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person with authority and high in the favor of the Queen. She tripped to and fro from the Great Hall where she reminded the Lord Steward of a particular viand that was to be stocked, as it was a great favorite of Lord Richard's, to the Small Hall to tell the Lord Butler of a sweet wine from Spain that Lord Richard loved, to the outer buildings where she ran the Master of the Mews to earth to instruct him to bring along in particular certain gerfalcons that had been sent as a gift from the King of Scotland. |
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More than one pair of eyes followed Alinor. Roger Bigod stopped her outside the mews to complain of neglect. Alinor dropped her eyes and sighed that she had been reprimanded for immodesty by the Queen and now, when the Queen was too busy to notice, she was too busy to flirt. |
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"Flirt?" Bigod asked sharply. |
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"My lord," Alinor murmured, "you know I am the King's ward. I have no choice in my fate. A maid may plead with parents, but the King is beyond such devices." |
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"Do not be so sure, Lady Alinor. Lord Richard is a chivalrous and generous knightand he will be glad to have my father's gratitude. Do you add your word to mine, and all will be settled." |
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"I would not presume so far, my lord," Alinor whispered sweetly, and ran lightly away. |
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Milo de Bohun had even less success. He was so unwise as to approach Alinor in the Great Hall and had barely exchanged two words with her when a page urgently summoned her away to some new duty. His eyes followed her and his tongue ran back and forth across his wet mouth. |
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Ian de Vipont, at loose ends because Simon was deputizing for William Marshal and using William's servants and squires who were more familiar with the Court and the courtiers, made no attempt to speak to Alinor at all. He merely followed her at a discreet dis- |
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