the Ambassador in Germany.” The duke folded his paper and set it aside. “Though, I’m not certain he’ll be there long if the current climate is anything to go by.” The duke sighed. “The Great War was horrible, and no one wants to relive that, but I fear we may be heading toward another war.”
The duke didn’t know how right he was. Anya swallowed hard and tried to eat. She speared her eggs with a fork and shoved a bite into her mouth. No one would expect her to say much while she chewed.
“Don’t scare her, Julian,” the duchess said. “She is already dealing with a lot.” She smiled at her. “You’ve been to Germany though. Isn’t it lovely…what you’ve seen, anyway?” There was something unidentifiable in the duchess’s voice. Had she been to Germany? If Anya remembered correctly, the duke had been a spy during the first world war. He had probably been to Germany, but the duchess was American. She’d undoubtedly stayed safe at home.
Anya swallowed the eggs, and it hurt as they traveled down her throat. She nodded. “Yes.” One word answers were good, right?
“I understand you’re engaged,” the duke said.
“I am?” That shouldn’t have come out as a question. Why was she going to Germany then?
The duchess laughed. “You might want to consider rethinking your relationship if you’re not certain. Your father said he’s in the German Army…a high-ranking officer.”
What was this Ana thinking? Did she believe in the Nazi cause? “I’m certain it is the right decision to make.” At least, she hopes so. Perhaps Ana loved the man. She’d hate to ruin her relationship.
“Well,” the duchess said. “Either way, you have your whole life ahead of you. Some decisions cannot be so easily undone, and loving the man you marry should not be a difficult one.”
“I agree,” Anya said, and she did. If and when she married, she planned on loving the man to distraction. “If you will excuse me, I’d like to freshen up before I have to leave.”
“Of course,” the duchess said. “If I do not see you before you leave, have a safe trip.”
With those words, Anya left the room. She still didn’t know much, but she’d found out enough to give her pause. This was not good…not at all…
Chapter 3
October 1933
Anya stared out the window of the car as it took her from the train station to the location of the temporary American Embassy. She had no concept of time. At least not in the sense she definitely was not where she belonged. Everyone believed her to be Anastasia Wegner, daughter to a staff member of Ambassador William Dodd.
As far as she could tell, she had nothing in common with Anastasia. She had no ambition and was a dutiful daughter. Had even agreed to an engagement to a German officer. Bile rose in her throat at the idea of marrying a Nazi. She couldn’t do it. There was one thing similar to her time, and just one: the opal ring on her ring finger. It was identical to the one her grandmother had gifted her…down to the floral leaf design in the silver metal and round opal.
She hadn’t noticed it at first. With everything she’d awoken to and how much her head hurt, she’d overlooked the one piece of jewelry
she…Ana had been wearing. It could be a coincidence, but she didn’t think it was. It was Ana’s engagement ring. Anya wanted to take it off her finger and fling it somewhere it wouldn’t ever be located. She couldn’t do that though. Dutiful Ana wouldn’t, and therefore Anya had to restrain her urges.
She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. They would be at the embassy soon, and she’d have to meet Ana’s father. The little she’d learned about him hadn’t left her with a good feeling. He might have done the Duke and Duchess of Weston a good turn, but he seemed to rule his house in a less than kind manner. She would have to hold back from speaking her mind. Saying the wrong thing could very well earn her a slap in the face.
Traveling with Ida had taught her that.
After they had left the Duke and Duchess’s home Ida had turned into a different woman. Well, that wasn’t true exactly. What had changed is how she believed she could treat Anya. She reminded her who was really in charge and to never treat her as she had that morning. Her orders must always be obeyed or she’d