The Secret Healer (13 page)

“And then?”

Madlen looked deep into Agathe’s eyes and grabbed her hand. “I have no greater wish than to study medicine at the university. To listen to the words of the wisest men in the world. I would like to learn about all different kinds of illnesses, and how to heal them. Properly. Not only because I’m familiar with herbs and have observed the sick. No. I would like to be among the brightest scholars so I could ask them questions and learn how to lay my hands on a sick body and make it healthy.” Madlen’s heart beat so hard that she thought it would jump out of her chest. She pulled her hand back. “But I’m just being silly, aren’t I?”

“Oh, no. You are not.” Agathe looked at Madlen in a different light. “I know many women who understand their husband’s craft better than their husband does. But nobody has ever done it. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for you to go to a university. At the mere uttering of this desire, most people would think you’ve lost your mind.”

“I know,” Madlen said softly.

“But I do think it’s possible for you to learn how to read and write.”

“Really?” Madlen said, eyes wide with excitement.

“I know a man, a young monk, to be exact. We speak quite often when I collect donations for the Church. He’s a truly open-minded man. It’s hard to imagine that he dedicated his life to God. His name is Brother Simon. We’ve often talked about the fact that there can be no greater happiness than for a person to learn to read and write.”

“And do you think he could teach me? Me?”

“Well, Brother is not very religious in the traditional sense. He accepts donations to benefit the community instead of investing the money in outdated religious rituals.”

It occurred to Madlen that she’d only spent a few coins of her money when she traveled here; in fact, it had barely been touched. She could use it to learn how to read and write.

“I see what you’re thinking. I’ll take care of the donation.”

“But as I already told you,” Madlen replied, “the advocate gave me back the money that I’d paid him. I could also—”

Agathe held up her hand to silence her. “You’ll be glad to have something to fall back on one day. Just let me handle this. I’ll speak with Brother Simon, and we’ll come to an agreement. If this is your fondest wish, I want to ensure that you learn how to read and write. And the sooner the better.”

Madlen jumped up and hugged her aunt so tightly that she almost fell off her chair. “You’re smothering me,” she croaked with a grin.

“Thank you so much. For everything!” Madlen kissed her aunt on the cheek.

“You are the daughter that I always wanted.” She waved her off. “And soon, my daughter will read and write.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Brother Simon, may I introduce you to my foster daughter, the woman we talked about.”

Madlen bowed politely.

“A woman with a great thirst for wisdom, or so I’ve heard. I’m so happy to meet you.”

“It’s so kind that you’ve agreed to help me.” Madlen nodded in deference to the man in the simple brown robe. He was handsome, so very different than she had imagined a man in the service of God would be. In Heidelberg, the men who had dedicated their lives to the Lord were mostly weak old men. Brother Simon, not much older than Madlen herself, had nothing in common with them.

“Well, your foster mother can be very convincing, as you know.” He smiled at Agathe. “It would be my pleasure to teach you. Do you have any experience with reading or writing?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Then we’ll start the same way I learned. I only ask you to be patient with yourself and don’t give up. The Lord helps those who believe in him and in themselves.”

“I’ll be very industrious and learn as much as I can, that I promise you.”

Brother Simon led his visitors into a room lined with bookshelves that reached the ceiling. “As you can both see, we have more books than any one person could read in a lifetime. How often would you like to have your lessons?”

“As often as possible.” Madlen glanced at Agathe briefly. “Of course, I have to tend to my duties as a dressmaker. But I can make myself available in the evenings.”

“I will come to your house every other day. I would prefer to teach there, where it is quieter. If we discover that every other day is too much, we can adjust.”

“That would be wonderful.” Madlen nodded excitedly. She looked for reassurance from Agathe, who smiled almost imperceptibly.

“Good. Then we’re agreed.”

“Brother Simon!” Madlen turned as a man’s deep voice called out from the door. “There you are. And I see you have visitors. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

The man’s gaze moved from Madlen to Agathe and finally back to the young monk. He took another step into the room. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Johannes Goldmann.” He bowed graciously.

“Goldmann?” Agathe said. “I think I know your parents. Isn’t Elsbeth your mother?”

“Yes, and my father is Peter.”

“Ah, the council member. Yes, I know them both well. Your mother often buys dresses from me. My name is Agathe, and this is my foster daughter, Maria.”

Madlen curtsied quickly. The man was a good two heads taller than her and towered over Brother Simon. His hair was the color of spring wheat the likes of which she’d never seen before. He had a powerful build, with wide shoulders. She would have pegged him for a craftsman, not the son of merchants. He was older than Madlen, but not quite thirty.

“This is, indeed, a rare pleasure.” Johannes couldn’t take his deep-blue eyes off of her.

Brother Simon cleared his throat. “What can I do for you, Johannes?”

“Ah, yes, what did I want?” Johannes kept looking at Madlen; embarrassed, she smiled and looked at the ground.

“Johannes?” Brother Simon persisted.

“The priest,” he spit out. “I’m looking for the priest. Have you seen him?”

“He’ll be in the church, readying everything for Mass. Go on.”

“Thank you.” Johannes smiled at Madlen. “It was a special joy to meet you. Do you come here often?”

She shook her head. Agathe finally broke the silence. “Johannes, please send my heartfelt greetings to your parents.” She stepped behind Madlen and laid her hands on her shoulders. “Maria is also a seamstress, by the way. Perhaps we’ll see you again when your dear mother comes to purchase another dress from us.”

“I will deliver your greetings.” Johannes bowed. “If I remember correctly, she spoke only yesterday about ordering a new dress.” He grinned broadly, and Madlen couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

“Well, we would be delighted to welcome you, too, when your mother comes to make her fabric selection.”

“Thank you kindly.” He bowed once again and touched his hand to his forehead as if wearing a hat. “I wish you a wonderful day. Ladies, Brother Simon.” And with that, he left.

Madlen was elated, her cheeks red with excitement as they returned to Agathe’s house. They strode arm in arm, chatting cheerfully yet making sure no one else could hear what they said. “I’m so excited that I will finally learn to read and write. I would have never thought it possible. Have you ever seen so many books? What are they about? Do you think that there will also be medical books?”

“It seems you can barely think straight from happiness. It’s wonderful to see.”

Madlen squeezed Agathe’s arm. “I’m so thankful to you.”

“Are you happy because of the books, or for some other reason?”

“What do you mean?” Madlen wondered.

“As if you didn’t know. I thought that Johannes’s eyes would pop out of his head when he saw you.”

“Yes, I noticed that,” Madlen admitted with embarrassment.

“How could you have not? The poor man forgot what he was there for.”

Madlen giggled.

“His father is a powerful man in this town. He sits on the council, and he’s the spokesman for the merchants. Still, don’t expect too much. I may be well-known, but the Goldmanns are in the upper class; we are far beneath their social standing.”

Madlen waved it off. “That doesn’t matter to me. Right now, the most important thing is my lessons.”

“That’s as it should be, although Johannes is a very handsome, educated young man. If I remember correctly, his mother told me that he’s a lawyer.”

“The last lawyer I knew, Andreas von Balge, was also a very nice man, but the circumstances under which I made his acquaintance still give me chills.”

“I can very well understand that. But you needn’t stop living your life.”

“I won’t.” Madlen held up her head as she continued to walk arm in arm with her aunt. “I’ll learn to read and write. How many literate women do you know?”

Agathe shrugged. “None, as far as I know.”

“You see. This will open up all sorts of opportunities. And even if I never become a doctor, I will learn everything I can from their books, written by the best and wisest people on earth. I will become so smart, Agathe.”

“You already are.”

“You know what I mean. I’ll know more than anyone you or I know.”

“The question is, what will you do with all this knowledge?”

“I’ll cure every disease known to man.” The words sprang out of her mouth, and she recognized her error.

Agathe stopped abruptly. “I thought you understood that’s not possible for you.”

Madlen stammered, “Yes, of course.” She looked around and whispered, “I’m not going to be a healer anymore. I promise you.”

“But you just said something completely different.” Agathe refused to budge.

“I only meant that I’ll know how to cure people. Nothing more.” She pulled on Agathe’s arm. “Come now, and forget what I said. I’m going to keep my promise.”

“Good! And don’t you ever forget that.”

“No, I won’t forget.” Madlen assured her, but neither she nor Agathe actually believed it.

“He’s already been here?” Agathe looked at Madlen in surprise. “But he must have come here directly after meeting us.”

“I don’t know.” Roswitha shrugged. “He only told me to tell you that Elsbeth Goldmann and her son will be here tomorrow for a new dress.”

Agathe laughed. “Now we’re earning our daily bread because of your charm.” She patted Madlen’s cheek lightly.

“But Brother Simon is also coming tomorrow,” she argued. “I won’t even have time to greet Johannes and his mother.”

“Then this young man will be disappointed.” Agathe handed her cloak to Roswitha, who carried it away. “On the other hand, the fine fellow seems persistent. I don’t believe this will stop him from arranging another meeting.”

“His mother will soon have more clothes than she could ever wear,” Madlen gushed. She played with a strand of her hair. “I almost hope that he and Brother Simon are not here at the same time.”

“Our little girl has taken quite a shine to someone,” Agathe teased.

“Perhaps,” she replied, then kissed her aunt’s cheek and ran upstairs to her bedchamber.

“It won’t be long until mealtime,” Agathe called after her, as the overjoyed Madlen spread out her arms, fell onto her bed, and gazed at the ceiling.
Reading, writing, and Johannes.
She wondered what would become of it all.

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, she took more time the next day to fix her hair. She also wore a brand-new dress, which she’d received from Agathe just yesterday evening, to her great surprise. She picked up her needle and thread and continued to work on a dress before putting it away just seconds later to pick up some new thread or sip her drink.

“Well now, why so restless?” Agathe couldn’t suppress her smile.

“It won’t be long before Brother Simon gets here.” She pressed her lips together. “Then I won’t be able to see Johannes and his mother.”

“You’ll see them some other time,” her aunt replied serenely, without looking up.

“But . . .”

“But what?” Agathe let the dress fall onto her lap. “Didn’t you tell me just yesterday that you longed for nothing more than to learn how to read and write? If that’s true, you shouldn’t place so much importance on the appearance of a man. I don’t want to say that only one or the other is possible, but if you are so easily distracted from achieving your fondest wish, then maybe it wasn’t so important to you after all.”

Madlen pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I got carried away.”

“It’s perfectly acceptable for you to make plans to see Johannes. He likes you. But don’t think that you can have everything at the same time.” She wagged her finger at Madlen. “Believe me, that will not happen.”

“I hope you’re not angry with me.”

“Of course not. Why would I be?”

“I disappointed you.”

“You haven’t,” Agathe clarified. “You are the one who must choose what’s really important. But,” she said, holding up her finger again, “you really have to decide. Otherwise, the money I gave Simon will go to waste.”

“I want to learn how to read and write. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“Then focus, and do not let yourself be swayed.”

“I assure you I won’t, Aunt Agathe. I’m so grateful.”

A knock at the door made Madlen turn her head. She heard Roswitha open the door. Holding her breath, she listened vigilantly; it was two voices, a man and a woman.

Agathe got up from her chair. “Come. The Goldmanns are here. Let’s greet them together.” She gestured to Madlen, and they went into the hall.

“Elsbeth, how wonderful to see you.” Agathe held out her hands.

“Agathe, my darling. The pleasure is all mine.”

Madlen snuck a look at Johannes as the women greeted each other. He was tall, even taller than her own brother, Kilian. One look at Elsbeth was enough to know that he looked much like his mother.

“And this must be your Maria?” Elsbeth nodded and smiled at Madlen, curtsying as she lowered her head.

“I’ve heard so much about you, child,” she said, glancing at her son; his attention was focused on Madlen.

“Let’s go to the fabric room. I recently acquired a gorgeous Byzantine silk, which would complement your lovely eyes just perfectly,” gushed Agathe.

Before Madlen could follow them, Johannes took her by the arm. “Must you join the fabric selection?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Madlen’s eyes sparkled in amusement.

“Well, you could keep me company and tell me a little about yourself. Where do you come from? You have never visited Worms before, as far as I know. I’m certain that I would not have forgotten you.”

“How often do you come with your mother to select fabrics?”

He grinned. “Never.”

“Then how did you know that I would be here?”

“Hmm, a clever defense for which I have no argument.”

“A legal expert that cannot argue his case? Isn’t that unusual?”

“So, you’ve been asking about me?”

Madlen felt as if she’d been caught red-handed. “No, my aunt mentioned it.”

“Your aunt?”

Madlen’s face went beet red. “Well, she really isn’t my aunt,” she explained quickly. “But she was such good friends with my mother for such a long time that my mother often referred to her as my aunt.”

“Oh, I also refer to my father’s best friend as my uncle Max.”

“Then you know just what I mean.”

They gazed at each other without saying a word.

“Can I offer you something, kind sir? A spiced wine, perhaps?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He raised his right eyebrow.

Madlen giggled. “I’ve never seen that before.”

“What?”

She pointed at him. “Someone able to lift just one eyebrow.”

“Does it amuse you?” He lifted his eyebrow again, making Madlen burst into gales of laughter. Then someone knocked on the door.

Madlen turned around. “Please wait.” She went to the door and opened it. “Brother Simon, come in.”

“Greetings to you, Maria.” His gaze fell upon Johannes, clearly astonished to see him. “And to you, too, Johannes.”

Madlen considered both men. Then she turned to Johannes. “Please forgive me, but I must take my leave with Brother Simon.”

“May I ask the purpose of your visit?” Johannes scrutinized Simon.

“I’m teaching Maria the meaning of the Holy Scriptures.” He held up a book.

Johannes frowned. “What a shame. May I be so bold as to accept your offer of spiced wine some other time?”

“I would be absolutely delighted.” Madlen smiled warmly.

“Would tomorrow be acceptable?” He lifted his right eyebrow again.

“That would be perfect.”

“The same time? Or will there be another lesson in the Holy Scriptures?”

“No, not tomorrow.”

“Good. Now, I will help my mother choose her dress fabric.” He grimaced and went toward the room that Elsbeth and Agathe had disappeared into.

“Shall we?” Madlen pointed to the dining room, where they both took their places at a large wooden table.

“I hope that you’re not upset that I took some liberties with the truth,” Simon began. “Not everyone would understand why a young woman would want to learn to read and write.”