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father, you would know why I had to love you." |
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Something stirred the mask his face had become. Simon knew he was not so senile as to be attracted to young girls. There were more than enough of them at Court and not one had aroused a single flicker of interest in him. If Alinor had not been what she wassure of her place and her authority, headstrong and passionatea rebirth of the image of the Queen that he had carried in mind and heart for nearly forty years, he would never have loved her either. So great a coincidence, that she should be his image of love and he, hers, was too great a coincidence. Simon was not very religious, but he did not deny that God's foreknowledge ruled the universe. He knew passion, and knew he was no slave to it. Never before had passion conquered him when honor barred the way. If God had planned this union If that thought was not merely a salve on a sick conscience |
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"I should have taken you to Court at once," he said uncertainly. "Surrounded by old men all your life, what could you know of what a younger one, even so little younger as I, could wake in you." |
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Alinor laughed softly and took his hand. "Do not talk so silly. I had no idea I loved you until we came to Court and I had someone to compare you with. It was only after I had danced and talked with all those smooth-tongued, well-dressed, empty heads that I realized what a prize I had in you. I assure you, I did not fall blindly into love with your pretty face. Nor am I any grand lady who desires a sighing troubadour. Simon, bend your mind to how we can come to marriage." |
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To Alinor's surprise he did not burst into angry protests that she would then need to argue down. He began to gnaw his lower lip until she thought he would tear it. She put a hand to his mouth to pull the lip from between his teeth, and he kissed her fingers. Yet he did not look at her, but past her into the black |
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