The Wild Girl Read Online Free Page A

hour,’ he said. ‘Not acceptable.’
    Nobody spoke.
    ‘Katharina, you must keep better order. That servant of yours has no business serving supper at such a late hour.’
    Frau Wild hurried into speech. ‘No, sir, of course not. Normally she’s very good. I don’t know what held her up today. Perhaps the roasting jack broke again—’
    ‘I have no wish to hear excuses,’ Herr Wild said. ‘Where is Rudolf?’
    No one answered.
    ‘ Rudolf! ’ he shouted.
    Frau Wild covered her ears. ‘My nerves,’ she moaned.
    A few minutes later a young man sauntered into the room. His golden locks were brushed forward in careful disarray onto his forehead, and he had a magnificent pair of gingery sideburns. His tall, athletic figure was squeezed into tight pantaloons and a cutaway coat with two rows of enormous brass buttons. Dortchen wondered where he had got the funds for such fine new clothes. Certainly not from his father.
    ‘No need to bellow, Father,’ he said. ‘I’m not deaf.’
    ‘Neither am I, you insolent dog, if that is what you mean to imply. Nor am I too old to tan your hide. How dare you keep us waiting!’
    ‘I’m not in for supper tonight, Father, I told you.’
    Herr Wild pointed to the vacant seat. ‘While you live in my house, you will do as I say. Take your place, or I’ll kick you there myself.’
    Rudolf strolled to his spot. ‘I suppose I may as well save my thalers and eat here.’
    Herr Wild folded his hands and intoned, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.’
    ‘Amen,’ the girls echoed.
    Rudolf sighed and repeated, in a voice of long suffering, ‘Amen.’
    ‘Sit,’ Herr Wild said and everyone sat.
    Herr Wild took a large slab of beef, piled cabbage and dumplings on top, then passed the platter to Rudolf, who served himself, then held the platter for his mother. Frau Wild dithered for a while, trying to choose the slice of meat with the least amount of fat. At last she took one, then added a tiny spoonful of cabbage. ‘My poor stomach can scarcely tolerate it, you know. Such a day I’ve had! I’ve barely the strength to eat a mouthful.’
    ‘Never mind, Mother,’ Lisette said. ‘Perhaps some orgeat will help.’ She poured her mother a glass of the sweet almond cordial. Frau Wild sipped it with a sigh.
    By the time the platter reached Dortchen and Mia at the far end of the table, there was very little beef left. Mia sighed ostentatiously, and Lisette smiled and passed her some of hers. They ate in silence. Rudolf slipped his hand into his pocket and drew out his watch. Surreptitiously, he flipped open the case and glanced at its face.
    ‘It’s no use thinking you can sneak out once my back is turned.’ Herr Wild spoke without looking up from his meal. ‘I meant what I said, Rudolf. I will not have you gadding about town with those wild friends of yours, drinking and gambling and fraternising with loose women. Going out indeed! You will stay here and study your pharmacology books.’
    ‘But Father—’
    ‘Do not argue with me. By all accounts, war is coming and there’ll be money to be made. I need you to finish your apprenticeship and be ready to work by my side. You haven’t time for fooling around, Rudolf. Your Latin is execrable and your knowledge of the pharmacopoeia is weak. Even Dortchen knows more about plant properties than you do.’
    ‘That’s because she’s always grubbing around in the garden,’ Rudolf said.
    ‘Which is what you should be doing, not wasting your days going to cockfights and the races,’ his father responded.
    ‘Well, that’s certainly not where your proper little miss was this afternoon. I saw her sneaking in at ten past the hour. It’s her fault supper was late, so you can jaw at her for a change.’
    Dortchen fixed her eyes on her plate.
    Herr Wild laid down his knife and fork. ‘Dortchen Wild, were you late coming in this evening?’
    Dortchen nodded her head. ‘Yes, Father.’
    ‘Why?