Letters in the Grove Read online

  Olga sniffed and wiped her nose on a linen handkerchief. “What do you mean?”

  “Everywhere we turn we are being thwarted. But do not worry, sister, I promise to find answers.”

  Chapter Ten

  A voice echoed above Teresa and caused her to jump. Gustav! All he had said was hello, but she would know his voice anywhere. Joy filled her soul. Miracle of miracles, he had found her!

  She had stood atop the thin mattress and tried to reach the grate. Even on tiptoe she barely touched the bottom of the windowsill with her fingertips. She had tried to call out, but with her neck fully extended it was impossible. Attempting to find a better position from which to speak, she had been surprised by the dungeon door screeching open. She had fallen from the bed and a wooden shelf struck her back. She had cried out and Victor had peered through her barred door.

  “I see you have been harmed. Do not worry, Frau Braun, that will be the least of your injuries.” Victor lorded over her and she had fought a shiver at his menacing tone.

  He had disappeared briefly and when he returned he escorted a young boy. The boy yelled, “Let me go! You cannot lock me up in here. My parents won’t allow it! They will find me. And when they do, I promise you will regret your actions.”

  “Save it. I care not.”

  Victor’s voice had faded as he climbed the stairs and left. The boy in the neighboring cell continued yelling. Perhaps if she could not garner Gustav’s attention, then the voice of the boy would carry and be heard.

  By the time Teresa was able to stand again on the wobbly apparatus, the movement from above had grown faint. Gustav must have given up and walked away. Why had she not stayed put and yelled out? Why had she allowed Victor’s presence to frighten her? Now she was stuck in her prison and no one was the wiser.

  “Is anyone else down here?” came the timid voice of the young boy.

  “Aye, I’m afraid so,” Teresa replied, plopping onto the rickety bed and holding her swimming head.

  “Oh, thank goodness. I was beginning to worry it might be just me and the rats. And who are you, might I ask?”

  “You could say that I’m a guest of Herr Raeder.”

  “A guest? I’ve never known Herr Raeder to put his guests in the dungeon. Of course, I didn’t know there was a dungeon.”

  “And you? Who are you and why are you here?” Her head pounded and she prayed for relief and clarity.

  “I’m Hans. Herr Raeder is my benefactor.”

  “But of course, guests and wards are placed in cells, now everything makes sense,” Teresa mumbled under her breath and struggled to place the familiar name.

  A sigh drifted through the door’s opening. “I must apologize for your predicament. I honestly believe Herr Raeder is unaware of this situation. I assure you this is not his normal behavior. This is all Herr Wulf’s doing. He has placed us both here.”

  Teresa leaned her head against the cool stone wall. There had been a young boy when she had entered the house. Could this be the same child? And why did the moniker Hans still cause a stir of familiarity?

  “Perhaps you are correct. Still the fact remains we are here, and at the moment, we are stuck.”

  “Aye, it would seem so. Maybe we should talk, you know, to pass the time.”

  Teresa smiled. “Hans, it is nice to meet you. I’m Teresa.”

  “Teresa, nice name. Why are you visiting Herr Raeder?”

  “It wasn’t by choice, I assure you,” she mumbled, shifting her legs beneath her into a more comfortable position.

  “Pardon?”

  “Let’s just say he had some questions to ask of me.”

  “I see.”

  She could almost visualize his curious expression. “Hans, may I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “How well do you know the manse?”

  “I know every doorway and secret passage.”

  Hope soared within her breast and she sent a silent word of thanks to God. “Good. That will come in handy.” As Teresa talked, she studied. The door to her cell was latched by a simple lock, nothing more than a board laid in a groove.

  The cell’s interior was sparse. A bed with no covers and a mattress that was nothing more than a sack holding old mildewed straw. Under the mattress the frame was held together by frayed ropes. Working the knots loose, Teresa disassembled the bed. Once all the varying-sized ropes were undone she tied them together using a sheet bend knot. Pulled taut, the rope was now good to go. Threading the rope through the bars, she worked to lasso the board on her cell door.

  “What are you doing? I hear noise but I can’t see you for the dark.”

  “It is just something my father taught me. At one time he was a sailor.”

  “Really? I always thought being a sailor would be interesting. Imagine privateering for the crown. It would be like being a pirate but not going to prison for it.”

  Teresa laughed. After a few tries, the rope caught. Lifting from the other side of the door was awkward, but with persistence the heavy piece of wood gave way.

  The sound of it grating against the wooden door almost had her dancing with joy, but the sound of it falling back into place almost made her weep.

  “What was that? What did you do?” Hans smashed his face to his cell bars.

  “Will you be quiet? I’m trying to get us out of here before someone comes back.”

  “But how? I saw how they have us locked in. There is no way to move that piece of wood. Even with a rope the angle would be all wrong. A person would have to pull from the side to make it work. Now if you could open my door and then I could open yours then it might work, but still I just don’t see it—“

  The kid was brilliant! “Hans, stop talking.” Silence ensued. “Good. Now I’m going to fling this rope in your direction and you must catch it.”

  “What? You have a rope?” Hans said breathlessly, even as he obeyed.

  She placed her face to the bars and threw. Hans caught the rope but struggled to get it around the piece of wood barring his door. Teresa’s stomach knotted as she waited.

  “I got it!”

  Teresa saved her excitement as she tugged on the rope, creating a loud racket as the wooded barrier flew into the air and landed in a crash on the stone floor. Suddenly Hans was standing outside her door. He lifted the bar, and Teresa rushed out of the cell.

  “We must hurry. Someone might have heard the noise,” she said breathlessly, her heart racing from the thrill of escape.

  “This way.” He waved her forward and Teresa followed.

  They didn’t come in the same way she had before. Instead they ascended a set of steps, their edges rounded from use. They exited through a door facing the fountain in the main courtyard.

  “This wasn’t the best place to exit, Hans.”

  “Sorry, it is the only way I know. It was how Herr Wulf brought me in. Now we are here I can get us out.”

  With their backsides hugging the wall, they slunk along. Each step brought more fear. If they were caught, what would happen? Would they both be returned to the dungeon? Would Herr Raeder go further than words with his threats? Teresa didn’t want to find out.

  The trek through the manse took longer than anticipated. Every corner they turned brought another servant rushing past. They hid behind tapestries, in alcoves, and behind flowering plants. When Hans opened a door to the outside, Teresa almost gasped aloud in relief.

  “Now we are outside, where do you wish to go?” asked Hans.

  “We need to leave the property immediately, and by foot preferably.”

  Hans nodded.

  They weaved through the garden using bushes and large leafy plants as cover. Fortune shone on them and they met no guards while on their escape.

  A maze of shrubs sat at the edge of the garden and Hans directed her within.

  “Are you sure?” she bit her lip.

  “Yes. Trust me. I helped design the maze. There is a place only I know of that can lead us off the prope
rty. It is the only way.”

  Teresa swallowed her fear and followed, making sure to stay close to Hans at all times. Sweat beaded upon her upper lip as she pushed her aching body to keep up.

  Gnawing her lip, Teresa wondered if Gustav was still at the manse. Should she have tried to find him? No, it was too dangerous. She would look for him elsewhere. If worse came to worse, she could leave a message in the grove. Surely he would go there and look for word.

  Briskly walking behind the young lad, it didn’t take long to find the exit Hans spoke of. On the other side of the maze was a road.

  “You’re frowning. Don’t be concerned. This is not the main road. It is the road that runs alongside the vineyard. However, if we walk this way and someone happens to come by, which is highly unlikely, then we can jump into the vines and hide until they pass.”

  Up ahead the road appeared long and winding. It scaled a mountain and disappeared behind clumps of thick trees. Teresa’s feet hurt just thinking about the arduous journey ahead and a sigh escaped her lips.

  Hans laughed. “Are you worried about the walk?”

  “A little.”

  “Seems odd for someone that can escape from a dungeon to worry about anything.”

  “Then consider me odd.”

  Hans shook his head and proffered his hand. “Ladies first.”

  They started strong, but after an hour had passed both of them slumped and barely moved.

  “This isn’t going to work. We need to find a place to rest. We need a horse, a cart, something, or we will never make it,” said Hans, his breath coming in short rasping gasps as they crested the first rise.

  “Agreed. Do you know any of the neighbors? Perhaps they would help us?”

  Hans hesitated and Teresa’s hope shattered. As she suspected, they were on their own. If they asked a neighbor for assistance then Herr Raeder would know where they were.

  “Forget I asked. Let’s find a place beside the road and rest for the night. We will resume our escape at first light.”

  Silently she prayed for another miracle even one where her husband found her and berated her for her unsafe actions.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Rudolf, as you can see my wife is upset. She has had it in her head these long months that Hans would return home with us. There is no way I can disappoint her. Hans can go to university under our care.”

  “Nay, that is not possible. You see, Hans isn’t here. He has already left to begin his studies.”

  Max fought his frown. Why had Rudolf not told them upon their arrival? Why had he sent their son away without asking?

  “I see I have upset you. Forgive me, for that was never my intention. It is just that your son is extremely talented and I wished not to hold him back.” He placed his hands behind his back and paced the length of the library. “You must understand my predicament. You left him in my care and I have heard nothing of you for months on end. To make the young man wait seemed cruel.”

  They had moved from the courtyard to an office. Rudolf settled behind a desk. Max was left standing awkwardly before the elderly man like a young school child or a peasant. Max clenched his hands to his sides. “We have sent missives on a regular basis. Are you saying you did not receive them?”

  “Aye, I am. The mail system these days cannot be trusted. With all the changes in politics nothing seems to run as it should.”

  Fear twisted in his gut. Rudolf shifted his gaze, his fingers drummed the desktop, and his tone of voice was off. He was lying.

  Placing a false smile on his lips, Max bowed. “I’m sorry we bothered you, Herr Raeder. It is obvious you have taken good care of our son. We will write to him at the university and wish him well.”

  “Why don’t you write a letter while you are here, and I will make sure it is delivered?”

  “Of course, that is a worthy plan.” Max’s palms sweated as he pinned a simple note filled with generalities. When he finished he signed his name and Olga’s. The entire act made him nauseous.

  “Here you are, Herr Raeder. Again, thank you for your generosity.”

  Rudolf leaned across the desktop and took the note. “You will explain the circumstances to your wife?”

  “Without a doubt,” Max said, his voice remaining steady, regardless of the turmoil raging within him.

  Rudolf shoved the note in a drawer and scooted back his chair. He led Max into the open courtyard. Olga and Gustav were nowhere to be seen.

  “They must be in the gardens. If you just use the front door and walk around the side of the house, I’m sure you will find them.”

  Max bowed once more and let himself out. As he crossed the garden paths, he heard footsteps. A guard followed him. Sighing, he continued.

  He found Olga and Gustav sitting on a bench in the middle of the garden. Both held their chins in their hands and carried an introspective look.

  Clearing his throat, Max waited to be recognized. Tears misted over Olga’s eyes when she looked up. They shared a barely perceptible nod.

  Shaky legs held Olga as she rose. Interlacing their arms, she leaned against him. Gustav didn’t speak.

  Once in the carriage the barrage of questions began. “Where is he? What have they done with him? Why is this happening? How could we have allowed it to happen? Why did we ever trust Herr Raeder?”

  Olga finished and Max patted her hand. “Dear, please do not fret. I’m sure everything will work out. You must have patience.”

  Olga closed her mouth and leaned against the seat. The gentle rocking of the carriage and exhaustion from the day caused his wife to fall into a sleep punctuated by light snores.

  “There is more you aren’t telling,” whispered Gustav, casting curious glances at Olga.

  Max lowered his tone. “Of course there is more. Herr Raeder is lying through his teeth. He wouldn’t even let me send my own note to Hans at university! I’m also betting if we try to do so from home the missive will be confiscated immediately and we will receive a forged reply.” Max exhaled loudly. His chest hurt, and his throat burned as he fought an onslaught of tears. Clearing his throat, he added, “The only recourse we have is to pretend to believe Herr Raeder while searching for Hans privately.”

  “He was at the house,” said Gustav, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “How can you be sure?” asked Max, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees.

  Gustav mimicked his position. “Because Helga, one of the servants, had a rosy hue to her cheeks.”

  “And that means?” asked Max, cocking his brow.

  “It means someone flirted with her and made her blush.”

  “Gustav, that could have been anyone—the guard, or even Herr Raeder himself. That is not proof that my son was nearby.”

  “Don’t believe me then, but I assure you I’m correct. Not to mention the fact someone was moving around in the depths of the manse.”

  Max jerked his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I don’t know if the manse has a dungeon or not, but someone was definitely underneath the house moving around. I called out to them but a man named Victor Wulf stopped me from discovering more.”

  Max tapped his finger to his head. The mystery was growing by the minute.

  Gustav stopped talking and Max tried to relax. The only way to locate his son was to think through all the possibilities.

  “I will travel to court and make inquires into Herr Raeder’s personal life,” said Gustav.

  “Good idea. Olga and I will enlist help from our Protestant friends. But we must be discreet. If anyone discovers our intent, it could put Hans in more danger than he’s already in.”

  ****

  After the first day of travel, Teresa and Hans moved only in the late afternoon, during the time the roads were empty. The hours of walking were filled by discussing Han’s plans for the future.

  “I believe my parents as well as Herr Raeder would prefer I attend university and gather a degree in either law or philosophy.”
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  “And what would you like to do?” The conversation with the young dreamer brought back memories of Gustav in their early days as a wedded couple.

  Hans’ lips twitched upward. “I should like to travel across every ocean.”

  “You would?” Teresa asked, fighting her surprise.

  Hans walked backward, his hands moving with animated excitement “Oh, yes. Imagine the cool breeze rolling across the water to tickle the hair growing on my face. The thrill of running alongside a ship filled with cargo and commandeering it for the crown. The exhilaration of finding new lands! Alas, that is what I wish to do.”

  “Then why not do it?” She watched the road to avoid sharp rocks.

  Hans chuckled under his breath and faced forward. “Me? Sail the open seas? I don’t know the first thing about traveling by boat. My entire life has been spent on land. I haven’t even been across the channel!”

  Teresa patted him on the back. “I’m sure if we locate your parents they will be more than happy to rectify that situation.”

  “I don’t know.” He lowered his head.

  “But you said they were coming to get you with plans of taking you back to England. At least they were until Herr Wulf placed you in the dungeon.” She hitched her skirts higher and jumped a mud puddle.

  Hans followed her across, springing like a gazelle. “Well, yes, that is how it appeared. But why did they give up so easily? Surely they knew I was in the house.”

  “Maybe they didn’t.”

  “But why wouldn’t they?” he asked, facing her and blinking rapidly.

  She stopped and laid a comforting hand on his arm. “Hans, I know you don’t wish to believe badly of Herr Raeder but—“

  He shrugged her hand away. “Nay, I will not hear it. Herr Raeder has been my benefactor for four years. He has practically raised me. I have been like a son to him.”

  “But you are not his son. Do you not see? Herr Raeder didn’t wish for your parents to find you. That was why he took them away while Herr Wulf sought you out and threw you in the dungeon. Otherwise Raeder would have brought you out of your room and given you to your parents.”