Page 75 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

Chapter 17

A WEEK LATER

Blake Castle had never looked better than now, decorated in pine boughs and lots of colorful ribbons. It was where the wedding of Martine and David was being held. Since it was winter and using the outdoors wasn’t a choice, they’d had to have the ceremony and celebration inside. With David’s entire family, not to mention all of Martine’s siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles there too, it had been too many to ever fit into the tavern. Therefore, the great hall was the only place big enough to hold the event.

After the vows had been said, everyone headed to the tables to partake of the wedding feast. David had been allowed to sit above the salt since he was now a lord in name only. It had felt odd looking at his family down below, but he was Martine’s husband now and his life was about to change dramatically.

David and Martine walked hand in hand through the hall, having had more food at this feast than David had ever seen in his life.

“How did you like the meal?” asked Martine.

“It was very filling. And rich.”

“Wasn’t the peacock spectacular? And I’ll bet you’ve never had venison before.”

“The bird was cooked and stuffed and the feathers reattached,” said David. “It was amazing. Farley is still trying to figure out how they did it.”

Martine giggled, reaching over to hug and kiss David. “I am so happy to be your wife,” she told him. “I am glad my father agreed.”

“Me too,” said David, leaning in closer to her. “But I still don’t feel good about you lying to him when you said we hadn’t made love.”

“I didn’t say that,” she corrected him. “I said you were a perfect gentleman, and believe me you were!”

“Oh. So, we should probably keep the truth to ourselves?”

“Unless you want to face my father when he’s angry, I’d say it’s a much better idea to keep it quiet. Besides, it no longer matters. We are married now, and tonight we’ll make love more than once, I’m certain.”

“I can’t wait.” He pulled her closer and kissed her passionately.

“Martine, I havena had time to congratulate ye.” A blonde woman who was pregnant joined them. A man with long dark hair was with her and so was a young girl who looked to be about five or six.

“Thank you, Lark.” Martine hugged the girl. “David, this is my cousin, Lady Lark, her husband, Lord Dustin, and their daughter, Florie.”

“Hello,” said David, greeting them all.

“My da used to be my tutor,” said the child.

“Really?” David took interest in this. “So, you have a courtesy title too?” asked David.

“I do,” said Dustin, pulling his wife closer. “We’re also having a baby,” he said.

“Congratulations,” David answered.

“Och, here come Raven and Sage and the baby,” said Lark. “Raven, I hear ye have been feelin’ quite ill with yer pregnancy.”

“Not anymore, she’s not,” said Sage, holding her newborn, Martin.

“I’m feeling much better now that Sage gave me an herbal potion that helps. I almost feel like going out and practicing with my sword,” said Raven.

“No swordplay while you’re pregnant, sweetheart.” Raven’s husband, Jonathon, who David met earlier walked up with Sage’s husband, Robin.

“Jonathon, if we have a boy will you make him a sword in the forge?” asked Raven.

“I’ll make a sword if it’s a girl or a boy,” answered Jonathon. “But only when I think our child is ready for one.”

“Ah, here you all are.” Gar approached with Josefina. “Rook wants us over by the fire.”

“What for?” asked Josefina.