Page 66 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“Martine?” Robin slowly put down his cup and stood. “What in the devil’s name are you doing dressed like that?”

“And carrying that tray?” asked her father. “Is this some kind of bad jest?”

“What’s going on here?” asked Corbett.

“Stop that, Sister. Put that down right now,” commanded Robin.

“Nay, Robin. I’m helping out the Stone family since they were kind enough to aid your wife when she had her baby early.”

“This is insane,” said Madoc.

“Nay, it’s not.” She slid the huge tray of food onto the table and started to remove the bowls and hand them to the nobles, one by one.

“I’ve got it, Martine.” David ran over to her and took over serving the food.

“Did you just call my daughter, Martine, without having the respect to use her title?” asked Madoc, standing up like Robin and looking as if he were going to punch David.

“I– I– I am sorry, my lord,” stuttered David.

“Rook, help me,” Martine whispered to her cousin.

“Sure,” said Rook, taking a bowl of food off the tray and putting it in front of himself.

“Not with the food,” she said through her teeth. “You know what I mean.”

“What does she mean?” asked Madoc. “I’d really like to know what is going on here.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary for our family,” said Rook, picking up a spoon and scooping food into his mouth. “Mmm, this is good. Did you make it, Martine?”

“Of course, she didn’t, she’s a noble,” snapped her father. Then he looked up to Martine and seemed to cringe. “Did you?” he wanted to know.

“I helped, but I cannot take all the credit.” Martine smiled at the men but they were all frowning at her. Even David. “David, I think we’d better tell them.”

“Tell us what?” asked Lord Gar.

“I’ll tell you,” said Rook, ripping off a hunk of bread. “Martine is the owner of the Cross Hare Inn now, that’s why she’s doing this menial task.”

“Owner?” asked Robin.

“Does this have something to do with the fact that the Stone family is four months behind in their rent?” asked Corbett.

“Yes, it does,” said Martine. “I was helping Raven collect the rents while you were away, Lord Corbett.”

“You did what? Why?” Her father didn’t like that idea either.

“Father, please. I’m trying to explain,” said Martine. “Now, will everyone please sit back down?”

She didn’t think they would, but finally, Robin sat and the rest followed.

“Have some bread,” said Rook, ripping off a piece and handing it to Robin. “It tastes a little like ash, but it’s hot. Not bad for brown bread, actually.”

“Martine, let me explain. It’s the least I can do.” David stepped forward and spoke to the table of nobles. “We have been struggling since the death of my father, and sadly we ended up four months late with our rent for some reason, even though the ledgers said we were fine.”

“That makes no sense,” said Corbett. “You obviously don’t know how to balance a ledger.”

“Yes, he does, Uncle Corbett,” interrupted Martine. “I’ve looked at the books myself and David’s calculations were correct.”

“Why were you even doing that?” asked her father.