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when I killed his horse in that charge I could as easily have killed him. He said it was forgiven and that he honored me for my loyalty to his father." |
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"So I took the bull by the horns and spoke of the old King's promise. Itit was not only greed, Simon. When King Henry promised Lady Isobel to me, I made it my business to see and speak to her. She is a good, sweet woman, gentle and pious. I would be a good husband to her. Her lands and her person would be safe with me." |
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"William, William, with all the chances you have had, you would be rich as Croesus if you suffered from greed. Do not be so tender of a harsh word." Simon shook his head. "Certainly you will have none from me," he added, looking aside to conceal his own bitterness. "But you talk round in circles. Where is the trouble, I ask? Both kings have promised her to you." |
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"Yes, but not a word more have I heard about it, andand I later heard that, before he spoke with me, Richard had promised her elsewhere To Baldwin of Bethune." |
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"But Baldwin" Simon began, and stopped when William's hand clamped on his arm like a vise. |
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"There is also this. Baldwin has a great name and great estate of his own. How can I know but that Lady Isobel prefers him?" |
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"If so, it is purely a result of total ignorance," Simon said, his lips twisting as if he had tasted something sour. "Whatever she prefers, for her sake it is best you should have her." |
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"So I think also, but how can I tell her that." William rolled a fist into his open palm. "And how do I know what she hears from others? If she were brought to say she prefers Baldwin, it might be cause enough to seek some other, perhaps lesser, prize for me." William looked up from his hands, stared at his friend's |
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