“Why would he need a seamstress? He sells the cloth by the bolt.”
Madlen flushed. She had to think of something. Her father would never allow her to sit around and not contribute any money to the household.
“Don’t worry about it.” He waved her off.
Madlen looked up in surprise.
“In a week, Heinfried will be here to take you back with him anyway.”
“Thank you, Father.” Madlen stood, her head hung low.
“You don’t need to thank him,” Kilian said contemptuously. “He’s getting so much money for this marriage that he can get by very well without a single coin from you ever again.”
Jerg threw his son a reproachful look, which Kilian met steadily. Madlen couldn’t say which of them had more hate and anger in their eyes.
“I would like to see your mistress.” Madlen straightened out her dress at the door of the Trauensteins’ estate.
“She is indisposed at the moment,” the guard growled back.
“I know she is, that’s why I’m here,” Madlen shot back, which wasn’t exactly the whole truth. “I helped her in her hour of need. Surely, she’ll be glad to receive me.”
“Wait here.” He went to slam the door in her face, but paused and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Madlen.”
He closed the door and Madlen waited. When he opened it again, he waved her in. “She’s resting in her bedchamber.”
“I know the way.” She lifted her skirt and climbed the stairs, knocking lightly on Adelhaid’s door and waiting until she heard her voice.
“Greetings,” she said, stepping in.
“Madlen.” Adelhaid pointed to the edge of the bed. “Please sit down.”
“How are you?” She immediately felt Adelhaid’s forehead.
“Better.”
“I’m very happy to hear that.”
“I have you to thank for saving my life.”
Madlen cleared her throat. “How did your husband take the news of your baby’s death?” She would have preferred to use stronger words to describe the wicked man but decided to phrase her question more delicately.
“Well, he was quite dismayed, but we have not given up hope that God will bless us with a child.”
Madlen was stunned as a grateful smile played on Adelhaid’s lips. Didn’t she realize that God had already given them a child, and that Matthias had killed it? An inner voice warned her to be careful, but she couldn’t hold back. “Your husband’s violent beatings took the child!”
Adelhaid stopped her with a swift wave of her hand. “I was unlucky. I fell. There’s nothing more to say.”
Madlen lowered her shoulders in resignation. She should have known.
“Of course,” she said, forcing a smile as she stood. “I just came to check on you. I’m relieved that you feel better.” She didn’t dare ask for money.
“And I thank you for everything,” Adelhaid replied gratefully. She pointed at the chest. “Open that up and bring me the little blue velvet purse.”
Madlen walked to the chest and looked inside. She came back to the bed with the purse and gave it to Adelhaid. “I didn’t have any time to pay you before you left. Take this.” She withdrew a small pouch. “Thank you again for everything.”
Madlen curtsied politely, weighing the pouch in her hand. “This is too much.”
“No, I insist.”
Madlen nodded. “I must take my leave now. I wish you a speedy recovery.”
“Madlen, tell me before you go: Can I count on you, if I happen to be in the family way once again? I’m sure you are just as good as Clara.”
“Of course.” Madlen curtsied again and walked out of the room.
As she left the house, she inhaled deeply. She simply couldn’t understand Adelhaid. She had been beaten and raped until her baby died. And now she claimed that she wanted to get pregnant again by her abusive husband. Madlen clutched the little pouch full of money. In any case, her father would be proud of her. She went to the nearest street corner before daring to look inside the pouch. Her eyes widened in delight. This was more money than she’d earned working for Clara in six months. Her heart beat faster. Perhaps Jerg would think twice about selling her off to the old man if she could bring pouches full of money home on a regular basis. She shook her head. The idea was ridiculous. Few had as much money as this noblewoman, and Madlen was still just a young apprentice birth assistant. Only the truly desperate would hire her. Her morale deteriorated as she made her way home. In a week, Heinfried would take her away. There was no escaping her fate.