“I said I would come.”
He stepped toward her and took her hand. He was dressed impeccably in a white linen shirt, a purple velvet doublet embroidered with white flowers, and black hose. His hair was pulled back and tied with a purple ribbon at the nape of his neck. She certainly couldn’t fault his physical appearance.
Rose followed him between the apple trees. She breathed in deeply the apple-scented air.
Finally, Lord Rupert stopped at a fallen tree and motioned for her to sit. He sat next to her on the large trunk, still holding her hand in his. He looked into her face, his eyes wide and expectant. “Rose, tell me your plans for the future. What do you foresee yourself doing for the rest of your life?”
Rose had not expected him to ask her this, or anything else of such a serious nature. She tried to think. She couldn’t very well tell him the truth—that she hoped to marry him and live in the country.
“I suppose everyone expects that I will continue to be Frau Geruscha’s apprentice. Then, when she decides I’m capable of doing the healing work on my own, I will take over her work of helping the people of Hagenheim.” Even as she spoke the words, she didn’t truly believe them. For some time now she had been wondering if she’d ever be able to overcome her squeamishness and be a good healer. O God, help me.
“Is that what you want?” Lord Rupert leaned forward, holding her hand between both of his.
Rose shook her head in confusion. “I know not. What is it you want me to say?”
He stroked her hand with his thumb then lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss into her palm.
A pleasurable, and at the same time uncomfortable, sensation spread all through her, but she had to keep her mind clear.
“I want you to say you love me, that you want to be with me.”
Rose pulled her hand out of his grasp, her heart thumping.
“I think you already know that I love you,” he said. “Do you love me, Rose?”
Rose looked into his eyes again, wishing she could read his heart there. Her own heart swelled with emotion. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she wasn’t sure she could truthfully say she loved him. “I care for you, and I want to believe you love me.”
Lord Rupert smiled in a pleased, boyish way.
“So you brought me here to question me, to make me say things that are improper? What else did you want to ask me? I should think you know everything about me.”
“Oh, there’s a lot I don’t know about you, Fraulein Rose Roemer. I know you are the most beautiful maiden in the region of Hagenheim, but I’m curious about your mind, what you think.”
Her eyes widened. No one had ever said such a thing to her before. No one, that is, except Lord Hamlin. He’d even suggested she’d make a good advisor to his father. But she shouldn’t be thinking about him.
Lord Rupert stood and moved away from her. He wandered over to a tree and leaned his back against it, facing Rose. “What do you think of the Church? Many claim it is corrupt and needs reform. Do you agree?”
Rose sat straighter. Such a strange question. “I—I would never presume to say such a thing, my lord.”
“Some say reforms are inevitable, that the pope will be forced to allow priests to marry. What do you think? Do you think priests should marry?” He fixed her with such an intense look, it startled Rose. She had never seen this side of him before.
Rose drew her brows together in confusion and a little fear. Such conversations could bring dire consequences upon a person. What did he want her to say? “Why are you asking me this?”
“I truly would like to know what you think, Rose. You’re an intelligent woman. I know you must have an opinion.”
“I admit,” she said slowly, choosing her words carefully, “there are a few doctrines of the Church that I don’t understand.” She decided it best not to tell him she had read the Holy Scriptures. “But certainly I consider myself a loyal member of the Church.” They gazed at each other for a long moment. “Why? What do you believe?”
“I believe priests should be allowed to marry.”
Rose nodded. “I can understand why you would believe so.”
“You do?” Lord Rupert pushed himself off the tree. His excited expression made her a little nervous.
“Well, yes. But I’m afraid the pope does not allow it. He does not see the issue as you do.”
“This is true. But don’t you feel that most people in Hagenheim believe priests should marry and have families, that it’s unnatural for a man to be celibate?”