Page 70 of Sweet Mead for Lady Martine

“I didn’t think much of it until now, but now I am sure it was the sound of a key turning in the lock of the secret compartment where David keeps the cash box.”

“That’s silly. Everyone knows that David is the only one who has a key,” said Cinnamon.

“Not true.” This came from Rook.

“What are you saying?” asked Corbett.

“About a year ago, I saw Cinnamon in town. She asked me to have another key made. I thought it was for the door to her room because that’s what she told me. She said she wanted to give it to a client to come and go as he pleased.”

“Rook, don’t tell them,” said the girl.

“You helped her to make another key for my cash box?” asked David.

“Not knowingly.” Rook shrugged. “If I had known her intentions, I never would have helped her.”

“That’s a lie. I did no such thing.” The whore still denied everything.

“Really.” Rook walked up to the whore and reached for her cleavage. He plucked a key out from between her breasts and handed it to David. “Look familiar?”

“It’s exactly the same,” said David, holding the keys together.

“How did you know she’d have it, there?” Robin wanted to know.

“That’s where she always keeps her valuables,” said Rook.

“So you really have been stealing from me since my father died?” David asked the girl.

“I had to do something to survive when you started changing all the rules. Especially when she showed up and made me give up half my earnings.” Cinnamon jerked her head at Martine.

“You disgust me,” said David, his eyes still on the keys in his hand. “Because of your greediness, my family nearly lost our business and even a place to live. If it weren’t for Martine, we would be homeless right now.”

“There you go calling her by her name with no title again,” said Madoc. “And what did the whore say about you bedding my daughter?”

“She’s a liar and a thief,” said Martine. “Father, David has been nothing but a gentleman toward me.”

“Martine means everything to me, my lord,” said David. “I wanted to get the deed back to my inn before I approached you, but it can no longer wait.”

“What can’t wait?” asked Madoc.

“I am in love with your daughter.”

“What?” gasped Madoc.

“I’m in love with David, too, Father,” said Martine, taking David’s hand.

“My lord,” said David, bowing as he spoke. “If I may be so bold, I’d like to ask for Lady Martine’s hand in marriage.”

“That is too bold,” said Madoc. “Why would I ever let my noble daughter marry an innkeeper?”

“Mayhap because I married a commoner, Father?” asked Robin, looking over at Martine and smiling.

“And me too.” Rook winked at Martine.

Gar cleared his throat. “I might have married from below the salt as well.”

“Might?” asked Martine. “Don’t let Josefina hear you say that.”

“All right. I did marry a commoner. There, I said it.”