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you, Your Grace, but you know Simon. If I have paid for the appointment, do you believe he will contest with me if I suggest who should be his deputy?" |
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The Queen's lips twitched. So ho! The clever little witch. She would use Simon's name to get a bargain from Richard and some hireling of hers would reap profits that need not be accounted for. She was so clever, she deserved to get what she wanted. "No, he will not contest with youat least not if the man be suitable," she warned. |
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"Sir Andre will suit Sir Simon very welland me, even better." |
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Very well pleased that Simon should gain so rich a prize without cost to Richard or herself, the Queen smiled. "Very well. I will make your offer to Richard, and I will add my word to it also. I think you may count the matter settled." Suddenly she smiled again. "I wish I knew whether I did Simon a good turn or an ill when I made him your wardenI wish I knew." |
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On the following morning, some hours before the Queen summoned Alinor to confirm the appointment and set a date for the money to be paid, Simon was making what arrangements he could to protect both his men and his mission in the event of his death. |
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"But my lord," Ian protested, his eyes stricken. |
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"Did you not understand what I have told you?" Simon asked severely. "Llewelyn is Owain Gwynedd's grandson, the eldest son of his eldest son. God has been good to us. We have the means to bring peaceor, at least, as near peace as there ever isto North Wales." |
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"If we win, it would be safer to go after the battle," Simon said bleakly, "but that is becoming ever and ever a bigger if. To you I will say that I have my doubts. And, if we do not win and you are not long gone with our prisoner, we will lose him also. No, Ian. |
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