Letters in the Grove Page 8

  “Right,” Hans said, trying to concentrate on his next move.

  “What if we stroll around and look for a light? Maybe somebody will let us in?”

  “Not likely. And if the guards find us we are in real trouble. Just stay close to me. I have an idea.”

  With their backs to the wall, they slid around the nearest corner. Within a few feet there was an opening. Most people believed the opening represented just a few missing stones, but it was really a hidden entrance.

  The tenebrous tunnel was more noxious than the last time he’d been inside. Teresa complained in loud whispers behind him but she kept going. Light filtering in from the outside soon disappeared and he had to rely on his memory to navigate the tunnel.

  Using his hands to feel his way, he was surprised by a fork in the path. Which way should they go? He couldn’t remember! He’d always followed the path from inside the house to the outside, never the other way around. After a few deep breaths he made a decision.

  “Do you know where you’re going?” Teresa asked. Moisture from her breath struck his neck.

  “Of course,” Hans answered, keeping his fears to himself.

  It didn’t take long to confirm he’d made the right choice. A wall stopped their progress. Fumbling his hands along the wall, he found a depression. He pushed hard with two of his fingers, and a panel slid open.

  Candlelight flooded his vision and blinded him. Teresa pushed him from behind and they tumbled into a heap on the hallway floor.

  “Who goes there?” came the strong voice of his father.

  Hans tried to control his overactive heart but it was no use. Finally he was going to see his parents!

  They stood and found themselves on the end of a rapier.

  “What are you doing in here?” asked Max, his brow furrowed and his hand clenched white upon the weapon.

  “Father! It’s me, Hans.” His heart rate increased and sweat beaded his brow. Would he die by his father’s hand after waiting so long to see him?

  His father hoisted a candle and placed it close to Hans’ face. Elation filled him as he noticed his mother in the background trying to rush forward, but being restrained by a shadowy figure.

  “I don’t believe it,” whispered his father, lowering the rapier.

  Hans clutched Teresa to his side, her presence giving him strength. He cleared his throat, pleased his voice sounded strong and sure when he said, “Believe it. This woman, Teresa, helped me escape. Herr Wulf placed me in the dungeon while you spoke with Herr Raeder.”

  His father studied him for a moment longer before his mother stumbled forward and engulfed him in a fierce embrace. “Hans! My child!”

  Max and the man who had held his mother stood back as if afraid to move. Teresa stepped forward, a deepening frown covering her face.

  “Gustav, is that you?” her voice shook and her hand fluttered over her breast.

  “Teresa?”

  “Gustav!” Teresa ran into Gustav’s arms and kissed him full on the lips. Hans watched over his mother’s shoulder, stupefied by the happenings. Why was the lady’s husband within his household? What did it mean? The reunion lasted for several minutes before a loud banging on the main door of the house forced the hugging couple apart.

  “Who could that be?” asked his father, as he headed toward the staircase.

  Teresa grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with fear. “They’ve come for us. Please do not open the door.”

  “Open up! This is the law.” The floor vibrated with the insistent banging.

  His mother dropped to the floor and clung to Hans’ legs. “I won’t let him go again. Do you understand me, Max? I won’t let him go!”

  Max pointed. “Gustav, take them into the back room and hide them. I’ll stall for as long as I can.”

  Gustav complied. Hans glanced at his mother and father one final time before he was carted away once more.

  ****

  It was a dream come true. Gustav was here! He was alive! Teresa couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

  Like a man in charge, he ushered them into a back room. Hans directed them to the best hiding place. They entered a wardrobe and Hans removed a panel at the back, revealing a hole. Hans and Teresa climbed inside the small area.

  Gustav released her hand as the panel closed. His eyes locked with hers until they could no longer see one another then Teresa closed her eyes to maintain her memory of Gustav’s features. Words from a letter he sent long ago drifted into her mind.

  Mein Engel,

  As I pen this letter I am unsure of my future. Several times I have come near to being caught. I have spent entire nights wrapped in perfumed gowns and huddled at the bottom of a wardrobe hiding from my pursuers.

  Friends have hidden me well but the sound of knocking outside their doors still reverberates through my head when I try to sleep. It seems I will forever be plagued.

  The only thing that keeps me going is knowing you wait for me. Even if I do not survive, I will leave this earth with the knowledge that you are safe and that perhaps in some small way my actions made the world better for you.

  The sound of Hans’ voice broke her reverie.

  “How do you know him?” he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

  “He is my husband,” Teresa whispered, a lump forming in her throat.

  “What? B-but that is impossible!” whispered Hans.

  “Why?” Instantly she shifted toward him.

  “Because I think he is my uncle.”

  The accusation bounced around her mind and she replied sarcastically, “You think?”

  “I haven’t seen him in many years. But yes, I think he is.”

  Memories flooded Teresa. The house had seemed vaguely familiar. How had she not put two and two together?

  Questions came to her lips but she failed to express them when voices echoed outside. Light struck Hans’ alarmed face as the door to the wardrobe parted. She held her breath.

  “I tell you there is no one else here. Unless you are searching for our younger children, who are sound asleep.”

  “We had reports that two fugitives were headed this way.” The uniformed guard sifted through the dresses and Teresa prayed the Lord would hide them.

  Max sounded haughty when he replied, “And why would that be? Who gave such a report?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say.” Other guards continued to search the room. Heavy footfalls were heard as they exited into the hallway and entered another room. Teresa released a pent up breath, but neither she nor Hans moved a muscle.

  “Do you think they’re gone?” Hans whispered, laying his ear to the hole in the back of the wardrobe.

  Teresa squeezed his hand and he squeezed back.

  The air grew stale. When the panel finally drew aside, Teresa was afraid to move.

  “You can come out now,” said Max.

  Hans fell out first. Teresa followed, suddenly shy. Gustav drew her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was brutal and showed utter possession. She enjoyed every minute of it, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

  Max cleared his throat. “You two might want to go to some place private.”

  “Gladly,” said Gustav, his voice husky with emotion.

  Hans turned his head back and forth between them. A red hue covered his cheeks.

  “Hans, come with me and we will get you settled into your old room. We are glad to have you home.” Max’s voice cracked with emotion as he patted Han’s shoulder.

  Olga skipped away like a little girl, pulling Hans along behind her. Max hung back. When they were the only three remaining, he grew pensive.

  “We need to leave tomorrow. Rest assured Herr Raeder will not give up his search. The house will be watched.”

  Gustav ran a hand through his brown, wavy hair. Teresa reached for one of the locks and twisted it around her finger. He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, not worrying about Max’s presence.

  “Did you hear me, Gustav
? Don’t get so lost in your wife’s embrace you can’t be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

  “Aye, Max, I heard you.” Gustav never moved his eyes from her and heat flushed her cheeks.

  Max left and Gustav led her to a chair. He sat and drew her onto his lap. She snuggled her head beneath his chin and listened to his heart. The rhythmic movement of his breathing calmed her and all her questions faded away.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Have you found them?”

  “No, Herr Raeder. I’m afraid we have not.”

  The slap echoed. “Incompetent fool! How did they escape the dungeon?”

  Victor rubbed his throbbing cheek. “With the ropes from the bed frame.”

  Herr Raeder arched his brow, his voice breathless as he said, “Ingenious.”

  “Yes, I know. It seems the girl removed the ropes from the bed and made a long rope ending in a loop. At which point she proceeded to use the loop to open Hans’ door.” The slap smarted and Victor forced himself to remain civil and not cut out Herr Reader’s tongue.

  “And Hans?”

  “It appears he opened her door once she freed him.”

  Rudolf paced. The shiny marble floor reflected his worried expression. “This is a disaster, you know.”

  Victor nodded. Since when did he need such dictation?

  “We must find them.” Rudolf smacked his hands against the glossy desktop.

  “Already guards patrol the area surrounding Frau Braun’s home.”

  “And?”

  “And men have descended on the Schmidt manse. We should know within the hour if they have been found.”

  “They should never have gotten that far.” Rudolf eyed him with a menacing expression and Victor reminded himself he was unafraid.

  “Agreed. But the families living along the vineyard did not realize they were prisoners. They believed them to be just poor travelers. You can hardly blame them. Teresa Braun is devious.”

  “Hmm. Have you decoded the message she left in the grove?”

  “I’m afraid not. Those who understand these things have been working night and day, but they are no closer to producing results. It has a distinct encryption.”

  “Then we must get her back and soon. Our lives may depend on it.”

  ****

  Teresa stretched her arms over her head. Sinking into the soft feathered mattress, she exhaled a long breath. Her eyelids fluttered open. Warmth enveloped her. Where was she?

  The room was small but clean. A four-poster bed resided in the middle, dwarfing the area. There was a dresser with a looking glass hanging above it. Opposite the bed was a stone fireplace. Flames licked at the wood, causing it to crackle and pop.

  Teresa scooted to the edge. Sore muscles plagued her. Standing, she sought the mirror. Her usually organized hair had come unpinned and lay in mass chaos about her shoulders. The gown she wore the day before lay across the back of a chair. Swaddled in only her chemise, Teresa shivered.

  Where was Gustav? Had he not been with her the night before?

  Massaging her temples, she worked to recall the events of the last evening. Hans and she had hidden in the wardrobe until the danger passed. Then Gustav was there, holding her. She flushed as she remembered their night of passion. Then she’d gone to sleep.

  She poked the logs causing fresh waves of sparks to rise. Heat radiated over her and her face flushed.

  Mein Engel,

  At night I dream of holding you in my arms. I see your golden hair flared across your pillow and I lean over to smell your flowery scent. Your porcelain skin reminds me of statues that surround the admiral’s garden. Your blue eyes…

  Distracted in her mind, the jab to her ribs made her jump.

  “Sorry I scared you, love.”

  “Gustav!” she turned and fell into his arms.

  He returned the squeeze before pulling back. “Good morning to you, too.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Hmm. Are you sure? When we were together the time before last night, you tied me to a chair.”

  Teresa shrugged and turned her back, gnawing on her lip. Her heart cringed as she considered expressing a falsehood. He didn’t need to know the trouble she might be in, did he? She moved out of his hold. Nay, he doesn’t need to know.

  He came behind her and rubbed her arms, creating a wave of goose bumps. She pulled away and settled on a settee. She struggled for a convincing shrug and cringed when she said, “I was upset. I saw you inside the house and I lost it.”

  He settled beside her, stroking the inside of her wrist. “What did you hit me with? My head still smarts.”

  His gentle ministrations caused her heart to hammer in her chest. “Just your average pan. If I hit you too hard—“

  “I know, you’re sorry.”

  He increased the pressure and she struggled to breathe. Swallowing, she managed to say, “Exactly.”

  Gustav released her and clutched his hands. Worry knotted her gut. “We need to talk.”

  “Of course. You go first.”

  “Teresa, we have to leave Germany.” He shifted his gaze to her face. “Today.”

  She drew her brows downward. This is not what she had expected. She had been prepared for apologizes and explanations and career changes, but leaving their home?

  “Hear me out. Herr Raeder is already searching for Hans and when he finds him he will discover who helped him escape and then you will be in danger as well.”

  “Aye,” she drew out the word. He didn’t know of her own altercation with Herr Raeder. Another subject she would be forced to address in the near future.

  “Hans refuses to tell us how you two met, but Max and Olga are grateful to you for helping him. They have agreed to give us funds to travel.”

  “Why would we need funds to do this? Do you not have money?”

  Gustav grimaced. “Truth is, I sent you most of it.”

  “Oh.” Her heart plummeted. All those years wasted and with nothing to show for it.

  He raised his hand. “I know I should have found a way to save more, but between the cause and sending home funds...” He clutched her hands to his chest and a smile beamed across his face. “But it doesn’t matter. We are together and Max will loan us the funds so we can leave Augsburg.”

  Teresa’s guilt grew over the loss of their funds. “Are they leaving as well?”

  He lowered his head. “Yes.”

  “And will we travel with them?”

  He shook his head. “I fear that would be too dangerous. We must split into two groups. This way if they find one of us, they will not find the other.”

  “Whose idea was this?” She wadded her chemise. What about the safety of numbers? What about the people she had been helping here in Augsburg?

  “Hans. He insisted. In fact it was the only way he would agree to leave.”

  “I see.” She paused, biting the inside of her lip. The taste of iron stopped her. “How long do we have?”

  “Only a few hours.”

  She jumped to her feet with frantic worry. “I need to return to the house. There are things there I wish to retrieve.”

  “Nay.”

  Teresa knelt before Gustav. “But I must! There are things, umm, private items I must have. You don’t understand!”

  “It doesn’t matter. The fact remains you will not return to the house before we leave Augsburg.”

  Teresa stood and meekly nodded her head. Anger reverberated through her bones as she waited for Gustav to leave. What right did he have to come back after two years and start bossing her around?

  Quickly, she dressed. Using a brush on the dressing table, she combed through her thick hair, cringing at the knots. Pins littered the surface and Teresa grabbed them. With her hair in some semblance of order at least she felt more human.

  The window in the room was on the ground floor. She parted the curtain. Solid glass panes with metal ironwork running through them.

  Stepping toward the d
oor, Teresa cringed at the sound of loose boards. Her hand on the handle, she edged it backward until she could just peek out. The hallway was empty and she pulled it open enough to slide out.

  With her back to the wall, she crept toward the area where she believed the front door to be. Doors were open on her right and left and she worked to calm her breathing as she passed by. The front door loomed. When she touched the handle she glanced behind herself one last time to see if anyone followed. No one appeared and she tugged on the door and exited. She was headed home.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “She didn’t! She couldn’t have! This is unbelievable.” Gustav ranted as he paced back and forth in front of Olga and Max.

  “Calm down. I’m sure there is a logical explanation,” placated Olga.

  Gustav stopped pacing and trembled with unrestrained rage. “Oh yes, there is. She has gone back to the house to retrieve something she can’t possibly live without! What is wrong with her? She is going to get herself kidnapped or killed. And when they have her, then they will find Hans. Doesn’t she care about anyone but herself?”

  Hans entered the room. His rigid stance betrayed his feelings. “Onkel Gustav, please. Teresa is not who you think she is.”

  Gustav turned and verbally pounced. “Not who I think she is? What do you know? She is my wife. And at this moment she is endangering not only herself but everyone I care about.”

  Olga stood, her hands fidgeting before her. “I’m going to see if the packing is finished.”

  Hans bowed his head in his mother’s direction before returning his heated gaze to Gustav. “Maybe there is something I should tell you.”

  “There is nothing you can tell me I don’t already know.” Gustav refused to listen to the whelp. What had Teresa been thinking?

  “Gustav, give the boy a chance. Maybe you are wrong,” said Max calmly.

  His heart hammered against his ribs and he swallowed. Perhaps he didn’t know Teresa as well as he thought. He found a stool, sat, and opened his palm for Hans to share his revelation.