Page 56 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“The spilled ale is the least of your worries because I am about to wring your neck.”

Rook laughed. “What has come over you? You’re acting odd. What are you even doing here? Rose told me that Josefina told her that you now help out the Stone family at the Cross Hare Inn. Is this true?”

“It is.”

“I also heard that you’ve got eyes for the proprietor. Donald, was it?”

“Nay, that’s not his name, and it’s none of your business if I have eyes for him or not. Rook, how could you invite Uncle Corbett, my father, and even the Lord Warden to the inn tonight? What is the matter with you?”

Rook chuckled. “I just thought this way we’d all get a look at the man you’ve fallen for.”

“Please tell me you didn’t say anything about David to my father or Uncle Corbett.”

“David, that’s his name! That’s right. Nay, I didn’t tell them about you kissing him, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Martine closed her eyes, hoping to hell he didn’t know what else she’d done with David. “You know about the kissing?” She could have died on the spot. “Is no secret safe with Josefina and Sage?”

Rook took a swig of ale and playfulness danced in his bright blue eyes. “They didn’t tell me about the kissing, I just took a gamble and it paid off. You’ve given yourself away, Martine.” He chuckled lowly, seeming to really enjoy this.

“Rook, you must change their minds about meeting at the tavern tonight. Please. I beg you.”

“Take it easy, Martine. My father doesn’t change plans once they’re made. I won’t mention anything about you kissing David, I promise. However, I do want to get a good look at the man for myself.”

“You don’t know what you’ve done. You’re going to endanger David and his entire family.”

“How so?” Rook looked over the rim of his tankard taking another drink of ale.

“Didn’t Raven tell you what happened?”

“I think she said she got ill and had to return to the castle. Why?”

“Not that! I am talking about the fact that the Cross Hare Inn is four months late in paying their rent.”

“Ooooooh,” he said and shrugged. “Well, then Father will be taking the inn back from David tonight I guess. Too bad for him.”

“Nay, he won’t be taking the inn back from David,” said Martine.

“Why not?” asked Rook.

“Oh, never mind!” she said in frustration, hurrying up the stairs to her chamber. She had to do something to help David. She couldn’t let him suffer the way he was about to, even if she hated him right now for lying to her and keeping things from her. She had to warn David so many nobles were coming. They had to prepare.

She paced back and forth in her room, not knowing what to do. She didn’t want to see David and his family thrown out on the street and their business taken away from them. But with so many important noblemen meeting there tonight, it was evident that Lord Corbett would remember about the late rent. They were so close to having the money to pay off the entire debt. Why couldn’t the men have waited a few more days before coming home?

There was a knock on the door, irritating Martine even more. “Whoever it is, go away,” she shouted. When the knocking continued, she rushed over and pulled open the door. A man covered in a long cloak and wearing a hood over his head stood there with his face downward.

“Who are you and what do you want?” she snapped.

“Lady Martine, it’s me.” The man raised his face and she saw that it was David.

Just when David expected Martine to slam the door in his face, she surprised him by gripping the front of his tunic and pulling him into the room with her. She looked both ways up and down the corridor and then slammed the door and locked it.

“All right,” he said, scratching the side of his face. “Does this mean you hate me or love me again? I’m confused. I’ve never been in a position like this before.”

“How did you sneak into the castle and up to my chamber without a guard even stopping you?” she asked him.

“There was a lot of commotion going on downstairs so it wasn’t hard to walk right in.”

“That is all the fuss over my new nephew,” she told him.