A week after her thrashing by Countess Gronska, Minka returned to the house to collect her things.
Anna met her on the upstairs landing. She was amused to see that the woman’s beadlike eyes darted nervously about as if she expected at any moment to see the deranged countess fly at her, just as Marzanna, the Goddess Death, was thought to appear out of nowhere—dressed in her white gossamer gown and carrying a scythe—to escort a doomed soul to judgement.
Anna insisted that the chubby woman accept some coins as payment for the cleaning and plaiting of her hair. “But do be forewarned, Minka,” Anna cautioned, “should you show your face here again, it will not be my aunt who lunges at you.”
The woman’s eyes reflected the sluggishness of her mind. It took a few moments for the surprise to register. Then an expression came into the woman’s visage that Anna interpreted as surprise mingled with respect.
“Do you take my meaning?”
“Yes, Madame,” she whispered.
In the days following Minka’s episode with the Countess Gronska, Antoni’s attitude toward Anna changed dramatically. He began to show a renewed concern for his wife, buying her little gifts and staying at home most evenings. Anna wondered at the change, but was appreciative of it.
On the morning after the Szraber wedding, Anna went to see her husband in the upstairs study. She was not certain how to broach the subject of his visit to her estate. She was not certain that she even had the nerve to do so.
“Good morning, Anna!” He was in a cheerful disposition. “Did you enjoy yourself yesterday?”
“Yes, I had a lovely time.” Anna was taken aback, for he seemed to have forgotten his interdict against her going.
“Good! You should get out and about more. I was just about to come see you. There are some papers to be signed, legal matters from Duke Lubicki. It will take but a moment. Here, sit down, dear.”
Anna seated herself at the desk which Antoni always kept so neat.
“Here are the papers. Your signature is needed next to mine in these three places.” He pointed them out to Anna, then stood hovering over her.
Anna took in the seal of the Lubickis, the prestigious banking family which her father had retained for many years. She remembered how before their marriage Antoni had been so impressed that the estate was worthy of their attention. The pages were filled with a multitude of numbers and legal terms.
Anna did not reach for the pen. “Antoni, what is the subject of these papers?”
“Oh, they are mere formalities.” Antoni inked the quill and placed it in Anna’s hand. “They express your willingness to have me share in your father’s estate.”
“But I signed that agreement at the time of our marriage. Antoni, I should like to read these before I sign them.”
“Oh, Anna, there is no reason—”
“Then please tell me exactly what the content is.”
“Very well.” He sighed in defeat. “These papers will allow me to withdraw certain monies which Lubicki holds in trust.”
“But haven’t you had that power? How does this differ from the marriage agreement?”
“There is a clause in your father’s will that supersedes the nuptial document. It states that your husband may, on his own signature, withdraw interests on the estate, but in order to withdraw any of the principal, your signature is needed as well.”
“I see.” Careless as he was in regard to his personal safety, her father had proven to be cautious in such matters as these. “It would seem that you need a large amount of money.”
“Yes, rather… I have a number of expenses to see to, and as you know, my inheritance… well, I cannot be sure of when… ”
“Would you be more specific as to where the money is going?”
Antoni bristled at what he clearly considered wifely impertinence. “No.”
Anna put down the pen.
His tone softened immediately. “I only mean that it is a business venture of which I have been forbidden to speak.”
Anna looked up, her eyes searching his face. “Antoni, do you plan to make changes at my farm?”
“What?” His mouth dropped slightly, almost imperceptibly.
“The farm at Sochaczew—do you intend to make some changes there? Is that why you need the money?”
Antoni’s face reddened with anger. “That meddling Jew! What did he tell you?”
“Very little, actually.” Anna looked down at the desk again. “Only that you seem to be making plans.” She struggled to keep her voice from shaking. It was an unnerving thing to challenge her husband.
“Ah! It’s true.” His tone lightened deliberately. “I plan to renovate the house and a number of the outer buildings, as well as build a larger and more efficient barn. It will take a great deal of money.” Displaying a facsimile of a smile beneath the perfectly trimmed moustache, he placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. “I had hoped to surprise you, Anna Maria, but now… well, Jacob has spoiled it.”
“I see.” Anna knew that they had reached an impasse. She also knew that he was lying.
Anna stood then so that she could face him. She prayed for the strength to hold her ground. What Jacob had told her at the wedding about Antoni and his murky intentions buoyed her now. Thoughts of her estate led inexorably to her father and the love of the land he had passed on to her. What were her husband’s true intentions? The Szraber wedding had changed her in other ways, too; it had forged a new attitude. She had seen what a marriage, a real marriage, is about. It was time to see if there were any hope of having a marriage with Antoni. If there were, then she would adapt and strive to be content. If not… well, that was a precipice to which she had not quite come as yet. “Antoni I wish to discuss another matter with you… about the child.”
The smile faded. “Yes?”
“I haven’t changed my mind.” She steadied her eyes on him. “I still wish to keep my child.”
“I see. If it is a girl, Anna, I will not interfere.”
“And if it is a boy?”
“It is out of the question!”
“I have given that some thought.” She could feel her heart beating rapidly. She could not retreat now. “It might be arranged that the child, if it is a boy, would inherit my estate. A second son, our son, would inherit yours.”
“Are you mad?” The gray eyes glared in astonishment. “It is unthinkable! To divide the estates which our marriage has only just combined? One must strengthen one’s family line and fortune, not weaken it. The legal entanglements would be endless. And what would people say?”
“I don’t care what people will say.”
“You will, my dear, when I do not recognize the child and it is put about that your son is a bastard.” He smiled. “A child of yours without a father will be a commoner, and we both know commoners cannot own land.”
Anna grew angry. He was very quick to play his highest card. Her anger gave her direction and voice. “That little device would turn on you, Antoni. Your pride is too great to allow any such ugly talk to get started. After all, what would people say of you, Antoni Grawlinski?” Anna managed her own smile now, the smile her mother had taught her. “They would call you a cuckold! That is the correct term, isn’t it?”
Antoni was stunned into silence, his face empurpling with rage. He had not expected this from her.
Anna, too, was surprised at herself. She had gone from being unnerved at this confrontation to feeling something akin to being invigorated by it. “Antoni, you married me for what I might bring to you and your family. Don’t you think I know that? You also knew the circumstances of my so-called illness and that—however slight the chance—I might bear a child.”
“I did… but I did not expect that—”
“What? That I would dare go against the countess’ advice or your wishes? I am telling you that I intend to keep my child at all costs. Perhaps you might wish an annulment. The grounds should be easily established. After all, the union has not been— ”
“Stop this foolishness, Anna!” Antoni shouted. “There will be no annulment. Our estates have been joined and only a son we have together will inherit them. You will listen to your husband and you will start by signing these papers now!”
“I will not!” Anna cried. Her rebellion had taken on a life of its own.
With the back of his hand, Antoni struck her hard across the face.
Anna wiped at her mouth, looked at the blood as if in amazement. Aside from the incident at the pond, no one had ever struck her.
She walked to the door.
“You will obey me, Anna Maria,” Antoni said through clenched teeth. The door was open and he didn’t want his voice to carry. “If you don’t,” he growled, “I’ll… ”
Anna turned around, her eyes taking him in. “You’ll what, Antoni?” She smiled at her husband. “Kill me?”
Antoni could not respond. Something in his slate-colored eyes told Anna she had finished his sentence with precision.
Anna returned to her room. That’s what he gets for playing his high card too early, she thought. When he finds himself in a real bind, he resorts to a stupid, idle bluff.