< previous page page_38 next page >

Page 38
en's reign. I never hope to see the land in such straits again."
"Even a bad King is better than no authority," Sir John conceded.
Simon was shaking his head. "Lord Richard will not be a bad king. He is a just man, no oath breaker, and not greedyfor himself. What is bad is that he has no love for England, having been here so little, and he does not know the ways of this land. If it were not for this accursed Crusade and he had time to test the men and learn the customs, the realm would be fortunate in him."
"The Queen knows us well," Sir Andre suggested.
"And has more wisdom than many Kings," Sir John added.
"I will gainsay neither of you," Simon agreed, but without any lightening of his expression, "but here we come to a fault in the King. He does not like women."
There was a tight silence. Both of Alinor's vassals stared at Simon and he met each pair of eyes meaningfully although torture, they suspected, would not wring another word from him on that subject.
"But his mother" Sir Andre brought out in a somewhat strangled voice, his mind plainly elsewhere.
"Oh, he loves her and respects herand fears her. Perhaps for that reason"
Suddenly Simon's voice checked. His eyes had moved away from those of his companions and he had been staring thoughtfully out into the Hall. He started to get to his feet and Sir Andre and Sir John tensed to rise also. Then Simon smiled and gestured for them to sit still. He also sank back into the window seat.
"I am growing old," he said ruefully. "I see the things of the past more clearly than those of the present. A maid crossed the hall to enter one of the wall chambersand for that instant I thought it was the Queen, young again."
It was fortunate for Alinor's plans that her vassals

 
< previous page page_38 next page >