Page 18 of Ladybird

“If you must know, it is because the lord of the castle at that time refused to let him raise his bastard son at the castle. We were shunned by all. My father wasn’t able to keep his job and raise me both.”

“I’m sorry. So what type of job did he have after he left the castle?” She could tell all her questions were disturbing him greatly, but she wasn’t exactly sure why.

He turned and looked out over the water. “Excuse me, my lady, but I need to get back to my chamber in case Luke awakes. I don’t want him wandering about a strange castle on his own.”

“All right. I understand.” She stood with the bird still on her arm. “Report to the mews in the morning just after sunup.”

“Sunup? That early?” He seemed surprised.

“I start training early in the day. Before it gets too busy around the castle. It only distracts the birds.”

“All right. First thing in the morning then, my lady.” He started to walk away as the sun disappeared on the horizon.

Regina couldn’t look away as she watched his half-naked form moving smoothly and graceful over the land as he made his way to the water. She called out after him. “Did you want me to have the servants bring you a bath?”

He stopped and turned back to look at her from down by the lake.

“No need, my lady. The lake will be fine.” With that, he turned his back to her and dropped his breeches as well as his braies. He stood at the edge of the lake stark naked. She gasped, almost startling Lightning again when she jerked backward and almost fell. Then she saw him dive into the lake making a big splash as his naked back end disappeared under the water.

Regina turned and walked back to her horse at a near run. Mayhap she had been severely mistaken when she thought Hunter Chase was not a risk-taker at all. His actions tonight told her that he was not only a risk-taker but also a very dangerous man to be around.

Unfortunately, one thing that attracted Regina like a moth to a flame was a handsome, sexy, unpredictable and dangerous man. That is, a man just like Hunter Chase.