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nor, had never even had the experience of managing her own household. Alinor liked her, although she felt somewhat contemptuous of the gentle spirit that bent so easily under pressure. |
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Isobel of Gloucester was another variety of mead entirely. and one Alinor would not have cared to taste often had she any choice. The pressures that made the Countess of Pembroke pious and resigned made Isobel. Countess of Gloucester, sly, secretive, and cruel. In addition, Alinor discovered she was both shrewd and stupida dangerous combination. Isobel of Clare did not gossip because it was wrong; Isobel of Gloucester gossiped continuously, and every word was so colored with malice that it was as unrevealing as silence. |
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Meanwhile, Guillaume the page had faithfully run William Marshal to earth. Here he found his errand was done, for when he asked for Sir Simon. William gestured to the big man seated beside his bed. The page bowed respectfully. |
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"The Lady Alinor Devaux" he began. |
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"Oh no!" Simon groaned. "What trouble can she have stirred up so soon?" |
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"To whom?" Simon cried, leaping to his feet. |
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William stared open-mouthed at his friend. He had seen Simon receive news of treason and rebellion with less heat. "Simon, what ails you?" |
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"Lady Alinor ails me." Simon spat furiously. "Quick, child, what is the trouble?" |
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The page had begun to look very confused. "I do not know. The Countess of Gloucester spoke of trouble, but Lady Alinor did not seem worried." |
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"You see," William said. "There is nothing" |
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Simon dropped into his chair again and let out an exasperated breath. The page's puzzlement indicated that he had come neither from enraged royalty nor from a weeping Alinor. Thus, William was probably correct in that there was no emergency. |
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"Worried, he said bitterly to William, interrupting |
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