Chapter 7
A fter talking to Sir Elwood and not being able to get any information that would help Hunter find the thief, he decided to take a walk to the stables. Mayhap the old groom would have seen or heard something that would help shed light on the stolen horse at least.
“Hello?” he called out, walking into the stables, letting his eyes get accustomed to the dim light. “Are you here, Al?” He didn’t hear an answer, so decided to look around while he waited for the man to return.
Hunter walked from stall to stall, petting each of the horses on the nose. Then he came to the stall that held Luke’s horse. “Hello, Zelma, how are you today?” He opened the gate and walked in to pet the horse.
“Who are you calling Zelma?” grumbled Al, stepping out from behind the horse with a brush in his hand.
“Al,” said Hunter in surprise. “I didn’t think you were here.”
“Of course, I am. This is where I work. Where did you expect me to be?”
“I called out for you when I entered the stable but you didn’t answer.”
“It’s hard to hear anything way back here. What did you want?”
“I wanted to talk to you about Sir Elwood’s stolen horse.”
“What about it?” he grumbled.
Hunter reached up and pet the horse on the nose. “I was just wondering if you heard anything odd or saw anyone suspicious the day Sir Elwood’s horse was stolen.”
“Why do you want to know? How is it any of your business?”
The man was cocky and crusty. It made Hunter think he had something to hide.
“I don’t believe you’d want Lord Robin to know the way you are talking to a noble, would you?”
“Sorry, my lord.” The man continued to brush the horse. “It’s just that I keep forgettin’ you’re noble. You look so much like someone else.”
“Like who?” he asked nonchalantly, pushing aside some strands of hair from the horse’s eyes.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember. But whoever it was, I know he wasn’t a noble.”
“It seems to me that you’re mistaken, Al. Now, what can you tell me about the stolen horse?”
“Nothing about Sir Elwood’s horse, but I can tell you that this horse was stolen.” He nodded at Zelma.
“Really? Why would you say that?” Hunter slowly ran a hand over the horse’s flank.
“Because of these trappings,” he said, reaching out and touching the horse’s bridle. “See these decorations etched into the leather? Well, I’ve only seen this once before. It was on the horse of a lord who visited here years ago. The lord was from Sheffield. His name was Lord Bohun.”
“Really. Years ago?” asked Hunter. “Like how long?”
“Mayhap ten years or so.”
“That is a long time to remember something. Perhaps you are mistaken.”
“Nay, I’m not.”
“All I can tell you is that this is my nephew’s horse. It was given as part of a payment from a man who owed me money.”
“What kind of debt could require such an expensive thing like a horse?”
“That, my friend, is my business and you need not concern yourself with it.”
“Where did the man get the horse from? Did he steal her?” The man cocked his head and looked at Hunter from the side of his eyes.
“I assure you that I know darned well the man whom I received this horse from did not steal her. If I remember correctly, he might have gotten her from Lord Bohun, actually. Now, excuse me, but I have things I need to do. Please take good care of my nephew’s horse for him.”
“Aye, my lord,” said the man to Hunter’s back. Hunter couldn’t wait to leave the stables because if he stayed here any longer, the man was going to start a rumor that Hunter was the thief.
“Cassian, to where did Roger disappear? I am guessing he took Cloud out to fly since the bird is gone too,” said Regina, tending to her birds in the mews. Cassian’s back was to her as he scrubbed the crusty empty perch. He didn’t answer.
Regina finished putting the hood on Hera and walked over to the man, resting her hand on his shoulder. He jumped and turned around.
“I’m sorry to have frightened you,” she told the old, nearly-deaf man. “Did Roger take Cloud out to the flying field? I didn’t ask him to do that.”
“Oh, I’m not sure,” said Cassian. “I was in my room.” The old man slept in the attached room to the mews. Roger stayed here sometimes and other times went to be with his family in the village.
“Did you hear him come in?” she asked. “Actually, I thought he was going to get here late today since he stayed with his family in the village last night.”
“I didn’t hear nothin,’” said the man.
“Of course not,” she answered with a sigh, realizing the man couldn’t hear anyone unless they were basically yelling. “Did you tend to the birds this morning since Roger wasn’t here?”
“Of course, my lady.”
“Was Cloud here at the time?”
“Nay, he wasn’t. I thought you took him.”
“What do you mean? I was in the ladies solar all morning. Where is my falcon?” she demanded to know. Her heart started to race. If anything happened to any of her birds, she would just die. Panic started to consume her.
“Good morning, Lady Regina,” she heard from behind her. She spun around to find Roger walking into the mews with Cloud perched atop his falconer’s glove.
“Oh, thank goodness!” she cried, hurrying over to him. “I was so afraid something had happened to Cloud.”
“I returned early from the village and decided to let him fly this morning since it was such a beautiful sky. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind as long as you tell someone you’re taking the bird.”
“I did,” said Roger. “I told Cassian.”
“Really.” She turned to look back at Cassian. The man’s back was toward them and he was banging the brush against a bucket, startling the perched, hooded birds. “Cassian, stop making that noise. You are frightening the birds.”
“I’m afraid he doesn’t hear the noise so doesn’t know that.” Roger put Cloud back on his perch. “His hearing seems to be getting worse lately.”
“Aye,” she answered, speaking aloud since the man couldn’t hear them anyway. “I’m not sure a man with little to no hearing belongs working in the mews. I need someone more like you who will be sure to protect the birds.”
“Protect? What do you mean?” asked Roger.
“Don’t say anything to anyone, Roger, but there have been burglaries right here at the castle lately.”
“Really? I can’t believe that,” said Roger. “Why doesn’t Lord Robin do something about it?”
“He is.”
“What?”
She could have kicked herself for telling the boy anything at all. Regina realized she was being no different than Lady Penelope or Lady Jean, spreading gossip. “Never mind,” she said. “Just please stay close to the birds from now on.”
“Of course, my lady. Do you think this thief might try to steal one of the hunting birds?”
“Anything is possible, but let’s hope not.”
“Lady Regina, Lady Sage sent us to find you.” Luke walked into the mews with Fred. He carried the stray cat.
“Luke, you can’t bring that cat in here,” gasped Regina. Already, her birds sensed the feline and even though they were hooded, they started to become restless.
“Inky won’t hurt them,” said Luke, petting the cat. “She’s a good girl.”
“Nay, you don’t understand. These are hunting birds, Luke. They hunt prey bigger than that cat. This isn’t a safe environment for Inky.”
“She’s right,” said Roger. “You’d better take the cat back to the barn.”
“Nay,” protested Luke. “I am bringing Inky with us.”
“With you? Where are you going?” asked Regina.
“On an outing.”
“What kind of outing?” she asked.
“The one that we’re going on with you. That is why Sage sent me to fetch you.” He reached out and took Regina’s hand, pulling her toward the door.
“I’d better get back to work in the stables,” said Fred. “My grandfather won’t be happy that I’ve been gone so long.”
“Yes, you’d better,” said Regina as Luke pulled her out the door and to a horse and wagon that was waiting. On the bench seat sat Sage and Robin. Their one-and-a-half year old little boy, Martin, was sitting between them.
“Hello, Regina. Hurry up and get in the wagon,” instructed Sage.
“What? Why?” she asked, thinking this was so odd.
“We are going on a little outing and taking you with us since it is such a nice day,” Robin told her.
Regina considered getting away, but then thought she’d be in the way since Sage and Robin might want to be alone with their child. Just their little family. “Thank you, but I think I’ll stay here.”
“Inky and I are going.” Luke jumped in the back of the wagon and put the cat down in the hay that was covering the bottom of the cart. The cat batted and swatted at a fly and jumped up in the air, landing covered in hay.
“Please, Regina,” begged Sage.“You seem upset today and I think some time out in the fresh air and open areas away from the castle will be good for you.”
“Unless you’re forgetting, I spend time in open areas and in the fresh air every day with my birds,” she told her sister-by-marriage.
“Today you’ll do it without your birds,” Sage told her. “Now get in.” She said it in such a commanding tone that Regina obeyed, climbing in the back of the wagon with the boy. The cat hurried over and settled atop her lap.
“Oh, my, you’re a friendly one,” she said, running her hand over the kitten’s back as Robin drove the cart and they started to move.
“Yes, I’ve been called friendly on more than one occasion by a pretty woman,” came Hunter’s voice as he ran up behind the wagon and jumped up. He pushed in right between her and Luke and sat down. “However, I can’t say I’ve ever heard those words about me coming from your mouth before.” That silly grin was on his face again. The three of them sat on the back of the wagon with their feet dangling over the open end.
“Hunter, what are you doing here?” asked Regina, still petting Inky.
“Same as you,” he answered, taking the cat from her and putting Inky on his lap. When he did so, his hands brushed against hers, sending a spiral of excitement shooting through her.
“We’re going on an outing to eat food down by the creek,” Luke blurted out.
“Me, too,” Hunter answered, running his fingers through the cat’s fur, making the thing actually purr. The feline rubbed up against him.
“You weren’t invited,” said Regina, her heart racing just being so close to him.
“Hunter, aren’t you supposed to be hunting down thieves today?” Robin called out from the front of the cart.
“I invited him, dear,” Sage told her husband. “Everyone needs to stop and eat.”
“Of course,” mumbled Regina, knowing Sage was trying to get her to gush over Hunter the way the other ladies did this morning in the solar.
Regina looked over at the pregnant woman and mouthed the words what are you doing?
Sage mouthed the word back, relax.
“Luke, I told you no pets,” said Hunter. “Mayhap we can lose this cat out in the woods.”
“Nay!” screamed Luke, yanking Inky from him and moving up to the front of the wagon where he sat in the hay cradling her on his lap. Little Martin stood on the bench seat looking back at the kitten. Sage held the little boy steady.
“Don’t you think that was rather mean?” asked Regina in a soft tone so Luke wouldn’t hear her.
“Mean?” Hunter made a face that said he couldn’t believe she was siding with the boy. “I am trying to get my nephew to obey me. I told him, no pets, yet he defied me.”
“And you thought saying that would fix things, did you?” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised a brow.
“I didn’t really mean I was going to dump the cat in the woods. I was just trying to…I mean I wanted to…”
“To rule by fear? That doesn’t work with children, Hunter. Try love next time instead.”
“I might not be a parent but neither are you. What would you know about children?”
“I might not be married, but I assure you, I know plenty about love,” she ground out.
“Really.” He looked into her eyes, making her feel like a prisoner since she was helpless to look away. His handsome face was close to her. His leg pressed up against hers, and his presence in her personal space felt invasive but at the same time enchanting. “I was talking about ruling by fear. However, since you assured me you know plenty about love, I’d like to hear more of your experiences.”
“M–my experiences?” She looked up into his eyes, feeling as if he could see into her very soul. If he could, he would know that she’d never had any experiences with love. Not with a man. She’d always been too busy with her birds.
“Yes, your experiences. With love,” he said in not more than a hot whisper. His gaze traveled down to her lips and her eyes went to his mouth as well. She couldn’t stop thinking how those strong but sexy lips had felt against hers. How warm and sensuous they really were. Hunter had tasted of whisky and danger. It excited her. She’d almost melted to a puddle when he’d held her in his arms.
The wagon hit a bump in the road causing Regina’s body to lift up into the air for a second. When she landed, she found herself wrapped in Hunter’s protective embrace. To her surprise, her arms were around him too and her face was resting on his broad chest.
“You’d better hold on tightly, my lady.” His deep voice rumbled in his chest and she felt the vibrations against her cheek.“These roads can get rough. We wouldn’t want to lose you.”
“Nay, we wouldn’t want that,” she repeated.
“And I don’t want to lose Inky,” Luke said from behind them, making Regina realize that the boy had probably heard every word spoken between them. She quickly pushed out of Hunter’s embrace, scooting away from him until her back touched the side of the wagon. She didn’t fear falling off, she just didn’t want to be so close to this powerful, intoxicating man. The man who could seem to make her lose all common sense when she was anywhere near him. Especially wrapped in his strong arms.
“Hunter, how did things turn out with your inquiries regarding the stolen horse and sword?” Robin asked later as the group finished up eating, sitting on the blanket on the ground near the creek.
The food had been plentiful and delicious—still warm meat pies, some fine roasted beef, mounds of cold, sliced chicken, a large round of cheese, fresh-baked bread, oatcakes and a small jar of newly-churned butter, then custard tarts, sugared almonds, a very good wine, and plenty of thirst-quenching ale. However, the best part of the outing had to be the view. Regina sat across from him being such a proper lady that he couldn’t believe she was the same girl who had returned his kiss with so much passion the first time he’d met her.
“I’m sorry to say I came up empty-handed,” Hunter answered. “No one could seem to tell me anything of value. No one admits to seeing anyone suspicious either.”
“That’s too bad.” Robin took a swig of wine straight from the bottle and held it out to Hunter. Hunter shook his head and held up his hand, being satisfied with what he already had. “I had hoped you would have found some clues as to who is pilfering items within the castle by now. I am getting a little nervous that the thief might strike again soon.”
“Don’t worry. I will find the thief,” promised Hunter. “Sometimes, these things just take a little time and can’t be rushed.”
“Perhaps Lady Sage can give you some insight on her stolen brooch.” Regina made the suggestion. She daintily picked up a small piece of roasted beef in her fingers and brought it to her mouth. They’d all just used their hands to eat since the cook forgot to pack spoons and not a one of them remembered to bring along their eating knives. Most of the food was easily eaten using their fingers anyway.
Hunter chuckled.
“What is so funny?” Regina did that dainty thing again, feeding herself much the same way that she fed her birds the raw meat. It was a reward for the birds, and a reward for Hunter just to watch her now.
“Nothing,” he said, leaning back onto his elbows and stretching out in the sun. He didn’t think she’d find his comparison amusing so thought it best not to state his thoughts aloud. “So, Lady Sage, where was the last place you saw this missing brooch?”
“It was on my dressing table. In the morning a few days ago, I believe.” Sage had little Martin on her lap, giving him bread to eat. “I was going to wear it that day, but I wasn’t feeling well. My handmaid didn’t help me dress until mayhap noon. By then, I realized the brooch was missing.”
“Do you trust the handmaid?” asked Hunter, taking another swig of ale from the pewter cup that had been packed with the food.
“Yes. Completely.”
“What is her name?” asked Hunter.
“Her name is Clotilda.”
“Is she married? Does she have children?” He asked the questions he normally asked on a thief finding mission.
“Nay. She’s an older woman with no family remaining,” said Sage. “She has no eye for baubles. As a matter of fact, Clotilda always tells me that jewelry is naught but a distraction from a lady’s true beauty and charm.”
Hunter looked over to Regina again who wore no jewelry at all. Then again, she didn’t need it. Baubles would only take away from her natural glow. “I have to agree with the handmaid,” he said, staring at Regina the entire time he spoke. Her eyes lifted and when she saw him looking at her she quickly lowered her gaze.
“It was a brooch that looked like a hawk flying in air,” Sage continued. Martin fussed, reaching for the cat that Luke played with next to him. She put the boy down and he crawled over and tried to grab the cat’s tail. “There were diamonds in the tips of the bird’s wings and its eye was a ruby. It meant a lot to me.”
“It sounds like a precious and expensive piece,” commented Hunter.
“It was,” Regina spoke up. “I helped Robin choose the brooch that he gave Sage for their wedding anniversary just last year.”
“Of course, you did,” he said, thinking Regina would be the only person he knew to suggest someone wear a brooch that looked like a bird of prey.
“Do you think you’ll be able to find it for Sage?” asked Regina. “I’d hate to think something that means so much to her might be lost and gone forever.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Hunter. “After all, that is what I’m here for.” Some fool notion caused him to wink at Regina. That only seemed to startle her and he regretted the action as soon as he did it. Her cheeks flushed. She once again looked down to her lap rather than at him. Slowly, she wiped her fingers on a cloth.
“I had a scare today,” mumbled Regina, surprising all of them with her words.
“What?” Hunter sat upright. “Was someone giving you a hard time? Tell me who it was.” Since he knew about the ladies gossiping about his naked ass, he now felt bad that he hadn’t returned to his chamber for a bath that night like Regina had suggested. After all, the last thing he wanted was to ruin her fine and unblemished reputation.
“Nay, no one tried to harm me if that’s what you want to know. What I meant was that I thought one of my birds had been stolen.”
“What are you saying?” This got Robin’s attention quickly. “Has the thief struck again? Please tell me this isn’t so.”
“Nay, Robin, please calm down,” said Regina, keeping her emotions steady. “Everything is fine. What happened was that Roger came and got Cloud from the mews and told Cassian he was taking the bird to fly him. Of course the old man is so deaf that he didn’t hear him. That is what caused the misunderstanding.”
“I swear, I should have let that man go like I wanted to when I first took over as lord of the castle,” said Robin, getting up and brushing crumbs from his tunic. He reached down and picked up Martin just as the boy was about to pull the cat’s tail. “Cassian’s not any value to me at all. He can barely do the menial tasks you ask him to do, and he cannot hear worth a damn.”
“He was the master falconer before Regina, right?” asked Hunter, gathering more information.
“Yes, he was,” answered Regina. “I felt bad that Robin made me master falconer and took the position away from him. That is why I convinced Robin to let Cassian stay on and live in the small room just off of the mews that is used for storage. This way he could still help out whenever I needed him.”
“Does he resent it?” asked Hunter, finishing off his ale and putting the cup down on the blanket.
“I don’t know,” said Regina. “He’s never mentioned it if he does.”
“I’m sure he’s not happy about it,” said Robin. “But as Lord Shrewsbury now I don’t care. I can do whatever I please.”
“What can you tell me about the stable groom, Alfred?” asked Hunter.
“Alfred the old or the young?” Robin asked, taking Martin and putting the boy on his shoulders. Martin laughed and pulled at Robin’s hair.
“Old,” said Hunter.
“I don’t know much about him,” Robin admitted. “He was the castle’s groom when I took over and he seemed to do a good job. So I didn’t change things where that was concerned.”
“I see.” Hunter stood up as well. The women cleaned up the food, putting the remnants back into the basket along with the blanket they’d sat on.
“I’m going to take Inky down by the creek for a drink of water,” announced Luke.
“I’ll go with you. I could use a walk,” Hunter spoke up.
“Nay,” spat Luke. “You will probably drown her.” He hugged the cat closer in a protective manner, causing the animal to feel trapped and making her try to get away. The boy seemed to be resenting Hunter lately and that did not sit right with Hunter at all.
“God’s eyes, Luke, what has gotten into you?” growled Hunter. “You are more obstinate now than ever before. You never acted this defiant, not even on any of our missions.”
“I don’t want to go on missions with you anymore,” said the boy, surprising the hell out of Hunter. He had thought Luke loved the life of excitement and danger. The boy had always begged to go along with Hunter wherever he went. “Fred is my friend now and I want to do things with him, not you.”
“It sounds like Fred might be becoming a bad influence on you.” Hunter didn’t know where this sour attitude was coming from with his nephew. It only added to Hunter’s growing problems and frustrations.
“Robin and I were planning to go for a walk down by the creek with Martin,” Sage spoke up. “Martin likes throwing rocks into the water. Would it be all right if we came with you, Luke? To help look after Inky?” Hunter noticed that Sage spoke in a gentle and kind voice to Luke. She also asked the boy’s permission to join him which is something Hunter would never do where a child was concerned.
“Yes, I’d like that,” said Luke with a smile, easing up on holding the cat so tightly. “I’ll race you down to the water.”
“Sage, don’t even think of running,” warned Robin, grabbing her by the arm and holding Martin on his shoulders with his other hand. “You are pregnant and still not totally well. We don’t want to risk you falling and getting hurt or possibly harming the babies.”
“Stop fussing, Robin,” Sage said with a smile on her face as if Robin’s overprotectiveness amused her. “I wouldn’t run and you know it.”
They walked down to the water talking about Sage’s condition as well as the safety of their unborn children.
“Well, I guess that just leaves us,” Hunter told Regina with a clap of his hands. “What did you want to do?”
Her gaze shot over to him. For a moment she seemed to almost look frightened. “Nothing, with you,” she said. “I think I will just sit here and soak up some sun.” She took the basket from the food and started walking back to the wagon. Hunter could have kicked himself. He didn’t like getting such a cold treatment from the wench and wasn’t sure why she was acting this way. Or what he may have said wrong.
“Here, let me take that.” He snatched the basket from her hand before she could object. “Regina, did I do or say something wrong?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.” They continued to walk.
“I get the feeling you are not happy with me.”
“Why would you say that?”
They stopped at the wagon and Hunter slid the basket into the hay in the back. “It’s because there is gossip going around the castle that you and I were together at night and I was naked, right?”
Her eyes opened wide in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play games with me, sweetheart. I know all about the ladies in the solar insinuating that you might have done something unladylike.”
“Sage told you, didn’t she?” Regina let out a deep sigh.
“Regina, can we sit and talk for a moment? There is something I’d like to say to you while we are alone.”
Her eyes flashed down to the ground again and she wrung her hands together. That told Hunter that she was feeling uncomfortable around him.
“Please,” he said in a soft voice. “I would like to clear the air between us.”
“I suppose, it would be fine,” she finally answered. “We can sit in the back of the wagon.”
“Let me help you,” he said, putting his hands around her waist and lifting her up.
Regina felt her heart soaring again just from Hunter’s touch. She felt like one of her birds freely flying through the sky, drinking in the sun, the breeze, and everything that makes one feel good about life.
He put her down and released her and climbed into the wagon sitting beside her. Regina leaned back on her hands and dangled her feet in the air off the end of the wagon. “I like sitting on the back of wagons.” One of her shoes came off and flew through the air, landing in the grass. That made them both laugh.
“I’ll retrieve it,” he told her but she stopped him.
“Nay, I like the feel of the air against my toes.” She purposely kicked off the other shoe and it landed next to the first.
“You surprise me,” he told her. “I didn’t think ladies would purposely kick off their shoes. Especially in mixed company.”
“It’s not like I’m taking off clothes, like some people I know. It feels good. You should try it.”
“Nay, I don’t think so.” He held up one hand and moved back a little.
“Why not?”
“Because the last time I removed clothing in your presence, it only seemed to cause problems, that’s why.”
She giggled. “I suppose you have a point. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”
He was silent for a moment and then his smile disappeared. It seemed as if he became suddenly serious. “Never mind.” He looked the other way. “It was nothing.”
“No, tell me.” She reached out and laid her hand on his arm. “It sounded so important a moment ago.”
“It’s probably not.” He was closing himself off from her and it made her sad.
“Mayhap I should start,” she told him.
“Huh?” He turned to look at her.
“I admit, it bothered me a little when the ladies started the gossip about us being together down by the lake.”
“I’m sorry. That is all my fault. I sometimes do things before considering the consequences.”
“Nay, don’t apologize. Those ladies are haughty and would only have found something else to gossip about if it wasn’t you.”
“I don’t suppose I’m making a very good impression, am I?”
“On the contrary, every one of them is infatuated with you. Especially since they’ve heard about you being naked.”
“Really?” He looked at her from the corners of his eyes. “All of them?”
“Mmm hmm,” she said with a nod. “Especially Lady Gertrude.”
“Lady Gertrude?”
“The old one.”
“Oooh. Oh!” He cringed and made a face, causing them both to laugh once again. “Regina, since we are talking about attraction, I must admit that I am very besotted with you.”
Now it was her turn to say, “Oh!”
“Too bold of me to admit my feelings to you directly?”
“I suppose it is better than having to hear it from wagging tongues.”
He slowly reached out and took her hand in his and she let him do it. “I know nothing can happen between us, but since I’ve met you I cannot stop thinking about you, my lady.”
“Please, just call me Regina when we are alone.” She interlocked her fingers with his, and they sat there holding hands.
“I’m not sure I can do that.”
“Why not?” she asked. “I call you Lord Hunter in front of everyone, yet you are not even a noble.”
“I know. That bothers me.”
“Why? It is part of the ploy. Your alias. So you can do your job undetected.”
“I suppose,” he said, letting out a deep breath. “But there has been too much lying in my life. I’m afraid it might be leading Luke down the wrong path.”
“Too much lying?”
He nodded. “I often rely on it when I do my work.”
“So, it is needed.”
“Not to get the job done. Just to get what I want.”
“I don’t understand.” Hunter was confusing her again. Now, she started wondering if his words of attraction were only to get what he wanted with her as well.
“Never mind,” he told her. “I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying spending time with you. So much so that I almost hope it takes me a long time to catch the thief.”
“What? Why?”
“Because, that will give me more time to spend with you.” He picked up her hand and kissed it, just like he kissed the hands of the other ladies in the castle.
“You kiss all the ladies, don’t you?” She was starting to wonder about his charming ways.
“Only on the hand. Then again, you are different.” He reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. It was an innocent act but affected her more than she wanted him to know. “You, my lady, I have kissed on the lips. I would like to do so again.”
“You would?” She didn’t know what to do or how to answer. Was he asking her permission or just announcing his upcoming move?
“Unless you would rather I didn’t?”
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it too. “I don’t mind.” With her head downward she looked up at him shyly.
Then his hand moved to her chin and he raised it until they gazed into each other’s eyes. He leaned over and ever so gently placed his lips upon hers. Regina’s eyes closed and she surrendered to the moment, melting from his touch, craving his kisses, feeling so safe and happy in his embrace.
The kiss lingered for a moment. Part of her wished that he’d touch her more. Instead, he slowly dropped his hand to the side and their mouths parted. Her eyes opened to find him still staring at her, but he had that serious look on his face again.
“I suppose I was addled to do that.”
“Why would you say that?” She longed for another kiss but could tell it wasn’t going to happen. Something took his concern.
“I am naught but a commoner, Lady Regina.” He was back to using her title again which made Regina feel distance between them.
“I know that.”
“You are a noblewoman.”
“Yes, I am. So what is your point?”
“I have no right to kiss you. Nothing can ever come of this. I am sorry that I put you in such a horrible position when I swam in the lake naked, and I am sorry I was so bold as to kiss you again just now.”
“I don’t mind,” she told him, wanting to say how much she enjoyed it but never having a chance to do so.
He hopped off the end of the cart. “I’ll retrieve your shoes before the others return and think we’ve misbehaved ourselves in the hay.”
When he said the words, it only made her want to misbehave in the hay with him even more than ever. He returned with the shoes and held one out, tapping the top of his leg.
“Put your foot here,” he told her. “I will help you don your shoes.”
She did as instructed, liking the feel of his strong thigh beneath her foot. She also liked the feel of his big hands holding her. What was the matter with her? She had never felt this way about a man before. Then again, no other man had kissed her the way Hunter did, or helped her put on her shoes. She was slowly losing her heart to him and could do nothing to stop it.
“Here come the others,” he told her, releasing her and standing up tall. “I think I’ll go meet them. I need to get Luke to like me again and not think I want to drown his damned cat.”
Her heart went out to him as she watched him approach the others. Sage and Robin each held one of Martin’s hands, swinging the little boy between them as they walked. Anyone could see how in love her brother and his wife were. They had a family already and it would be growing by leaps and bounds in a few months’ time. Regina had never longed for a husband before or a family either. She’d always been too busy with training her birds to even think or care about falling in love. Since she’d met Hunter, her thoughts were changing now. This change was confusing, exciting, and at the same time draining.
She watched Hunter approach Luke, trying to talk to the boy. He held out his hands for the cat, but Luke clutched her to his chest and ran to the wagon leaving him behind. Luke jumped in next to her, still petting Inky.
“Hello, Luke,” said Regina, trying to make conversation. “Did your cat enjoy the walk?”
“Yes,” he answered, not bothering to look up. “Did you enjoy your time all alone with my uncle?”
She jerked backward. That took her by surprise. “Yes, we talked and I enjoyed the conversation. Why do you ask?”
“I saw him kiss you from all the way down by the creek.” Luke didn’t sound happy about it at all.
“Oh,” she said, not wanting to deny it. “Luke, does it bother you that your uncle kissed me?” she asked, starting to get an idea of what was bothering the boy.
“I don’t care at all,” he told her. “I have a new friend now. I don’t need Hunter anymore.” He stood up and walked across the wagon, distancing himself and huddling down right behind the driver’s seat.
Her brother came over and put Martin in the wagon. “He wants to ride with you, Regina,” said Robin. “Would you mind holding on to Martin?”
“Of course I don’t mind.” She took Martin onto her lap.
“Robin, I want to ride in the back with Regina,” said Sage. “Can Hunter ride up front with you?”
“I suppose so,” said Robin, lifting his wife and helping her get settled. “Just move in from the end so you don’t fall out if we hit a bump.”
“Robin, I am thankful that you care, but you are being ridiculous. I am not going to get hurt and neither will I injure the babies.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t fall out,” Regina promised her brother.
“Well, all right.” Robin walked over to Hunter and together they went to the driver’s seat. In a moment the wagon lurched and they started back to the castle.
“Well? How did it go with Hunter?” asked Sage.
“Oh, so that was your plan, was it?” asked Regina. “Is it also why you wanted to ride in back with me now?”
“Mayhap. Now, do tell.”
Regina didn’t want to talk about the kiss with Luke in the wagon and Martin on her lap. Everyone seemed to have eyes like a hawk and ears like an owl.
“Everything is fine,” she told Sage, her eyes roaming over to Luke who seemed so hurt or dejected. “However, I think I know why someone is acting a certain way to someone else now.”
“What?” Sage made a face. “Regina, you are making no sense at all.”
“Since when does anything in our lives ever make sense?” asked Regina, feeling as if she were falling for a commoner just like her siblings and so many of her cousins had done as well. It was the last thing in the world that she thought would ever happen to her.