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suspicion. She also became reconciled to the King's perversion. No one could deal so closely with the men-at-arms, for whom there were never enough women, and be ignorant of such relationships. The fights caused by shifting affections had to be disciplined. Occasionally a young boy newly taken into the troop had to be protected, or a particularly handsome young man who was causing fighting among the men had to be dismissed and sent away. |
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Alinor knew it was a sin and disliked the practice, but she also knew that while many men were crowded together with few women available to them this would happen. One pretended it did not exist and left them to their consciences, to the priests, and to God. What was horrible beyond measure was to think that it could be a first choice, that a man who could have almost any woman he desired would prefer that sin to the natural act sanctioned by God. Even more horrible was the new idea that the practice was not confined to the coarse, common men-at-armsas some things when done by animals would not be horrible but would be repulsive acts for menbut had reached the highest place of all, the King. |
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The ebullient spirits of sixteen are not long repressed. As fear receded, curiosity woke. One might not wonder about what the common folk did. That was to bring oneself to their level. But if the King did itone might wonderhow? It was unfortunately not a curiosity that was likely to be satisfied. One might demand an explanation from one of the men-at-arms, but that would be demeaning. To ask anyone else would be unsafeno, Simon would be safe. Tears completely vanquished, Alinor burst out laughing. She could imagine how Simon would look and what he would say if she asked such a question. |
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"You are constant in nothing," a sharp voice said. "I came to comfort your weeping and find you laughing instead." |
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Isobel of Gloucester sounded disappointed, but her |
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