Page 69 of Ladybird

“Thank you, my lord, but my late father has nothing to do with my skills of being a thief-taker. He taught me to be a mercenary only.”

“Stealing from nobles is a great offense. Those thieves will be imprisoned for a long time,” stated Madoc.

“Will they be executed?” Hunter never liked anyone being executed if it wasn’t truly necessary.

“That is up to my son, Robin.” Madoc looked over to his son.

“I haven’t decided their punishment yet,” Robin told them. “However, they weren’t the ones to steal the falcon. That was Cassian only. That would have been a death sentence for sure if you hadn’t already seen to that for me, Hunter.”

“Glad I could be of help,” muttered Hunter.

“In regards to the handmaid, her sentence will be lighter than the stable groom,” said Robin in thought. “Al, however threated Regina’s life. On second thought, he might have to die after all.”

“The stable groom has a grandson, doesn’t he?” asked Madoc.

“Yes,” said Robin. “His name is Fred. But he wasn’t part of the thieving. However, he did know about it so that makes him guilty as well.”

“I believe Fred didn’t actually know for sure, but just had suspicions,” Hunter corrected him. “What will happen to the boy? He doesn’t have anyone to care for him at all anymore.”

“The boy is thirteen,” Robin pointed out.

“Yes, that is old enough to fend for himself.” Madoc took a sip of wine. “Will you keep him working in the stables, Robin?”

“I think so,” said Robin, pouring a drink for himself. “Without Al, I’ll need all the help in the stables that I can get. However, I would feel better if someone kept an eye on Fred. Just in case we can’t trust him after all.”

“I’ll do it,” Hunter offered, seeming to surprise both Robin and Madoc.

“You?” Madoc looked at Hunter and then over to his son.

“Yes, I will watch over him and make certain he stays on the right path,” Hunter assured them. “My nephew, Luke has become good friends with the boy. Perhaps Lord Robin will consider taking Luke on as a stableboy as well? He has been spending a lot of time there and is a fast learner.”

“Interesting that you made that offer.” Madoc took another drink. “That would mean you’d have to stay at Shrewsbury Castle. With your job, how would that work?”

“Well, my lord.” Hunter cleared his throat. “As I have already told Lord Robin, your daughter Regina and I have fallen in love.”

Madoc almost choked on his wine. “What did you say?”

“I have asked Regina to marry me and she has accepted.” Hunter blurted it out before he had time to lose his nerve.

“She has, has she?” Madoc’s stern look interlocked with Robin’s. “Son, you didn’t think to mention this to me?”

“I only just heard about it myself, Father,” answered Robin with a shrug.

Hunter spoke up once again. “Lord Madoc, I would ask for your approval and your blessing to make your daughter my wife.”

“I see.” Madoc didn’t look all that happy with the idea.

“Regina swears she loves him,” Robin interjected. “Even though Hunter is a commoner, do remember that Sage was a commoner as well when I married her.”

“You don’t need to remind me,” muttered Madoc.

“Thank you, Lord Robin,” said Hunter with a nod, surprised that the man would stick up for him. Then he spoke again to Madoc. “Lord Madoc, you were the one who called me here to Shrewsbury Castle. You trusted me enough to get the job done, and I don’t believe I have let you done.”

“Nay. Nay, you haven’t,” agreed Madoc.

“I also know that you admired my father, even though he was not noble.”

“Your father saved my life,” said Madoc.