Free The Legacy by T.J. Bennett Page B

Guild. But since William the Younger’s death—Master Wolfgang’s father—he’s stayed home to see to the business here.”
    Sabina took another bite of the cheese and chewed thoughtfully. “I would think the family would be here, to settle the inheritance.”
    “Well, Greta stayed as long as she could, but had to return home to care for her children. Master Wolf sent a letter to Günter, but no one has heard from him yet. He’s hired out to the Emperor’s troops right now, so he is always on the move. It is difficult to know how to reach him.” Sabina heard the fearful worry in her words.
    “The others agreed the printing business should come to Master Wolf, though each of them will get a share of the profits, if there are any. He wants to keep it running. Although,” Bea said, glancing around and lowering her voice dramatically, “the gossip is his father’s creditors have tried to force a sale of all of his properties. Master Wolf will not sell Sanctuary, though. It means too much to all of them. And the rest of us will keep our positions. He has sworn it. And when he gives his word, you can depend on him to keep it.”
    The fierce loyalty the older woman felt for Wolf was more than obvious, and reassuring, as well. Few men could inspire such devotion in a servant if their character and actions did not warrant it. However, if the family business was in financial straits, despite Wolf’s apparent success in Nürnberg, then their hasty wedding was beginning to make sense.
    The news alarmed her. She was, after all, an heiress—despite her scandalous background. She knew well it would not be the first time a man married a woman for financial gain. Though he did not seem the type who would resort to such a thing, most marriages, even amongst commoners, were made for economic, not emotional reasons. Mayhap he had hoped her father would be generous to them. Little did he know.
    She would need to find a way back into town soon, to confront the Wittenberg Marriage Council and convince them of the baron’s coercion, and seek immediate release from her vows. There was small chance they would listen to an unchaperoned woman, but it was a chance she must take.
    “I know he was married before,” Sabina said to Bea. She had assumed so, since the baron had hinted at it and Franz had said he had a daughter. “When did his wife die?”
    Bea gave Sabina a speculative look and pursed her lips.
    “She died three years ago, giving birth to Gisel. You’ll meet the little girl soon, no doubt.”
    “Had they been married long?”
    “Not long,” Bea sighed with a shake of her head. “That’s the tragedy of it. They had loved each other for years, but because of Guild rules, they could not marry until Master Wolf passed his journeyman levels. They were so happy when he did, and married the day he received his appointment. But within two years, she was dead.” Bea sniffed and wiped at her eyes.
    Sabina’s heart contracted with sympathy for him. So much sadness in his life.
    “What was she like?” Sabina felt as though she treaded on a grave in asking the question, and suppressed a light shiver. She picked at the food, no longer hungry.
    “Frau
Elisabeth?” Bea asked. She bit her lip and stood up. “Oh, I do not think it is a good idea to be speaking of the dead wife, particularly with the new wife, if you don’t mind my saying so. Bad luck,” she said, and crossed herself.
    “Please.” Sabina held her hand tightly, encouraging her to go on.
    Bea considered for a moment, then relented. She sat back down and plucked at her apron with nervous fingers.
    “She was a beautiful child,” she said finally. “Kind, too, God rest her soul. Blond as a fairy princess and with a laugh like a silver bell. But so fragile—as though she were an angel only visiting this Earth.” Her expression took on a faraway look. “You just knew God would want her with Him, any day, and you treasured the time she was here.”
    Bea was