Page 324 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Ilsa sighed, softening a little. “I know. But what will people say?”

“No one has to know. She can’t be very far along. A baby could easily be conceived today.”

She nodded slowly. “Should we tell Alex?”

Wilhelm thought for a minute. “Not until after the wedding. Let them have this happy moment before life intrudes. Waiting a few days won’t change anything.”

“If you think that is what’s best.” Ilsa set her mouth in a straight line.

Wilhelm knew she wasn’t happy about his decision, but she wouldn’t contradict him. “Ilsa, please. It’s not Anna’s fault. She’s been told her whole life that she will never have children. She needs our support and our love.”

Ilsa walked across the room to him and cupped his scruffy cheek. She tilted her head as she looked deeply into his eyes. “You love her, don’t you?”

Wilhelm hesitated. He loved Ilsa with all his heart. He had loved her since he was sixteen. She was the best wife a man could imagine. And he never lied to her. They were always completely honest with each other, even if it hurt. It was what kept their marriage strong. “Yes, I do. But she will be Alex’s wife. I would never, ever replace you with another woman.” He pulled her close. “I love you. I have always loved you. My desire for you is as strong as it was when the day we married.”

Ilsa wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. “I know. I suppose it’s only fair. You’ve not fallen in love with anyone else our whole marriage. I can’t say the same thing.”

Wilhelm had decided when he became Elder that he would give Ilsa the choice to have a lover if she wanted one. It wasn’t fair for him to be surrounded by young women and for her to be at home alone in a cold bed.

They’d both gone to school together with the current French Ambassador, who had been the son of the previous ambassador. Maurice had fallen in love with Ilsa at the same time Wilhelm had—in secondary school—but Ilsa had chosen Wilhelm, and Maurice married a woman from France. Maurice’s wife had died a few years before Wilhelm became Elder, and Ilsa had chosen him for her lover. He knew she loved both of them. Wilhelm was thankful she’d found someone who cared for her as much as he did. Ilsa was loyal and discreet.

Wilhelm had never found another woman that he loved like he loved his wife. Yes, he took part in The Brotherhood activities, and there were slave girls that he had cared about and took special care of. But he hadn’t loved any of them.

Until Anna. Anna was special. Ilsa would see that as she spent more time with her. At least he hoped so. Ilsa wasn’t a jealous woman, and he hoped that his feelings for Anna wouldn’t sour the potential relationship between her and Anna.

“Please, Ilsa. She needs a mother figure. She is so lonely and lost.”

Ilsa smiled up at him. “I know. She is very sweet. I can see why you love her. And Alex too.” She reached up to kiss him. “I love you. I will not say anything until you decide they should know.”

“Thank you, Mausi.” He kissed her again. “I love you too.

Ilsa gave him a last smile and then turned and left the room.

Wilhelm leaned against his desk again, thinking about what Ilsa had said. If she was right, this could be a good thing for Anna. He was confident Alex would do the right thing for her.

Chapter 149

Anna paced in her room while she waited for Alex’s mother to return. Ilsa hadn’t looked pleased when she left. Had Anna done something to displease her? The last thing in the world she wanted to do was upset the mother of the man she loved.

She was staring out the window when someone knocked on the door and opened it. Ilsa walked in, followed by Brigitte pushing a rack of white dresses.

“Oh!” Anna stared at the rack. “There are so many!”

“I selected a wide variety of styles, since I did not know what you might like.” She turned to the other girl. “Brigitte, would you please pull each of them out so she can see them fully?” She turned back to Anna. “You can try on as many as you would like. We have plenty of time.”

After trying on several dresses that she thought were pretty, and getting discouraged that some she liked didn’t fit, she finally decided on a lace tea-length, A-line dress. Brigitte put Anna’s hair up in a loose twist and pinned white flowers in her hair.

Ilsa had gone away to get ready and returned as Brigitte was buttoning up her dress. “You look beautiful.” She laughed softly. “Alex is pacing downstairs like a caged lion. I have never seen him so excited.”

Anna bit her lip as a thrill ran through her. In a few minutes, she would be going downstairs to see Alex. Her groom and future husband. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and her nausea returned.

“Anna, are you alright?” Ilsa asked with concern in her voice.

“I-I don’t feel well.”

Ilsa said something in German to Brigitte, who rushed out of the room, and then led Anna into the bathroom. She wet a washcloth and put it on the back of her neck. “My mother used to do this to me when I was ill. Breathe deeply, Liebe.”

Brigitte returned a few minutes later with a fizzy drink like Anna had on the plane. She drank it quickly and her nausea disappeared a few minutes later.

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