The Secret Healer (7 page)

“Aha. She had doubts. But you were able to persuade her. How?”

“I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember? Did you not tell my client that your mistress would die if she didn’t help her?”

Barbara remained mute.

“Answer the question!” Andreas clapped his hands together and the maid winced; she looked at him in shock.

“Yes!”

“Yes, you said your mistress would die?”

Barbara pressed her lips together and whispered, “Yes, that’s what I said.”

Matthias Trauenstein hit the palm of his hand on the table. “He’s intimidating the witness by yelling at her like this.”

“The only one that’s yelling here is you,” von Balge said condescendingly.

Trauenstein sprang up. “You lousy son of a whore. I’ll . . .”

The sheriff stood up from his chair. “Sit back down now immediately. The scene you’ve made here is unworthy of a Heidelberg nobleman.”

It was obvious how much Matthias seethed with anger as he clenched his jaw. “Forgive me, good sir. I forgot my manners. The death of my child and the frail state of my wife’s health have taken a toll on me.”

“I accept your apology, Matthias Trauenstein,” von Balge said, nodding politely then turning to the sheriff and the jury. “Thank you for your intervention, my lord, although I can assure you that there are not enough words in the entire world that could possibly offend me, coming from a man like this.”

The spectators laughed openly, and even two members of the jury couldn’t help but smile. Matthias Trauenstein’s face turned a dark shade of crimson.

“But let’s get back to the point, shall we? Maid, you told my client that your mistress would die without her help.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And why is that?”

Barbara’s lips began to twitch. “She was weak, very weak.”

“But a person wouldn’t normally be in danger of dying simply from weakness. Something else must have happened.”

“She wasn’t doing well. I don’t know any more than that.” She glanced quickly over to her master.

Von Balge sighed. “I understand. You must be paralyzed by fear.” He looked over at Trauenstein, letting his gaze linger on him calmly; Matthias looked away.

“Moving forward. You managed to persuade my client. Please tell me exactly what she did then.”

“She came with me.”

“No, I mean, exactly. Did she put on her shoes, or did she already have them on?”

“She didn’t have her shoes on. She put them on, then her cloak.”

“And you both went directly to the Trauenstein residence?”

“Yes, like I said.”

“Interesting. And did you both stay together until you entered the Trauensteins’ home?”

“That’s correct.”

“You both climbed upstairs and went directly to Adelhaid’s bedchamber?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And there, the defendant examined your mistress then sent you to fetch herbs?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“How long did that take?”

“Just a few moments. We had everything in the kitchen.”

Andreas tapped again on his lips. “Then explain something to me: When did my client have the opportunity to obtain the foxglove?”

Barbara’s eyes opened wide. She looked over at Matthias Trauenstein.

“He can’t help you. Please answer the question.”

“I . . . I don’t know, my lord.”

Von Balge moved closer. “I urge you to consider the serious consequences of your next answer before responding. Are you absolutely sure that you saw the foxglove plant, or is it possible that you were mistaken?”

“Perhaps I was mistaken.” She exhaled a long, low sigh.

Matthias Trauenstein hissed audibly.

Andreas walked even closer to Barbara’s table. “Since we’ve come this far, isn’t it time to indulge the members of the court with a bit more truth?” He turned around and took a few steps. “Isn’t it true that your mistress was bleeding profusely and sent you to my client to beg for help to save her life?”

Barbara nodded silently.

“I have no choice but to insist that you say the words aloud.”

“Yes. She’d been bleeding.”

“Since when?”

“The entire night before. She’d lost a large amount of blood.”

“And why was that?”

Barbara shook her head. “I don’t know.” Terrified, she looked at Matthias Trauenstein, whose face reflected sheer hatred.

“You do know.”

“Please,” the maid begged. “Please don’t make me say it.”

Andreas looked at the sheriff then at the jury members. “We will spare you from saying these words at this time. But believe me, sooner or later you will need to make this statement.”

Barbara sobbed loudly.

“So, my client saw the condition your mistress was in and pulled out the child? Is that correct?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And by doing so, she was at least able to save your mistress’s life?”

Barbara nodded.

“The child. Was it still alive when it came into this world?”

The maid shook her head. “No, its whole body was blue. It had died in the womb hours before.”

The advocate looked at the courtroom spectators then at the sheriff and jury. He looked at Madlen. Although she knew that the verdict would be to her benefit, she looked at Andreas solemnly. Barbara’s fear was almost palpable. He could see compassion tinged with regret for the woman in his client’s eyes.

“I know how hard it must have been for you to tell the truth here.” He looked over at Trauenstein and swept his arm out. “I believe, without exception, that I can speak for everyone in the courtroom when I say that you and your mistress have our deepest sympathy. I expect that in regard to the charges against my client, no further testimony will be required.” He looked at the sheriff. “Or does it please the court to continue to question and embarrass the witness?”

“That will not be necessary,” the sheriff replied.

“All right. I move to exonerate my client immediately of all charges.”

Shouts of agreement rang through the courtroom. A woman barked at Matthias Trauenstein, saying that he should be ashamed of himself and that he should disappear from Heidelberg altogether.

“But my wife hasn’t even taken the witness stand yet.”

“Spare us further testimony, Trauenstein. We’ll be coming after you soon to explain how your wife’s injuries ultimately led to the death of your unborn child.” The sheriff snorted angrily. “The jury and I will retreat for our final judgment on the matter,” he announced. He rose to follow the jury. “This won’t take long.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration. Only a short moment later, they went to their chairs and sat behind the sheriff. “The defendant is acquitted of all charges. The city clerk will make a record of the verdict.”

Some spectators cheered, congratulating Madlen and shaking her hand before they left the courtroom. Although she should have been relieved, all feelings of liberation escaped her. She thanked Andreas then looked regretfully at Barbara, who still sat sobbing on the witness chair. Matthias Trauenstein was the first to leave; he’d basically bolted out of the courtroom. Madlen looked at Barbara again. She felt sorry for the young woman, and a feeling of bitterness boiled in her soul. Whatever her master would inflict on her now, Madlen wouldn’t be able to help her. Barbara would suffer greatly, of that Madlen was quite sure.

Chapter Nine

She cried all the way home. Her head felt clouded, incapable of even one clear thought. The last few days had been so tense and frightening as the trial loomed. Although everything had gone in her favor, she had no idea how to move on. Her heart still pounded wildly at the thought of what could have been. Her good-bye to Andreas von Balge was short and sweet; victory was written all over his face. She, however, felt miserable and just wanted to go home.

And yet, tomorrow it would no longer be home. Heinfried would arrive at noon, pay her father, and take her away. Just like that. She’d never thought about how much Heidelberg, her birthplace, meant to her. The Neckar seemed to be the boundary between Heidelberg and the rest of the world. Her hometown, which once felt suffocating and provincial, now became a place she never wanted to leave. Up until now, she had thought very little about what kind of man Heinfried would be. She certainly didn’t have it easy living with her father, but they always scraped by. Now, the idea of being dragged away from her home and brought to a foreign place she probably would not be able to stand made her blood run cold, not to mention the dreaded thought of having Heinfried touch her. Her brother had only embraced her a handful of times when she needed comfort. Thanks to Clara, however, she’d come to know true affection. It was normal for them to greet and bid farewell to each other with a warm hug and sometimes even a stroke on the cheek, like a mother’s touch. The thought that a complete stranger, her future husband, would touch her whenever he wanted made her break out into a cold sweat.

“You’re here!”

Kilian startled Madlen, waiting outside their cottage for her. She hadn’t noticed him there because she’d been looking at the ground her entire way home.

“And?”

“I was acquitted of all charges.”

“Thank God.” He grabbed her, and Madlen enjoyed the hug like never before. They remained in this thankful embrace for several minutes, finally stilling her wildly beating heart.

Kilian pulled away. “Let’s go inside. Irma’s cooked something so that you could rest when you got home.”

“Irma? Why is she cooking for us?”

Kilian looked at the ground and pushed away some dirt with the sole of his shoe.

“You and Irma?” Madlen blurted. “I would never have thought.”

“Not exactly.” Kilian looked at his sister. “She’s got a good heart and, of course, would be a good wife. But I just don’t want her, and I can’t seem to make that clear to her.”

Madlen noticed that her brother had a bad conscience. “Have you somehow given her reason to believe you feel something for her?”

He bowed his head and looked at the ground again. “Well, you know, I helped Hans when his ox died suddenly. He needed lumber for the new stall. My good friends Fridel and Herrmann got in touch with me to let me know about Hans’s situation and Irma and Agathe did, too. I suppose we became friendly. And two days later, when I brought new chairs to the potter, I happened to run into Irma again.” He raised his hands defensively. “We only talked, I swear. And I didn’t think anything about it. But she started showing up, wanting to do me a favor here and there. And now she’s preparing supper because you were in court.”

“You need to tell her.” Madlen stroked her brother’s arm.

“But I never once made her a promise. I didn’t even kiss her.” He wrinkled his forehead angrily.

Madlen just smiled, and immediately his gaze softened. “Yes, all right, I’ll tell her,” he sulked.

“Good.” She hooked her arm in his. “But I’ll still eat her supper.” Madlen grinned impishly and together they went into the house. “Is Father still in the woodshop?”

“No.” Kilian closed the door behind him. “He’s sitting in some tavern, drinking whatever money you’ll bring.” He spit the words out bitterly.

“Yes.” She sighed as she sank into a chair. “Tomorrow’s almost here.”

Kilian walked over to the cast-iron pot quickly, trying to conceal how much the thought of her leaving hurt him. “We’ll eat first, and then you tell me what happened in court.” He turned to his sister. “I would have loved to be there with you, but you know how Father is.”

“Don’t worry. I’m just glad that it’s all over.” She stood up and went over to him. “Come on. Let me get my fill of soup.” She picked up the ladle. Suddenly, she became aware that this could be the last time she would be able to share a meal with her brother.

Kilian noticed. “What’s the matter?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” She wiped away her tears quickly. “I’m just relieved that the trial is over.” She scooped up some soup, filled a bowl, and handed it to Kilian, who took it to the table and sat down. Then Madlen joined him.

“Yet another reason that I have to tell Irma the truth,” Kilian said after tasting the soup. “Her cooking isn’t even remotely as good as yours.”

Madlen smiled. “Sweet brother,” she said with a giggle. At that instant, there was a knock on the door. Kilian stood and answered it.

“Is your sister here?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m a servant for Adelhaid Trauenstein. She sent me.”

“What does she want? Hasn’t your mistress done enough to my sister?”

Madlen didn’t move a muscle. Still, the man could see her from the doorway.

“That’s exactly what this is about. My mistress had no idea what her husband had done until he told her she must testify in court.” He looked past Kilian over to Madlen. “She would like to apologize to you.”

“Tell your mistress it makes no difference to us.” Kilian took a step forward to obstruct the man’s view of his sister.

“Please, understand. My mistress has no peace. She’s been crying for hours because of the injustice that was brought upon your sister. She wants to make good.”

“And how does she plan to do that?” Kilian snorted angrily. “My sister could have been sentenced and punished harshly because of these lies. And she only wanted to help.”

“My mistress will do everything in her power to make up for the injustice.”

“How?”

“She begs your sister to come to her so that she can personally apologize and give your sister enough money to henceforth live a carefree life.”

“I don’t want her money,” Madlen shouted, jumping up from her chair. She came to the door and wriggled her way in next to her brother. “If your mistress continues to let herself be beaten, that’s her business. But when she allows others to suffer, there will never be enough money in the world to free her soul. You tell her that.”

The man pressed his lips together. “You’re correct. I think this is one of the reasons she asked you to come; she’s truly sorry. She doesn’t have the strength to leave the house at the moment. Still, she wants to press charges against her husband. I sincerely hope that it will come to that. He beats her, sometimes even breaks her bones. And not just her. He violates the maids and bludgeons almost everyone who gets in his way. Someone must do something.” He breathed in deeply. “But without you, I’m afraid my mistress won’t have the strength to fight. Your spirit is an inspiration to her.” He took a step back. “But I understand your position. Please excuse me if I have bothered you. Even if you cannot forgive, you should know that Adelhaid Trauenstein will not close her eyes at night, without regretting what happened to you. And she will continue to do as long as she lives.” He looked at Kilian. “That won’t be long at any rate. I’m one of the few who are loyal to her, but I cannot protect her from her husband if no one stops him. Forgive me for my intrusion, but I had to try to save the life of this good-hearted woman.” With that, he turned on his heels and walked away.

Kilian pushed Madlen gently back into the cottage and shut the door. Lost in thought, she took her seat.

“Have I done the right thing?”

She expected to hear him spit out an angry remark about Adelhaid, but he remained quiet for a while before replying, “I really don’t know. You know how much I despise bastards like Matthias Trauenstein. He rapes the maids and beats everybody under his service black and blue. He didn’t even stop at his own wife, though she carried his child in her womb.”

“Do you really think that she knew nothing about the trial?”

“I can well imagine it. After all, she never leaves the house. If he told the servants not to mention it, nobody would have said a peep.”

“But wasn’t she supposed to appear at trial?”

“With her charming husband pressuring her to lie? I wouldn’t be surprised if she refused and he immediately gave her another good thrashing.” Kilian shoved his soup bowl away. “I’m not hungry.”

“What should I do? Go to her?”

“Her trusted servant wouldn’t have come here if he feared that Matthias would be at home in the near future. You could have gone with him to at least see Adelhaid and listen to what she has to say. You could even convince her to go to the sheriff. In any case”—he paused briefly—“she wants to give you money to mitigate the injustice. This is your last chance. You gave everything you had to pay your advocate. It would only be right for her to compensate you for this.”

“It would allow me to be more independent from Heinfried’s every whim,” Madlen said, thinking aloud.

“Absolutely.”

Madlen stood up. “Will you accompany me?”

Kilian arose. “I would never let you go there alone again.”

On the way to the Trauenstein estate, they barely spoke, holding each other’s hands tightly the whole time. Only when she climbed the steps and knocked did Kilian let go. Their recent visitor opened the door, looking surprised. “Come in,” he said. “What a relief to see you.”

Madlen and Kilian entered together. Inside, everything was calm. Even the kitchen was completely silent. Except for the guard, it seemed there was no one home.

“Please wait here. I’ll go upstairs and inform her that you’re both here.”

Madlen nodded. An eerie feeling crept over her whole body. Was it because this house reminded her of what had just been done to her? She didn’t know. It wasn’t long before the guard came out of Adelhaid’s bedchamber and approached the hall landing. “You can come up now. But please, only you. That is her wish.”

Madlen looked at Kilian with hesitation.

“It’s all right,” her brother replied. “I’ll wait here.”

“One moment.” The guard went into the bedchamber again. Apparently, Adelhaid Trauenstein had called to him from her bed. When he emerged, he came back downstairs. “My mistress wants me to give this to you.” He approached Kilian and gave him some coins as Madlen climbed upstairs. “Your wait will seem shorter if you buy a beer for yourself in the pub across the street.”

Madlen turned to her brother. “Go ahead. I’ll come over as soon as I’m done.”

“All right.” Kilian put the coins in his pocket, opened the door, and left the house. As he did so, he realized that the guard latched the door shut behind him. He paused for a moment, wondering why he would be so overly cautious. Then he pushed the thought away and went to the tavern, where he ran into his friend, Hans, joining him and two other men his age at their table.

Madlen took a deep breath before entering Adelhaid’s bedchamber. It was as dark as the last time she was there; she could barely see a thing. “It’s me, Madlen,” she said tentatively, approaching the bed quietly. Adelhaid didn’t say a word; she seemed to be waiting until Madlen came into her line of vision. Or was she sleeping? “Adelhaid, can you hear me? Are you awake?” She tiptoed closer to the bed when suddenly the door behind her slammed shut. Madlen’s heart skipped a beat. The weak light from the open door had at least lit the room somewhat; now Madlen saw nothing but black. She gasped with fear. “Adelhaid?”

She heard a rustling, and even though she couldn’t see, she felt someone approach her. “Who’s there?” Suddenly, somebody grabbed her shoulders. She felt their breath close to her face.

“Well, well, who do we have here?”

Madlen gasped. Even though she’d never spoken to him directly, she recognized the voice of Matthias Trauenstein immediately. She closed her eyes. A trap! She would almost certainly pay for her mistake with her life. Her whole body began to tremble.

“Look who’s scared now, you little whore.” He gripped her tighter. “Aren’t you sorry for making a fool out of me in court?” Madlen suppressed a scream as he grabbed her even tighter. What was the point? It was the guard who had lured her into the trap.

Matthias let go of her shoulder and grabbed her hair. The shawl that covered it fell to the ground. Madlen thought she heard someone whimper from the corner. “Adelhaid, are you here? Say something!” Madlen begged.

“Of course she’s here.” He threw her like a sack of potatoes onto the bed, hurling her with so much force that she landed on her stomach and bumped her head into something hard. She screamed loudly.

“Go ahead and scream, you little whore. That’s what I like.”

Again, Madlen heard somebody whimper, this time a little louder. “Please, Adelhaid, help me,” she pleaded. “If you’re in the room, please help.” Madlen couldn’t hold back her tears. Soon, he’d be throwing himself on her to rape her.

“You want to see my wife?” she heard him say. He seemed to be standing a little farther away now. A small flame glimmered as a candle was lit. Madlen sat up. Slowly, she recognized a silhouette. Matthias Trauenstein stood motionless, staring at her. In spite of the weak light, she could see the insane twinkle in his eyes. She broke into a cold sweat. There must be something else lying on the bed. She was sitting on something hard and immovable. Madlen raised her hands to her face. She screamed when she realized that they were both red with blood. From the corner near the door, she again heard somebody whimper and slowly realized what was going on. Shakily, she looked at the bed where she sat. Madlen yelped, jumped up, and landed on all fours on the ground. Matthias Trauenstein laughed scornfully, louder and louder. “What’s the rush? Didn’t you long to see my wife? Well, she’s lying there, as you can see.”

Madlen gasped again; breathing seemed all but impossible. Her whole body knotted up like a rope, as Matthias laughed louder and louder until he finally grabbed her by the hair again and stood her up. He held her head and forced her to look at the bed.