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Page 114
nothing of me that I was not honor bound to give anyway. But when he offered me a prize, I did not scorn to take it. Why should it go to another who might take it and use it ill or take it and then turn on him? I, at least, would be faithful."
"Do not be such a fool as to excuse yourself. You have a right to your reward."
"Yes, but But it is a thing I desire greatly. Hehe offered me the hand and the lands of Isobel of Clare."
Simon was, for a moment, speechless. The situation was so close to his own that his gut tightened. Then sense returned. There was no real similarity. William, because his service had been different, had enormous influence with the great barons in and around the heart of England. It was reasonable that the King should try to fix William's loyalty with the offer of a great heiress. Moreover, William was nearly ten years younger than Simon, and Isobel of Clare was two or three years older than Alinor. Stop, Simon said to himself. There is no likeness in your case and his.
"Just because you desire a thing, William," Simon said quietly, "does not make it wrong. Then where is the trouble? I have heard that Lord Richard specially honors those who were loyal to the old King. Surely"
"Oh, he says he will give her to me. I met him in the road when I went to tell him his father was dead and he accused me of trying to kill him. I laughed in his face and asked whether he thought I did not know the difference between the horse and the rider."
"You laughed in his face?" Simon asked uneasily. If Richard had taken that as an insult, William would be in trouble.
"My heart was sore. It is not easy to see a man you have long served hounded to death. But I give Lord Richard credit. He did not take it amiss. He agreed

 
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