Page 67 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“We lost the inn,” said David. “But Lady Martine was kind. Instead of having to hand over the business and move out, she took over ownership and let us stay. She said she’d help us earn the money to pay our debts.”

“I told him I’d give them back the inn if they could raise the money before you returned, but we had no idea you’d be back so soon,” explained Martine.

“Martine, you never should have taken it upon yourself to do such a stupid thing,” said her brother.

“On the contrary, my lord, your sister’s ideas were brilliant and really worked,” said David.

“Brilliant? What does my sister know about running a tavern?” asked Robin.

“Enough to be able to help them earn back most of the money to pay off the overdue rent,” said Martine.

“That’s right,” said David excitedly. “The inn is crowded tonight so I’m sure we’ll have the rest of the funds by the end of the night, my lords.”

“You are a noble, Martine,” said her father. “You shouldn’t be helping commoners.”

“Neither did they have any obligation to help Sage, yet they did,” Martine told him. “Without them, baby Martin and Sage might not be here today.”

“I’m sorry,” said Robin, shaking his head. “I should be thanking you and your family, David. Please, accept my apology and know that I am grateful for all you and your family have done for my wife and baby while I was away.” Robin reached out and shook David’s hand.

Clapping went up from the patrons in the tavern, since everyone was watching and listening now.

“Uncle Corbett, are you angry with me for what I did?” asked Martine. “I just couldn’t let the Stone family lose their home and business after they’d been so kind to help us in our time of need.”

“They really did take us in with open arms,” said Gar, sounding remorseful too. “If they hadn’t let us use their living quarters, I would have had to carry Sage all the way to the castle in a storm since the wheel was broken on the wagon.”

“A wheel that David and his brother fixed during the storm, I might add.” Martine looked over and nodded to David.

“I suppose you did a good thing,” said Corbett. “However, the rent is still due. I can make no exceptions.”

“I might already have enough money,” said David, shaking a pouch at his side. “Lord Corbett, let me get my cash box. I want to pay you in full right now.”

“All right,” said Corbett, sitting back down. The room remained quiet as David hurried over to the drink board and pulled out his key. He slid the key into the lock and pulled out the cash box, bringing it directly to Lord Corbett and handing it to him.

“Here is what we owe. And everything we make tonight will be added to the funds as well.” David pushed the box over to Corbett. Corbett slowly opened the lid and anger crossed his face.

“What kind of foolish jest is this?” he spat.

“What’s wrong?” asked Martine.

“The box has no coins in it.”

“Yes, it does, Lord Corbett. There is enough there to cover more than three month’s rent.” David rushed over and looked into the box. A shadow washed across his face. He looked up at Martine and slowly shook his head.

“What’s wrong, David?” asked Martine.

“He’s right,” said David, looking like he were about to die. “Someone has stolen all the money. The cash box is empty.”