Chapter 3

Anna stepped into the library carrying a tray.

"Your dinner, Vladimir Ivanovich. What would you like to drink?"

"Wine and water, as usual," Vladimir responded.

"Oh, of course, but I..." Anna stopped and dropped her eyes.

"What is the matter? Surely we are not out of wine?" asked Vladimir with surprise.

"Well, I have never poured out wine before and I am not familiar with it, sir. I can just recognize the favourite mark of our old master. I do not know its name for the sign is in a foreign language and I am not able to read it." Anna again appeared distraught.

"All right," said Vladimir. "Then bring my father's favourite one. It cannot be bad, for father was an expert with wines. And be back soon. Otherwise our meal will become cold," Vladimir responded indulgently.

"You are going to wait for me, Vladimir Ivanovich?" Anna wondered.

"Of course, I am a nobleman. Even if I were dying of hunger, I would wait until all the guests were sitting at the table," Vladimir responded. "And you are to have dinner with me tonight, Miss Anna, are you not?"

Anna noticed the change in the Baron's style of speaking with her which was somewhat curious.

Obviously he wants to be playing the nobleman and noblewoman tonight, as we did long ago. How did he say it that time? "Lady Anna Petrovna, you ought not to run barefoot over the grass. I would be unhappy to see you wounded..."

The memory made Anna smile.

I was just a little girl while he was a young officer. He was playing with me instead of putting his skills to better use, and I was happy for it. Even my raw heel stopped hurting immediately... Very well Baron, I am ready to carry on our game. Indeed, I am not sure I will manage it, for today it will be more difficult than years ago, I guess...

"So, you would like to go to Sankt-Peterburg with me, mademoiselle," Vladimir interrupted the silence. "Well, I am going to grant your wish. I admit that it would be a pity to make you marry the old custodian. You deserve a better bridegroom than him. And, as I suspect, there are plenty of them waiting for you in Sankt-Peterburg," said the Baron between bites.

"You have misunderstood me, Baron. I am not going to be married; not to Modestovich nor to anybody else," said Anna emphatically.

"I see," Vladimir replied. "Interesting. Very well. I offer you my protection and, consequently, I will not search for any bridegrooms for you as long as you accept my conditions."

Anna laid down her cutlery and tensely waited for her master to continue.

"You shall be my companion. You will be drinking coffee with me, reading books, and playing chess. The winter nights are never-ending and I have been lonely far too long. You will tell me about my father and about life at this estate. Do you agree?"

"Do you not ask me for anything more, Vladimir Ivanovich?" Anna inquired in disbelief.

"Does it seem too little to you? You will see for yourself, Anna. I can endure listening to reading for hours. And I may also like to go for a walk, or to a ball..."

Good Lord! A ball? Does he truly mean it? Anna's heart started to pound from joy, but then her spirits began to sink.

"I cannot promise that, Vladimir," she said, her nervous fingers fiddling with her skirt. I do not know the lord's dances." Suddenly, her hope of a bright future in the company of the young master was fading.

"Oh, I will educate you in all the necessities. It will be my pleasure to be your teacher. So...?" He did not finish the question.

"So, I will join you as your companion," said Anna resolutely.

"Excellent," Vladimir did not hide his pleasure. "Let us drink to our future. To life in Sankt-Peterburg!"