Page 11 of Ladybird

“What did you say your name was?” he asked, feeling the need to know more about her. He didn’t know anyone from Shrewsbury Castle since he hadn’t stepped foot inside those walls since he was thirteen and seeking his father. Once his father left to become a mercenary, even his father’s old friends inside the castle walls wouldn’t have anything to do with him again. Hunter was sure he had never seen this woman before.

“I didn’t say,” she replied.

“Then tell me.”

“Why do you want to know?”

The girl was feisty and he chuckled inwardly, wondering what kind of game she played. If she was going to invade his home and privacy and make him feel violated and uncomfortable and not even tell him her name, then she had a lot to learn. Right now, all he wanted was for her to feel the same way as he.

Without waiting for her to say another word, he decided to teach the wench a valuable lesson. He reached out and pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth up against hers in a big kiss.

He had thought that would be enough to make her turn and run out the door with her tail between her legs. Once again, she surprised him. She oddly didn’t try to get away from him. Nay, she didn’t even push him or stomp on his foot or try to knee him in the groin which was what he highly expected from her. The kiss lingered, and with it grew his curiosity about this intriguing stranger. Her lips tasted like honey. The curves of her breasts pushed up against his chest, quickly reminding him that he hadn’t had a wench in his bed in a long time now. Lust grew within him. He daringly let his hands slip lower, not able to stop himself from cupping her pear-shaped backside. Pulling her even closer, he gave her delectable rounded cheeks a quick squeeze. Hunter’s manhood stirred. Damn, was this really happening?

“What the hell are you doing?” shouted a man. “Release my sister at once!”

Hunter dropped his arms to his sides in surprise and quickly stepped away from the girl. A nobleman stood in his doorway with his sword raised high above his head. Before Hunter could even say a word, the girl stepped forward. Her hand shot out and she slapped him hard across the face.

“Ow!” he said, his hand going to his bearded cheek, still able to feel the sharp sting even through all that hair. “What was that for?”

“It was for thinking you had the right to even touch a noblewoman let alone kiss one!” Fury showed in the girl’s eyes along with a tinge of embarrassment if he wasn’t mistaken. Below the surface of her big sparkling hazel orbs, he was sure he saw a scant tinge of…pleasure, too. Hunter had made a living out of reading people. This woman, noble or not, was no exception. Nay, this girl didn’t despise him as much as she was trying to make her brother believe.

“I am not armed and neither am I trying to hurt the wench.” Hunter raised his hands in the air. “Please. Put down your blade.”

“It’s all right, Robin. It’s the truth,” said the girl in a voice that sounded much too sultry to Hunter’s ears.

The man named Robin scanned the room, his eyes settling on Hunter’s weapons atop the table. Then his eyes darted back to Hunter and slowly he lowered and sheathed his sword. “Well, all right. If you’re sure.”

“In my defense, since you wouldn’t tell me your name, I had no idea you were noble,” he bluffed, hoping they would believe it. “My lady,” Hunter added with a smile, bowing to her as was proper.

“Regina, I told you to wait for me before you entered the house,” scolded Robin as he made his way over to them.

“Regina. That’s a pretty name.” Hunter raised a brow. “Although, I must admit I expected more of a warrior name by the way you hit.” He rubbed his jaw to make his point. “Mayhap Ursula or Eydis, or mayhap even Thomasina,” he said with a small chuckle.

“I am Lord Robin Blake of Shrewsbury Castle and this is my sister, Lady Regina,” said the nobleman. He reached out and rested one hand on his sister’s shoulder. The other remained on the hilt of the sword at his side. “Are you the thief-taker named Hunter Chase that my father mentioned?”

“I am he, my lord,” said Hunter bowing to Robin this time. “I beg your forgiveness for my inappropriate behavior with your sister. However, when a woman comes to my door in the woods unescorted, you have to realize that the last thing I think is that she is noble.”

“Nay, it’s not your fault.” Robin glared at his sister. “Regina cannot seem to follow a simple instruction.”

“Robin, don’t waste your time here,” said the girl with her nose in the air again. “This man has already refused the job, so it is time we return to the castle and look elsewhere.”

“Really? You refused to help me?” asked Robin. “My father, Lord Madoc Blake said he was friends with you father at one time and was sure you would take the job.”

“Ah, yes, Madoc.” Hunter chuckled, remembering now why the name seemed so familiar. His father had told him all about the thief who became a noble. And William, the tailor in town was all part of this crazy story too. Still, his father always spoke highly of Madoc. “My lord, I think your sister is confused about what I said.”

“I am not!” she spat. “You told me to my face that you wouldn’t take the job.”

Hunter raised a finger in the air. “That’s not exactly true. I believe my actual words were that I was not interested. However, I might be persuaded to hold interest in your request after all.”

“So, what does that mean? You’ll take the job then?” asked Robin. “We haven’t even discussed your fee yet. How much do you want?”

“That depends.” His eyes settled on Regina again. “I don’t know any of thedetails yet. So mayhap one of you can tell me what will be required of me?”

“Of course we can. There have been a string of burglaries lately at the castle,” explained Robin. “My father and I believe the thief might be someone who lives inside the castle’s walls.”

“And you want me to catch him,” said Hunter with a nod.

“You’d be living at the castle and your identity would be hidden during this time so as not to alert the thief,” Robin continued.