Page 15 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Maggie motioned toward the table. “I’ve brought you some lunch, if you’re hungry.”

Anna’s stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since the day before. “I’m very hungry. Thank you.”

“Please sit.” Maggie removed the silver dome and revealing a plate of steaming chicken and vegetables.

Anna’s mouth watered as the aroma reached her nose and she sighed. She hadn’t seen a meal like this in years. Master Jack wasn’t much of a cook, and she’d lived on frozen meals and cereal. “Oh, this looks so good!”

“Is there anything else you require, Mistress?”

“I don’t think so. Not that I can think of.”

Maggie smiled. “I will return later to collect your tray.” She gave another small curtsy, went to the door, and knocked. She turned to Anna as it opened. “The door is locked for your protection, Mistress. Wandering around the Manor alone is not wise.” She glided through the door and it closed behind her.

Anna was too hungry to consider her words and devoured her lunch. It tasted as good as it smelled, but was gone too soon.

She picked up her water glass and explored the room more thoroughly. Two closets filled the space between the fireplace and windows. One was empty, but the other held several dresses similar in style to what Maggie wore, though white. In addition to those were several gowns made of a sheer white material.

She wandered over to the bookshelf, sipping her water as she scanned the leather-bound books. The complete works of Jane Austen—her favorite author—Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, Little Women, Wuthering Heights, several Charles Dickens novels, Cranford, Middlemarch, Les Misérables, and others.

Anna could hardly believe her fortune! She’d been an avid reader as a child, devouring book after book any time she had the chance. After her parents had died and she’d gone to live with Master Jack—before he became Master Jack—he had promised to buy her books, but never did. Instead, he distracted her with sexual touch any time she asked. Now she had two shelves full! This was undeniably the best birthday she’d had in years. What more could she ask for than a kind Master, precious books, and the chance to dance more?

She pulled down the crisp, unused copy of Pride and Prejudice and went outside to lie in the grass and read in the sunshine. It crackled as she opened it and she smiled. The opening paragraph caught her attention and she quickly lost herself in the adventures of the Bennett family.

Her only interruption the entire afternoon was Maggie returning to take her lunch tray.

When the sun went too low for her to read outside, she went inside and curled up on her bed, sighing with contentment. She’d had the entire day to herself. No men. No being hurt. Elizabeth and Darcy’s love story captured her heart and didn’t let go until she finished the entire book much, much later that night.

Chapter 7

Anna had never seen this room before in her dreams. A study or office of some sort. The morning sunlight filtering in through the sheer curtains cast a hazy glow over the room. Dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls on either side of the room with a huge wooden desk sitting in front of the wide windows.

A broad man with blond hair sat behind the desk, his big leather chair turned partially around to face the outside view. She knew him. She knew if he turned around, she would see kind, cobalt-blue eyes.

His were the eyes that came to mind on her worst days with Master Jack. Her dreams of him brought comfort to her aching heart and broken body. She didn’t know if he was real or not, but she desperately wished he were. He seemed so strong, so capable. If anyone could save her from her terrible life, he could. He was a vestige of hope hidden away deep in her heart.

One time, more recently, she’d seen him kneeling on the floor of his bedroom, bent over in grief. His shoulders had shaken and great sobs escaped his mouth. It had been such a shock to see a grown man cry. He’d looked up, seeing her for the first time since that night with Devin. His eyes were swollen and red, filled with such misery it had brought tears to her own eyes. She longed to embrace him and comfort him. He’d spoken in a broken voice, in a language she hadn’t understood, and reached out for her. But as soon as their fingers touched, the room vanished from her sight.

That had been her last dream of him.

Until now.

The chair turned, squeaking and making Anna wince. He stood and turned to face her, his expression somber. They stared at one another for a long moment. Then he spoke, his deep voice resonating in her heart. She wished she could understand what he was saying, but he used a language she didn’t understand.

She cautiously took a step forward, yearning to be close to him, to immerse herself in his comforting, powerful presence.

He stepped closer, a soft smile on his face. He reached out toward her and she leaned forward, eager for his touch. The briefest touch of his hand on her cheek made her sigh, and they stared at one another for a moment longer before the room vanished, as it always did.

Anna sat up in her bed, her hand on her cheek, her heart aching for him. The sun had risen outside her windows.

She shook her head, trying to shake away the longing for her dream man. While she dreamed, his presence was an anchor of love and comfort, but when she woke and he was gone, his absence was nearly unbearable.

Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the canopy, studying the tiny white flowers. Why did she still dream of him? She was away from Master Jack. Devin loved her. Why did she need the comfort of a ghost?

Chapter 8

The days flew by and Anna decided she enjoyed being at Devin’s Manor. No one hurt her. No one yelled at her. It was quiet. Devin visited several times throughout the week, making love to her each time and reassuring her of his affection. Wednesday, he stayed the entire night, and she slept peacefully in his arms. On Tuesday and Thursday, Ian took her to ballet classes, and she felt her love of ballet rekindled, dancing better than she had in a long time. Even her teacher seemed impressed. She spent as much time as possible out in her little courtyard, basking in the sunlight and devouring a book.

Anna couldn’t imagine a better life

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