Page 16 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

Chapter 4

By the time Martine made it back to the tavern and to David’s living quarters, everyone was up for the day and already dressed. She stopped in the doorway, shocked to see Sage in clean clothes and sitting on the edge of the bed, cradling her baby.

“Sage, get back in the bed. What are you doing?” She rushed over to her friend’s side. Regina and Josefina followed.

“Little Martin and I are ready to go to the castle,” said Sage. She never took her eyes off the baby when she spoke.

“Martin? Is that what you named the baby?” asked Martine with a smile. “I like it.”

“Yes.” Finally, Sage looked up. “I named my baby after you, Martine.”

“You did?” Martine was dumbfounded. The kind gesture touched her heart. “No one has ever named a baby after me. Why did you do that?”

“You were a big part in why both the baby and Lady Sage are alive and here today,” came Greta’s voice from the door. She walked in with a canvas bag in her hands.

“That’s right,” said Sage. “I could never show you how grateful I am that you helped me. This is the least I could do.”

“I am flattered.” Martine’s hand went to her heart. “Thank you,” she said in a mere whisper as tears filled her eyes.

“Why are you wet?” Sage looked her up and down.

“It doesn’t matter,” answered Martine, reaching out to stroke little Martin’s downy hair.

“Mother, the servant boy brought the wagon around front and is waiting.” Matilda arrived at the door to the room with her sister, Cecelia.

“Well, I guess it is time for us to leave,” said Josefina. “The men will be waiting for us outside.”

“Leave? We’re leaving? Now? So soon?” This thought made Martine feel frantic. She had hoped they’d be here another day or two. She really needed to talk to David because she didn’t want him to think the kisses they shared meant nothing between them and that was why she ran from him. The real reason was because she was scared. Not of him, but by the way she’d been acting around him. While she’d enjoyed every minute of it, she realized if they were discovered, it would mean trouble for both of them. Especially for David. And when Gar got so angry when he found them by the river, she realized she had to say whatever it took to protect David. He was a kind man. A good man. A man whom she was very attracted to and whom she would like to get to know better. But now that they were leaving, she wasn’t even sure if she would ever see him again.

“Yes, we’re leaving for the castle,” said Regina. “Sister, why do you sound as if you want to stay?”

“Yes, why do you?” asked Josefina, sounding very suspicious.

“I just thought for Sage’s sake, she shouldn’t be moved. Not yet.” Martine felt her cheeks becoming hot. “It might be dangerous. Besides, the wagon wheel is broken.”

“Nay, it’s fixed,” Greta told her. “Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“Tell me what?” asked Martine.

“Our brother and cousin went out in the storm last night after most of us were sleeping,” said Matilda.

“David and Dirk went out in the storm to fix the wagon?” she asked in shock, having had no idea.

“Yes. They fixed the wheel and brought it to the stable late last night so it wouldn’t be stolen by bandits,” added Cecelia.

“Really. How thoughtful of them.” It surprised Martine even more that David hadn’t even mentioned it to her.

“Those poor boys worked hard,” added Greta. “I’ll be surprised if they even had an hour of sleep. I’m going to the kitchen to make them something to eat.”

Well, now Martine felt terrible, realizing why David was probably sleeping atop the table. She figured he most likely collapsed there from exhaustion after he’d returned last night to the inn. He deserved a soft bed, not the hard wood that greeted him after an even harder night.

“I still say we need to think about Sage. She shouldn’t be riding in a wagon on a bumpy road so soon after giving birth.” Martine tried again, but to no avail.

“I’m fine, Martine. So is little Martin.” Sage smiled and cooed, talking to the baby. The baby gurgled happily in return. “Besides, I want to get to Blake Castle right away to help heal Lady Devon.”

“Yes. Of course,” said Martine. “We wouldn’t want anything to happen to Aunt Devon.”

“Get changed into something dry,” her sister told her. “You can’t arrive at the castle looking like that!”