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guessed that. Yet I think she hopes to be able to help us and, truthfully, you know and I know that my 'good name' does not matter a pin. My broad acres will make up for any little fault in my person, such as the loss of my maidenhead." |
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That was, of course, true. A man would have only to wait a few months to be sure Alinor was not breeding before consummating his marriage. Alinor's virginity was a matter of little importance except to Simon and his conscience. |
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"But she will use your hope as a carrot is held before an ass," Simon warned painfully, "leading you from one thing to another" |
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"No, my love," Alinor murmured, covering the hand that still held her wrist. "That might serve with a man, but I am a woman, schooled by a woman as wise as the Queen and less able to get her own way by giving an order. I was schooled with love and with a whip, and I have not forgotten my lessons. I know how to get my own way, most often without needing to give an order, and despite promises or threats." |
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"That I know to my sorrow," Simon replied bitterly. "What I do not know is whether your way will permit me to look myself or any other person in the face. If it is the Queen's will, I can endure that we should be looked at and slyly jested about. I hate it, but I can see the sense in it and I can bear itso long as I know that we are in truth clean of the lies told about us." |
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"No buts. Alinor, I begin to fear you will break me to your will because you have raised such a fire in me that I forget I am a man of many sober years. When you put your arms around me and your lips on mine, I become as heedless of right and wrong, as much a slave to my lust, as any burning boy in the first heyday of his manhood." |
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"You blame me too much, Simon," Alinor protested softly. "I have not many sober years, and my desire |
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