Page 46 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“He followed me in. I had to coax him a little with the dried beef and bread that I brought, but I think he was hungry.”

“You are amazing, Martine. We’ve been trying for years to get old Patch inside and he’d never come. He sleeps in the stables with James.”

“Where is James?” asked Martine. “Still sleeping? He usually hears when I arrive but he didn’t come from the stables today to greet me. My horse is tied up outside the door.”

“I let James sleep inside by the fire when it’s really cold and we don’t have any of our customers’ horses for him to watch. See? There he is.” David pointed across the room at the fire glowing on the hearth. There was a bump on the ground under a blanket and she realized it must be James. Patch wandered over and laid down with his back against the boy.

“I’d better put my horse in the stable,” said Martine.

“I’ll do it.” David grabbed a cloak from the wall and threw it around his shoulders. “I have to get more wood for the fire anyway.”

“I’m coming with you,” she told him, following him out the door.

David offered to go out in the cold because he was hoping to cool down from the heated dream he’d been having about Martine. In his dream, he was bedding her in the hay of the loft above the stables and she was screaming out in passion as he brought her to climax over and over again. He took the reins of the horse and headed to the stables with Martine clinging to his arm.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, making his heart jump. It was almost as if she were invading his thoughts.

“You don’t want to know.”

“Yes, I do,” she said as they entered the stable to take care of her horse.

David lit a lantern and she helped him get the horse watered and settled.

“James will feed the horse as soon as he awakes. I’ll make sure of it.” He reached over and pet her horse on the nose. “I’d better go get more wood for the fire.”

“Nay,” she said, grabbing him by the arm. “Not until you tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“I want to hear about that improper dream involving me.”

“Nay, you don’t.” He chuckled thinking how shocked she’d be if she really knew.

“I’ll be the judge of that. Now, spill your secrets.”

“Martine, if I tell you, you’ll hate me.”

“No, I won’t.” She pressed up against him. “Please?”

“Weeeeeell, I don’t know.” He ran a hand through his hair.

“I’ll tell you about my dream if you tell me yours.”

“I suppose that would be fair,” he said with a nod. “As long as you swear you won’t think less of me afterwards.”

“I’ll most likely only think of you more.” She lifted her chin and kissed him, running her hand down his chest.

“It took place up there. In the hayloft.” He lifted the lantern and pointed.

“Really. I’ve never been in a hayloft before. I’d like to see it.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Too late. She was already at the ladder leading to the loft, looking upward.

“Ever since childhood, I’ve been a good climber. I was always able to climb trees higher than my brother, Robin.” She took a hold of the rungs and started up.

“Nay, Martine. Don’t go up there,” he said with a groan.

“I want you to tell me the rest of your dream when we’re at the top.”