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Page 487
any day and that the murdered man was dearly beloved of King Richard and Queen Alinor? No, no, my lord. I would be drawn and quarteredthe hateful felon who murdered his overlordand Lord John, righteously enraged at my evil works, would be much praised. Why else should I, in my own person, need to bring your body?"
Simon nodded. "I fear you have seen clearly. Lord John is a man without honor. I do not understandAh, well, that is not to the point. Sir Giles, do not worry too much about the cost of vassalage. Let us see if we can survive until King Richard can control his brother. If we do, you will find that my life and my lady's are worth somewhat toward that end."
"I had not overlooked it," Sir Giles said drily, and smiled. "It seemed the safer path."
That remark made Simon shake his head, for the scheme they had devised could only be called "safer" in comparison with a known and sure catastrophe. Unless Richard returned or the Queen intervened, John would find some excuse to raise an army against Roselynde's lord and lady. And if Roselynde fell, Iford would follow swiftly. Simon thought that would surely be the end of it because there was no pursuit. John had not fallen into a senseless rage and he was not the kind who ever forgot an injury. He was biding his time, planning calmly to salve his hurt with Simon's death and Alinor's agony.
That was in the future. The present was pleasant enough. They slept the night in camp, rode quietly home the next day. The future was never far from their thoughts, however. That night, while the sweat of passion cooled on their bodies, Alinor sighed, "Perhaps I should have yielded to him. I lost my temper, that was all. That foul toad, comparing himself with you! If I had time to thinkI could have washed myself thoroughly. After all, it is not something that wears out."

 
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