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namethe Queen had made Richard, totally unknown in England, welcome to his people. From the merchants and artisans and from the petty barons, there would be no opposition. There would always be trouble from the great lords, but that was unavoidable and must be dealt with case by case as the trouble arose. |
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When they rode out from Winchester the next morning, it was clear that the courier had spoken the truth. The roads were lined with people from every hamlet and village within many miles. Alinor did not marvel at how fast the news had spread. She had seen word of her own progresses leap from mouth to mouth across her estates faster than the swiftest horse could bring the news. She merely rejoiced for the Queen that the faces were happy and cheers followed them. Alinor had heard tales of times in which the crowd stood with faces like stone and curses, sometimes even clods and offal, were cast at the gentry. |
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Among the Court the mood was not as wholeheartedly welcoming. It was not that there was any opposition to Richard. His claim was clear and unsullied by anythingexcept that he had hounded his father to death. It was not that which made the Court uneasy. Most had been glad to be rid of Henry, even those whose honor made them faithful. The Court's mood was like the weather that day. First the sun of hope shone brightly. Then from nowhere a little wind of rumor brought clouds of doubt that emptied sprinkles of grief. But before the sorrow of drowning in the downpour, a new breath of rumor swept the clouds away to reveal the sunshine of hope again. |
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Alinor was by no means exempt from the general mood, and she had more cause than most alternately to dread and hope for Richard's coming. Simon had been grim and unsmiling when she came to him that morning, sitting or lying as she directed, with thinned lips and eyes mostly closed as she removed the soiled bandages, washed away the pus that had gathered over- |
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