Page 17 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“Nay, of course not. It won’t take me long.”

Someone cleared their throat from the door. Martine looked up to see David standing there.

“I was sent by Lord Gar to tell the ladies it is time to leave now,” he told them.

“David, take this bag of food and wine to the wagon.” Greta came back from the kitchen and pushed the bag into his hands. “As soon as the nobles leave, I’ll make you and Dirk a big meal to break the fast. I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“Hungrier than you think,” answered David, watching Martine with hooded eyes.

“Greta, thank you but the food is not necessary,” said Martine. “The castle isn’t far from here at all.”

“I insist, my lady,” said Greta.

“Yes, I agree,” David interjected. “After all, we know how thirsty you get. I’ll make sure to send some spiced wine.”

A strange silence fell over the room and everyone looked at her oddly. Martine felt her body overheating.

“Well, thank you,” she said to break the awkward moment. “Now if you please, I need to change for the journey.”

“Of course.” David bowed and left the room with his mother and sisters following.

“Martine, what was that all about?” asked Sage from the bed.

“What was what?” Martine opened her trunk and pulled out a dry gown.

“Is there something you want to tell us regarding David?” Josefina sat down on the bed next to Sage.

“I don’t know what you mean. Where is that handmaid to help me change?” Martine looked around the room. They’d only brought one handmaid to share between all of them. Usually, they didn’t even use handmaids because they preferred to do things themselves. However, right now she needed one as a distraction so she wouldn’t have to answer Sage and Josefina’s questions.

“I didn’t think we needed the handmaid since we were all dressed and ready to leave,” Sage told her. “I told Lavinia to meet us at the wagon.”

“Regina, take little Martin to the wagon and wait for us there, will you please?” asked Sage, handing the baby to Martine’s younger sister.

“Oh, I’d love to take him to the wagon. He is so sweet.” Regina left the room with the baby cradled in her arms and a smile spread from ear to ear.

“Josefina, close the door,” said Sage.

After she had, the room became silent. Martine laced up the bodice of her gown and looked up to see both the women staring at her.

“Why are you two looking at me as if I had two heads?” she asked.

“You like David, don’t you?” asked Sage.

“Me?” She looked down and fumbled with the ties. “Well, yes, he was nice to give us his chamber. We all like him.”

“Something happened between them. I know it,” said Josefina, sitting down next to Sage with a smile on her face. “I can tell by the way she is acting.”

“Tell us, Martine,” said Sage. “Tell us and stop making us drag it out of you.”

“Nothing happened. You two are imagining things.” Martine sat down to don her shoes.

“I’m sure everyone noticed your face turning red when David came to the door,” said Sage.

“Yes,” agreed Josefina. “And what was that little comment he made about you being so thirsty?”

Martine realized these two were going to keep pestering her about it until they got their answer. She decided to just come out and tell them.

“He kissed me,” she blurted out and then slowly looked up at the other women. They both had their mouths hanging open.