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“Fly, beauty,” Surrey called as he released the black falcon, and the three mounted hunters watched the bird soar higher and higher in the brilliant azure sky. When the bird was circling far above the open meadow, the earl turned to his falconer. Evan stood a dozen yards or so from the mounted party, and Jaime could see the group of men and boys beyond him. On the horse beside her, Malcolm sat watching the preparations of the hunt. It did her heart good to see him out in the air, though a pang of sadness struck her with the falseness of the scene. He was less free than the falcon that circled above. But like that noble bird, when the day had worn into evening, Malcolm would be returned to his cage. Her eyes met his, and her heart leaped at the exchange that told her his approval of her
