Page 30 of Ladybird

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.