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Page 247
Simon turned away, features frozen, body rigid. Could he have misunderstood? Was it possible that Alinor still loved him? Was it possible that Alinor's purchase of Sussex for him was not, on a larger scale, of course, the same dismissal of obligation that her gift of a fine horse and arms sent to Ian had been? It was impossible to pursue the thought, to try to determine what Alinor's distress had signified. Once he made his bow to the Queen and was invited to sit opposite her beside the fire, it was necessary to concentrate upon her. To answer absently even such polite questions as those about his health was to call forth far keener questioning. Simon felt he needed to understand what was happening before he answered any questions.
"And do you enjoy being a sheriff?" the Queen asked.
Simon opened his mouth to give a reply as casual as the question and then shut it abruptly. When he opened his lips again, they were twisted wryly, and one brow lifted cynically. "It is so like the duty I have always done that it is neither pleasure nor painas you well know, Madam, so why do you ask?"
"But I did not know," the Queen said. "I knew you served the late King, but I did not know how."
"Is that a reproach?" Simon asked stiffly.
"No, no." The Queen laughed; then added in a half question, "You have grown very thin of the skin recently."
"Perhaps. I was not overpleased at how the Welsh business was ended," Simon replied flatly.
"For you it was well ended." The Queen's response was sharp. "The King gives full credit to you, whatever came later, for avenging the insult done him." Then she leaned forward and put a hand on Simon's arm. "I am sorry for the Welsh lords, but I could not press Richard on that subject. I must tell you that we are like to have worse troubles here in England if

 
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