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fore he spoke, Alinor realized that could not be true. Had it been so, she would have been summoned to the Great Hall. Lord John would not have demeaned himself to come to her chamber. Alinor clasped her hands together nervously. Lord John was no man to jest with. From what she had heard, he did not accept defeat pleasantly. |
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Again Alinor was startled at the beauty of the voice, so rich and sweet. "Yes," she whispered. |
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"Lovely, lovely," John purred. "I had word of your coming sent to me. I wished to speak to you. My wife remembers youermostervividly." |
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"How kind of her," Alinor faltered. "Will you not sit down, my lord, and tell me why I am thus honored?" |
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He took the chair at one side of the hearth quite readily, and Alinor's breath came a little more easily. Somehow, quickly, she had to find a way and a reason to tell him of her marriage. She rose from her curtsy, found John's eyes on her, and swallowed convulsively. The rapaciousness in them had not been sated by the huge wealth and properties his brother had given into his hands. And just now that rapaciousness was not general; it was directed at her. Alinor tried to speak, tried to tell him about Simon before he could say anything that would make him look foolish, but her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. |
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"Sit, sit," John said, waving her toward the other chair graciously. |
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Alinor was glad to obey. Her knees were trembling and she wished to hide her nervousness. To conceal her body further, she drew toward her the heavy embroidery frame that Lady Grisel had been working at. Then, desperate to avoid those eyes which fascinated even while they repelled, drew even while they terrified, she lifted the needle and bent her head over the work. |
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"My wife told me," John said smoothly, "that you |
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