will be even more wonderful with a new dress.” Had he intended her to wear something she already owned? She was glad this wasn’t her actual wedding. If she ever married, she wanted it to be special. Not some thrown together affair that was best forgotten. “Thank you.”
“Come,” Edward said to her, then nodded at Mr. Jones, gesturing that they needed to leave. There was something different about Mr. Jones…his eyes seemed darker, and he didn’t seem to even notice her. He usually nodded toward her or flashed her a grim smile of some sort. She’d ponder over it later… “We don’t want to be late.”
Considering she didn’t want to go at all, she as all right with that. Neither Dierk nor Edward would want to hear that though. “I’m ready,” she said and waited for them to indicate she could exit.
Dierk went out the door first, then Edward, and Mr. Jones gestured for her to go after them. Apparently, the idea of ladies first had not occurred to her fiancé or father. She couldn’t help thinking again…poor Anastasia. Mr. Jones followed behind her and helped her into the car, then got into the driver seat. She hadn’t expected he would drive them, but she should have. Why else had he been waiting?
It didn’t take them long to reach the grand assembly hall. Swastika flags were hanging down the building and armed guards were standing outside. This all seemed like she was living in a different reality. Anya kept hoping she’d open her eyes and find out this was all a bad dream.
Mr. Jones pulled the car up to the entrance. A man opened the door and helped her out of. Dierk got out after her, and Edward stepped out from the front seat. Mr. Jones kept to himself and stayed in the car. Once everyone safely exited the car, he pulled away. She couldn’t help glancing in his direction. Had she done something to anger him?
“Come along, dear,” Dierk said as he grabbed her arm and looped it with his. “It’s time to meet everyone.”
At least this ball gave her the perfect opportunity to instill herself in German society. She might be able to learn something useful and help some of the Jews escape persecution. She pasted a smile on her face and prepared to pretend to enjoy herself.
Chapter 7
A German ball was like any other ball. Champagne glasses were filled as fast as they were emptied. Most of the guests were inebriated or well on their way to becoming so. Anya had been sipping on the same glass of bubbly since she arrived. She didn’t want to lose her wits and give anyone a reason to believe she wasn’t Anastasia Wegner. So far she hadn’t slipped, but there was a first time for everything. Drinking and her didn’t mix well and she didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
She didn’t speak German, so that made some of the conversations difficult. Eavesdropping even more so… At least some of the guests spoke English and chose to humor her. Most of them ignored her though. No matter, she didn’t want to talk to any of them. Her stomach had been one never-ending ball of unease since she’d woken up in the wrong time and the wrong body, but this…was so much worse than she could have imagined.
Dierk circled the room, talking to what seemed like everyone in attendance. She dutifully followed him from group to group and remained silent the entire time. She didn’t ask any questions and kept her answers to as few words as possible. Dierk seemed to appreciate her demureness. Inside, she seethed. “This is my fiancée, Anastasia,” he introduced her to another man. “We’re to be married posthaste.”
“Is that so?” the gentleman said with a bit of enthusiasm. “You’re a lucky man. She is a beauty.” As if that was the only attribute a woman had to offer. “And quiet too. Shows she knows her place.”
Were all the men in this time misogynist gits? Should she speak or hold her tongue? She wasn’t sure what was expected of her, and it scared her too much. None of this made any sense. Why was she lost in the past, and how could she ever find her way home?
“That she does,” Dierk agreed. “The perfect wife. I couldn’t ask for a better woman to have as my own.” He slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Anya wrapped her arms around her middle in an