The bloodhounds", brachets" and greyhounds" barking faded into the distance as the hunting company led the dogs back to their kennels.
Caught up in the mood, Denys playfully blew her ivory hunting horn. Its soft bellow echoed through the trees and died in the depths of the forest.
The trio separated from the retinue and approached a cluster of tree stumps. Valentine sat upon a stump and she stretched her legs out on the grass. Richard remained standing.
“I wish you would sit, Richard.” Valentine offered them slabs of bread from his pouch. Denys gladly accepted but Richard declined.
“It"s these blasted rumours, all the rumours.” Richard paced in wide circles. “Rumours I poisoned my wife, rumours I had George executed, rumours I had Edward killed … sweet Jesu!” Shoulders slumped, he clen
