Letters in the Grove

by Felicia Rogers

  Olga and Max bustled around the Schmidt manse all morning. Excitement ran rampant throughout the family. Today they would visit Rudolf Raeder and retrieve their son.

  Gustav watched the mad rush with trepidation. The children wore freshly laundered clothing. The carriage gleamed. Sweet meats and delicacies beyond imagination sent a wave of delectable aromas throughout the manse. Olga had left nothing to chance. Hans would come home with them.

  Gustav turned away and peered out the study window. Wind rustled through the leaves, causing silken flower petals to litter the ground. He clutched the windowsill until his knuckles whitened. All the excitement in the world could not distract his mind from thinking on Teresa. He would assist with Han’s retrieval, then Max would be honor bound to help find Teresa. Inquires made at court had proved worthless. The only thing Max had gleaned was that Teresa hadn’t attended a court function in at least a year. No one even knew what had happened to her. It was as if she’d disappeared.

  His lovely young wife was hiding more than he could even have imagined. He ran his hand through his hair and lifted his chin to the ceiling. He mumbled a silent prayer.

  Maids called the children to the foyer and Gustav lowered his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, and sauntered into the group. Olga inspected collars and the backs of hands. When she reached him she shooed him away and continued with the next child. Finished, the entire family gathered outside around the carriage. Children wiggled their way inside, the wheels rocking back and forth.

  Max frowned. “This will not work. There are too many of us. Where will Hans sit?”

  The younger children offered to stay behind. Olga opened her mouth to protest, but their eldest daughter said, “Mother, we would prefer to stay here and work on Hans’ surprise.”

  Olga gave in and the children climbed from the rocking carriage. Coats and ribbons flew through the air as they escaped to the confines of the house.

  Maximilian rubbed his palms together then tapped on the roof and the carriage jolted forward.

  The ride to the Raeder estate was taken in silence. Nervous tapping from Olga’s booted feet threatened to drive Gustav mad.

  Max shifted in his seat and glared at his wife.

  “What?”

  “Olga, do stop your incessant tapping! The constant noise is grating on my already frayed nerves.”

  She moved away from him, shifting her shoulders until she practically hugged the side of the carriage.

  “Moving away from me will not help.”

  Olga faced her husband. “Max, do stop being such a boar. I cannot control how I feel. This is our eldest son. If he refuses to come with us, I don’t know what I will do.” A single tear dripped from her trembling chin.

  Max grabbed her hands. Placing one to his lips, he kissed it gently. “You will endure, as you always have. Hans is practically a man. He has been in the care of Herr Raeder for some time and seems to be surpassing every expectation. I see no reason to fret over the possibility that he may stay in his current position. Of course we want him to come with us, but I find either choice acceptable.”

  “But what of the rumors?”

  Gustav cringed. Rumors were in the prince-bishop’s court that the concessions made by the Lutheran princes during the Peace of Augsburg in 1555 weren’t highly accepted. It was believed people in the employ of the prince-bishop were working to make Protestants, such as Lutherans, Calvinists, as well as Anabaptists, afraid to speak out. Rudolf Raeder was known as a major supporter of the prince-bishop.

  “The rumors are just that, rumors. No facts have been found to connect Rudolf with any major wrongdoing.”

  “You are saying this to make yourself feel better. I think we would both agree that if we had known this information beforehand we never would have allowed Hans to stay with him. We would have taken a different route.”

  Olga was correct of course. Gustav knew it and Max knew it. Max stopped talking and politely conceded defeat.

  The carriage halted before the Raeder estate. Metal gates with elaborate scroll work were closed tight. A guard rested upright against one of the sides. The driver motioned to him to open the gates but the guard didn’t move. Max leaned out the window and yelled, but still the guard remained unfazed.

  Olga wrung the handkerchief in her hands until it was twisted out of shape. Gustav opened the carriage door and climbed out. The sun hit him in the face and he raised his hands to block the glare. Heat caused sweat to bead upon his brow as he headed toward the inanimate guard.

  The man appeared to be asleep with his eyes open. Soft snores came from his parted lips. A sword laid point down against the ground. Pecking the man on the shoulder, Gustav gasped. In a blink of the eye he was standing on his toes with a sword pointed at his neck. A fierce growl like a hungry wolf covered the guard’s face.

  “What do you want?” the guard asked.

  Straining to talk with his chin lifted, Gustav was grateful for Max’s intrusion.

  “Sir, I am Maximilian Schmidt. I have an appointment with Herr Raeder.”

  The sword dropped, the tip now pointed at Gustav’s waist. “You will wait here.” Max nodded and enacted a casual pose. The guard whispered to a man on the other side of the gate. The inside man ran to the house. The guard’s sword arm never wavered and Gustav feared drawing a breath. Moving his body an inch could cause the weapon to lodge in his person.

  Soon the runner returned and the gate opened. The guard dropped the sword and Gustav released a pent-up breath. Escorted by the guard, Max, Olga, and Gustav entered the secure estate.

  Carriage and driver were not allowed within the gates. Once beyond the enclosure, another carriage awaited. Loaded, they rode through a cornucopia of trees, bushes, and flowers. Stone sculptures decorated the road leading to the large manse. Enclosed as it was behind gates and foliage, it was impossible to gather the full extent of the property.

  Deposited at the front entrance, Gustav, Olga, and Max waited for permission to enter, but no one came to their aid.

  “Should we knock?” asked Gustav, fighting ire at his treatment. He should be out searching for his wife, not being manhandled by unknown guards. The ship north would leave soon and he fully intended for Teresa and himself both to be on it.

  “I don’t know,” answered Max.

  “What did you do last time?” asked Gustav.

  “Hans traveled alone. We have never been here before,” Olga answered the question with a quivering voice. “Max, how could we have allowed our son to live like this? All these years he must have felt as if he was entombed in a prison.”

  Max intertwined their arms and patted Olga’s hand affectionately. Gustav skipped up three wide marble steps, lifted the knocker, and waited. Moments later, a young woman answered. She wore a servant’s dress and bowed.

  “Welcome to the home of Rudolf Raeder. I am Helga. We have been expecting you.”

  Gustav was struck by the familiarity of the young woman. Her blond curls and blue eyes reminded him of someone else. When she stepped back, the three of them entered. It was a struggle to maintain a straight face as they studied the splendor and opulence of the manse. While most homes were built as sturdy structures with lifelong ambitions, this home was built more as a showpiece. Marble columns and statures covered the entryway. Small and open, the airy entry had no ceiling. It was like an ancient Roman courtyard with fountains and bushes. Built in the shape of an octagon, each side sported a large oak door.

  A door directly in front of them opened. Rudolf Raeder stepped through. Covered in a white tunic, a pair of white breeches, and a red velvet coat, the man appeared every bit the important individual he was supposed to be. Tendrils of graying hair curled at the nape of his neck. His dark eyes roved over them in study. “Maximilian, my old friend, could that be you?”

  Max stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “Aye, it is.”

  Rudolf grabbed Max’s wrist and drew him into a fierce embrace. They slapped each other’s backs in c
amaraderie before Max awkwardly pulled apart.

  Coming to stand before Olga, Rudolf leaned in and kissed her cheek. Gustav’s sister smiled affectionately. Only he noticed the tense line of her shoulders and the way her foot tapped to the side.

  “And this must be the lovely Olga Braun-Schmidt I’ve heard so much about. Max, you are a lucky man to call this woman your wife.”

  “Aye, I am indeed.”

  “And who might this be?” asked Rudolf, his gaze landing on Gustav.

  Max answered, “This is my brother-in-law. He has traveled with us to see his nephew.”

  Rudolf shook his hand stiffly and drew back. “Ah, I see. So it is true.”

  “Pardon?” asked Max.

  “The rumors that you have come to Augsburg for no other reason than to retrieve your son. I had hoped other things brought you home. Perhaps the change in religious freedom?”

  Gustav, Max, and Olga had agreed earlier that discussions of religion and politics while in Rudolf’s home were strictly forbidden. As one rumored to be under the employ of the prince-bishop, Rudolf was dangerous and should be treated with a certain amount of suspicion.

  “I’m sorry to say our new home is in England. We have found we enjoy it there. We have returned to Augsburg to settle our affairs and collect our son then we will be on our way.” The words were spoken by Max as if he had practiced them multiple times.

  Rudolf clucked his tongue and clasped his tanned, muscular hands before him. “Oh, that is a shame. Your family will be sorely missed. And I’m afraid this does make my words much harder to say.”

  “What do you mean?” Olga’s voice trembled and Gustav wished for privacy to comfort her.

  “Max, Olga, it pains me, but your son has decided to stay here with me and attend university. He is very intelligent and I wouldn’t want to discourage such a move.”

  Olga grabbed Max’s hand and squeezed. One tear escaped from the corner of her eye. She let it flow along her cheekbone and drop to the shiny floor below.

  “You mustn’t be saddened by the turn of events, Frau Schmidt. I promise to take care of your son as if he were my own.”

  Gustav made a move to step forward but Max’s hand restrained him. “Gustav, would you take your sister to the garden while Rudolf and I have private speech?”

  Hesitantly, Gustav agreed. He couldn’t wait to be out from under the maniacal gaze of Herr Raeder. He placed his hand on Olga’s elbow. “Come along, dear sister. I’m sure there is something in the garden that will hold our interest.”

  Rudolf pointed the way and they exited a set of oak-paneled doors. A whoosh of hot air stole Gustav’s breath. A flowery aroma assailed him from every direction as he rushed his sister around the side of the manse.

  Max hadn’t said what to do if Rudolf refused to allow Hans to leave with them. The eventuality of such an event had been inconceivable.

  Fortunately for Max, Gustav worked well without direction. “Olga, we must hurry. Rudolf will only be distracted for a moment. We need to find our way around this monstrous home and find another entrance.”

  Chapter Nine

  The pounding of his overactive heart beat loudly in his ears. Hans held his hand to his chest and tried to catch his breath. University? Since when had he told Herr Raeder he wanted to pursue such a goal? In his memory there had been no discussion of his future. He had been allowed to roam the grounds at will. He’d been given free time to read and study the tomes of literature in Herr Reader’s library. He had been given free rein to attend the market and church, but they had never discussed his future plans, although Herr Raeder did speak to him and they frequently spent time in each other’s presence. They went on jaunts together, hunting trips and the like, but nothing more.

  What would the man benefit if he stayed within his home? Perhaps he felt that if Hans left he would lose a companion, or even a son. But as much as Herr Raeder might like him to be his son, he wasn’t. He was the offspring of Max and Olga Schmidt, and in truth that is who he wanted to be. Maybe when he was younger and he didn’t want to leave Germany he had felt differently, but not now. Now he wanted to be with his family.

  Door cracked, Hans peered into the courtyard. The sight of his parents stole his breath and his voice. They seemed so much older, so worn. He placed his hand on the handle with the full intent of rushing to their side, embracing them in a fierce hug, and begging to return with them. However, the words of Herr Raeder stayed him. More unfounded and untrue statements had never been spoken.

  Now the urge to speak to his parents was greater. His mother’s tears tore at his insides and his hand once more reached to pull the door open. Then his father sent his mother away while he had private speech with Herr Raeder. Doubts crept in. Did his father wish for him to stay in the care of Rudolf? Did he not wish to have his son home, as the rumors had stated?

  Fear held him at bay. Pacing his room he waited for Helga or another servant to retrieve him. A bag filled with his belongings lay across his bed. Drawing his attention to the trivial items, he noted a figure outside his window.

  Through the glass panes and the metal iron work, his mother and uncle walked arm in arm. They seemed to be studying the plants in the garden. Rooted to the floor in awe, Hans didn’t rush to the glass until they had left it behind.

  Now he hurried to the window and tapped the glass, trying to garner their attention, but they continued to walk farther away. He laid his cheek against the cool metal framework, but it was no use. Even mashed against the glass he could not see them. He needed to get outside.

  He cracked his bedroom door and gazed into the courtyard. Fountain water ran and trickled into a small pond. Lily pads floated across the top of the clear water. There were no other noises. With a shove, his door creaked open. Hans cringed. Sticking his head out into the hallway, he realized it was empty and released a pent-up breath.

  Quickly, he hurried to the courtyard and one of the other doors. Eight doors sat in the eight walls surrounding the open air courtyard. Each door led to a series of other doors. If one didn’t know how to traverse the building they could easily become lost. Hans had no fear of that. Helga had been an adept teacher. Several jaunts through the manse, investigating every nook and cranny, now made it possible for him to find what he was looking for.

  The garden’s door opened easily enough. Still, there were no footsteps. Assured he was alone, he exited into the garden. A tall flowering plant concealed the outside entrance. He took one step into the foliage and groaned.

  “What are you doing here?”

  ****

  “I can’t leave him here, Gustav. I just can’t!”

  “And you shall not have to. Come along, dear sister, we will find another way in and free your son. Besides, do you truly believe Max will leave without at least speaking to Hans?”

  “I don’t know. He is enamored with Rudolf and his success.”

  Gustav faced his sister and took her hands in his. He lifted them to his chest and held them tight. “Olga, do not think what you see in Max is anything more than curiosity. I assure you he has no intentions of leaving your son to flounder at the feet of Rudolf Raeder.”

  Olga appeared unconvinced. Sobs wracked her body as she resettled on a marble bench. The scent of fresh blossoming flowers was heaviest in this area. The mixture almost turned his stomach.

  While Olga grieved, Gustav searched the perimeter. The outside walls of the manse were covered in waxy vines. Green foliage grew along thick wooden branches from the base of the building to the roofline. Occasionally a window could be seen through the leaves, but there appeared to be no door. If there was an exit, it was well covered.

  Bending over, Gustav studied the ground. Soft and rich, the fertile soil must have been imported by the ton. If a man took a shovel and dug, this was not the earth he would find in Augsburg.

  Looking even closer, he knitted his brow. There was a rectangle embedded into the base of the stone building. The metal grate matched the ironwork on th
e entrance gate. Placing his hand to the opening, a rush of cold air struck him. Closer, he leaned in. He yelled, “Hello?”

  Beyond the grate furious stirring echoed. Flat on his belly, stretched out in the flower bed, Gustav pushed his ear to the opening. Holding his breath, he waited for a reply.

  “Sir, exactly what are you doing?”

  Gustav jumped to his feet. The guard from the front gate stood over him. Again, the sword tip pointed at his throat.

  Resisting the urge to swallow, Gustav held his hands up in surrender. “You can put the weapon down. I was only listening to air rushing from below. I wondered if this is how the plants grow so well.”

  The offhand question worked. Weapon sheathed, the guard arched his brow as if pondering the theory.

  After a moment of waiting, Gustav waved it away. “Don’t bother with answering. I like to consider different ways of planting. This will give me something to consider.”

  “Aye, as you wish. But you must leave this area at once.”

  “But Herr Raeder knows we are in the garden. My sister is distraught and I thought it would make her feel better.”

  “I was not told.” He narrowed his eyes and glared back at the house.

  “I do apologize, but permission from your master was granted. Now if you will excuse me, I will return to my investigation.” Gustav resumed his position on the ground, only to be hauled up by the scruff of his neck. “What is the meaning of this? I told you plainly Herr Raeder is aware of my interest—“

  “Nay, you did not.”

  The guard was off to the side. Now he was confronted by a new individual. His chest rose and fell quickly, as if he’d been running. Thick dark brown hair covered his head. A pencil-thin mustache lay across his upper lip like a small worm. Dark-colored eyes glared at Gustav, causing him to squirm.

  The stranger released him and smoothed his coat.

  Gustav cleared his throat and tried to appear casual. “I’m sorry. I assumed the garden would be open to my interests. If you will excuse me, I will check on my sister.” Gustav was allowed to leave but the heat of the newcomer’s stare seared his back. Sitting next to Olga on the bench, he whispered, “There is something going on here.”