“Rose!” Hildy rushed toward her, Gunther following behind.
Gunther stepped forward, his lips pursed together in a very serious expression. “Hildy told me what happened. I’m only two houses away from the Marktplatz, Rose. Send for me any time of day or night. If that man ever comes near you again, I’ll make him rue it.”
Rose was surprised to find that Gunther’s words made tears sting her eyes. She blinked. “Thank you, Gunther.”
“It’s fortunate that my brother is away.” Lord Rupert joined the conversation. “He would personally have this man’s head. Anyone who harms our Rose will have to face the wrath of the Earl of Hamlin.” He winked at her.
Lord Rupert’s words about Lord Hamlin, as well as Gunther’s sincere offer of protection, made the heaviness over Rose’s heart lift a little. She took a deep breath and decided to forget about Peter Brunckhorst.
The flat, expansive center of the Marktplatz was a perfect dance floor. Many couples, both young and not-so-young, took advantage of the rare treat of the Meistersingers. The dancers swirled, genuflected, raised their hands in the air, and generally kicked up their heels while the Meistersingers played and sang slow ballads, lively saltarellos and istampitas, and looked as if they were having as much fun as the townspeople.
She watched the carefree manner of the men and women singers. What would it be like to travel around the world? Rose had never been anywhere but Hagenheim. She studied the Meistersingers closely. Were the women each married to one of the men in the group? Rose imagined herself among them, making people happy, meeting people throughout the land. It must be an interesting life.
Seeing Gunther and Hildy together, dancing, laughing, and talking, sent a thrill of joy through her. Gunther obviously admired her friend. Hildy was properly demure, but Rose could imagine the raptures playing through Hildy’s thoughts as she accepted Gunther’s attentions.
Lord Rupert danced with no one but Rose, now that his mother wasn’t there to force him to spread himself around.
The lead Meistersinger, Gebehart, suddenly looked at Lord Rupert with a quizzical lift of his eyebrows. Rupert gave the singer a nod. Gebehart nodded back.
Rupert turned to Rose and leaned in close to her ear. “Here is the song of my heart to you.”
The drum began a deep, low rumble that vibrated Rose’s breast bone and set the brisk tempo of the song. Rupert took her arm and they faced each other, forming two lines with the other couples. His eyes focused on hers. The other instruments joined the drum, which was like the beating of a giant heart.
The bass voice of the lead singer began with great enthusiasm,
“It is the joyful season—maidens and young men, rejoice! O! O! Totus floreo!”
The other male and female voices joined in the chorus.
“I am amore virginali totus ardeo;
My body’s burning at the thought of first love;
Novus, novus amor est, quo pereo!
I have a new, new love, and it spells my death!”
Lord Rupert’s look of palpable passion set her cheeks to stinging as they moved toward each other, brushing shoulders, then twirled away, only to pass each other again. She wished it was dark so that no one could see the way he was looking at her.
The song continued, and at the end of each new verse the bearded lead singer repeated the refrain with gusto, “O! O! Totus floreo!”
“My love is a flower among virgins And a rose among roses.
O! O! Totus floreo!
Your consent comforts me,
Your refusal exiles me.
O! O! Totus floreo!”
Lord Rupert’s appreciation was undisguised as his eyes roved over her. He circled her, dancing around her while she stood still. He ran his hand along her bare arm where the sleeve of her fashionable dress split.
“In winter a man can control himself But in spring he’s passionate.
O! O! Totus floreo!”
He fell to one knee. While she danced around him, he placed his hand over his heart and patted his chest in time to the drum beats.
“Come in gladness, little fraulein!
Come, come, my beautiful love—now.
O! O! Totus floreo!
My body’s burning at the thought of first love.
I have a new, new love—and it spells my death.”
The dance ended. Rose, a little out of breath, pushed back the stray strands of hair that had come loose from her braid and clung to her damp temples.
“Let me.” He stood so close she had to lean back to keep his chest from brushing against her. He reached out and ran his finger along her hairline. In a gruff voice he said, “I feel as though I shall die if I don’t kiss you right now.”