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Page 137
Simon thought it was that he was fretting over Isobel's coldness. From what I knew of Isobel, however, it did not seem to me that she was given to playing such games. And, indeed, she is not. She is quite determined to have William. Isobel of Gloucester had been telling her nasty tales. I merely told her some true things instead."
"What sort of tales did Isobel of Gloucester tell?"
Alinor opened her mouth eagerly, closed it, and sighed. "I will tell you, Madam, but I think you should know before I speak that I do not like Isobel of Gloucester. What I say may not be just. Simon says"
Since the Queen knew the tales Isobel of Gloucester told, having been the source of them herself, she had merely been testing Alinor's attachment for herself and was readily diverted from the subject by having heard Simon's name three times in five minutes.
"Simon seems to have become wondrous great with you. I thought you would not welcome the interference of an overseer."
There was that in the Queen's voice that turned Alinor cold. Sir Andre had apparently spoken the truth about the danger to them both if the Queen learned she cared about Simon. Desperately she gathered her resources. The Queen was far too clever to miss a lie, but perhaps the truth lacking one little piece would pass.
"Well, I do not," Alinor admitted, "and we often quarrel quite dreadfully, but he is so much like my grandfather that I cannot help but love him."
The word was out, but the Queen's face was unchanged. Alinor was very careful not to sigh with relief. That, her grandmother had explained, as she whipped her for telling a lie, was what gave the lie away. Courage and warmth flowed back into Alinor. She found a smile.
"And," she continued, "he is so very often rightjust like my grandfather, that I find myself asking his

 
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