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Page 182
"Alinor," Simon interrupted.
The King looked at Simon's disapproving frown. In the courtly love ethos, lovers did not frown at their fair ladies. He remembered too the untender roar of "What have you done?" as he saw Alinor step forward and Simon's arm drop readily.
"I am talking too much," Alinor said, and dropped a curtsy. "I beg pardon for the trouble I have caused, Your Grace. I hope you will forgive me and show me your favor. I will do my best to trouble no one any more."
Unfortunately Alinor's best was not good enough. No more physical conflicts marred the celebrations of the next few days, but word of the stalemate between Bigod and de Bohun got about. More contenders, especially those whose estates were well outside of the spheres of influence of the two premier rivals, appeared and made application for Alinor's hand. One could not blame them. Marriage was in the air. All the female wards of the Kingmany whom Henry had kept in wardship past the proper marriageable agewere being given husbands.
Perhaps had any one of the applicants offered a sufficiently large bribe, the King would have shrugged off the possible repercussions from the disappointed parties and accepted that proposal for Alinor. However, Simon had made clear to Richard how great would be his profit from keeping Alinor single, and he was stonily silent on the subject of Alinor's revenues to everyone else. Even wealthy families were reluctant to pledge too much. All knew that Richard had been somewhat disappointed when he opened his father's treasure vaults. All knew they would be asked to contribute heavily to the Crusade. If the lady did not have as much as rumor credited her withand rumor was always overgenerousa family could be ruined by bidding too high for an heiress.
It was necessary within a week for the Court to

 
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