

Wilhelm stood and held out his hand and helped her to her feet. He led her to the seat next to Devin.

She glanced at Devin as she walked by. He tilted his head toward Kurt. She gave a small nod and returned her gaze to the floor as a pair of long legs clothed in black linen pants appeared in front of her. His leather sandals were similar to the ones Ian wore.

“Anna, this is my son, Kurt.”

“Greetings, my lord.” She pressed her shaking hands together in the proper greeting, but didn’t dare look up at his face.

“Hallo, Anna. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” His voice made her legs tremble, but not like Devin’s angry voice did. No, this was something completely new. She liked the way it made her feel. Warm. Different. Nice.

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