The Golden Braid (19 page)

“Rapunzel.”

“And I am Frau Adelheit, the mistress of servants at Hagenheim
Castle. What makes you think you should work at this castle for the duke and his lady?”

“I-I am willing to work hard and do whatever is required of me, Frau Adelheit.”

“And why do you want to work hard and do whatever is required of you?”

“Because I-I have no family except for a mother, and I wish to work and live independently.”

“That is a lofty goal for a peasant girl.” But she tempered the words with a small smile.

“Lofty? I'd say it's more desperate.” Rapunzel expelled a breath that was half laugh, half sigh.

Frau Adelheit raised an eyebrow.

“But I am a good worker, and I am very discreet and loyal.”

The woman continued to study her. “Who would recommend you for this position? Do you know anyone who works here?”

“I know Cristobel.” She suddenly realized she didn't know Cristobel's last name or exactly what her duties were at the castle.

“Cristobel?”

“Ja, Frau Adelheit.” She held her breath, but when Frau Adelheit said nothing more, she stuck her hand inside her pocket. “And I have this letter from one of Duke Wilhelm's knights, Sir Gerek.”

Now both her brows went up in an expression Rapunzel hoped meant she was impressed. She reached out and took the letter from Rapunzel's hand.

While Frau Adelheit read the letter, Rapunzel glanced about the room and saw large trunks and folded linens lining the shelves and two large baskets of linens—obviously a linen storage room.

Frau Adelheit looked up from the letter. “Will you want to sleep in the maids' quarters with the other live-in maids?”

Rapunzel only hesitated a moment. “Yes.”

“When would you like to start?”

“As soon as possible.” Rapunzel's breath caught in her throat. Was she giving her the job?

“You may begin folding these linens in the baskets and placing them in that trunk there. I shall see if Lady Rose wishes to meet you now or later. She is very particular about wanting to meet all the new servants.”

“Yes, Frau Adelheit.”

Rapunzel moved toward the first basket as the older woman left the room.

She picked up a wide linen sheet from the top of the pile. Her hands trembled, but she forced her fingers to glide along the edge of the fabric and find the corners, then bring them together in a fold.

What will Mother do? No doubt she will be furious. She had said she would give Rapunzel a sleeping potion and take her away from here and lock her up where she'd never defy her again. Tears pricked her eyelids. But she couldn't cry now. She might be face-to-face with the lady of the castle at any moment.

How terrifying to think of sleeping with strangers tonight. But more terrifying was what her mother might do when she discovered Rapunzel had gone to the castle. She didn't want to hurt her mother. She loved her. She was the only person in the world she belonged to or who cared for her. And sneaking away to the monastery to be taught reading by a young handsome knight . . . of course Mother had been upset when she found out. But Mother knew she wanted to learn to read and might never have found a way for her to learn. Rapunzel had to make her own way.

She could not think about Mother's anger or pain or her own guilt just now. She would think of Frau Adelheit and how best to please her, of what Cristobel would say when she saw her here, working in the castle, and of Sir Gerek. Had he already returned to the castle? It was still early in the morning.

Rapunzel finished folding all the linens in the first basket and was starting the second basket when Frau Adelheit returned.

“Lady Rose will speak with you as soon as you change your clothes. Come with me.”

Rapunzel followed the woman to a small room where Frau Adelheit handed her the same white chemise and blue cotehardie that the other maidservants were wearing. When she had changed and taken her braided hair out of the wimple, Frau Adelheit pinned the small, white head covering over the top of Rapunzel's hair. It did not even begin to cover all her hair.

What would Mother say? Her hair was exposed for anyone to see. She couldn't help asking, past the lump in her throat, “Are you sure my hair is covered enough?”

“Covered enough?”

“Yes. I don't want to appear indecent.”

“Because your hair is so thick and long? It looks very well. Do not worry.”

Frau Adelheit led her through a series of corridors and up some stairs before pausing in an open doorway.

“Come in, Frau Adelheit.”

Frau Adelheit motioned for her to follow her inside. But Rapunzel hesitated when she saw Sir Gerek.

He knelt in the middle of the floor wearing a new splint that allowed him to bend his knee and only covered the lower half of his leg. He was bowing before a lady sitting in a cushioned chair that was the most luxurious piece of furniture Rapunzel had ever seen. She was also beautiful, though around the same age as Frau Adelheit.

“Please rise, Sir Gerek.” Lady Rose—for that great lady could be no one else but the duke's wife—smiled at Sir Gerek. “Thank you for bringing those letters to me from my children, Gabe and Sophie. I
am overjoyed to receive them. And I am so sorry about your leg and arm. Frau Lena says they are healing well?”

“Yes, my lady. Thank you.”

Frau Adelheit and Rapunzel hung back against the wall, but now Lady Rose raised her gaze to them and motioned them forward.

“Good morning. Who is this beautiful maiden?”

Rapunzel walked forward. Was she allowed to speak? She wished it were permissible to fall to her knees like Sir Gerek, but she was afraid the proper response was to curtsy. She did her best to put one foot behind the other and dip her body. She hoped it was not too wobbly.

“My lady, this maiden is Rapunzel,” Sir Gerek interjected. “She and her mother are the two women I told you about, that I found being attacked on the south road to Hagenheim. And this is the maiden who saved me from that attacker the next day by throwing a knife into his arm.”

Rapunzel lifted her head. Lady Rose was smiling at her.

“That is very impressive, Rapunzel. I like your name. Where are you from?”

“My mother and I are from Hagenheim, but we moved away many years ago. We came here from Ottelfelt.” She had run out of air after speaking so many words and paused to breathe. Lady Rose probably thought Rapunzel awkward.

“Rapunzel also knows how to read and is learning Latin.”

“Oh, very good.” Lady Rose turned her attention on Rapunzel again. “What made you want to learn Latin?”

“I-I suppose I wanted to be able to read the Bible.”

“Oh, I have a Bible that is written entirely in German. I will let you read it sometime. But it is also very good to know Latin.” Lady Rose looked to Frau Adelheit. “Perhaps Rapunzel could take Britta's place as my personal maid on Sundays and whenever she cannot be here.”

“Of course, my lady.” Frau Adelheit bowed her head respectfully.

“But Frau Lena, our healer, also needs another apprentice to help her in the sick chamber. Perhaps you would enjoy that, Rapunzel.”

“I-I am not very much help around people who are bleeding and in pain. My mother is a midwife.”

Lady Rose smiled. “I understand. We will not force you to be around people who are bleeding and in pain. But I shall see you soon and certainly on Sunday.” She glanced at the mistress of the maidservants. “Thank you, Frau Adelheit. Sir Gerek. Rapunzel. You all may go.”

Soon the three of them were walking back down the stairs and Rapunzel's thoughts were spinning. Should she talk to Sir Gerek? He looked very well in the colors of the rest of Duke Wilhelm's guards—green, black, and gold. His face was freshly shaved and his dark hair clean and freshly cut. How well his shoulders filled out his uniform. She was certain there could be no more handsome knight than Sir Gerek. He glanced at her once or twice.

When they reached the bottom of the steps, Frau Adelheit said, “Wait here. I'll be back in a moment to take you to the kitchen.”

When she was gone, Sir Gerek turned to her. “What did your mother say about you working at the castle?”

“Nothing. I left without telling her.”

He raised his brows and nodded slowly.

“Did you return this morning?” she asked.

“I came back last night with the knights who came to fetch the prisoner. And it is good you are here because Duke Wilhelm will want you to tell him what happened.”

Would she have to talk to the duke as well as Lady Rose? It was all so overwhelming. But she simply nodded. “I am glad you are walking now,” she said, looking at the new shorter splint on his leg.

He let out a breath. “Not as glad as I am. And in three or four weeks, I can take this off, Frau Lena said.”

They stood looking at each other. Finally, he said, “If you need
anything, I'm sure Frau Adelheit will take care of you. But I will try to look in on you from time to time.”

“Thank you.” The idea that Sir Gerek the Irritable was being kind to her made her stomach do a strange flip.

He turned and started to walk away, but then said over his shoulder, “Your hair looks pretty.”

Again, her stomach did the flip, and she watched him stride down the corridor, one hand on his sword to keep it still. How soon would he end up marrying that noble-born, wealthy heiress he was hoping for? Probably very soon, and she should keep that in mind.

Chapter Nineteen

Two days later, Rapunzel was helping knead the
bread dough when Sir Gerek came into the kitchen. He looked straight at Rapunzel.

“Duke Wilhelm needs to see Rapunzel in the Great Hall.”

Such a summons did not require Cook's permission to obey, so Rapunzel wiped her hands on a cloth and took off her apron. The other maidservants' eyes were on her as she followed Sir Gerek out.

Sir Gerek waited for her to catch up, then said in a low voice, “Duke Wilhelm wants you to tell what happened with that man, how he attacked you, and wants you to identify him.”

Rapunzel swallowed, her breath leaving her. “I will have to see him, then?”

“I am afraid so, but he will be chained and I will be there. He cannot hurt you now.”

It was very kind of him to reassure her. But Sir Gerek wasn't supposed to be kind. He was supposed to be slightly arrogant and very irritable, forcing her to be rude back to him. She liked it much better that way. Didn't she?

They reached the Great Hall. Duke Wilhelm sat on the raised dais, but the trestle table that was normally set up during mealtimes was absent. Behind him on the wall hung the massive shields and battle-axes his ancestors had used in battle, tournaments, and pageantry.

Sir Gerek walked her straight up to the duke and Rapunzel curtsied, trying to force herself to breathe normally.

“State your name, if you please,” Duke Wilhelm said.

“Rapunzel Scheinberg, your grace.” A guard was standing near Duke Wilhelm, and a clerk sat writing at a table next to the duke's chair. Sir Gerek stood beside her, but no one else seemed to be in the room.

“Sir Gerek has told me what he knows about the man who claims his name is Balthasar. And now I would like to hear you tell what happened concerning the man who attacked you.”

Rapunzel began to tell him what had happened but as briefly as possible. Her voice was breathy and halting, but she felt encouraged by Sir Gerek's presence and was soon speaking normally. She finished the rather long narrative by saying, “Sir Gerek knocked him senseless and had him tied up. I have not seen the man since then.”

Duke Wilhelm gave her a quick nod. “I know you probably do not wish to see him, but if you are willing, I need you to look at him one more time, to ensure we have the right man.”

“Yes, your grace. I will.”

He nodded to the guard beside him, who left the room.

Duke Wilhelm said something quietly to the clerk, who handed the duke the piece of parchment he had been writing on. The duke stared down at it until the guard returned with two more guards who were leading a man with chains on his wrists and ankles.

Her stomach twisted and her face tingled. It was the smiling man—Balthasar.

“Is this the man who attacked you?”

“Yes, this is the man.”

Duke Wilhelm waved his hand at the guards and they pulled on the man's arms, trying to turn him around. He snarled and resisted them for a moment, curling his top lip in an even more sinister version of a smile, looking directly at Rapunzel.

It was hard to breathe as they led the man away with the clanking of his arm and leg chains.

Duke Wilhelm was speaking. “I shall keep him in the dungeon for a while and then make sure he is banished from Hagenheim forever. Would you like to be present when I pronounce his sentence?”

She thought for a moment. “No, your grace.” She never wanted to see the man's face again. Ever.

“I am very sorry that such a frightening thing happened to you,” Duke Wilhelm said.

“I thank you, your grace. You are very kind.” Which was why she was having trouble blinking back tears. If everyone would cease being so kind to her . . .

Sir Gerek walked with her out of the Great Hall while she concentrated on breathing evenly and remaining composed.

Sir Gerek said nothing as they made their way toward the kitchen door. Just before she reached it, she glanced at him, then away, remembering how he had comforted her after this Balthasar had attacked her the last time. “I must get back to work.” She hurried into the kitchen before he had time to respond.