Page 19 of Ladybird

Chapter 5

Hunter had overslept the next morning, being so tired from the day before.Therefore, he was late getting to the mews with Luke. The spring air was chilly this morning. The sun was bright and there were little to no clouds in the sky. Aye, the day was promising to be beautiful, just like Lady Regina.

“Why can’t we have something to eat before we start working? I’m hungry,” complained Luke, not wanting to go to the mews with Hunter. The boy was more intrigued by what went on inside the castle. When they had passed by the kitchen on their way out to the courtyard, the aroma of fresh bread and what smelled like bacon made Hunter’s stomach growl as well.

“We have a job to do,” Hunter reminded his nephew. “I promised Lady Regina we’d be at the mews first thing in the morning and I’ve already let her down.”

“I would rather explore the castle than go watch stupid birds all day,” spat Luke.

“They are not stupid, and please refrain from calling them that in front of Lady Regina. She thinks highly of her birds.”

“Well, then, can I at least go talk to that stableboy named Fred? I don’t have any friends my age and he seems nice.”

“Not now.” Hunter was still upset by what happened, or rather what didn’t happen between him and Regina last night. He wanted her to trust him. He had wanted to kiss her again, and he could have sworn she wanted to kiss him as well. They’d made such a connection to each other, staring into each other’s eyes. He supposed he’d assumed too much. Because instead of kissing, she only fired questions at him left and right. She also never seemed quite satisfied with his answers.

She doesn’t want you and never will, came that evil voice in his head. You aren’t acting proper around her. She is a lady. You are just a commoner who drops his breeches at the bat of an eye. Nay, Hunter. She doesn’t want you.

Hunter was afraid his dear departed sister might be right this time. He would never be good enough for the regal, beautiful, intoxicating Lady Regina Blake. Why would she even ever be interested in someone like him? She wouldn’t. Still, he couldn’t stop thinking of her.

Even after his dip in the cold lake he still felt hot and bothered all night long. Hell, if he’d had even a few hours of sleep last night he’d be surprised. Why did this woman affect him in such a manner? Mayhap it was because she was a noble and he knew she was off limits to him. Hunter always had a longing for things he knew he couldn’t have. Not unlike Luke with all his wishes for things no commoner should ever own.

“Why couldn’t I bring my sword with me? I don’t want to leave it in our room. I want to show it off to the other boys my age.” Luke continued to complain, making Hunter’s brain throb. The hurting of his head never seemed to let up.

Both Hunter and the boy wore tunics and breeches and even shoes that were meant for a noble. Robin had made sure to leave the clothes for them so they would blend in. The tunic Luke wore was too big on him, looking ridiculous. The one Hunter wore was too small. It was tight and uncomfortable. The breeches were even worse. He was only thankful for the cloak covering him because the breeches were already straining on his body and he’d yet to even see Lady Regina today. If they got any tighter they would probably split.

“Nay, we need to keep our weapons in our chamber from now on unless we leave the castle. They will only raise suspicion.” Hunter still had his dagger on him and a dirk hidden in his boot. He didn’t like going anywhere without protection, but didn’t think his weapons were appropriate in the mews since they’d probably just scare the birds. Neither were they needed inside the castle walls being around all these knights. He was trying his best to blend in, but felt like anyone with a brain in their head would notice that he and Luke didn’t belong here. It had to be more than obvious that even with his addlepated story of being Regina’s cousin, that they weren’t nobles at all.

“Hunter, over here,” he heard the voice, looking up to see the falconer’s assistant waving him over, standing just outside the mews. Hunter hurried over.

“Good morning, Roger,” he said, noticing another man in the doorway of the mews with his back toward him. He looked to be sweeping. “Hello, there,” he called out. The man worked cleaning up bird droppings with a broom and didn’t even turn around.

“That is Cassian. He’s almost deaf so you need to speak loudly,” instructed Roger. “Cassian, Hunter said hello,” the boy shouted. Finally, the old man turned around.

“Oh, good morning,” said Cassian raising his wrinkled face to Hunter. He nodded quickly.

Hunter froze. He recognized this man. This was the master falconer back in the days when Hunter’s father still worked here at the castle. Cassian had to be really old by now since he’d seemed old way back then. Since Hunter was just a lad the last time he’d been here, he hoped Cassian wouldn’t recognize him.

“I’m Lord Hunter,” he said, not using his surname since it was the same as his late father’s. He also didn’t want to keep saying his surname was Blake since it just didn’t feel right. Growing up, his mother had insisted Hunter go by the name of Chase because that is who he was. Hunter always knew it was really because his stepfather despised him and didn’t want another man’s bastard using his surname.

“Yes, and I’m Cassian,” said the man, turning back around and continuing to sweep. He didn’t seem very friendly. Then again, if Hunter had once been a master falconer and was now sweeping up bird droppings he probably wouldn’t be smiling either.

“Where is Lady Regina?” Hunter asked Roger, scanning the surrounding area but not seeing her.

“She went to the kitchen to get the food pouch for training,” Roger explained. “Oh, here she comes now. Excuse me, but she’ll want the bird so I need to get it.”

“Yes. Yes, of course,” said Hunter, turning to see Regina coming from the keep. She was smiling and talking to the woman who Hunter had seen sitting up on the dais yesterday. “Good morning, my lady.” Hunter bowed, noticing Luke pouting and kicking at the ground. “Luke, it is proper to bow in the presence of ladies.”

“I forgot.” Luke bowed but said nothing to the women.

“Hunter, you’re late,” snapped Regina.

“I apologize, my lady. I didn’t sleep very well and couldn’t seem to get up this morning.”

“Well, you’re up now, right?”

When he saw the smirk on Regina’s face as well as the other woman’s, he realized just what he’d said and how she was probably thinking about what happened last night down at the lake. He didn’t appreciate her snide comment, nor the fact she’d obviously told her friend all about it.

“I am Lady Sage, Robin’s wife,” the woman with Regina introduced herself. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you last night, but you weren’t at the meal.”