Gunther smiled a strange, cool smile, sending a chill up Rose’s arms. “I am resolved. Don’t mention this, not even to Frau Geruscha. There’s no reason for anyone to know. David and I will take care of Arnold Hintzen.” Gunther was silent. After a few moments, he looked her in the eye. “But you must promise me—not a word to anyone.”
Rose took a deep, shaky breath. She glanced away then back again. “Are you certain, Gunther?”
“Yes.” His shoulders relaxed and he looked like himself again. “Don’t worry. Men have been taking care of their women for thousands of years. It’s instinctual.”
Rose shook her head. “Does it matter that I’m against it?”
“No.” He smiled again. “Remember, no worrying. Tell Hildy she’ll never have to give another thought to Arnold Hintzen.”
“You won’t kill him, will you?” Rose’s eyes grew wide at the thought.
“No, just punish him a bit, give him a taste of what it feels like to be helpless.”
“Please be careful.”
“I will.” Gunther turned and walked away. Rose went back inside to Hildy.
Hildy seemed pleased with the idea that Gunther intended to personally punish Arnold for her. Rose had to admit, the thought was somewhat satisfying to her as well. But after Hildy went home and Rose was alone with Frau Geruscha, she began to feel uneasy. Was it wrong, even dangerous, to keep Arnold Hintzen’s attack a secret from the duke’s bailiff? The thought of them taking the man’s punishment into their own hands smacked of vengeance, and the Bible said vengeance belonged to God. It was tempting to speak to Frau Geruscha about it, but she ignored the urge.
Chapter 15
Lord Rupert came by the next afternoon and diverted Rose’s attention with a story of a mouse the servants had been trying all day to catch. It had led them on a merry chase, resulting in a broken stool, a sprained ankle, and the upset of a pot of frumenty.
When Frau Geruscha was out of earshot, he whispered, “Is the old woman treating you well?”
Rose squirmed at his referring to her mistress that way.
He had made other derogatory comments, accusing Frau Geruscha of trying to control Rose’s thoughts. Although far from agreeing with his suggestions, Rose still couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps Frau Geruscha’s disapproval of Lord Rupert was ill-motivated.
A tiny sprout of resentment had sprung up within Rose. Whenever Frau Geruscha pursed her lips at seeing Lord Rupert, Rose felt an urge to defend him, loudly and firmly. But she could never be so bold with Frau Geruscha, who had always been so good to her, taking a special interest in her when she was a little girl, declaring that she was unusually intelligent, educating her, and finally, apprenticing her. If Frau Geruscha had not favored her so, Rose would still be living in her parents’ hovel, working hard in the fields and the forest, or worse yet, married to someone she didn’t love.
Even if Frau Geruscha’s attitude toward Rupert was ill-motivated, Rose could never be disrespectful to her or believe that her mistress wished anything other than what was best for her apprentice.
Two days after Gunther told Rose about his plan to punish Arnold Hintzen, Gunther came again to talk to Rose. He pulled a stool close to Rose’s chair and said quietly, “David and I took care of Arnold Hintzen. He’ll never come near Hildy again.”
“You didn’t kill him, did you?” Rose whispered.
“No, of course not. But we made him sorry. We became his missing conscience, I’d say. He’ll think twice before hurting another woman.”
He changed the subject and said he had been hired by Duke Nicolaus for his illumination skills. He would be illustrating the books the scribes were copying. “My first project will be a new Psalter for the duchess.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Gunther!”
“Now that I am employed, I’m looking for a house. When I find one—or build one—I’ll be wanting a wife. Do you think Hildy would accept me?”
Rose smiled. “Yes, and I hope you won’t make her wait too long.”
“I’m a prize worth waiting for, don’t you think?”
“Cocky now that you’ve defended your maiden’s honor, aren’t you?”
They both laughed, causing Frau Geruscha to peek around the doorway from the storage room.
“I’d better go.” Gunther bowed to Frau Geruscha. He winked at Rose and departed.
Two days later, Hildy came in the door while Rose rubbed Wolfie’s head.
“Oh, Hildy, it’s so wonderful to see you.” Rose jumped up and grabbed her friend’s arm. “It will only take me a moment to put away these herbs. Then will you walk with me around the courtyard? I feel like a prisoner.” She whispered the last few words to make sure Frau Geruscha didn’t hear.
Rose asked Frau Geruscha if she could go for a walk with Hildy, just around the courtyard. Upon receiving Frau Geruscha’s blessing the two of them, followed by Wolfie, strolled out into the sunshine.
“Tell me something exciting.” Rose hooked her arm through Hildy’s.
“I love Gunther.” She giggled exultantly.
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Well, Arnold Hintzen is missing, or so says his mother.”