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Page 248
Puiset and Longchamp cannot be brought to some accord."
The frown that had gathered on Simon's forehead at the Queen's reprimand grew blacker still, but it was no longer directed at the Queen herself. "I know," he said briefly.
"William sent you word?" the Queen asked.
"No, Lady Alinor wrote, although she had the news from William and some from you."
Suddenly the Queen smiled. "Good. Then I am sure you have the full tale. Doubtless what William would have written was, 'Trouble between the justiciars.' And that would have been his whole news."
Simon could not help but smile. "He is not so bad as that," he protested. "However, I am sure I know anything that is not truly a secret."
"What can be a secret when both parties cry aloud the foulest slandersand sometimes truths too, which is more unforgivable," the Queen asked bitterly. "Things here have come to such a pass that Richard has bid me come to him in Normandy."
"I hope you will tell him to rid us of this plague."
Queen Alinor's face froze. "No, because it would do no good. Richard trusts Longchamp, and indeed, the man is faithful to my son"
"Such faithfulness may lose the King his realm!"
"It is useless to argue with Richard on this subject," the Queen snapped. "There are personal matters"
She stopped abruptly and Simon looked away, his mouth setting tight. He had been hearing really disgusting rumorsthat William Longchamp was pandering for the King, bringing him beautiful young boys that he had tried out himself. This Simon did not believe. Whatever Richard was, he did not need and would not employ such methods. However, doubtless the King would believe that Longchamp was hated for his perverted ways more than for his political actions and

 
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