Page 55 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

Chapter 13

“Thank you for the escort, Dirk, but you don’t need to go any farther.” Martine stopped her horse at the entrance to Blake Castle, embarrassed by returning so soon when she’d told her guard not to get her before midnight.

“Will you be coming back to the inn tomorrow?” Dirk wanted to know.

“Nay, I’m sorry. I don’t think so.”

“If it’s because of Ava, don’t let that bother you,” said Dirk. “I don’t really think David wants to marry her. Besides, once Ava finds out my cousin has enjoyed the pleasures of the tavern’s whore on more than one occasion, she’ll most likely want nothing to do with him anyway. She’s rather haughty for the daughter of a baker.”

Martine’s heart ached just a little more when Dirk had to mention Cinnamon. She was pretty sure that David had known the pleasures of the whore but still she wasn’t certain. It made it easier to handle that way. Hearing it now confirmed by Dirk only made things even worse than what she thought they were.

“Tell your aunt I’m sorry to leave this way, but I had to go.”

“Are you saying you won’t help us anymore?”

“I wish I could, but I just can’t. Not with things being what they are.”

“What’s going to happen when Lord Corbett returns?” asked Dirk. “Will he kick us out and take away our business?”

“I’m afraid the answer is yes unless you have all the money owed to him. I don’t think he will be as forgiving as I was.”

“Forgiving? Excuse me, my lady, but I don’t think you’re being very forgiving at all. At least not where David is concerned.”

“What?” Her head snapped up.

“I’m sorry, I said too much. If you’ll excuse me, my lady, I really need to get back and help at the tavern.”

“Of course. Thank you, Dirk.”

Dirk grunted and took off on his horse down the road. Martine rode into the courtyard in deep thought. Why did she feel as if she was the one who had done something wrong? She was only trying to help David and his family. David was the one who had deceived her and she didn’t like that at all. She couldn’t go back to the inn again. It was over.

After stabling her horse, Martine made her way to the great hall, hearing a lot of happy commotion coming from within. The minstrels were playing music and there was a feast in progress even though it wasn’t time yet for the meal.

“What’s going on in there?” asked Martine, stopping a servant in the corridor to ask him.

“Didn’t you hear?” asked the boy. “Lord Corbett has returned.”

“What?” she gasped in surprise. “Already?” She had hoped David and his family would have at least a few more days to raise the rest of the rent money. Now, she almost wished she had stayed at the inn to help them, after all.

“Yes,” said the boy. “Lord Robin and Lord Madoc returned with him as well. They’ve all just seen baby Martin and Lord Corbett ordered a celebration feast.”

“My father is here too?” That horrified Martine more than the fact that her uncle was back.

“Yes, my lady. Here he comes now,” said the boy, bowing and running back to the kitchen.

“Martine, I’ve been looking for you.” Her father, Madoc, walked over with a tankard in his hand. “Someone told me you were at the Cross Hare Inn. What a coincidence. That is where we are meeting up with Lords Rook, Gar, and Garrett later on tonight. We won the skirmish for our king and we’re going there to celebrate.”

“Eleanor’s father is going to be there too? But he’s Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.”

“Yes, of course, he is. He’ll be there as well.”

“Why don’t you celebrate right here? In the castle?” she asked, feeling nervous and a bit panicked. She knew David’s tavern was not in shape to host so many important noblemen. Not yet. She still had things planned to do to make it ready. Plus, Martine wasn’t in a hurry to remind her uncle that David was so far behind with his rent.

“We were going to stay here at the castle, but Lord Rook suggested the Cross Hare Inn instead. He said we would find it intriguing for some reason.”

“Yes, I’m sure he did. Excuse me, Father. I see my cousin now and I’d like to thank him for making that suggestion.” Martine beelined it across the great hall, grabbing Rook but the arm and yanking him away from the other knights.

“God’s eyes, Martine, what’s the matter with you?” snapped Rook, looking down to his tunic. “You made me spill ale on my tunic.”