Page 62 of Ladybird

“It’s the only thing the huntsman wanted.”

“That wasn’t yours to trade,” Hunter scolded.

“I thought you gave it to Luke,” said Regina, getting a scowl from Hunter.

“Yes, but as a family heirloom,” Hunter told her. “I wanted him to keep it, not trade it away. It was to stay in our family.”

“In his defense, you didn’t tell him that. Did you?” asked Regina.

Now it was Hunter’s turn to look in the other direction. “Well, not exactly.”

“Luke, this still doesn’t explain how you got a hold of Lady Sage’s brooch.” Regina tried to be gentle to coax the truth from the boy.

“I told you. I didn’t steal it.”

“Who did?” asked Hunter.

Luke remained quiet. Finally he answered. “I don’t know who stole it. Fred told me he found it on the ground in the stables and asked me to hold on to it.”

“That’s a lie,” snapped Hunter.

“Mayhap not.” Regina stepped in before another argument took place. “It could be possible that the thief really did drop it and Fred found it, just like Luke says.”

“Where did he find it exactly and who had been there who could have possibly dropped it?” asked Hunter.

“I don’t know.” Luke shrugged. “Fred didn’t say, but he probably doesn’t know either. There are a lot of people who go through the stables during a day.”

“You need to ask Fred about it,” said Hunter.

“Why? Are you going to accuse Fred of being a thief and throw him in the dungeon?” Luke shot daggers from his eyes at Hunter.

“Well, if need be, then yes,” said Hunter. “I can’t let a thief walk free.” Hunter wasn’t letting up with the boy and Regina realized it was probably because his father had been tough with him as well. Still, this wasn’t really working.

“Mayhap we can use this to find the real thief.” Regina took the brooch out of her pocket and looked at it in thought. “As bait.”

“Yes,” said Hunter. “Mayhap Luke can try to trade it for something else and see who wants it.”

“Wait. You want me to gamble and bluff again? I’m confused.” Luke scratched his head.

“Forget the idea,” said Hunter. “It was a bad one. Too dangerous, and besides, I don’t want Luke to lie anymore. “Luke, look.” Hunter sat back down and leaned forward to talk with the boy. “I know you’re not a thief and that you want friends your own age, I understand that. But you need to know that Fred might turn out being a thief if you don’t help him go down the right path.”

“What do you mean?” asked Luke.

“Don’t let him or anyone talk you into doing something that in your heart you don’t feel is right. And if Fred doesn’t know wrong from right, then you help him decipher it. Understand?”

“So I should help Fred be a better person?” Luke seemed touched that Hunter wasn’t accusing him or shunning him anymore.

“Do you think you can do it?” asked Hunter.

“I know I can.” For the first time since they’d entered the mews Luke was smiling.

“All right then, no more bluffing,” Hunter told him. “Now, we have a thief to catch, you and me and we need to get to work.”

“What will we do about the brooch and the crossbow?” asked Regina. “If we tell anyone they’ve been found, they’ll want to know more details. They’ll need to know that you’ve caught the thief, Hunter.”

“We’re not going to do anything about those things right now,” said Hunter. “First, we’ll catch the thief. Then, we’ll deal with the rest of it. I think since one bird went missing, it is a good bet the thief will try again. Mayhap even tonight. Then he’ll most likely be in a big hurry to pawn them off somewhere to get his money.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” said Regina, feeling her nerves shake at the thought of losing another bird.

“Don’t worry. I have a plan,” Hunter assured her.

“Well, what should I do with the brooch for now?” she asked.

“Give it back to Luke,” Hunter told her.

“What?” Regina blinked, not sure she’d heard him correctly.

“Luke, I want you to put the brooch back in the trunk in our chamber, but make sure you don’t tell anyone it’s there. Keep the crossbow and boots there as well. It should be a safe hiding place for now since the thief won’t think of looking there.”

Regina fingered the brooch in hesitation. As much as she wanted to trust in Hunter and this plan, she didn’t want the expensive brooch to disappear again.

“It’s all right, sweetheart.” Hunter reached out and touched her on the arm. “You can trust Luke and you can trust me. Now give the pin to the boy.”

“Yes,” she said, nodding her head. “I do trust you, Hunter.” Then she looked over at Luke and flashed a smile, handing him the brooch. “I trust you, too, Luke.”

“We’ll find the thief, Lady Regina.” Luke stood up taller and prouder and nodded toward Hunter. “And we’ll bring back Lightning for you too, don’t you worry. Right, Uncle?”

Hunter looked up in surprise when the boy called him Uncle and Regina realized they had just mended the bond between them. Then Hunter smiled at Luke and nodded back. “Like we always do, son.” He stood up and put his arm around Luke’s shoulders. “Like we always do.”