Book #7

Start with picking Up The Gauntlet. Innkeeper, David Stone's worries are abundant and his troubles many. When an entourage of nobles enters his establishment one stormy night, his life turns upside down. His tavern is suddenly overcrowded and he is short on help. Now, a pregnant noblewoman is giving birth on his bed! One of the nobles, Lady Martine, takes his interest, fainting in his arms after she helps his mother deliver a baby. Being so close and even touching a noblewoman is something that doesn't usually happen to a commoner. Looking at the beautiful angel in his arms, he can't stop wondering what it would be like to kiss her. Lady Martine Blake is frightened but has no choice but to assist when her sister-by-marriage starts giving birth too early. Overwhelmed by the experience, Martine stumbles out into the adjoining tavern afterwards, ending up in the innkeeper's arms. David is a blessing in disguise. He seems to understand what she is going through and is easy to talk to. Even if he is a commoner. Martine finds comfort in his presence and discovers solace in his arms. Caught up in the moment and too tired to think straight, Martine allows herself to express her feelings for this man, which ends up in a few kisses shared between them. It is something neither of them planned and also something that never should have happened. Martine returns to the tavern a few days later while helping her uncle who is away fighting for the king. She comes to collect the rent and discovers David is four months behind in payments. It is now her duty to confiscate the inn from David and his family, taking from them not only their business but also their home. Doing this breaks her heart and also dooms any relationship that had started to brew between them. Will the feelings of attraction shared between a commoner and a noble suddenly end when one is about to lose everything and the other is the one to take it all away from them?