The Secret Healer(61)
“Maria and I are on your side. I forgive you because I can understand your desperation. But you’ll regret it if you ever threaten either one of us again. Whether you have a baby or not, I will throw you out of the house and leave you lying in the dirt. I’ll make up a nice story, accusing you of theft, or even worse. Do you hear me?” Agathe’s eyes sparked with anger.
“I’m so sorry,” Roswitha murmured.
“As you should be.” Agathe lifted her head. “Look me in the eyes. I want to see that you know how serious I am.” Agathe was enraged.
Roswitha didn’t dare look at her mistress. “I’m so sorry.”
Agathe regained her composure and scrutinized Madlen. Her niece pressed her lips tightly together. It was clear to see that Roswitha’s words had scared her.
“I’m too upset to continue with you right now,” she said harshly. “Go in the kitchen and see about your duties.”
The maid got up, her legs shaking. “Please, please, forgive me.”
“Go! I don’t want to see you right now.”
Roswitha lowered her head, sobbing as she ran out.
“I’m scared,” Madlen said, when Roswitha was out of hearing range. “What if she tells somebody?”
“She won’t.” Agathe nodded in the direction of the door. “The only ones who know your secret are Sander; Mechthild; her mistress, Otilia; her daughter, Reni; and Roswitha. I’ve known Otilia for many years now. She and her daughter wouldn’t say anything. As far as the others, I can handle them if need be, but I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Roswitha was looking for a way out. Sometimes people say things that they don’t mean in desperate times.”
“I hope so. What if Johannes finds out?”
“You will have to lie, and very convincingly,” Agathe stated simply. “If the rumor comes up and he or another member of his family says something to you, laugh. What nonsense! You’re a seamstress. That’s all.”
Madlen’s heartbeat calmed down, yet her fear lingered. The idea of losing everything made her shudder.
Agathe read her mind. “Nothing will change, believe me.” She patted her niece’s hand. “Having said that . . .”
“What?”
“If it were really possible for you to gather herbs that would purge Roswitha’s womb, it would fix many things.”
Madlen froze.
“Even though no one admits it, our Roswitha is not the first and won’t be the last woman who goes against God’s plan and gives herself to a man before marriage. Roswitha could find someone else to give her something. But she might be in better hands with you.”
Madlen admired Agathe for continuing to look out for her maid. Would she herself have mustered such magnanimity on a day like today?
“I think I can help her.”
Agathe nodded. “Good.” She winked. “But we won’t say anything just yet. She needs to calm down a bit and think about what she’s done.”
The rest of the day, Roswitha scurried through the house as quiet as a mouse, minding her duties; she didn’t say a word to either Agathe or Madlen, who tended to their dressmaking as usual. In the afternoon, Brother Simon came by for a lesson, but she was hardly in a condition to focus on her studies.
“You seem distracted,” Brother Simon pronounced. “Is there something the matter?”
“It’s nothing really.” Madlen put her hand on her stomach. Brother Simon’s face brightened.
“Is that what I think it is? Are you expecting?”
Madlen smiled. “It’s still very early on. Please pray that the Lord sends us a healthy child.”
The monk nodded. “That is the greatest gift the Lord could ever give. Blessed be thy womb.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you prefer to end our lesson for today? I believe it’s proving to be of little value for you.”
“Yes, I think we had better leave it.”
He stood. “Of course. I’ll be back as usual in two days, but it won’t be too long before there will be nothing else I can teach you.”
“I can’t believe that, but I’m thrilled that I’ve made so much progress.”
Brother Simon pushed his chair under the table. “Until next time, take good care of yourself.”
Madlen smiled and showed him out before entering the sewing room where Agathe worked. “Brother Simon’s gone.”
“So. Did you learn much?”
“Not really. My mind was elsewhere. Roswitha’s words kept going through my mind. Brother Simon thinks I’m distracted because I’m expecting.”
“So, you told him?”