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ard would die in some war than John would. Simon could only pray that a pox or a flux or a stone from the sky should end John's life. Then Richard might find a way to get young Arthur into his hands, and there would be hope for a peaceful realm. These thoughts were only flickers deep in his mind. Simon did not permit himself to dwell on the coming horrors. He really had very little time to do so. By day he was fully occupied in arranging transport home for Berengaria, Joanna, and the other ladies; by night he was fully occupied with Alinor. |
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For a few days after his marriage, there had been a single cloud in Simon's sunny sky. When he was no longer sharing Richard's bedchamber, the King's affection for him had increased dramatically. Richard bewailed aloud the loss of "his right hand," "his dear companion," "his trusty ears without a tongue," until Simon feared the King would not permit him to go home with Alinor. Finally he decided he had better warn and prepare his wife. Taken by surprise, Alinor was capable of refusing to leave or committing some other folly. He gave her the unwelcome news after they had mated and she was tired and quiet. |
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"Nonsense," Alinor murmured sleepily, "all you need do is remind the King that when I am gone you will move back in with him, having lost your bedmate." |
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It worked like a charm. Richard grew rather cross, but he saw the truth in Simon's hint. Once Alinor left, there was no reason why Simon should not resume all his usual duties. Although Richard was less careful than he had been in the past, he still wished to give no cause for open scandal. Simon was only sorry he could not so easily blow away the clouds in Alinor's sky. These were not dense nor dangerous, only being vapor raised from Berengaria's constant weeping, but they left Alinor a little damp and out of sorts. |
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"My love," Simon said one night when Alinor turned from him saying she was too tired, "why do you not |
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