Devin paused outside the archway that led to the entrance hall and put his hands on her shoulders. “Kurt likes you, Anna. I need to find out everything I can about this family and can’t do it without you. I’m trusting you to remember what I’ve asked of you. No matter what they do to you.”
She shivered, wondering what he knew about the men that made him say such a thing. “Yes, my lord.”
He kissed her cheek and then led her through the archway. Anna’s heart leaped when she saw Kurt’s bright smile as he stood next to his father, then scolded herself at her excitement. There was no need for emotions. She had a job to do,
She hurried to Wilhelm and bowed low at his feet. “Good afternoon, my lords.”
“You’ll bring her back tomorrow afternoon?” Devin asked as Anna stared at the marble beneath her nose.
“Ja,” Wilhelm said in his low, accented voice. “We will take good care of her.”
“I have no doubt. Use her as you wish. I only ask you don’t do any permanent damage to her.”
Wilhelm took a moment to respond. Anna could sense Devin’s request had disturbed him. “Of course, Devin. I would never allow her to be hurt.”
Devin turned and his footsteps faded away.
“Anna, you may stand now,” Wilhelm said, his voice gentle.
Anna scrambled to her feet, careful to keep her eyes downcast.
“Are you ready, Liebling?” Wilhelm’s voice was still high above her head. How tall is he? And what does leeb-ling mean? She didn’t know, but the way he said it made her heart warm. “Yes, my lord.”
He turned and walked out the door with Kurt beside him. Anna paused at the door to slip on her sandals, and then followed them outside, squinting in the bright sunlight. As she stepped down from the last stair, she could see Kurt was about Devin’s height, around six feet tall, and Wilhelm was a few inches taller than Kurt.
A large, shiny black car idled on the gravel driveway. The uniformed chauffeur held the back door open, revealing two tan leather bench seats facing each other, with plenty of room in between for the tall men’s legs. Wilhelm motioned for Anna to get in, and, after a moment’s hesitation, she crawled in and sat in the front-facing seat. Wilhelm and Kurt followed, and the door closed. A moment later, the car slowly crunched over the gravel and headed down the hill toward San Francisco.
Anna sat with her hands clasped in her lap, straight-backed, carefully keeping her gaze fixed on her knees. She wanted to look out the window to see the scenery, but didn’t dare look up. She didn’t know these men, but she knew men. When would they start to hurt her?
Kurt sat across from her. “How are you doing today, Anna?” His khaki cargo shorts and leather sandals showed off muscular legs covered with blond hairs.
“Fine, thank you, my lord.” Anna discreetly wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt. “How are you?”
He didn’t answer, and she closed her eyes. She’d done something wrong.
Finally, he spoke. “I am good.”
Wilhelm, sitting next to her, put his hand on hers. “We are looking forward to spending time with you today and tomorrow, and hope you will enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, my lord. I’m sure I will.”
There was another long, drawn-out silence, then Wilhelm spoke again. “Anna, look at me, please.”
Anna slowly raised her gaze to meet his, and he responded with a gentle smile. “Please, call me Wilhelm. Call Kurt by his name. There is no need for formalities. We’re not in the Schloss. You are not a slave. You are our guest, and I want you to relax and have fun.”
What’s a shloss? Anna gave a timid smile. Is he tricking me into misbehaving so he can punish me later? But he was a man, and she was to obey him. While unsure of her ability to relax, she could address them by their names.
“Good girl.” He gave a satisfied nod. “Now. What do you like to do for fun?”
“Fun?” Anna looked back at her hands. Fun was not something Master Jack allowed her to pursue. “I don’t know... I like to read if I have a chance.”
Kurt chuckled. “You like to read?”
Anna’s cheeks burned and she bit her lip as she nodded. Is it okay for someone like me to read?
“Like Alex.” He chuckled again.
Alex. “Your brother?”