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With that, she took off her cloak and laid it on the chest before crawling into bed. She was still agitated by what had happened to the little Trauenstein baby, but fatigue’s iron grip fell over her. She wasn’t even aware of the hushed conversation between Kilian and Jerg. Only when her brother and father arose the next morning did Madlen open her eyes. She woke up refreshed, having slept more soundly than she’d slept in days. Surprisingly, what had happened at Adelhaid’s home brought an important piece of her back to life. She quickly prepared oatmeal and put the bowls on the table.
    “You look much better today,” Kilian remarked.
    “I feel better.” She smiled.
    “What will you do now? I mean, now that Clara’s dead. You didn’t earn any money last night.” Jerg slurped down his porridge and looked at his daughter expectantly.
    She bit her lip. She hadn’t thought about getting paid. “I’ll go to the Trauensteins and get my fee,” she assured him quickly. Her father nodded.
    “Well, the women are used to going to Clara. Yesterday was an exception, but you’re no midwife.”
    “I could try to find a job as a seamstress. You know how skilled I am.”
    “With whom?”
    Madlen thought about it. “Maybe Bernhard, the cloth merchant.”
    “Why would he need a seamstress? He sells the cloth by the bolt.”
    Madlen flushed. She had to think of something. Her father would never allow her to sit around and not contribute any money to the household.
    “Don’t worry about it.” He waved her off.
    Madlen looked up in surprise.
    “In a week, Heinfried will be here to take you back with him anyway.”
    “Thank you, Father.” Madlen stood, her head hung low.
    “You don’t need to thank him,” Kilian said contemptuously. “He’s getting so much money for this marriage that he can get by very well without a single coin from you ever again.”
    Jerg threw his son a reproachful look, which Kilian met steadily. Madlen couldn’t say which of them had more hate and anger in their eyes.
     
    “I would like to see your mistress.” Madlen straightened out her dress at the door of the Trauensteins’ estate.
    “She is indisposed at the moment,” the guard growled back.
    “I know she is, that’s why I’m here,” Madlen shot back, which wasn’t exactly the whole truth. “I helped her in her hour of need. Surely, she’ll be glad to receive me.”
    “Wait here.” He went to slam the door in her face, but paused and asked, “What’s your name?”
    “Madlen.”
    He closed the door and Madlen waited. When he opened it again, he waved her in. “She’s resting in her bedchamber.”
    “I know the way.” She lifted her skirt and climbed the stairs, knocking lightly on Adelhaid’s door and waiting until she heard her voice.
    “Greetings,” she said, stepping in.
    “Madlen.” Adelhaid pointed to the edge of the bed. “Please sit down.”
    “How are you?” She immediately felt Adelhaid’s forehead.
    “Better.”
    “I’m very happy to hear that.”
    “I have you to thank for saving my life.”
    Madlen cleared her throat. “How did your husband take the news of your baby’s death?” She would have preferred to use stronger words to describe the wicked man but decided to phrase her question more delicately.
    “Well, he was quite dismayed, but we have not given up hope that God will bless us with a child.”
    Madlen was stunned as a grateful smile played on Adelhaid’s lips. Didn’t she realize that God had already given them a child, and that Matthias had killed it? An inner voice warned her to be careful, but she couldn’t hold back. “Your husband’s violent beatings took the child!”
    Adelhaid stopped her with a swift wave of her hand. “I was unlucky. I fell. There’s nothing more to say.”
    Madlen lowered her shoulders in resignation. She should have known.
    “Of course,” she said, forcing a smile as she stood. “I just came to check on you. I’m relieved that you feel