Chapter 16
R egina awoke with the worst headache of her life. She blinked several times, realizing she was no longer on the road but back in her own bed and had no idea how she’d gotten here. The last thing she remembered was one of her abductors hitting her over the head with a rock.
“Hunter?” she muttered, still half asleep.
“I’m here, Ladybird.” She rolled onto her back and looked up to see the smiling, handsome face of Hunter staring down at her with a concerned look in his brown eyes. He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to take her hand.
“How long have you been here?” she asked, noticing light streaming in through the window.
“It’s been two days now, sweetheart. But I would have stayed here two years if need be.”
“The thieves!” She tried to sit up, but felt pain in her head and a dizziness overtake her.
“Take it slow,” Hunter told her. “Now, lay back down. You’ve had a bad blow to the head and are lucky to be alive at all.”
“Yes. I remember now.” Her hand went to the back of her head. “I have stitches, don’t I?”
“You do. Sage is to thank for that. She used her healing herbs on you and did a wonderful job sewing up the wound. She said you should be fine in a few days if you ever awake, and you have.”
The door to the room opened and Sage came in carrying a tray of jars that looked to contain healing creams. “You’re awake!” Sage blurted out. Leaving the door open, Sage hurried to Regina’s bedside.
“Sage, thank you so much,” said Regina. “You too, Hunter.” She gripped his hand in hers. “Because of you two I’m still alive.”
“We can’t say the same for Cassian.” Robin walked into the room with Roger. “Hunter killed him in the mews.”
“Oh,” said Regina, not having known the man had died.
“I didn’t mean to kill him,” said Hunter. “I just didn’t want him to get away. It was an unfortunate accident and he died in the struggle.”
“I cannot believe Cassian was the thief.” Regina tried to clear her head.
“He could also hear just fine and was faking it all along,” Hunter explained.
“Why? Why would he do that?” Regina felt perplexed about the actions of the man.
“If I may cut in?” Roger stepped forward. Robin nodded. “Lady Regina, Cassian felt very hurt when you took over his position as master falconer. I think he wanted revenge on not only you but on Robin and everyone new who came to Shrewsbury Castle after the death of the last lord.”
“Who were his accomplices? It was a woman who hit me.” Regina’s hand went to her head.
“Don’t touch the stitches. I have balms to use that will help you heal.” Sage opened a jar. “It was my handmaid, Clotilda, who stole my brooch. She confessed to taking it. It seems somehow Cassian discovered the fact and took the brooch and then lost it.”
“That is when Fred and Luke found it,” said Hunter. “Just like my nephew said.”
“Who was the thief who held a knife to my throat?” Regina felt sick to her stomach just remembering how frightened she’d been.
“It was the stable groom, Al,” Robin told her.
“Al? Oh no,” groaned Regina, having liked the man.
“It seems he and Clotilda were a couple in secret. They’d planned on stealing just enough to sell and make them money to live on. They were going to leave the castle and start over somewhere else and bring Fred with them.”
“They didn’t like me getting the title of Lord Shrewsbury either, it seems,” said Robin, looking like he felt dejected.
“I am guessing that horse pulling the wagon last night was the stolen one from Sir Elwood?” asked Regina.
“Yes,” answered Robin. “Since Al had access to all the horses and wagons in the stable, it was easy for him to sneak them out. However, now Sir Elwood’s horse has been returned.”
“Luke also gave back the boots and crossbow to the guards he’d swindled them from,” Hunter told her. “I am happy to say Father’s sword has been returned as well.”
“That’s good,” she said, her throat so dry she could barely talk. There was one more missing thing that no one seemed to be mentioning. It was a question she had to ask but was afraid to do so because of the answer she might hear. Still, she had to know. It was the most important question of all. “Please, someone tell me that Lightning has been found and that she is not harmed at all.”
No one said a word. That told her all she needed to hear. Regina closed her eyes, wanting to die. She couldn’t even imagine life without her bird.
“Hera, Dewdrop, and Cloud are in the mews waiting for you,” Roger told her. “They were never in any real danger.”
“That’s right,” said Hunter. “At the last minute, Luke and I decided to exchange the birds with fake ones, knowing the thief would return.”
“I kept your birds in Lord Hunter’s bedchamber overnight with me,” explained Roger. “They were never in any danger.”
“Thank you, but why didn’t anyone think to tell me this before?” asked Regina. “They are my birds and I needed to know.”
“It was late and you were already sleeping when we came up with the plan,” said Hunter. “We didn’t want to wake you since you were so distraught about Lightning.”
“Did anyone even bother to look for Lightning? We have to find her. Did the thieves tell you where to find her?” Regina pushed up to a sitting position in the bed.
“We’re still working on that,” said Hunter. “Neither Al or Clotilda know where she is being kept. They said Cassian took the bird somewhere. They never wanted to be involved with stealing the hunting birds to begin with, but Cassian was blackmailing them to go along with him.”
“Since Cassian is now dead, that means so is Lightning.” Regina wanted to cry. “I will never see my baby again.”
“Not so,” came a voice from the door.
Regina looked up to see Luke in the doorway holding a cage with a bird in it.
“Lightning!” she cried, starting to get out of bed. “She’s alive!”
“Nay, you stay put.” Hunter held her down, insistent that she didn’t move.
“Is she all right? Bring her to me.” Regina held out her hands. Luke walked over and held up the cage and Regina peeked in at her bird. “You poor thing. I am so sorry, Lightning. I will never let that happen again.”
“She seems fine,” said Roger, walking over to inspect the bird through the cage. “I’ll tend to the falcon and feed her and make sure she has not been injured.”
“Thank you, Roger.” Regina lay back on the pillow smiling, releasing a deep breath of relief. Roger took the cage from Luke, leaving the room with the bird.
“Luke, how did you find the bird?” asked Hunter. “Robin and his men searched everywhere for it.”
“I had a little help.” Luke nodded at the door. Fred was standing there, almost as if he were afraid to enter.
“Fred? You?” asked Hunter.
“Fred and I went out looking for Lightning as well,” said Luke. “We heard a jingling noise, like from a bell. We followed it and that is when we found Lightning in the cage tucked away in a cave. She was trying her hardest to get out of the cage and fly away.”
“Thank you, Luke and Fred for bringing Lightning back home alive,” Regina told them. “I will forever be grateful.”
“I didn’t know my grandfather was a thief,” said Fred in a sheepish manner. “What will happen to him now?”
“That is yet to be decided,” Robin answered. “Fred, did you help steal any of the missing items? Tell me the truth.”
“Well…no.” Fred looked down.
“Fred, it’s not good to lie,” whispered Luke. “You’d better tell them.”
“I found the brooch on the ground in the stables and should have turned it in,” admitted Fred. “But I was afraid.”
“Why?” asked Robin.
“I guess I had an idea that my grandfather might be stealing things, because I saw him sneaking the guard’s horse out of the stable one night. He didn’t know I saw him.”
“And you couldn’t say anything because he was your grandfather?” asked Regina.
“Yes,” said the boy sadly. “He is the only family I have.”
“We will discuss this later, boys.” Hunter looked over to Robin. “I need to speak with Lord Robin about a few things right now.”
“I want to go see my birds,” said Regina. “I cannot wait.”
“Nay. You are going nowhere until I say so,” Sage scolded. “You are my patient now and you will stay right here in bed to heal until I tell you otherwise.”
“Your birds will be fine, Regina.” Hunter picked up her hand and kissed it. “Roger will take good care of them. Plus, I will sleep in the mews each night to watch over them. You will be back to flying and training them soon, I promise.”
“Thank you, Hunter. I will feel at ease now.” Regina looked up and smiled, so happy to have not only a man in her life to love, but also the return of Lightning and the safety of all her birds. “Thank you, everyone.”
“There is no need for you to sleep in the mews, thief-taker.” Robin told Hunter. “I will post a guard or two outside the door at night. Now, come to my solar. I will pay you our agreed upon fee and then you and the boy are free to go.”
“To go? Hunter, didn’t you tell him?” Regina looked up at him, thinking he looked insecure all of a sudden.
“Tell me what?” asked Robin.
“Lord Robin, I am in love with your sister and I have asked her to marry me,” Hunter said with the greatest of ease.
“You what?” Robin was shocked to say the least.
“You heard him,” Regina broke in. “We are in love and want to be married as soon as possible.”
“Oh, that is wonderful,” gushed Sage. “I am so happy for you both. Congratulations.”
“Hunter, I think we need to talk. Meet me in my solar in an hour.” Robin turned and walked out the door.
Regina’s heart fell in her chest. Why was her brother giving her such a hard time? And why did he want to talk to Hunter? This worried her to no end.
“Hunter, I’m coming with you when you speak with my brother,” said Regina. “I won’t let you face him alone.”
“Nay, Regina, it’s all right,” Hunter assured her. “It is something I have to do by myself. If not, I’ll never be able to face my inner demons. You stay here and heal.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Regina agreed. “Although something tells me that you’ve already rid yourself of those nasty voices in your head.”
Hunter knocked on Robin’s door an hour later, feeling anxious and extremely on edge. Was the man going to object to him marrying Regina? If so, he’d fight tooth and nail to make her his wife. He paused for a second, taking a moment to organize his thoughts.
That’s when he realized the voice of his departed sister was no longer taunting him, making him feel less than worthy. Regina’s love is what made that disappear. Regina believed in him and helped him see that true love can make any hate, doubt or feelings of worthlessness diminish.
He raised his fist and knocked, feeling sure of himself. He could face Lord Robin easily now and fight for the woman he loved. Hunter was sure of it.
“Enter,” came Robin’s voice from within.
Hunter opened the door and stepped inside. And stopped dead in his tracks. It was not only Robin in the room, but also Madoc, Regina’s father. His confidence wavered. Hunter half-expected the taunting voice of his sister to return right now, but was glad when it didn’t come. Still, he wasn’t at all so sure of himself anymore. Sweat beaded on his brow when it wasn’t even a hot day.
“Thief-taker, come in and close the door.” Madoc cradled a goblet in his hands. “My son tells me there is something we need to discuss.”
“Lord Madoc. I didn’t expect you to be here.” Hunter slowly entered the room and closed the door behind him.
“Robin sent a pigeon with a missive to tell me Regina was hurt and that the thief was caught. There are still things to be done regarding the death of my father-by-marriage, but just the same, I came right away. I’ve just arrived at the castle and haven’t even had time to see my daughter yet.”
“Regina will be fine, my lord,” said Hunter with a bow of his head. “Lady Sage’s expert ministrations have seen to that. Regina has now awoken after two days of being unconscious.”
“Good, good. Then I suppose there is no need to call for my wife at this time.” Madoc walked closer to Hunter. “Robin tells me you are to thank for catching the thieves and also for saving my daughter.”
“All in a day’s work, my lord,” Hunter answered.
“I am grateful for your skills, Thief-taker. I knew you’d be the perfect one for this job,” Madoc continued. “Your father has trained you well.”
“Thank you, my lord, but my late father has nothing to do with my skills of being a thief-taker. He taught me to be a mercenary only.”
“Stealing from nobles is a great offense. Those thieves will be imprisoned for a long time,” stated Madoc.
“Will they be executed?” Hunter never liked anyone being executed if it wasn’t truly necessary.
“That is up to my son, Robin.” Madoc looked over to his son.
“I haven’t decided their punishment yet,” Robin told them. “However, they weren’t the ones to steal the falcon. That was Cassian only. That would have been a death sentence for sure if you hadn’t already seen to that for me, Hunter.”
“Glad I could be of help,” muttered Hunter.
“In regards to the handmaid, her sentence will be lighter than the stable groom,” said Robin in thought. “Al, however threated Regina’s life. On second thought, he might have to die after all.”
“The stable groom has a grandson, doesn’t he?” asked Madoc.
“Yes,” said Robin. “His name is Fred. But he wasn’t part of the thieving. However, he did know about it so that makes him guilty as well.”
“I believe Fred didn’t actually know for sure, but just had suspicions,” Hunter corrected him. “What will happen to the boy? He doesn’t have anyone to care for him at all anymore.”
“The boy is thirteen,” Robin pointed out.
“Yes, that is old enough to fend for himself.” Madoc took a sip of wine. “Will you keep him working in the stables, Robin?”
“I think so,” said Robin, pouring a drink for himself. “Without Al, I’ll need all the help in the stables that I can get. However, I would feel better if someone kept an eye on Fred. Just in case we can’t trust him after all.”
“I’ll do it,” Hunter offered, seeming to surprise both Robin and Madoc.
“You?” Madoc looked at Hunter and then over to his son.
“Yes, I will watch over him and make certain he stays on the right path,” Hunter assured them. “My nephew, Luke has become good friends with the boy. Perhaps Lord Robin will consider taking Luke on as a stableboy as well? He has been spending a lot of time there and is a fast learner.”
“Interesting that you made that offer.” Madoc took another drink. “That would mean you’d have to stay at Shrewsbury Castle. With your job, how would that work?”
“Well, my lord.” Hunter cleared his throat. “As I have already told Lord Robin, your daughter Regina and I have fallen in love.”
Madoc almost choked on his wine. “What did you say?”
“I have asked Regina to marry me and she has accepted.” Hunter blurted it out before he had time to lose his nerve.
“She has, has she?” Madoc’s stern look interlocked with Robin’s. “Son, you didn’t think to mention this to me?”
“I only just heard about it myself, Father,” answered Robin with a shrug.
Hunter spoke up once again. “Lord Madoc, I would ask for your approval and your blessing to make your daughter my wife.”
“I see.” Madoc didn’t look all that happy with the idea.
“Regina swears she loves him,” Robin interjected. “Even though Hunter is a commoner, do remember that Sage was a commoner as well when I married her.”
“You don’t need to remind me,” muttered Madoc.
“Thank you, Lord Robin,” said Hunter with a nod, surprised that the man would stick up for him. Then he spoke again to Madoc. “Lord Madoc, you were the one who called me here to Shrewsbury Castle. You trusted me enough to get the job done, and I don’t believe I have let you done.”
“Nay. Nay, you haven’t,” agreed Madoc.
“I also know that you admired my father, even though he was not noble.”
“Your father saved my life,” said Madoc.
“Hunter saved Regina’s life as well,” Robin pointed out, being more of a godsend than Hunter could even have imagined.
Madoc looked down to his goblet, swirling the contents as he responded. “Even if I didn’t think so at first, your father, Robert did prove to be a good man in the end.”
“Thank you, my lord,” said Hunter. “I will be a good husband to Regina. I promise you that I will be even a better man than my father.”
“I see.” Madoc put down the cup and paced the floor, not saying a word. Then he stopped and walked back to Hunter. “I know how you feel, Hunter. I was once naught but a thief before I discovered that I was truly a noble. Therefore, I can see both sides of the situation here.”
“Then you’ll give me your approval and your blessing to marry your daughter?”
“This is really what Regina wants?” Madoc looked up, squinting one eye.
“It is, my lord. It is what we both want.” Hunter held his breath waiting for his answer.
“Father, it is what Regina told us just an hour ago, I assure you,” agreed Robin, coming to Hunter’s rescue once again.
“She was in her right mind at the time?” asked Madoc. “I mean, she did take a hard blow to the head.”
“She was sane,” Hunter assured him. “Although, I have to admit that I am still a little in awe that I am the one she wants to marry.”
That made them all laugh.
“Robin, give this man some wine so we can celebrate,” instructed Madoc.
“Celebrate?” asked Hunter, needing more of a definite answer.
Madoc walked over and picked up his goblet and held it high in the air. “Hunter Chase, you have my approval as well as my blessing to marry my daughter, Regina. Welcome to the family. But I must warn you, that you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Thank you, my lord. I will welcome whatever is thrown my way,” said Hunter, taking his cup from Robin and holding it high as well. “I have never been happier in my life than I am right now. Thank you, both. I am honored to be part of your family.”