Page 40 of Ladybird

“Do all of these birds hunt and kill the same type of prey?” he asked, honestly interested in falconry now, and not just the falconer.

“Shortwings like goshawks or kestrels usually hunt ground prey like rabbits or pheasant,” she told him. “Those birds like to sit and watch from trees.”

“What about birds like Hera?” he asked.

“Longwing birds such as peregrine falcons or gyrfalcons hunt in the air and normally catch birds in midflight. They are extremely good in open areas and moorlands whereas birds like Cloud do better in wooded areas.”

“So which birds will be going on the hunt tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, I’ll be taking Hera and Lightning with us. I have been working with Roger to train them to hunt in pairs and it has been working.”

“In pairs? Really? Even though they are different species?”

“It isn’t common, but can be done. Actually, the hunting dogs know how to hunt with the birds of prey as well. They work well together.”

“The dogs? They hunt along with the birds? How?”

“Easy,” she answered. “The hounds scare the prey out into the open and the birds catch it.”

“Regina, you are amazing.”

“What do you mean?” She removed the hood from Hera and took the bird onto her glove, wrapping the jesses tightly around her hand.

“I have never known a woman who is so confident and good at things the way you are. Especially something that takes true skill like falconry.”

“Thank you.” She flashed him a quick smile, still looking at her bird. “It’s because I have true passion for what I do.”

“Yes,” he said, thinking of the passion she showed in her kissing. “I believe you do everything with passion.”

“Well, why not? With passion and lots of practice comes skill and perfection. Don’t you think?” She looked at him directly, her cute little mouth turning up like a bow.

“I would like to practice that passion with you while I use my skills,” he told her, staring at her mouth. “I am sure that together we can find true perfection.”

He was talking about making love to her and he was sure she knew it. But instead of responding, she did probably what any good falconer would do. She changed the subject and talked about the birds.

“I think it is time Hera gets to know you. Give me your hand.” She held out her free hand to him, still balancing the bird on the other.

“What?” That took him by surprise. “How are we going to do that?”

“Hera, this is Hunter,” she spoke to the bird. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t hunt birds like you so you don’t need to fear him.” She spoke in a soft and calming voice. Regina put her hand over his and gently reached up and ran his fingers over the bird’s back.

Excitement coursed through him. Not only from the fact he was actually touching the bird and not getting his fingers bit off, but because Regina was holding his hand again and this time it was different. Something happened today between them that was truly important.

That ‘something’ was that Regina trusted him, and this proved it. He never thought for a minute this would really happen even though he had always hoped it would. She trusted him enough to let him touch her bird! She was even telling the bird to trust him as well.

Damn, this was a good feeling. It was something that he would never forget as long as he lived.