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him, "She might be worried if a full-sized dragon breathing fire appeared suddenly. I cannot think of anything lesser that would worry her. Go on, tell your tale, child." |
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"Lady Alinor gave me this letter to be sent to Sir Andre at Roselynde Keep. She said to give it to you because she is not permitted to send messages freely." |
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"What?" Simon turned to look at William. "What does this mean?" he asked thunderously. |
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"Softly. Softly." William soothed. "It must be some women's nonsense. It is not by my order. That I swear." |
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"Alinor is not overgiven to women's nonsense," Simon remarked, taking the strip of parchment the page was holding out. "Very well, child, you may go." It had occurred to him that she might be up to some new deviltry. He had to see that message, but if it were sealed It was not. He scanned the few lines, held the note out to William, his eyes narrowed. "There is nothing here that she could wish to hide, and she is not one to ask any man to do for her what she can do for herself. Thus she truly believes to send messages is forbidden. William, could this be an order from the Queen concerning the King's wards?" |
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An arrested expression came into William's eyes and he bit back an oath. "If so," he said, his voice bitter now, "it is nothing to do with Lady Alinor. What I was saying to you just before, Simon, is that I do not see any way to avoid trouble. I had hoped with the old king and young Henry dead, that the last two would cease from tearing each other apart. But it is not to be. The devil is in these Angevins." |
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Simon laughed. "You mean you believe the old talesthat the Queen's grandmother was a witch who flew out of the church window when the Host was lifted, and" |
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"I believe the Queen's grandmother was a bitch! And there can be no doubt that the old King's mother |
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