Page 21 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

There was a quick knock on the door and Lady Devon’s twins, Raven and Rook, entered the room dressed in long cloaks as if they’d just arrived at the castle.

“Mother, how are you feeling?” asked Rook, hurrying to her side.

“I am fine, Rook. Thanks to Sage and her healing herbs, that is.”

“Hello, Martine,” said Raven. “I haven’t seen you in a while.” Raven had long black hair. Her brother had black hair as well. Raven married a blacksmith and Rook married his lady gardener.

“Hello,” Martine answered with a nod. “Have you two seen Sage’s new baby yet?”

“Yes,” said Rook. “Rose is in the great hall right now holding the baby so tightly I’m afraid no one will be able to pry him away from her. She may never give the poor boy back to the nursemaid.”

“I didn’t know your wife liked babies so much,” said Martine in surprise.

“She does now,” mumbled Raven.

“Well, you should too,” Rook told his sister. “After all you are in the same condition as her.”

“What condition is that?” asked Sage.

“Rose and Raven are both pregnant. Didn’t you know?” said Devon. “I’m going to have grandchildren and I couldn’t be happier.”

“What?” asked Josefina, Sage, and Martine at the same time.

“Raven, are you really going to have a baby?” asked Martine.

“Yes, it seems so,” said Raven with a nod. Any other woman would have seemed overjoyed. Raven, on the other hand, looked somewhat pleased but not ecstatic. Then again, the girl had been raised as a warrior, like her twin brother. It was her choice to wield a sword and she could do it as well as any man. Nothing much scared Raven. However, Martine figured being a mother was foreign to her and this was out of her element. Raven was going to have to learn all the skills of a lady now, and that could prove quite terrifying. After all, the girl had fought it most of her life. “Jonathon and I just found out we’re having a baby and we couldn’t be happier.” She actually smiled this time.

“Since we’re twins, you know we tend to do things at the same time,” said Rook. “Rose is due around the same time as Raven.”

“My, this family is growing quickly. I can’t wait for my grandchildren to be born.” Devon swung her feet over the side of the bed.

“Mother, where do you think you’re going?” asked Rook. “You need to rest.”

“I can’t. With Corbett away, I have duties to tend to since I am Lady of the Castle.”

“I’ll handle them,” Rook assured her. “Now, I want to see you get back in bed and stay there for a while. You were very sick lately and we weren’t even sure we wouldn’t lose you.”

“Rook, you have your own manor to tend to,” Devon told him, reaching out and touching her son on the arm. “I don’t want to trouble you. Especially now that you and Rose are going to have a baby. It is too much to ask.”

“I told Father I’d handle things at Blake Castle until he returns,” stated Rook. “Plus, I’m sure Raven will help me.”

“Yes, of course, I will.” Raven was not one to be dismissed easily. She could handle anything. The girl was truly amazing and even knew how to joust. She was an inspiration to Martine.

“I’ll take care of the garrison and training the knights if Raven oversees the kitchen and collects the rents in town,” said Rook. “Some of the commoners are far behind in their payments. Father told me he was going to have to take away some of the businesses from the proprietors if they couldn’t get caught up with what they owed us.”

That took Martine’s interest. She’d heard her aunt say that the Cross Hare Inn was way behind in paying their rent. She didn’t want David to lose his business.

“I want to help out too while Uncle Corbett and Robin are away,” said Martine. “I will assist Raven in collecting the rents in town. I can also handle inventory in the undercroft and balancing the ledgers. I do it all the time at home.”

“That is thoughtful of you, Martine,” said Devon. “You will make a good wife and lady of the castle someday with all your skills. But aren’t you planning on going back home to be with your mother until your father returns from battle?”

“Nay. Not yet.”

“Why not?” asked Rook. “I’m sure your mother could use your help in your father’s absence.”

“My mother will have no problem handling things while he is away. My youngest sister, Dorothy is there and I’ll be sure to send Regina home to help her as well.”

“Why Regina and not you?” asked Rook, not letting up.