37
The sound of the horses’ hooves clattering on the stone paving combined with the barking of the dogs and the shouts of handlers, muffling the two men’s voices. But Malcolm and the physician paused in their conversation as several servants hustled past carrying crossbows, longbows, and lances. The Highlander’s eyes were drawn to the great north entrance of the palace from which Surrey would emerge momentarily. Four young maids holding baskets of food stood by, chatting amiably away with a pair of burly guards.
Malcolm discreetly tucked the folded message inside his belted tunic as he patted the flank of the excited hunter he’d been given to ride.
“You don’t care to ride with us, Master Graves?” he asked loudly as a page passed leading a fine black steed toward the entryway.
“Bah!” th
