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remove the deputy at will, or punish him for dereliction of duty, he was assured that his profit from his appointment was secure. Without that assurance, the original appointment would be worthless. |
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"Mea culpa," Alinor sighed again. "I should have read the letter while we were ashore. I should" |
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"What good would that have done?" Simon asked irritably. "Do you think the Queen would have given me permission to return?" |
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"But what are we to do?" Alinor cried. "If Longchamp gets his hands upon my lands, I will be beggered. My people will starve. What is more, I doubt I would ever get them back." |
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"Be still!" Simon snapped, "while I read this again. I cannot think while you howl in my ear." |
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Alinor drew in an enraged breath and then let it out again. Simon was perfectly right. Since they were already at sea, losing her temper and crying mea culpa were both profitless. She moved around to where she could reread the scribe's clear script over Simon's shoulder. Both sighed with relief when they came to the end of the letter and took in what they had been too angry to see previously. Sir Andre did not plan to yield tamely. He had written already to the Bishop of Durham, who would assuredly confirm his appointment as Simon's deputy if only out of spite of Longchamp, and to William Marshal, who would just as certainly, support him. To Longchamp he had replied flatly that he would yield neither the position of deputy sheriff nor the entry into any of Lady Alinor's keeps without specific instructions from his lord, Sir Simon, or his lady. |
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"It is very fortunate that you did not read these before we embarked," Simon said after a thoughtful silence. "I will take this to the Queen and have a letter from her to send back to Sir Andre. And, as soon as we come to the King, I will have his letter too." |
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"Yes, and a week later, Longchamp will send to the |
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