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Page 102
too well bred to start a fight in front of her dependentsparticularly a fight she might not win. Simon had counted on that, and she knew he had counted on it.
"Yes, my lord," she said meekly, and walked to him to lay her hand upon his wrist. But as soon as he had led her off the dais, "Coward!" she hissed. "Rank coward, to take such an advantage."
"I am not in the mood for brangling with you, Alinor," Simon growled back, his color rising.
Lady Grisel started forward to ask if she could help Alinor in any way, but Sir Andre detained her with some question, and Simon and Alinor reached the relative haven of the stairwell, Sir Andre was not sure what Alinor was about, but he had seen Simon's shoulders lift from their discouraged droop and he was willing to give her a chance.
Alinor had sensed the life flowing back into Simon's body with his rage too. Initially her sharp response had been quite spontaneous. She had said she was willing to go to Court. She did not see why she should be hurried and harried over it. Now, however, she only wished to relieve Simon's gloom. If she could not wheedle him into happiness, she would prick him into it. She sought deliberately for something outrageous to say. If anger would relieve Simon's pain, angry he should be. It would serve the double purpose of keeping his mind on her.
"You are fortunate I am too honest to pay you back in your own cheap coin," she muttered viciously. "It would serve you right if I suddenly fell ill of some woman's complaint that would keep us here a sennight."
"Woman's complaint!" Simon choked. "I do not believe you are capable of suffering from a woman's complaint. Women are meek and mild and biddable."
"I am also meek and mild and biddable when I am well used," Alinor retorted, and swung around and ran up the stairs without giving Simon a chance to reply.

 
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