Chapter 60

Kurt barely spoke to Anna during the rest of their time in St. Petersburg and she didn’t blame him one bit. She’d resigned herself to his coldness before they left for Germany. But when the home that Alex had grown up in came into view, tears started running down her cheeks and she couldn’t stop the sobs from wracking her entire body.

Kurt practically leaped across the car, erasing the distance he’d put between himself and Anna, and wrapped his long arms around her. She sobbed into his chest as he held her tightly, kissing her head and apologizing for being so cold to her.

After that, he rarely left her side and doted on her as much as any woman could hope for.

They walked around the family gardens most afternoons, talking and enjoying each other’s company. Derek and Sofie often joined them.

Anna couldn’t believe how much they’d grown. Derek was now eight, and Sofie, who had been a toddler when she’d first met her, was now six. Derek spoke fluent English and he loved showing it off in front of his father and Anna. Although Sofie was still learning the second language, she eagerly showed Anna all the pretty flowers that were still blooming in the chilly fall air.

Three weeks into her stay, Anna was relieved to find she could walk the halls of the Gutshaus without bursting into tears with every turn. Yes, she missed Alex terribly, but she finally was at peace with his death. Perhaps it was because of Kurt’s loving presence.

One particularly fine fall day, Kurt and Anna sat on a bench in one of the gardens while Derek chased Sofie around, both giggling and shouting gleefully.

Kurt held her close. “I still love you, Anna,” he said softly. “Do you know that?”

“I do.” She smiled tenderly at him.

“You are so different from the girl I met at Devin’s Schloss all those years ago. You have turned into a beautiful woman.”

She smiled at the memory of their first meeting. Never in a million years would she have guessed at that moment she would end up here. She looked up into his eyes, gray and kind. He was a very different man now, too.

“Anna, I . . . my feelings . . . from when I visited you in California . . . they are the same. Or perhaps stronger.”

Anna nodded. She still adored him as well.

He took a deep breath and took her hand. “Anna, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Anna inhaled sharply, her heart leaping in her chest. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Oh, how she wanted to say yes! To stay here forever in the peace that surrounded them. But Devin had forbidden it and she couldn’t disobey. “Kurt...” Tears filled her eyes. “There is nothing in the world I would like more than to become your wife.” His eyes lit up and he beamed. “But I can’t.”

His face fell, breaking Anna’s heart. “I see,” he said softly. He swallowed and stared out at the trees across the path.

“No, Kurt, you don’t understand.” She cupped his cheek and turned his face back to hers. “Devin forbade me. Before he let me go to you that night at Vitaly’s funeral.” Anna’s heart ached for the sadness in his face. “He forbade me from marrying you. That is the only reason I can’t accept. I promise.”

Kurt looked at her doubtfully and then sighed sadly. “I know you would not lie about something like that.”

Anna shook her head. “There’s nothing else I could imagine wanting more,” she said softly. “But I can’t do what is forbidden.” She didn’t want to find out what would happen if she even attempted to do so.

He took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “He cannot stop me from loving you, though.”

“No, he can’t.” She gave him a soft smile. “Nor me from loving you.”

They were silent for a few minutes. “Maybe he will change his mind.” But they both knew that would never happen.