Page 53 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“I’ll show you to your room,” said Cinnamon, disappearing up the stairs and down the hall with them.

David looked over at Martine and he almost thought she was about to cry.

“Excuse me,” she said, hurrying through the kitchen. He heard the door of the family’s living quarters slam closed and knew that is where she went.

“Boy, you’ve gotten yourself into a lot of trouble,” said Uncle Joe from behind his mother.

“He’s got three women and I have none?” Dirk shook his head and left through the kitchen.

“You upset Ava,” said Matilda.

“Mayhap we should go and comfort her,” suggested Cecelia. The two girls hurried to the upper rooms.

David made his way behind the drink board and grabbed the bottle of whisky. He sat down at the table running his hand through his hair.

“What are you going to do?” asked his mother, slowly sitting down on the bench next to him.

“I don’t know,” said David. “I’ve never had such problems in my life. I also never wanted to marry Ava, but no one ever asked me how I felt.”

“All I’m going to say is that your father would never make you honor that deal with the baker’s daughter if he had known you didn’t want to marry Ava,” continued Greta.

“I agree,” said Uncle Joe. “Especially now. If he were alive and knew you’d have a chance to marry a noblewoman instead, he’d break that other agreement in a second.” Uncle Joe turned and left the room.

“David?” asked his mother, reaching out and holding his hand. “Do you perhaps have feelings for Lady Martine? It seems that Dirk and Joe think you do.”

“I don’t know anything anymore,” he said, pulling his hand away from his mother and taking another drink. “I thought I did, but now I’m confused. I mean, I was good friends with Ava my whole life, but I don’t want to marry her. On the other hand, I barely know Lady Martine, yet I can’t picture going through life without her.”

“Then tell them both that.”

“How can I? I mean, Father made the agreement when I was just a child. He was good friends with Ava’s father and they shook on it. You know how neither of them ever broke their word. That’s what made their friendship so strong. Father would turn over in his grave if he knew I wanted to break his promise.”

“David, I realize you were close to your father, and also that you have always wanted to do the right thing to please him, but he’s gone now. Whatever deals he made no longer matter. This is your life. You can do what you want with it. Never forget that.”

Before David could tell her that he wanted to send Ava away because he had feelings for Martine, the door to the kitchen opened and Dirk walked out with Martine.

“I’ll be back,” said Dirk. “I’m taking Lady Martine back to the castle.”

“What?” David’s head snapped up. “Why? It’s still early.”

“You’ll have all the money you need to save your inn in the next day or two, I’m sure of it,” Martine told him. “You don’t need me to help you anymore so there is no need for me to stay.” Martine collected her cloak from the table. Dirk hurried to help her don it.

“Please, don’t leave now. Not like this,” said David. “I don’t want it to end this way between us.”

“I think I’ve made a mistake, David. I’ll be going back to the castle now where I belong.”

“Martine, I mean, Lady Martine, you can’t leave,” said David. “What will I do without you?”

“You’re a clever man,” she told him. “I’m sure you can figure out how to get the rest of the money on your own.” She thought he was talking about the inn, but he was really talking about their future.

“David, is there a dowry that comes with marrying Ava?” Dirk asked right in front of Martine. He could be so insensitive sometimes. “Mayhap her father could pay off the rest of our debt so we can get the deed back from Lady Martine.”

“No, there is no need for that,” said Martine softly. “I won’t make you all leave, because I am not a mean person. Just notify me when you hold all the funds and I will return with the deed to your inn.”

“Please, stay.” David got up, still holding the bottle of whisky. “I need you.”

She looked down at the bottle and then back up at him. “Mayhap you have your needs and wants confused, David. When you figure out which is which, let me know. Until then, I won’t be back.”

Dirk escorted Lady Martine out the door and to the stable to get her horse. David sank down atop the bench, feeling like his life was over.