The Secret Healer(75)

When Johannes opened his eyes, it was morning again. He felt miserable; he’d gotten virtually no sleep, racking his brain for what prompted his wife to take this step. But he couldn’t think of a thing that could have led her to turn her back on him and Worms.

He swung his legs sluggishly out of bed and sat for a moment on the edge of the mattress. He turned, as though he might find Maria lying next to him. The sight of the unused pillows made his blood boil. He stood up with a jolt, got dressed, dipped his hands in the washstand basin, and splashed cool water onto his face. But that didn’t help clear his head. His whole body hurt, and he would have preferred to fall right back into bed. He rubbed his eyes as he left his bedchamber and entered the hall. He heard muffled sounds coming from the kitchen.

Slowly, he descended the stairs, pushed his hands through his hair, and went into the kitchen. “Good morning, Helene. Are my parents home?”

“Your mother went to the market with Tilda, and your father’s working in his office. Can I serve you your breakfast?”

Johannes still wasn’t hungry but decided to eat anyway. He couldn’t think without something in his stomach. On one hand, he had to speak with the Heidelberger. On the other hand, he was burning with anticipation. The little boy would probably come to the house today.

“Yes, but not much. Just a slice of bread and ham.”

Helene nodded and immediately set out to perform her duties. Johannes sat on the small kitchen bench and began to eat as soon as Helene served him. She gave him some spiced wine to wash it all down with. The wine smelled terrible to Johannes. “Just give me some water and take this away.” The maid was somewhat puzzled but did what her young master asked.

Johannes ate and brooded quietly. When he was finished, he stood, said good-bye, and went to his father’s office. As he approached, there was a knock at the front door and the guard opened it. Elsbeth came in carrying a basket on one arm, with Tilda following close behind.

“Oh, Johannes, you’re here. You look terrible.”

“And a good morning to you, too, Mother.”

“Go upstairs quickly, put on some decent clothes, and comb your hair. I just ran into this Heidelberger, and he asked whether it was possible for you to receive him as soon as possible. It would have been rude to put him off. He’ll be here any minute.”

Johannes nodded, let go of the office doorknob, and went upstairs to his room. Just as he finished grooming himself, he heard the visitor arrive. Johannes looked down from above as a tall, dark-haired man entered the house. He was rich, you could see that at a glance. Johannes was used to sizing up people as quickly as possible. He thought of Maria, the one he’d failed to size up accurately, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Oh, there he is now,” Elsbeth said, pointing up at him.

Johannes forced himself to smile as if he was actually looking forward to meeting with the Heidelberger. He walked down the steps calmly and stretched his right hand out to the man. “Johannes Goldmann. Welcome.”

“Matthias Trauenstein. Thank you for your kindness in receiving me so early in the day.”

“Please.” Johannes pointed over to the dining room door. “Let’s go in there so we can speak in private.”

“Helene, please serve our guest.” Elsbeth clapped her hands.

Matthias Trauenstein bowed compliantly, and he and Johannes went into the dining room. “Please. Sit down.”

“Thank you.” Matthias took a seat. “I must say, your home is quite impressive.”

“My mother,” Johannes explained. “She had a hand in the decoration of the entire house. You won’t find a room that wasn’t decorated exactly to her taste.”

Matthias Trauenstein sighed. “I know very well what you mean. My wife, Adelhaid, was equal to your mother in every way.” He put on a sorrowful expression. “But as you already know, she’s gone.”

Johannes was surprised how quickly the Heidelberger got straight to the point.

Helene knocked, then set a tray carefully on the table. The visitor stared at her backside. It almost looked as if it was everything the Heidelberger could do to keep his hands off her. There was something in the eyes of this stranger that Johannes loathed. “Thank you, Helene. I’ll serve our guest myself.”

The maid nodded, curtsied, and left the room.

“A pretty young thing, I must say.” Matthias grinned lasciviously. When he noticed the disapproving glare on his host’s face, he changed his demeanor instantly. “It’s hard for a widower,” Matthias tried to explain. “Since my wife passed on, or rather, was murdered, my world hasn’t been the same.”