Luther and Katharina (27 page)

“T
his is the perfect place for another garden.” Barbara leaned against the oak that identified the plot outside the walls of Wittenberg. “Once it's cleared, we could fit ten, if not twelve raised beds. Don't you agree?”

“You're likely correct.” Katharina studied the shriveled plants surrounded by soggy leaves left from winter. They reflected the melancholy of her heart as did the gray sky overhead.

Barbara nodded at the edge of the plot. “We could cultivate an orchard on the far end by those apple trees.”

“You would do better to cut down the old ones and transplant younger trees.” The spring breeze was chilly and penetrated Katharina's cloak. The edges of winter still lingered in the dampness of the air, in the barren gray branches overhead, and in the yellowed grass that was matted from recent thaws.

“Why don't you do it, Katharina?” Barbara watched her two youngest children playing chase through the remnants of the gnarled orchard. “If I convince Master Cranach to buy this plot, will you take charge of the planting?”

Katharina knew what Barbara was trying to do—help her forget about her bleak marriage situation. Over the past weeks she had done little else
but
think about how she was nearing two years since leaving the abbey and was still utterly single. In fact, she was the only Marienthron nun who hadn't found a marriage partner or at least a home.

She was grateful to Barbara for befriending her and for elevating her position beyond that of a servant. But lately she couldn't summon the energy to find enthusiasm for the pastimes that had once delighted her, especially after receiving the news from Margaret that she was expecting a baby. Her friend hadn't written much, but Katharina had read between the lines. Margaret was learning to accept her new life, and having a baby would make it easier.

Katharina slid a hand over her flat stomach. The emptiness ached with the barrenness of lost dreams. Not only should she have been married by now, but she also should have been holding a baby with perhaps another on the way. What had happened to all her hopes? Where had they gone?

“We'll have to get to work on it right away.” Barbara stepped into the tangled growth and tugged at one of the plants, pulling it easily from the soil. She shook off clumps of dirt clinging to the dead roots and then tossed it aside. “I don't believe we'll have too much trouble clearing it.”

“Probably not.”

“We just can't supply all we need anymore with our little garden at Marktplatz.”

Katharina looked away in the direction of the Elbe and the circling of swallows above it. Her presence in their household had not made things easier. She was just one more person to feed and clothe.

“Apprentices. We have too many apprentices,” Barbara rushed to explain, as though sensing the direction of Katharina's thoughts. “With the apothecary shop, the printing presses, and the art studios, we have more than enough apprentices. And now Master Cranach plans to open a bookshop…”

“I'm sorry. I must be a burden on you as well—”

“
You
are not a burden, Liebchen.” Barbara reached for her hands. “You're my friend.”

Katharina looked at Barbara's chapped, red fingers and then at her face, to the creases at her eyes and across her forehead. The woman was Katharina's elder by only ten years, but the aged and tired face had the appearance of an older woman. Lucas Cranach was one of the wealthiest men in Wittenberg. Katharina couldn't understand why Barbara did so much of the work when she had servants to do her bidding.

“You're welcome to stay with us as long as you need.” Barbara squeezed her hands. The reassurance poured over Katharina; it soaked into her and softened her like goat's milk over hard rye bread.

“You've been so kind to me. I cannot thank you enough.” Katharina pressed the hands holding hers, wishing she could summon a smile, but there was nothing inside except a tangle of wilted weeds.

Compared with her time at the Reichenbachs', her months with the Cranachs had suited her much better. They recognized her as a noblewoman and treated her with the consideration due her status. In fact, Barbara had taken it upon herself to educate Katharina in the various tasks required to run a large household, assuming Katharina would someday have an estate of her own to manage.

But doubts had clamored increasingly louder along with the despair. Katharina couldn't keep from thinking that perhaps she was destined for singleness after all. Perhaps all the teaching on managing a household was for naught.

The clomping of horse hoofs on the rutted lane nearby drew their attention.

“Good afternoon!” Pastor Bugenhagen called from atop a mare. He lifted a hand in greeting, his shaggy beard and hair and his flowing robe giving him the appearance of one of the holy apostles returning from a missionary journey.

“Why, Pastor, we didn't expect to see you.” Barbara smiled warmly.

“I'm returning from Orlamünde.” Pastor steered his horse through the weeds and tangled plants. “In fact, I was planning to ride past your residence to deliver news to Katharina.”

“Well, then we've saved you the effort.” Barbara bent and dislodged another tall weed. “We've ventured outside the city walls because I'm considering buying a field for Master Cranach's ever-growing household.”

Pastor Bugenhagen reined next to them. “You'll very soon have one less in your household to worry about.”

Katharina didn't like the way his eyes narrowed on her as if she was a problem he was about to solve.

“Not this one, I hope.” Barbara grabbed her arm. “Katharina has just promised to oversee the planting of my new garden. Haven't you?”

“Of course.” Katharina's insides tightened with a growing sense of unease.

“I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else,” Pastor replied.

“I couldn't,” Barbara insisted. “Katharina knows so much about herbs, more than the apothecary or any of the apprentices.”

Pastor Bugenhagen slid from his horse and pulled a withered apple from the leather pouch at his waist. He held it out to the mare, and she neighed softly before taking the treat. “I've just returned from visiting with Dr. Glatz.”

Katharina had tried not to think about Dr. Glatz over the weeks since talking to him in the apothecary shop. But his insinuations about Jerome's past behavior had taunted her. She realized now that Doctor Luther had been justified in disliking Jerome. It was no wonder he'd grown angry every time she mentioned Jerome's name, especially if the rumors about Jerome's promiscuity were true. In fact, she could see now that Doctor Luther had hinted at Jerome's less-than-stellar reputation, but she'd been too enamored to pay heed.

“Doctor Luther has put off settling the matter with Dr. Glatz for far too long,” Pastor Bugenhagen continued. “So I finally took the situation into my own hands.”

“What matter, Pastor?” Katharina asked, although she had the sinking feeling that she already knew.

“He's agreed to marry you in two weeks' time.”

Even though the news was unwelcome, it didn't entirely surprise her.

Barbara's brows furrowed. “Is this what you want, Katharina?”

She started to shake her head, but Pastor Bugenhagen cut her off. “The arrangements have already been made.”

“It seems so soon,” Barbara said. “There's certainly no rush—”

“He doesn't want to wait. With all the peasant uprisings and all the unrest—”

“What do such things have to do with a marriage?” Barbara looked at Katharina, and the concern in her eyes reached out to her. “Give Katharina more time.”

“I shall be fine.” Katharina forced herself to smile, fighting a swell of irritation. “It doesn't matter how much time I have. I'm not planning to marry Dr. Glatz.”

Pastor Bugenhagen folded his arms across his rounded chest. “Dr. Glatz has finally consented to marry you. You should be relieved and honored that such a prominent man will have you, considering all the gossip that follows you.”

“I shall be relieved only when I learn Dr. Glatz has put all thought of marrying me from his mind.” She didn't know Dr. Glatz well, but she'd seen and heard enough to conclude that a union with him would bring only discord.

Pastor Bugenhagen's face clouded with worry. “You don't have many marriage options available to you.”

“Someone will come along, Pastor,” Barbara said, distracted by her children, who had begun to climb one of the scraggly apple trees. She started toward them but cast a comment over her broad shoulder. “Someone younger and kinder, a man more suited to Katharina.”

After two years Katharina wasn't so sure if anyone suitable would come along. But she was grateful to her friend for speaking on her behalf.

“We've waited long enough.” The pastor's voice turned thin. “She's the last of the Marienthron convent nuns and a blemish on Dr. Luther's reputation.”

“I'm sure Doctor Luther won't mind if Katharina stays with us,” Barbara called back to them as she strode swiftly toward her little ones. “What harm can come to him if she continues as my companion?”

“Haven't you heard what people are saying?”

“I do my best to avoid salacious talk, Pastor,” Barbara commented before calling to her children to get down from the tree.

Pastor Bugenhagen diverted his attention to the nearby robins hopping about the damp soil and plying for insects, then he lowered his voice in obvious embarrassment. “They're saying that Doctor Luther has sabotaged your prospects of marriage because he doesn't want to give up his dancing girl.”

Katharina uttered an appalled gasp.

“So you see why it is urgent for you to marry, Katharina. We must silence the rumors once and for all.”

The idea of serving as Doctor Luther's dancing whore burned her with shame. And yet it was only one of the many rumors she'd endured since she had arrived in Wittenberg. She couldn't let such tales force her into an unhappy marriage.

“I shall not marry Dr. Glatz.” She met the pastor's gaze, determined not to give in to his demands. “Say what you will, I absolutely shall not marry Dr. Glatz.”

Pastor Bugenhagen rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “I knew this was going to be difficult. You're as stubborn as Doctor Luther.”

“I'm not stubborn,” Katharina interjected, trying to calm the roiling in her stomach. “I simply won't marry a man that I don't like.”

Pastor Bugenhagen sighed. “You're under Doctor Luther's protection; he's your master. And since he's approved this match with Dr. Glatz, you have no choice but to submit.”

Katharina wanted to argue more but knew it would do little good. Pastor Bugenhagen wouldn't change his mind. He'd already invested too much effort to make the arrangements.

She would have to go directly to Doctor Luther himself. She pulled herself up and braced for battle.