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''Think!" Alinor raised her own voice. "You yourself told me Sir Simon has long experience with dishonesty. If my people, open and trusting as they are, spoke all the truthwould he believe it? Would he not double and triple the truth, being so sure that all lie to him? I would not bid them lie. God forbid he should find out a servant of mine in a lie that I ordered him to tell. But also God forbid that three times the worth be wrung from my lands." |
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The choleric color receded from Sir Andre's face, but he shook his head. What Alinor said was true. Had he known her just a little while less, he would have accepted her explanation. However, Sir Andre had had two years of watching her mind unfold and come to grips with the complex facets of her situation as her grandfather weakened and then died and left her to grapple with life alone. There would be more to her actions than appeared or than she would tell. He took a deep breath and braced his shoulders. His sons and daughters were settled in life, largely through the generosity of Lord Rannulf. His wife Mary was dead. His lord was dead. There was no one left but Alinor. As best he could, he would shield her from, or share with her, the ax-blow of punishment. |
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