Page 71 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“So did Raven,” Rook reminded them all.

“And cousins Eleanor and Lark did too,” added Martine.

“All right, enough,” said Madoc. “I know how hard this must be for you, David. I’m not sure if you know it, but I was raised by the wife of a pirate and was a thief before I married my noble wife.”

“So I’m not the only thief?” asked Cinnamon with a snort.

“He was doing what he had to do to survive,” Madoc’s brother, Corbett, came to his aid. “It was only because he didn’t know it but he was really a noble, stolen as a baby.”

“And I turned out all right,” said Madoc with a smile.

“Father, please,” said Martine. “David asked you a question.”

“Lord Madoc, I love your daughter and will do anything I can to make her happy.”

“How happy can she be? You’re an innkeeper,” said Madoc, still not accepting David.

“I know I don’t have much, but I promise to always love her and protect her. I will be the best husband to her that I can.”

“Martine? You really want to marry this man and live at an inn?” asked Madoc.

“Well… yes, I want to marry him,” she said, her eyes flicking over to David. “As for where we’ll live, I haven’t had a chance yet to discuss that with David.”

“Martine, what are you saying?” asked David.

“I’m not sure I want to live in one room with your family and raise a child in a tavern,” Martine told him. “Mayhap we could live at the castle?”

“And what would I do for a living?” asked David. “I’m not a noble.”

“You’ll be one,” said Rook. “As soon as you marry my cousin, you’ll get your courtesy title.”

“I appreciate it, but I’m not sure that’s who I am,” said David sadly.

“You fool,” said Uncle Joe. “Stones don’t give up. They go after what they want. How many times do I need to remind you, boy?”

“Uncle Joe, I want to be with Martine more than anything. It’s just that I’m not sure she wants to be with me as much.”

Martine felt the walls crumbling down around her. She’d never known anyone like David and she wasn’t going to lose him. “I will,” said Martine.

“What?” asked David.

“If you want me to work the inn with you and live in one room with the rest of your family, then I’ll do it.”

“Martine? Are you mad?” asked her brother.

“Yes. I’m madly in love with David,” said Martine, taking his hand. She reached up and kissed him on the mouth right there in front of everyone. “I love him and I want him as my husband.”

“Even if you have to give up your life at the castle?” asked David.

Martine took a deep breath and released it, nodding. “Yes. I am willing to give up everything, just to be with you, David.”

“Nay,” he said, shaking his head.

“What?” she asked in surprise.

“I can’t let you do that.”

“Isn’t this touching?” muttered Rook.