Page 59 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“Yes. I want to marry her,” said David.

“I don’t like this.” Rook looked at them suspiciously, probably figuring out that they’d already made love.

“I don’t care whether or not you like it because–” Martine stopped when she realized just what David said. “Did you say you want to marry me?” she asked David.

“I did,” he said with conviction. This surprised her since she really wasn’t sure that he wasn’t still planning on marrying Ava.

“What about Ava?” she had to ask.

“Who’s Ava?” Rook wanted to know.

“I don’t love her and I already told her I’m not marrying her.”

“You did?” Martine’s heart swelled.

“Who’s Ava?” Rook asked again, but they both ignored him.

“And Cinnamon? What about her?” asked Martine, having to know he wouldn’t look to her pleasures again.

“Cinnamon? The tavern whore?” asked Rook, knowing who she was.

“Hush, Rook, or I’ll be sure to tell Rose you bedded that whore on several occasions before you met her.”

“Cinnamon told you? That hussy. I thought she said she kept her clients’ names a secret.”

A large smile spread across Martine’s face. “She didn’t tell me, but you just did.”

“You tricked me,” spat Rook.

“I took a gamble and it paid off, that’s all.”

“Lord Rook, may I speak freely?” asked David with a bow.

“Of course.” Rook shrugged and started to pull off his leather gloves finger by finger. Martine could see he was upset that she knew about his past trysts with the whore.

“I realize I am just a commoner and that I have no right to fall in love with Lady Martine, but it happened and that’s all there is to it.”

“It happened, did it?” Rook looked over at Martine.

“It did,” she told him smugly.

“I made some mistakes and I’m sorry now that I wasn’t totally open and honest with Martine, but I never felt as if I had a chance with her so I just wanted to cherish the moments I did have, I guess.”

“Go on,” said Rook.

Martine said nothing. The butterflies in her belly were flipflopping out of control.

“I plan on asking her father for her hand as soon as I can get back on my feet and am able to pay the four months of rent that I owe.”

“Four months is a lot,” said Rook. “How do you plan on doing that?”

“Lady Martine holds the deed. She’s been helping us lately and her ideas have paid off. I’m just a little short of having all the money I need to pay my entire debt.”

“Well, I suppose having all the nobles at your tavern tonight will take care of the outstanding part.”

“Nobles are coming to the Cross Hare? Tonight?” David’s attention shot over to Martine.

“I was going to tell you but we had some uninvited guests and distractions,” said Martine.