Page 32 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“I mean, I’ll give you the time requested. A little time, but not much.”

“I’d appreciate any time at all.”

“If you can pay all the rent owed before my uncle returns, I’ll sign the establishment back over to you.”

“When will Lord Corbett return?” he wondered, hoping for more time than less.

“I have no idea. However, my guess is that it’ll be soon.”

“You know I can’t do it too quickly. These things take time. Besides, I still need to come up with a plan on how to raise the funds.”

“I must admit that I am good at a lot of things you probably would never suspect, David. I am going to help you earn that money.”

“My lady!” he gasped. “Please, I would never want you to compromise yourself in such a manner.”

“In what manner?” she asked. Then her eyes popped open wide. “Oh, no! That’s not what I meant. I would never–”

“Of course not.” He held up a hand, partially to cover the shame on his face. “I knew that,” he said, feeling a sense of relief that she wasn’t suggesting she’d whore herself out. He felt very embarrassed for even thinking that was what she meant in the first place. He supposed his mind was still on Cinnamon and the games she’d played with him earlier.

There was a knock on the door to the room, taking their attention. Then before they could even respond, the door squeaked opened and Raven stepped inside.

“Martine? What are you doing in here alone with this man?” asked Raven, not looking pleased at all.

“Why are you here?” Martine asked her cousin in return. “I thought you went out to collect the rents. I told you, I’d handle this.”

“I did go, but I came back. My stomach is too upset to conduct business today. I’ve decided to go back to the castle.” Raven’s hand went to her belly. “I think it might have something to do with being pregnant.”

“Did you want me to finish collecting the rents in town for you?” asked Martine.

“Don’t bother. I’ll have Rook finish up tomorrow. Are you ready to leave?”

“Not yet,” said Martine, taking the signed deed from David.

“Oh, I see you took back the inn. Good. That’s what Father would have done if he were here. I didn’t really think this man would be able to pay,” said Raven, scrutinizing David. “I’ll tell the guard to make the customers leave and we’ll put a sign on the door that it’s closed for good. When Father returns he’ll find another renter.”

“Nay, you can’t do that.” Martine handed the papers to Raven. “You see, the inn already has a new owner.”

“Yes. My father,” said Raven.

“Nay, it’s not Uncle Corbett. Look closely at the paper,” said Martine, motioning to the parchment in Raven’s hand.

Raven read it and her eyes popped open wide in surprise. “You took ownership of the inn?”

“Yes,” said Martine.

“But why?”

“Because the Stone family helped our family and I would like to do the same in return.”

“This doesn’t make sense,” said Raven. “You are a lady and know nothing about running a tavern or inn and neither should you. It’s not proper.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it,” replied Martine nonchalantly. “It is a challenge. I, like you, enjoy to be challenged.”

“I don’t understand.” Raven furrowed her brow and shook her head. “What on earth are you planning to do? If you give them money to pay their debts, it’ll go against the contract. You can’t do that.”

“I am not giving them anything but my assistance,” she told her cousin. “You see, I am going to return to the inn every day for a while to help David and his family with the business.”

“Here?” gasped David and Raven together.