Aladdin’s face grew hot. “I did not deceive her. I agreed to marry her because I thought Kirstyn was dead. You know this.”
“But not telling her that you had changed your mind was not the action of a man of integrity.”
The words cut him to the heart because they were true. How could he explain? He hardly understood it himself.
“I never would have thought you would go back on your word. But I forgive you. And I believe Grethel will also forgive you, in time. But the truth is, I need your help. This thing with Michael has me unable to think straight.” Herr Kaufmann put a hand to his head and sank down in a chair.
“You know I will help you any way I can.”
“I need you to pretend with me, just for a little while, so I will know Grethel and my business are safe. He threatened to have his friends burn down all my warehouses and destroy everything I own. I need you to pretend that I have cast you out and you are on your own. Just until I am sure Michael has no more power.” Herr Kaufmann leaned toward him and laid his hand on his shoulder. “I know it isn’t fair to ask it of you, but will you do it? Will you help us?”
Herr Kaufmann’s hand on his shoulder was like a cold, heavy weight. If people thought Herr Kaufmann believed Michael over Aladdin . . .
“Are you so afraid of Michael? With all your guards? This is madness, if you will forgive me for saying so.”
“You don’t understand what he’s capable of.” Herr Kaufmann leaned in, his eyes full of fear. “He has the devil on his side. It’s as if Satan himself is protecting him and giving him favor. He has the most uncanny ability to get what he wants and wreak havoc.”
“But we need not fear him. ‘Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’”
Herr Kaufmann’s expression hardened. “I need your support now, Aladdin. I cannot risk Grethel’s life and well-being. I would do anything to keep my daughter safe.”
An ache started under his ribs and spread to his chest. He felt as if he were losing a father, his friends, not to mention his reputation and his share of the business he’d worked so hard for.
“Will you help me by cooperating with me in this?”
“Very well. I will do as you wish.”
“I had it in mind that you could stay at the Salty Boar Inn and tomorrow put on a long, hooded cloak to disguise yourself. I’ll send one of my guards to fetch you and escort you to the warehouse. The business has been suffering since Lady Kirstyn came.” He shrugged. “I am glad she was found and is safe and that we could help her, but it is true. Things have been rather chaotic again since you’ve been spending so much time with her.”
Aladdin’s heart sank even lower. “Very well.”
Herr Kaufmann nodded. “Thank you. You can come by later and get your things.” Then he stepped out into the corridor and yelled, “Send for one of my guards!”
Herr Kaufmann cleared his throat, and his gaze flitted everywhere except on Aladdin. “You must go now.”
Aladdin imagined Michael’s face as he told his lies and made his threats, spreading his evil in the world. If only Aladdin could choke him until the coward begged to be able to tell the truth.
Aladdin moved past Herr Kaufmann and started down the stairs. He could barely see the steps in front of him as he left the house that had been his home for a year and a half.
Perhaps he deserved this. After all, he had hurt Grethel and made her feel rejected.
After a while, hardly knowing where he was heading, he came to the Salty Boar Inn. The sky was growing dark. Not only was the sun setting, but rain clouds were rolling in, blotting out what light was left.
As he approached, he saw two of Duke Wilhelm’s knights standing outside talking. The duke and Kirstyn must be staying there.
Aladdin had to talk to Kirstyn, but first he had to gather his thoughts. He headed toward St. John’s Church and went inside.
He stood at the back of the nave, staring at the stained glass depiction of the snake deceiving Eve into eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden. He made his way toward the altar and knelt in front of the chancel.
God, I have hurt Kirstyn and I have hurt Grethel, and Herr Kaufmann has cast me out of his house . . . But I must at least convince Kirstyn that I care for her and would never hurt her again. Help me.
He covered his face with his hands, then leaned forward until his forehead touched the floor.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Kirstyn and her father walked to Herr Kaufmann’s home in the twilight and the threat of rain. When they arrived, they were welcomed into the main room, the dining hall. Hilde smiled at them, but she kept glancing away, her smile faltering, and she hurried away to fetch Herr Kaufmann.
Normally Herr Kaufmann was in this room at this time of day, sitting in his favorite chair and enjoying the fire, talking with Abu and Grethel and Aladdin. Where was everyone?
She and Father sat down to wait.
A few minutes later Herr Kaufmann entered the room. He approached them with outstretched hands, but his smile was absent.
“Duke Wilhelm. Lady Kirstyn. How good it is to see you. Won’t you sup with us tonight?”
“Thank you for your kind offer,” Father said. “But we came because we wanted to thank you for your kindness and hospitality to Kirstyn after her ordeal.”
She was a little surprised her father didn’t accept his offer to dine with him, but he, too, must have sensed that something was amiss—not to mention that Grethel would not exactly be happy to see her. And of course, Herr Kaufmann had just seen his son confess to kidnapping her and heard that son raise doubts as to Aladdin’s character. Though she could hardly conceive that he would believe such accusations about Aladdin.
But of a surety, it must be a painful time for Herr Kaufmann. She wished she could do something for him. He had been so kind to Aladdin.
Her father stood. “We had better get back to the inn before the rain starts.”
“You are more than welcome to stay here,” Herr Kaufmann said, but the invitation sounded lukewarm.
“I thank you, but my men are waiting for us there.”
Hilde stood in the doorway. “Herr Kaufmann?”
“Excuse me just for a moment.” He went to talk with Hilde, then came back moments later. “Please take these things.” He held out a tapestry bag to Kirstyn. “These are the things Grethel loaned to you. She wishes you to keep them.”
Kirstyn took it. “I am very grateful. Please tell her thank you for me.” She wanted to ask if Aladdin was here, but surely if he was he would come and greet them.
Later, with her father carrying the bag, they walked back toward the inn. A stiff wind blew down the cobblestone street as a raindrop fell on her head, sending a shiver down her back.
They reached the inn, and a dark figure stood in front of the door. He was tall and had his arms wrapped around himself, as he was not wearing a cloak.
“Aladdin?”
He turned and faced her. “Kirstyn. May I speak to you?”
“Not for very long,” Father said. “She needs her rest.” Then his expression softened. “Come inside out of the cold.”
They stepped into the inn, and while her father ordered food, Aladdin and Kirstyn sat at a table in the corner.
“Kirstyn, I want you to know that I had nothing to do with your abduction.” His face was drawn and sadder than she had ever seen it. His eyes pleaded with her as he leaned close.
“I do believe you. Michael is just the sort of evil schemer to make up such a lie.”
Aladdin expelled a breath. “Thank you. And I’m . . . sorry I believed you were dead, sorry I agreed to marry Grethel, and sorry I didn’t tell you, or her, right away.”
He gazed intently into her eyes. But his words brought back the feeling of betrayal, and it still stung.
“When your father said you were dead,” he went on, “I was in so much pain, thinking my hope of seeing you again, of marrying you, was over. I a
greed to marry Grethel to please Herr Kaufmann, and because I thought it might make the pain go away. But I don’t think I could have married her, when the time came. And Grethel wouldn’t have wanted to marry me knowing how I felt about you.”
Kirstyn said quietly, “I suppose I shouldn’t be angry with you. But it hurt that you seemed to forget about me so quickly.”
“It was daft of me.” Aladdin sighed. “The truth is . . . I was hurting so badly. I wanted to believe you were still alive, but after we searched for so long and never found you, and your father found that bloody scarf . . . I just wanted to ease my heartache. But it didn’t help. I felt like I would never get over your death, but I was not being fair to Grethel.”
Was he saying he was in love with her? Her heart expanded in her chest. But this didn’t explain everything.
Aladdin squirmed inwardly if not outwardly. The look on Kirstyn’s face was one he had never seen directed at him before.
“But why didn’t you tell Grethel you didn’t want to marry her once I returned?”
“I . . . I don’t know.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“You could have told me all this. You should have told me. Surely you weren’t afraid of my anger.”
“I didn’t want you to be angry, but it was more that I . . . I couldn’t bear for you to think less of me. I didn’t want you to know that I hadn’t kept searching for you.”
“You could have been honest with me. Why weren’t you?”
Aladdin closed his eyes, then slowly reopened them. He rubbed his hand over his cheek, staring down at the table. “You always jested that I was perfect. The truth is, I wanted you to think I was perfect, even though I knew I wasn’t. I tried so hard to impress everyone—especially you. I was afraid you would stop . . . caring about me if you learned about Grethel.”
Kirstyn’s mouth opened, but a serving maid came and set down food and drink in front of them. Kirstyn’s father was right behind her. He sat beside Kirstyn.
They ate together, talking of childhood days back in Hagenheim. He felt as though there was still a lot left unsaid between them, but nothing they could say in front of her father. Would she go back to Hagenheim before he knew how she felt about him? Now that he’d found her again, how could he let her go?
After they finished their meal, Duke Wilhelm stepped outside to speak to his knights.
Kirstyn reached across the table and took Aladdin’s hand in hers and lifted it to her cheek.
Her soft skin was like silk. His breaths came fast, but she quickly put his hand down and cleared her throat. “I don’t want to be separated from you again, but I have to go back home to see my mother. I know it isn’t fair for me to ask you, but would you consider coming back to Hagenheim with me, just for a while?”
Aladdin’s heart clenched painfully. How could he bear to tell her no? But how could he leave Lüneburg? To have any chance of marrying Kirstyn—which was what he wanted more than anything—he had to ensure he had a fortune with which to take care of the Duke of Hagenheim’s daughter, and he’d made a commitment to Herr Kaufmann.
She leaned closer. How he wanted to kiss her, to caress her cheek. But he had no right to.
Her father was approaching, a scowl on his face. Aladdin and Kirstyn leaned away from each other. She ducked her head, pressing her lips together.
“Well, Aladdin, we shall see you soon, I am sure.” Her father stood there waiting.
It was Aladdin’s hint to leave. His heart beat erratically, and a cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck. He wanted to go back to Hagenheim with her, but he might be severing all ties with Herr Kaufmann if he did.
“Farewell, Kirstyn.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Kirstyn wasn’t ready to let him go yet. She said quietly, so her father couldn’t hear, “Come back to Hagenheim with Father and me. I’m sure Father would be glad to have you take over as steward.”
But even as she said the words, a guarded look descended over him. Was she wrong to ask that of him? But she couldn’t help it. She needed Aladdin to be near.
“I will think about it.” His openness and emotion had vanished.
“I know you don’t want to be just a steward after your success as a merchant, but don’t you wish to be near me? You may have what you’ve always wished for, but I need you, Aladdin.” Her voice hitched and tears burned her eyes.
He bent his head slightly toward hers. “I will come, then. I must get some things settled here, then I will come.”
Her heart leapt. “Oh, thank you.”
He lifted his hand, as if to touch her cheek, then let his hand fall.
She wanted to grab his hand and pull it to her lips, but when she glanced at her father, he was frowning.
Aladdin’s heart was breaking as he gazed into Kirstyn’s beautiful face. She had been through so much. And when she said he needed him . . . he would do anything to be there for her. At least his fear that Kirstyn would believe Michael’s lies about him was put to rest.
What would the Duke of Hagenheim say when he learned Aladdin was back in Hagenheim and expecting him to give him a job as his steward? But Aladdin knew how to buy and sell. He knew what people wanted and what they would pay for it. He could start his own business in Hagenheim. Though it might take some time.
Aladdin left the inn and strode down the wet street, a light rain falling on his head and shoulders.
He walked to Herr Kaufmann’s four-story house beside the Ilmenau River, sandwiched in between two other homes, as the houses were lined up one after the other, with a slight space between. He often wondered—if one of them fell, would they all fall?
What kind of reception would Aladdin find there? What about Abu? He could imagine how confusing this all would be for him, poor boy. He certainly didn’t deserve this turmoil in his life.
Aladdin just wanted to walk and relive the intimate looks in Kirstyn’s eyes. He’d felt so humbled with gratitude at God’s merciful kindness, allowing her to be found. He’d proudly showed her how successful he was, how rich and influential he was in town. All his dreams had come true.
It was dark now. Hardly anyone was on the street, and those who were hurried home to their warm fires and their families. It seemed every man had a wife and family. But Aladdin would be sleeping at the inn tonight.
“Aladdin.”
He glanced up to see Claus, one of Herr Kaufmann’s guards.
“What has happened? Heinz told me Herr Kaufmann sent for him to escort you from his house. Surely that cannot be true.”
“I’m afraid it is.” Apparently the guards weren’t in on the pretense.
Claus scowled. “That Cedric Michael is nothing but trouble. I don’t know how Herr Kaufmann could believe anything he says after all he’s done.”
“It must be difficult to lose all hope for one’s child.” Aladdin thought of how much Duke Wilhelm loved his children and could well imagine him having trouble giving up on one of them. But he couldn’t imagine the duke’s children ever deceiving and hurting their father the way Michael had.
“I suppose, but I could forgo hope if my child were Michael.” He raised an eyebrow and frowned. “But I have to get to Herr Kaufmann’s and relieve Heinz. In fact, I believe they are waiting for you to come and gather your belongings.” His expression faltered as he no doubt remembered that Aladdin was no longer welcome at Herr Kaufmann’s home. “I’m sorry, Aladdin. We could go there now, if you haven’t already taken your things.”
“Very well.” He may as well get it over with.
“Forgive me,” Claus said, “but would you mind coming in behind me so they don’t know I was talking to you? I don’t want him to ask me questions about . . . well . . .”
“I understand.” Aladdin stopped and waited for Claus to precede him. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell him that you talked with me or that you think his son is evil.”
Claus gave a half smile. “You are a good man, Aladdin.”
Aladdin stood in t
he cold, misty rain and shivered. At least perhaps he could get his warm cloak. After waiting a few moments, Aladdin plodded on.
When he arrived, Herr Kaufmann was standing in the entryway talking with Claus. His gaze landed on Aladdin and he stepped back.
“Claus will show you where your possessions are.” Herr Kaufmann kept his head up but averted his eyes from Aladdin’s.
Aladdin followed the burly guard. He tried to catch Herr Kaufmann’s eye, but he would not look at him.
Aladdin found two bags stuffed full, one tapestry bag with a short handle and the other a cloth bag with a longer handle. He slung the latter over his shoulder. Claus walked him out.
As he passed Herr Kaufmann again, he stopped. “May God bless you.”
Herr Kaufmann said nothing, only glancing at Aladdin’s face for a moment before looking away again.
Outside, night had closed in, making it difficult to see, although the lights from people’s windows illuminated the watery streets enough that he wouldn’t stumble.
Which way should he go? Since he did not want Kirstyn or her father to see him looking like a man who was just cast out of his home, carrying all he owned in two bags, he turned in the opposite direction, toward the warehouse and marketplace.
Aladdin had a few marks, along with some more valuable gold pieces, in the leather pouch on his belt. He could afford to pay for a room somewhere, but not for very many nights, especially if he hoped to buy food—and start a business of his own. But surely Herr Kaufmann had put some of his wages into one of the bags.
While he had worked for Herr Kaufmann, Aladdin had safeguarded his wages in Herr Kaufmann’s underground strong room in his own locked chest alongside his benefactor’s. He’d had little need for money as long as he lived with Herr Kaufmann, and it was understood he was a part owner in the business, although Herr Kaufmann had not yet signed legal documents to that effect.
Aladdin trudged down the street. Icy fingers of sadness clutched his throat. But he needed to think about where he would go.