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Page 176
Chapter Eleven
Even Alinor's sturdy spirit was somewhat overset by contemplation of the idea of John and Isobel as King and Queen. It haunted her as she dressed for the great celebration, the first of many, that was prepared to welcome the King. She wore the latest fashions nowa wimple of white, all flecked with gold thread to bring out the sparkle of her hazel eyes; a tunic of white, gold embroidered at the neck; a cotte of pale green brocaded with gold thread. She had a grander dress prepared also, but she had put it aside for Isobel of Clare's wedding. Tonight she did not wish to shine too brightly.
Nonetheless, hardly was dinner over than Alinor was embroiled in trouble. For once she was innocent of all except abstraction. She had forgotten what the Queen said about making Simon and the King better known to each other. Thus when the tables had been cleared and the musicians began to tune their instruments, Alinor waited with confidence for Simon to appear. He always asked her for the first dance so that neither Bigod nor de Bohun could claim that she had shown him that favor. What was more, Simon regulated which of them she accepted later, how often, and in what order. There had been a sharp tussle about that, but Simon won hands down by pointing out that, once she had brewed the trouble, it was his hide that was punched full of holes to sieve it out. Surprisingly, the two rivals accepted Simon's direction of Alinor's activities without apparent protest. He was absolutely even handed; if neither could feel that he was given an advantage, both knew their rival was equally constrained.

 
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