Although both Lady Osanna and Lord Hamlin seemed to have changed their minds and now approved of Lord Rupert’s attentions toward her, he certainly hadn’t won Frau Geruscha over. Her arms full of yarrow root, she turned abruptly and disappeared into the storage room.
Lord Rupert leaned toward Rose and whispered, “I’ll come for you at ten o’clock in the morning for the feast.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a quick kiss. With a wink, he strode across the floor and out the door.
She slipped off the bracelet and dropped it into her apron pocket.
Rose woke early to attend the special St. John’s Day service at the cathedral. Participating in the Midsummer Eve festivities always made her feel guilty unless she first went to church to celebrate John the Baptist.
She stared at the new dress hanging in her room, the one she’d had made, using the salary she was receiving as a healer’s apprentice. It was damask, a beautiful shade of emerald green, trimmed with a wide band of gold silk at the hem. More gold silk formed a feminine collar that widened at the shoulders. The sleeves were fitted, as was the bodice, and the skirt contained so much material she had to hold it up to walk. She longed to wear the new dress, but she put on her old crimson one instead. She would change later, before attending the feast at the castle.
An hour later Rose entered the Hagenheim Cathedral and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior. Gradually, the flickering candles illuminated the long, high-ceilinged hall. She crossed herself and genuflected, facing the crucifix. Rose found her family members, who were kneeling in their usual spot, and bowed her head in prayer.
A slight shuffling noise to her right caught her attention. She glanced up. Lord Rupert was coming toward her, quickly closing the gap between them. He knelt beside her, then winked.
What was he doing here? Rarely did any of the duke’s family members come to the cathedral to worship. They attended their own chapel within the castle courtyard.
Lord Rupert seemed determined to make his feelings for her known. She couldn’t help thinking that if Lord Hamlin had the misfortune to fall in love with a woodcutter’s daughter, he would be too proud to publicize it. No, he’d rather marry the daughter of a duke, someone of his own class.
But why was she thinking about him? She mentally shoved him away.
Lord Rupert moved a fraction closer and Rose smiled. Could it be true, what Lord Hamlin said? Did Lord Rupert intend to marry her? From his behavior, how could she doubt it? But whether he was in love with her or not, she shouldn’t have accepted the bracelet from him. Frau Geruscha would be shocked at such a lapse. Her conscience pricked her.
Rose tried to concentrate on the priest’s words, but with Lord Rupert’s tall frame looming so near, her mind wandered. What would his promised surprise be? She hoped whatever it was, it wouldn’t upset Frau Geruscha.
Her mistress’s behavior was unreasonable. After all, Lord Rupert had been respectful and chivalrous so far. Yet, witnessing the piercing looks Frau Geruscha gave when Rose was with him, she always felt as if he—and she—were doing something wrong. She was glad Frau Geruscha couldn’t see him with her now.
When the service ended, Lord Rupert leaned closer to her. “Keep praying,” he whispered.
Most of the worshipers made their way through the long sanctuary to the back of the church and exited the building. In a matter of moments they were alone, except for a few people who were lighting candles near the altar. Rose kept her head bowed. Perhaps she should leave. Surely it was a sin to pretend to pray in order to be alone with a man.
She glanced up at him. His gaze was so intent, his smile so knowing, she finally whispered, “What is it?”
“I simply love looking at you.”
She tried without success to think of something to say. Instead she stood, and he also rose.
She opened her mouth to speak and he bent low, bringing his face to within a hand’s breadth of hers. “I don’t think you should come to Frau Geruscha’s chambers for me,” she said. “I’ll meet you in the courtyard, at the well.”
“As you wish. I’ll meet you there at ten o’clock. But can’t we stay here for a few minutes and talk?” He motioned toward a bench that stood against the wall.
“I don’t think we should.” Rose glanced around to see who might have already spotted them together. He stood so close that she cringed at the thought of the priest’s glare should he spy them. And what would other people think? They would assume Lord Rupert and she were having a sinful liaison, so far apart were their social positions.
She gave him a smile and rushed out before he could protest.
“Ten o’clock,” he called.