Page 69 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“R? Robin? Is that your ring?” asked Madoc.

Robin’s head snapped up and his eyes opened wide. “Nay. I’ve never been with the whore, I swear.”

“I’ve seen that before.” Martine took it to inspect it. “Rook, isn’t this your ring?”

Rook’s eyes were closed as he leaned back on the chair. Slowly his eyes opened. “What?” he asked.

“That’s Rook’s ring, I know it is,” said Martine.

“Let me see that.” Rook jumped up and snatched the ring away from her.

“Is it yours, Son?” asked Corbett.

By the look on Rook’s face there was no denying it.

“I admit to having had a night with the whore, but it was a long time ago. Before I was married to Rose.” He stuck the ring back on his finger.

“It was more than one night,” said the whore, licking her lips. “And what a time we had.”

“Rook! That is awful. How can you have bedded a woman like her?” asked Martine.

“It was before I was married. Tell them, Sin.”

“It was,” she finally admitted. “And I am only telling them because you were always my favorite customer, Rook.”

“What? Why is everyone looking at me?” asked Rook with a shrug, blowing on his ring and cleaning it on his sleeve.

“I still can’t believe you bedded a whore,” said Martine.

“Well, I’m sure your father and the rest of the nobles can’t believe you bedded David,” said Cinnamon, glaring at Martine.

“What?” asked Madoc. “Daughter, tell me this isn’t so.”

Martine looked over to Rook for help but her cousin just shrugged. “She took a risk and it paid off, I guess,” mumbled Rook, sitting back down and pulling the bowl of food closer.

“Before anyone says another thing, I’d like to say something,” said David.

“Yes, please do.” Madoc glared at David, looking like he wanted to kill him.

“I wanted to wait until I had enough proof,” said David. “But even without counting the coins, I can tell you that this woman is a thief. I am sure she’s been stealing from me ever since my father passed away.”

“You can’t prove it,” said Cinnamon.

“The dog is a good judge of character,” Martine pointed out. “He knew you were guilty.”

“You can’t go by that,” said the whore. “It proves nothing.”

“Let me through. Out of the way.” Joe used his walking cane to tap the floor, making his way to the front of the crowd. “I can tell you something that might make a difference.”

“What is it, Uncle Joe?” asked David.

“I might not have eyes to see, but I have pretty good ears.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” asked Cinnamon.

“For a while now, I’ve heard footsteps on these stairs at night while everyone is sleeping. I’ve also heard something that sounded like metal and wood creaking, coming from behind the drink board after the business is closed.”

“What are you saying? What was it?” asked Dirk.