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and, more, she has been taught that obedience is the way of virtue, even unreasonable obedience. She will marry this Baldwin if commanded." |
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Simon chewed his lower lip. "Alinor, can you not stiffen her spirit? Even if she feels she is demned for the sin of disobedience or pride or whatever it is she fears, it would be better than marriage to Baldwin I swear I do not say this only because William is my friend and I wish that he have his heart's desire, but for Lady Isobel's sake too" |
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"No woman will get any good out of Baldwin of Bethune as a husband," Simon burst out. "And do not ask me to say more for I cannot nor will not." |
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Lord Richard and his dear friend Baldwin, who would be no good to any woman, and the weight on the Queen's heart Somehow Alinor knew these were connected. Were they also connected with Lady Alais? And what, she wondered, suddenly focusing on more immediate problems, would be offered to William Marshal as compensation? Not Isobel of Gloucester. She boasted freely that she would marry the last remaining Angevin, Prince John, and did not even hesitate to say how like it was she would be Queen, for many more died on Crusade than ever returned. Even Alinor the outspoken looked sidelong at her after that remark. And the lesser maidens, no matter how good their blood, had nothing in terms of land. That, Alinor realized, leaves me! |
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As soon as the thought came, it was confirmed by her memory of the Queen saying that if Alinor was constrained to marry the man would be worthy. From what Simon said, the Queen had spoken the exact truth. William Marshal seemed a man worthy of any woman's love, and greater in importance than Simon would ever be. Alinor became aware that Simon was looking up, and the first drops of rain began to spatter the leaves above them. |
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