Page 36 of Ladybird

Chapter 8

Hunter stood in the ladies solar the next morning while Regina’s Uncle William measured Luke to make him noble clothing.

“Can I go now?” Luke said with a puff of air from his mouth. “Fred is going to introduce me to his friends today. They all want to meet Inky.”

“Yes, go,” said Hunter, not wanting a confrontation with the boy in front of so many people. Lady Sage as well as the ladies Penelope and Jean were stitching. The old woman Lady Gertrude was there as well, smiling and winking at him every time he looked her way.

“Come on, Inky,” said Luke, pulling the cat out of William’s sewing box where she was tangled up in all the thread. Luke held the cat up to his face and gave her a quick kiss. Damn, the boy was getting too attached to the animal and it was going to be harder than ever for Hunter to tell Luke he couldn’t keep the cat.

“That sure looks like my missing cat,” said William, eyeing up the animal. “She has been missing for a few days now. Where did you get her?”

Luke pulled Inky closer to his chest and frowned. “She is my cat,” he answered. “Fred and I found her in the stables and she’s a stray.” He then took the cat and darted to the door, leaving as quickly as possible.

“Why would you think that is your cat, William?” asked Hunter as William started measuring him next. “After all, you live in town and Luke found her here at the castle.”

“I know,” said William. “But my daughter gave us a cat to help catch mice around the shop. It was black with a small white spot on her front left paw. Just like the cat Luke has.”

Hunter got a bad feeling in his gut hearing this. Luke had been acting odd lately. It was a little suspicious that the boy had been saying he wanted a black cat and suddenly as soon as they got here he found a stray one. Still, Hunter needed to give his nephew the benefit of the doubt.

“I suppose it is just a coincidence,” said Hunter. “After all, a lot of cats look alike.”

“I suppose,” said William. “However, it is odd that both cats would have a white spot on their paw.”

“I’ve seen crazier things than that.” Hunter realized it was strange indeed. Still, he needed to trust Luke.

“I have a tunic here that I think will fit you. Take off yours and try it on.” William held up a gray tunic with ornate embroidery around the sleeves. It was obviously made for a nobleman.

“Sure,” said Hunter, reaching behind his neck and pulling his tunic up and over his head. He thought he heard a gasp and then a giggle. He looked back to the women and they were all on the edge of their chairs gawking at him. “Oh, great,” he mumbled.

Just then the door to the solar opened and in walked Regina. She carried a basket of stitching. She stopped when she saw Hunter’s bare chest and all the ladies gawking at him. Her mouth dropped open and her basket fell to the floor, sending the contents scattering everywhere.

“I’ll get that, Lady Regina.” Hunter dashed across the room, hunkering down at Regina’s feet. He quickly scooped up the thread, cloth and needles and stuffed everything back into the sewing basket. Standing back up, he held it out to her. “Here you are, my lady. I hope nothing was ruined.”

Hunter noticed her looking behind him.Turning his head slightly he saw all the ladies watching his every move. Suddenly, he felt very naked. He also realized the only thing that might have been ruined was Regina’s reputation since he’d run to her side to help her. Once again, being half naked. Already kicking himself for his mistake, he shoved the basket into Regina’s hands and spun around, hurrying back to William.

“Give me that,” Hunter told William, snatching the tunic away from the man and hurriedly pulling it over his head.

“Hold still, I need to alter it.” William stuck a pin between his lips while his lithe fingers pulled at the tunic in a few places. Heat engulfed Hunter since he knew without having to even turn around that every one of the ladies was staring at him. “All right, that should do it,” said William, placing the last pin. It should be good now as soon as I make a few adjustments. Take it off.”

“Really,” Hunter muttered, cringing at the thought but did so anyway.

“I need to measure you for a pair of breeches now.” William brought his measuring string over to Hunter. The man got down on his knees at Hunter’s feet. Then he reached out and put one end of the string at Hunter’s waist and let it trail down to his foot. “All right. Now I need to measure the length to the crotch.”

“Nay! That’s good enough.” Hunter grasped his own tunic, pulling it quickly over his head. When he turned around Regina was standing there with her arms crossed.

“Why are you doing that here in the ladies solar?” she asked. “You should be elsewhere. This room is for ladies. To sew.”

“I’m afraid that is my fault,” William spoke up. “I thought it would be easier to just measure Hunter and the boy here since this is where I’ll be constructing their garments during my stay.”

There came a few more giggles from behind them. William looked up, realizing this was a huge mistake. “I’m so sorry, my lady.”

“Do your measuring in the privacy of Hunter’s chamber from now on please,” said Regina with a stiff upper lip.

“I think I’ve got more than enough measurements.” William busied himself, fussing with things in his sewing box.

“Good, because I’m here to tell Hunter that his presence is needed in the mews at once.”

“It is?” This confused Hunter. “Why?” he asked. “I thought I wasn’t to have any more training with the birds.”