The Secret Healer(57)
“Well, you could keep me company and tell me a little about yourself. Where do you come from? You have never visited Worms before, as far as I know. I’m certain that I would not have forgotten you.”
“How often do you come with your mother to select fabrics?”
He grinned. “Never.”
“Then how did you know that I would be here?”
“Hmm, a clever defense for which I have no argument.”
“A legal expert that cannot argue his case? Isn’t that unusual?”
“So, you’ve been asking about me?”
Madlen felt as if she’d been caught red-handed. “No, my aunt mentioned it.”
“Your aunt?”
Madlen’s face went beet red. “Well, she really isn’t my aunt,” she explained quickly. “But she was such good friends with my mother for such a long time that my mother often referred to her as my aunt.”
“Oh, I also refer to my father’s best friend as my uncle Max.”
“Then you know just what I mean.”
They gazed at each other without saying a word.
“Can I offer you something, kind sir? A spiced wine, perhaps?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” He raised his right eyebrow.
Madlen giggled. “I’ve never seen that before.”
“What?”
She pointed at him. “Someone able to lift just one eyebrow.”
“Does it amuse you?” He lifted his eyebrow again, making Madlen burst into gales of laughter. Then someone knocked on the door.
Madlen turned around. “Please wait.” She went to the door and opened it. “Brother Simon, come in.”
“Greetings to you, Maria.” His gaze fell upon Johannes, clearly astonished to see him. “And to you, too, Johannes.”
Madlen considered both men. Then she turned to Johannes. “Please forgive me, but I must take my leave with Brother Simon.”
“May I ask the purpose of your visit?” Johannes scrutinized Simon.
“I’m teaching Maria the meaning of the Holy Scriptures.” He held up a book.
Johannes frowned. “What a shame. May I be so bold as to accept your offer of spiced wine some other time?”
“I would be absolutely delighted.” Madlen smiled warmly.
“Would tomorrow be acceptable?” He lifted his right eyebrow again.
“That would be perfect.”
“The same time? Or will there be another lesson in the Holy Scriptures?”
“No, not tomorrow.”
“Good. Now, I will help my mother choose her dress fabric.” He grimaced and went toward the room that Elsbeth and Agathe had disappeared into.
“Shall we?” Madlen pointed to the dining room, where they both took their places at a large wooden table.
“I hope that you’re not upset that I took some liberties with the truth,” Simon began. “Not everyone would understand why a young woman would want to learn to read and write.”
“It suits me just fine,” Madlen confessed.
“Good.” Brother Simon took out a piece of parchment paper and slid a pen and inkpot over to Madlen. “Let’s begin.” He opened up the Bible. “Do you see these letters? Try to write them on the parchment.”
Madlen’s hand shook a little. Then she picked up the pen.
Chapter Seventeen
In the next few weeks, Johannes was at Agathe’s house so often that Roswitha had to plan meals to include one more person. Madlen and Johannes spent practically every free minute together. Sometimes it even bothered Madlen when she had to break away for another lesson with Brother Simon. But she was curious, absorbing everything he showed her. Soon she was able to read complete sentences. Writing, however, was significantly harder. Agathe watched with joy as Madlen blossomed, even as she noted her anguish when the news of more fatalities spread. But since her solemn promise to her aunt, Madlen didn’t even visit any of the stricken, let alone heal them. Secretly, she missed it. But being an accomplished dressmaker, learning to read and write, and spending time with Johannes pleased Madlen so much that she could successfully chase away those gloomy thoughts. One night, as she lay alone in her bedchamber, unable to sleep, she teared up when she thought of her beloved brother, Kilian. Her longing to see him seemed overpowering. What wouldn’t she give to spend just a single moment with him again?
“Can you ever imagine moving away from here?” Johannes asked, holding Madlen’s hand in his as they sat on a boulder near the Rhine. The snow had melted weeks ago, and sun rays beamed down, announcing the coming spring.
“Out of Worms?” Madlen gazed at the harbor. “No, not really.”