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Page 305
touch and look into each other's eyes. It did not matter that their talk seldom touched upon love; their devotion broadened and deepened with each shared thought and problem.
Problems there were in plenty. Matters were going from bad to worse in England, although the troubles had not yet touched Alinor's estates. When they returned to England after their conference with the King, Longchamp had refused to allow the Bishop of Durham to sit with the barons of the Exchequer, despite the fact that King Richard had confirmed Durham as justiciar of the northern parts. This boded very ill for any other promises Longchamp had made. Simon considered and described in detail steps to be taken for strengthening the defenses of Sussex. Alinor related these faithfully to Sir Andre, received his reports of what had been accomplished, and passed the information to Simon. The Queen approved heartily. The steady come and go of messengers asking for Lady Alinor became a commonplace. No one would notice one or two more or less when the King's party separated from hers.
When Richard had seen his mother comfortably settled at Chinon, he departed upon a final tour of the provinces. It was not always a peaceful tour. Simon saw action with the King in the attack and capture of William of Chis, who had long plagued the pilgrims passing through the Pyrenees on their way to the shrine at Compostela. It was a most fortunate circumstance in that it gave Richard a fully rounded view of the man he remembered only as a restraining influence in battle. If the King had had any lingering fear that his "shield bearer's" purpose was to protect him, it ended at Chis' stronghold. Simon was as daring a fighter as Richard could desire, and when the battle was over the King embraced and kissed his liegeman with sincere enthusiasm.
The languorous spring of the Loire Valley warmed

 
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