Page 66 of Ladybird

Chapter 16

Regina awoke with the worst headache of her life. She blinked several times, realizing she was no longer on the road but back in her own bed and had no idea how she’d gotten here. The last thing she remembered was one of her abductors hitting her over the head with a rock.

“Hunter?” she muttered, still half asleep.

“I’m here, Ladybird.” She rolled onto her back and looked up to see the smiling, handsome face of Hunter staring down at her with a concerned look in his brown eyes. He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to take her hand.

“How long have you been here?” she asked, noticing light streaming in through the window.

“It’s been two days now, sweetheart. But I would have stayed here two years if need be.”

“The thieves!” She tried to sit up, but felt pain in her head and a dizziness overtake her.

“Take it slow,” Hunter told her. “Now, lay back down. You’ve had a bad blow to the head and are lucky to be alive at all.”

“Yes. I remember now.” Her hand went to the back of her head. “I have stitches, don’t I?”

“You do. Sage is to thank for that. She used her healing herbs on you and did a wonderful job sewing up the wound. She said you should be fine in a few days if you ever awake, and you have.”

The door to the room opened and Sage came in carrying a tray of jars that looked to contain healing creams. “You’re awake!” Sage blurted out. Leaving the door open, Sage hurried to Regina’s bedside.

“Sage, thank you so much,” said Regina. “You too, Hunter.” She gripped his hand in hers. “Because of you two I’m still alive.”

“We can’t say the same for Cassian.” Robin walked into the room with Roger. “Hunter killed him in the mews.”

“Oh,” said Regina, not having known the man had died.

“I didn’t mean to kill him,” said Hunter. “I just didn’t want him to get away. It was an unfortunate accident and he died in the struggle.”

“I cannot believe Cassian was the thief.” Regina tried to clear her head.

“He could also hear just fine and was faking it all along,” Hunter explained.

“Why? Why would he do that?” Regina felt perplexed about the actions of the man.

“If I may cut in?” Roger stepped forward. Robin nodded. “Lady Regina, Cassian felt very hurt when you took over his position as master falconer. I think he wanted revenge on not only you but on Robin and everyone new who came to Shrewsbury Castle after the death of the last lord.”

“Who were his accomplices? It was a woman who hit me.” Regina’s hand went to her head.

“Don’t touch the stitches. I have balms to use that will help you heal.” Sage opened a jar. “It was my handmaid, Clotilda, who stole my brooch. She confessed to taking it. It seems somehow Cassian discovered the fact and took the brooch and then lost it.”

“That is when Fred and Luke found it,” said Hunter. “Just like my nephew said.”

“Who was the thief who held a knife to my throat?” Regina felt sick to her stomach just remembering how frightened she’d been.

“It was the stable groom, Al,” Robin told her.

“Al? Oh no,” groaned Regina, having liked the man.

“It seems he and Clotilda were a couple in secret. They’d planned on stealing just enough to sell and make them money to live on. They were going to leave the castle and start over somewhere else and bring Fred with them.”

“They didn’t like me getting the title of Lord Shrewsbury either, it seems,” said Robin, looking like he felt dejected.

“I am guessing that horse pulling the wagon last night was the stolen one from Sir Elwood?” asked Regina.

“Yes,” answered Robin. “Since Al had access to all the horses and wagons in the stable, it was easy for him to sneak them out. However, now Sir Elwood’s horse has been returned.”

“Luke also gave back the boots and crossbow to the guards he’d swindled them from,” Hunter told her. “I am happy to say Father’s sword has been returned as well.”