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Page 467
other. More important, the haunted look was gone from her eyes and she was developing a pleasant sense of humor. She had not the fire that made Alinor irresistible to Simon, but there could be no doubt that William was a most contented husband.
"I do not know," Simon replied. "It is not only that I miss Alinor," he continued, then laughed openly at the expressions of long-suffering disbelief on his friends' faces. "No, really. I have not yet been into Sussex to oversee what my deputy has done, and it is most needful that Alinor go to her holdings with me so that I may take fealty of the men. Some I have never met at all because the Queen summoned us to Court before we could complete the circuit of Alinor's lands."
William had begun to grin as soon as Simon said, "Alinor must go with me" but now his face sobered. "This is really needful. Did you speak of it to the Queen? What said she?"
"She said the keeps would not run away."
"What?"
"You heard me. I tell you there is some reason I am being kept here."
"It must be something to do with the King," Isobel said. "She is frantic with worry over him."
"But what can I do?" Simon groaned. "Why should I be here? If there is bad news and men are needed to fight, I must summon them. I would be quicker about it if I were on my own lands and knew my men."
"You should indeed get to know your men. You know who we will fight against if we fight for the King. I was able to keep clear between the Chancellor and Lord John, and your Sir Andre told me your thoughts were one with mine on that subject, but if Richard does not come soon, and I mean within a week or two, we will need to take sides."
"I know," Simon remarked briefly.
"Is there no hope the King will breed an heir?"
Simon turned his head, as if he would not answer,

 
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