CHAPTER 35
Ives closed the gates after the hounds as they went out with Rhian for their early morning exercise and walked back toward his office. It was quiet without them. On a hunting morning, some would be left behind, howling their protest, but the daily walks took every hound that wasn’t injured with them, and the peace always seemed a bit unnatural to him. Huon and Tanguy were already in the pens, cleaning them while the hounds were out.
He looked over as George came into the courtyard, up through the huntsman’s alley from his house. At a distance, he seemed unchanged, until Ives noticed how slowly he was walking, taking care with each step, even with the cane. He’d heard about his healed injuries and realized that leg must still be very weak.
He changed course to greet him, and w
