It had been heaven. Of course, it had. Since the age of twelve, shortly after her mother died, Linna had been listening to the village girls gossip about kissing Stefan Alwin. At two years older than she, he didn’t seem to care which maid he kissed or how many, but she did know he never kissed the same girl more than once. Not even when he was a callow youth, pulling her hair and teasing her mercilessly about her height, the color of her eyes, her nose, her mouth, everything about her was fodder for his teasing. He’d even tried to make fun of her breasts, once they started showing.
She’d made certain he never did it again. His ears must have rung for a week, she’d boxed them that hard. She smiled at the memory. For the very next day, Stefan had marched up to her in public and loudly apologized. So loudly he’d drawn a crowd. She was his friend, he’d said for all to hear. She did not deserve the kind of behavior he’d shown the day before–and all the other days before that. He promised he would never hurt or insult her again, and he would make certain every other man in Beurnferd gave her the respect she deserved. He turned a circle and surveyed the onlookers meeting everyone of them eye to eye. No one could mistake his meaning. Since that day she’d not had any real problem with the men or most of 
the women. The only person Stefan had been unable to influence was her father.
Now Stefan offered escape, for both her and Betty. But at what price? No doubt he’d expect her to share his bed. She’d envied her married friends as they’d grown big with child then given birth. She’d envied the gossip they shared about men and their preferences for bed-play. No sharing Stefan’s bed would not be so bad. But would he expect her to slave in his tavern? She wouldn’t, not without some say in how it was run, and perhaps a share in the profits. Aye that would turn the trick. She’d never met a man who wanted to share his wealth with anyone, especially not a woman.
“Addlepated creatures,” she’d heard her father say in one of his more sober moments. “Can not count to save their souls, and too trusting by half. If a woman had money it would be gone within a day to some cheater’s pocket.”
Well, she’d just find out for certain if Stefan was like every other man who thought women dimwitted. She would insist on a share of the money earned at the tavern. If he wouldn’t give it to her, she’d not marry him.
Her heart twinged a little bit at the thought. She would have liked more of his kisses.
And what about Her sister. Betty and Mort the smithy’s son had been courting for more than a year. Wedding Stefan Alwin would solve Betty’s problem. She’d be able to marry as soon as she liked. And both of us would be out of reach of our father’s fists. For that reason alone she should accept Stefan’s offer.
Betty would be with a man she loved, and I… Well, I don’t need love if I have comfort and safety.
So maybe I will wed Stefan. If he can meet all my conditions. What else besides her financial security and Betty’s safety? Linna thought long and hard before she set out for the Pig & Pipe. Certain that Stefan would never agree, Linna decided on a long list of demands that would surely try his patience. It had been a week, and she had promised an answer
today. But first he would respond to her demands.
She entered the public room to find the same men and a few women drinking and eating the same food and ale that had been served since old mister Alwin’s time. If she had any say that would change.
“Stefan Alwin,” she had to shout to be heard above all the other voices talking. “I would have speech with you. Now!” She stamped her foot and fisted her hands. It wouldn’t do to let anyone think she had feelings for Stefan by treating him less shrewishly than she did everyone else.
His head appeared around the curtain that separated the public area from the back room. A door led from the far end of that space to the outside where five steps took a person to the kitchen. Closer than most kitchens, but Old Alwin had explained it was for the sake of the wenches who were on their feet all day.
“Miss Fielding.” Stefan smiled, the same smile he’d given just before their kiss. “Would you mind joining me back here?” He held the curtain open.
She nodded then marched toward him. Speculative murmurs followed her all the way. She should have brought Betty with her. But Betty had pleaded with Linna to see to Da’s needs so Betty could spend some time with Mort.
The curtain dropped behind Linna.
“I’ve come to give you my answer,” she said.
“I appreciate your promptness,” he replied.
“But first, I have conditions that must be met if we are to wed.”
Conditions? What more can she want than for me to make her my avowed bride before all the village?
Join us next week to find out exactly what demands Linna makes and whether or not Stefan accepts them. If you missed any of the previous episodes, just search the site for Pig & Pipe.
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