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Page 336
I will starve. If we are to linger here until the King marries the Princess without opportunity to refill our purses from the goods of the infidels, I do not know what will become of us. I desire that the King be married and that there be heirs of his body. That is most necessary, but"
"Perhaps the King will obtain a dispensation to marry during Lent," Alinor soothed.
"How can that be? You know the speed with which the Pope moves, and the King and Pope Clement are not exactly enamoured of each other. The dispensation would take longer than the passage of forty days."
"Would it be a great offense against God, do you think, for the King to take the princess with him? He could then start as soon as his business with Queen Alinor is finished," Alinor suggested innocently.
"Why should that offend God? The purpose of union between man and woman is to bear fruit, but for gentlewomen such a journey would be dangerous and most difficult."
Alinor began to laugh. "To say that to me, who have ridden with the Queen. Have you never traveled in Queen Alinor's company? We frail women have climbed the mountains in midwinter. I know that Lady Berengaria burns to see the King's doings in the Holy Land. So much she has said openly to me. She would count neither difficulty nor danger for that purpose."
All in all, even though she did not set eyes on Simon again, Alinor felt she had put in a good day's work. She fell asleep in the best of good spirits, thinking she would send a man to bring Simon to her the next day. He was, after all, still her warden and there were matters upon which she should ask his advice. However, Alinor had no opportunity. As soon as she had broken her fast the next morning, she was summoned to the Queen. At first she wondered why rather idly, but then she became increasingly nervous. Perhaps her tongue had been wagging rather freely during the

 
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