Patsy

A winter evening drapes the Irish moors in a hush of mist and amber light, where wild geese trace fleeting patterns across a bruised sky. Mr. Fanshawe, a gentleman hunter, rides with his trusted keeper Micky Finn, their thoughts turning to the distant hills of Cloyne and the next day's chase. The landscape is both beautiful and unforgiving, and the rhythm of their journey is punctuated by the clatter of hooves and the rustle of letters arriving from far‑off estates.

When a ragged rider bursts onto the road, his sack heavy with correspondence, a single envelope is addressed to Fanshawe. The note, unexpected and somber, hints at secrets that have lingered through weeks of waiting. As he reads by the fading sunset, the quiet of the moor seems to deepen, setting the stage for a tale of hidden motives, rugged loyalties, and the thin line between duty and desire.