Page 51 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

He leaned over and whispered to her. “Please, don’t think I didn’t cherish what happened this morning.”

“You mean in the hayloft? She took a sip of the mead, swallowing it down, loving the taste.

“Yes.”

“I understand. You are just the type of man who doesn’t want to get married.”

“I didn’t say that. It’s not true.” He seemed so upset by her words when she was only trying to comfort him and give him time to sort out his feelings.

“Take your time,” she told him, reaching out and putting her hand over his. “I’m in no hurry. I know what I want, but I can see you are still unsure. I didn’t mean to put you in this awkward position. I know you feel uncomfortable since I am a noble.”

“Nay, it’s not that. Not at all.” He pulled his hand away from her and ran both his hands over his face, letting out a deep breath.

“What is it, David?” she asked, taking another sip of mead. “You know you can tell me anything. I don’t want us to keep anything from each other. That is why I told you about,” she leaned forward and whispered, “about me not being a virgin.”

“I know,” he said, still seeming flustered about something. “I respect that, Martine. And I respect you in every aspect.”

“Why, thank you,” she said, continuing to enjoy her mead. The tavern would start filling up with customers soon and she would need to go supervise the kitchen while the men drank. She didn’t mind being in the tavern, but it seemed to make David uncomfortable since she was a noblewoman. She did her best to stay out of sight as much as possible. “I’ve helped Farley and your mother plan some food dishes that are easy to make and that don’t cost a lot of money. Some of them will be made in smaller portions and only when the nobles occupy the tavern. We are going to try a new pottage dish out tonight.”

“Martine, I cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done for us.” He put his hand over hers, looking into her eyes like he wanted to kiss her. He wouldn’t. Not with people arriving, and he was right. It wouldn’t be proper.

“David?” came a female voice from behind her.

Startled, Martine quickly pulled away from David, and turned to look at the door.

“Ava!” David stood up straight and pulled down his tunic to cover his waist. “Come in,” he told the girl, hurrying over to her side. There was a man behind who looked to be about five years older than her carrying what looked like a leather travel bag. “Oldrich,” said David with a nod.

“Who is that woman at the drink board you are talking to?” asked the girl.

“Come. Let me introduce you.” He walked Ava over to Martine. “Lady Martine, this is Ava Swift and her brother, Oldrich,” said David.

“My lady,” said the man, hitting his sister on the arm as he bowed. She finally curtsied.

“Ava, Lady Martine owns the inn now and is helping us make money,” explained David.

“She owns the inn?” The girl didn’t act as if she liked the sound of this. “David, what happened? This isn’t at all what we’d planned.”

“Excuse me?” said Martine, the curiosity getting the better of her. “But who exactly are you and how do you know David?”

“I have known him from childhood,” Ava told her. “I am the daughter of a baker in Northumbria. We both used to live there before David moved here with his family. I’ve been waiting for him to call for me for over a year now. When he didn’t, I decided I needed to come here to see him personally.”

“Whatever for?” asked Martine, noticing the way David seemed to be suddenly fidgety. She picked up her goblet for another sip of mead.

“Whatever for?” repeated the girl, taking a hold of David’s arm so tightly that it made Martine feel uncomfortable. She didn’t want anyone holding on to him like that unless it was she. “David, didn’t you tell, Lady Martine?”

“Tell me what?” asked Martine, her eyes flicking over to David and then back to the girl.

“We are betrothed,” Ava announced. “David and I are going to get married.”