Page 24 of Ladybird

“The scullery maid said Hunter has quite a nice…body. In every way.” Jean’s smile widened and both she and Penelope squealed.

“I’d like to see that,” said Gertrude, a sly smile turning up the corners of her mouth.

“Ladies!” Sage stood up with hand on her belly. “That will be all. Now, I do not want to hear another word about this silly nonsense. It is idle gossip and will go no further than this room. We are ladies and must conduct ourselves as such. Do you all understand?” It was ironic that Sage was the one telling the others to act like ladies when Sage wasn’t noble born but had only inherited the title of lady when she’d married Robin.

The ladies nodded to Sage and their smiles disappeared. They turned their attention back to their stitching once again.

Flushed and flustered, Regina threw down her embroidery and ran from the room.

“Regina, wait!” Sage called after her, following her out of the ladies solar.

“I need to get to the mews, Sage.” Regina spoke without turning around for fear her sister-by-marriage would see the blush rising to her cheeks. She walked faster.

“Regina, please. I still don’t feel that well and cannot run to keep up with you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot about that.” Regina turned and headed back down the corridor and put her hand on Sage’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“Nay. I’m fine.” Sage’s breathing was a little labored but she still managed a smile for Regina, always seeming to care for others more than herself. “Walk and talk with me,” said Sage, holding on to Regina’s arm and strolling down the corridor at a much slower pace. “These walls have ears, you realize. Always be careful what you do or say.” Sage looked back over her shoulder as she said it. Regina looked back to see both Ladies Penelope and Jean peeking out the solar door, watching them, probably hoping to hear something to use for tomorrow’s gossip.

“Yes, you’re right,” she agreed, turning as they continued down the hall.

“It seems Hunter Chase has been making quite a stir around Shrewsbury Castle since his arrival,” commented Sage.

“Yes. I suppose so.”

“How much of that gossip is true?”

Regina stopped and turned toward Sage. She let out a deep sigh, not wanting to lie to her. “Most of it,” she answered softly.

“What? Really?” Sage’s eyes opened wide. “I don’t understand.”

“I was flying Lightning down at the lake the other night. Hunter was there and approached me. He was half-naked, meaning to go for a swim.”

“Half-naked?” Sage couldn’t hold back her amusement. “Well, that just shows how gossip elaborates on things. Those ladies said he was totally naked.”

“Well…he was.”

Sage’s mouth dropped open and she was barely able to speak. “What?”

“When I was about to leave, he stripped down and took a swim in the lake. But it wasn’t until I was already walking away, I swear.”

“Oh, Regina, you had better hope Robin doesn’t hear about this. It can only bring you trouble.”

“Nothing happened between us, Sage. Honest.”

Sage let out another breath. “Well, that’s good that he didn’t try to kiss you or touch you.”

“Right. Not there at the lake, anyway,” she mumbled under her breath, turning and continuing to walk.

“Wait a minute, Regina.” Sage hurried to catch up to her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. “You cannot dump that on me and then just think you are going to walk away. You’d better explain and do it fast because I am losing my patience.”

“There is nothing to explain.” Regina shrugged. “Hunter kissed me, but it was before he ever came to the castle. Besides, Robin already knows about it, so you can stop worrying.”

“What is going on between you two?” Sage blinked several times in succession.

“Nothing at all.”

“That isn’t what it sounds like. What did you do when Hunter kissed you?”