Free The Legacy by T. J. Bennett Page A

It would explain the somber clothes.
    “Yes.” Bea sighed. “An awful tragedy, really. Almost four weeks ago, they found him in the driving rain, at the bottom of the White Cliffs. He must have slipped while walking and fallen to his death.”
    “Oh, how terrible,” Sabina said in sympathetic shock. “Only four weeks ago? And yet, Master Behaim sought to marry so soon after,” she murmured, almost to herself.
    “Yes, it is a miracle, indeed.” Bea watched her with sharp eyes. “What with everything in such confusion at the shops, and the Master determined to replace everything his father had—had to relinquish in the last few months to creditors, it is a wonder he decided to marry at such a time. He must have been truly taken with you, I warrant,” Bea said. “Which is why we must get you back to the pink of health as soon as possible.”
    “How did Master Behaim inform his family we were to be wed?” Sabina asked, ignoring Bea’s probing gaze.
    Bea tapped a finger to her chin. “Well, it was the strangest thing. Everyone said he would never be married again.” She spread her hands wide. “But then, Lord of Hosts, he announced this morning he was to be wed! He told only Franz and me before he rode off to retrieve you, none of his siblings. I assume he and your father came to an arrangement in advance …?”
    “You mentioned his father had creditors?” Sabina asked, deflecting attention from the more sensitive subject, and the fact they had not met before today, of which Bea seemed unaware.
    Bea frowned. “Hmm. Yes, well, the printing business is not as easy here as in Nürnberg these days. What with Hans Lufft getting most of Dr. Luther’s pamphlet business, there was little enough left over for my poor master. And then to have an accident at such a time … But I’ve heard Master Wolf intends to pursue Dr. Melanchthon at the University for a special commission. I am certain he’ll get it, too. When he puts his mind to it, he is a man who gets what he wants. Of course, his Nürnberg shops do well. They are his, you know,” she added proudly. “He owns four presses outright, and has a dozen skilled men working for him in two different shops.”
    Sabina assumed this was quite an accomplishment from Bea’s attitude, and so she tried to look suitably impressed. “Well, my goodness. And yet,” she mused, “mightn’t his father have gone to Wolf for help if he was not faring well?”
    Bea looked perturbed. “Well, it is not as simple as that. A man has his pride and all. But I know Master Wolf would have given his father anything he asked. He is that kind of man. He’s always taking other people’s troubles upon his own back. Perhaps his father did not ask, who knows why.” Bea frowned in consternation. “But I shouldn’t be talking about such matters without permission. It is not my place.” She started to rise.
    “I am sorry,” Sabina said quickly, forestalling her. “Of course you are right. Please, tell me more about the family.”
    Bea bit her lip, but remained sitting.
    “Does Master Behaim have any family besides his brother Peter?” Sabina prompted.
    Bea nodded and smiled, obviously relieved to be in safer conversational territory. “Their mother died—oh, going on five years ago. And of course, there is his daughter.” She folded her hands over her generous bosom, settling into her tale. “Master Wolf is the eldest son, and then comes Günter, the handsome devil. He’s a soldier, though I’ve told him he should be a traveling minstrel. Such a voice,” she said with a sigh. “Greta’s the only girl,” she continued, “and married with three children. She’s third-born. Peter’s the youngest. He’ll be a great physician someday, God be praised.”
    Surprised, Sabina said, “There are four of them?”
    Bea nodded. “Master Wolf, of course, took an apprenticeship in Nürnberg when he was only ten. He finally got his own print shop, and is a master in the Guild. But