Page 25 of Ladybird

“I slapped him, of course. And reprimanded him for even thinking he had the right to kiss a noble.”

“Regina, remember that I wasn’t a noble before I married Robin. I never liked the haughtiness of those born into a higher status and I still don’t. If you keep acting like that, you are going to push the man away.”

“Good. Because he is here to do a job and that job has nothing to do with kissing anyone. Especially not a noblewoman.”

“Ah, there you are,” came Hunter’s voice, causing Regina to spin around. Hunter and Robin walked toward her from the great hall. “I was starting to think you were avoiding me for some reason.”

She was trying to avoid him because spending so much time with him was making her mind confused. This man was nothing but trouble. He was here under false pretense to do a job and he wasn’t doing it.

“There will be no training session at the mews today,” she told him, keeping her composure even though he looked handsome as always. However, he was wearing his own clothes and no longer dressed like a noble. “Why did you change your clothes? Those are not the ones you were wearing yesterday.”

“Robin’s clothes were too tight on me,” he told her. “They were catching too much interest from all the ladies at the castle so I put mine back on. Why? Did you like seeing me in those tighter breeches?” He held a dung-eating smile on his face and the conversation only made her blush even more.

“They are not the clothes of a noble,” she told him.“However, as long as you cover your body, I don’t really care what you wear.” She wanted to tell him about the scullery maid having seen him naked and all the gossip, but she couldn’t do it with her brother standing right there. It would turn out badly for both of them if Robin discovered she’d been alone with a naked man. Even if they didn’t do anything.

“I will summon my Uncle William to the castle to make something appropriate for you,” Robin told Hunter.

“Thank you,” said Hunter, his attention going back to Regina.

“Why not?” he asked her, folding his arms over his chest.

“What do you mean?” She started to become nervous, thinking he was going to say something about her wanting to see him naked or some such nonsense.

“Why will there be no training at the mews today?”

“Oh, that.” Relief swept through her. “I figured that you’ll never catch the thief if you don’t spend time looking for the culprit. And I can assure you, that you won’t find the thief in the mews.”

“She has a point,” agreed Robin. “Actually, Regina, that is exactly what Hunter and I were just talking about.”

“You were?”

“Yes. I’ve decided the ploy of him being a falconer’s assistant isn’t believable. My men are starting to ask questions. Mayhap I’ll have him spend more time in the great hall and amongst the nobles instead. I think that might be more beneficial.”

“I suppose so since he won’t be able to actually train or even touch the birds,” agreed Regina, even though she didn’t like the idea of Hunter not being with her. She was starting to like having him around.

“Good morning, Hunter,” came a sultry voice, interrupting them.

“Ladies,” said Hunter with a nod as Penelope, Jean, and Gertrude walked up and stopped before them. “How are you this fine day?”

“I am Lady Jean and would be better with a kiss on the hand.” Jean boldly reached out for him. Hunter took her hand and kissed it.

“Me too,” said Penelope, pushing her hand in front of Hunter’s face. “I am Lady Penelope.” He kissed her hand as well.

“What about you, my lady?” Hunter looked up and gave Gertrude a smile that would make any woman blush.

“Ladies, continue on to the great hall,” instructed Sage, coming to her rescue. “We are in the middle of an important conversation.”

“Of course,” said Jean, giggling and whispering behind her hand as she and the other ladies walked away. For some reason, Hunter kissing their hands bothered Regina. Still, she couldn’t show it.

“Hunter, Hunter, look at what I have!” Luke ran up with the stableboy Fred on his heels. In Luke’s arms was a black cat that had a small white spot on one of her front paws. “We found her in the stable today. Fred said she is probably a stray and that she doesn’t belong to anyone. Can I keep her? Can I?”

Hunter groaned inwardly when she saw his nephew with the cat. “I said no pets, Luke. Now put the cat back where you found her.”

“I’m going to name her Inky.” Luke didn’t listen to a word he said. “Fred, do you think more stray cats might wander into the stable? Mayhap Inky needs a friend.”

“We can watch for them,” said Fred. “There are always so many mice, that the cats would really help us out.”

“Luke, you’re not listening to me,” said Hunter softly, trying not to cause havoc.