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whether her attendance would shock Simon, since it was plain from his clothes and manners that he was old-fashioned in nothing but the style of his helmet. |
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Alinor's decision to talk to Sir Andre was best for everyone. She would not have shocked Simon, who had been bathed by the chief ladies of many keepsand had sometimes been offered other favors too, which did not shock him either and which he was quick enough to accept. However, Alinor had completely overset his normal patterns of thinking. The few casual words they had exchanged had done much to restore his balance, but that might not have survived the strain of too intimate an interlude. |
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"What are you about, Alinor?" Sir Andre growled the moment Simon disappeared into the wall chamber that had been Lord Rannulf's and now was Simon's. "If you intend to cheat the King, he will find you out. He is skilled in detecting far cleverer cheaters than you will ever be." |
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"I intend to cheat no one," Alinor rejoined roundly, drawing herself up. She suppressed a qualm about the altered entries. She would have to find some explanation for those if Sir Simon noticed, but right now it was more important to put Sir Andre at ease or he would make a little thing seem like a major conspiracy by his guilty looks. |
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"Then why did your bailiffs, your headmen, and your herdsmen, suddenly lose their tally sticks and, on top of that, lose their minds too?" |
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Alinor giggled. "Did they? Oh, I love them! I love them all dearly! I did, indeed, send messages that they were to act stupid. See how quick they are to obey me and how well they did." |
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"Alinor!" Sir Andre thundered. |
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"Oh, be at peace," she snapped. "I told you I intend no dishonesty." |
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"Then answer me. What do you intend? What are you about?" |
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