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suspicion totally swamped by a huge upsurge of sympathy. Had Queen Alinor herself not nearly become insane in those first horrible months of imprisonment? She had not been locked in a cell nor misused. She had had just about as much freedom as Alinor now had. In fact, although she had learned to fill the long hours and, in addition, developed an excellent news-gathering service, to the last day of her imprisonment she had been racked with ennui. |
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"Poor child," the Queen repeated, "I had no idea you would be bored. But I cannot permit you to leave before the King comes. You must give your fealty to him directly. Moreover, I know Simon would deem it his duty to go with you and Simon must be here when Richard comes. You see, Simon served Richard as a kind of mentora guide and a guardwhen Richard was very young, and there were sometimes differences between them because on occasion Richard is more daring than sensible. You know, for love of me Simon has not had his just dessert. It is most needful that Richard come to know Simon as a man knows a man, rather than as a boy knows a tutor, before I die." |
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"Sir Simon has been kind to me," Alinor answered quietly, dropping her eyes to hide the extreme interest she had in the Queen's last remarks. "I would not wish to interfere with his advancement, butWell, I will try not to get into trouble." |
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"You should ride out more," the Queen suggested. |
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"With whom?" Alinor flashed, "and for what purpose? To see the fairings? Madam, into Roselynde harbor come the great ships of all the world, even from far Cathay. I have seen the silks and tasted the spices before they came to London Market. What is there to amuse me in this?" |
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The sharp bitterness not only started a new upsurge of sympathy but awakened a sense of caution. Alinor would have to be kept in London, but she would have to be kept occupied. Desperately Queen Alinor asked, |
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