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Page 53
of her daily round by the Queen's presence, After her anxiety about her own affairs had been soothed by some very firm and straight talk from Sir Andre and Sir John about Sir Simon's life and character, the Queen's visit had been pure pleasure. Messengers had pounded up to the keep several times a day, and not all the messages they brought were of high or secret nature. Some the Queen read aloud and spoke of freely to Alinor and her men. It had opened a wider world than the sands and fields of Roselynde and Mersea, the woods and dales of Kingsclere and the inland estates. To listen to the doings of kings was, no doubt, more interesting than the overseeing of maids.
By the time the Queen was ready to leaveshe had stayed over an extra day so that Simon, who wished to keep his own guard with him, could arrange adequate escort for herAlinor had had to bite her tongue to keep herself from pleading to go along. No virtue inspired this noble self-discipline, merely a mixture of pride and the knowledge that pleading would do no good. Will the Queen remember me at all, Alinor wondered? She climbed out of bed and rang. the little silver bell that summoned her maids, slipped on the loose bedrobe that was handed to her, and wandered listlessly toward the garderobe to relieve herself. A maid trotted anxiously along behind.
"And what will you wear today, my lady?" Gertrude asked.
"Wear?"
Still bemused by sleep, Alinor was puzzled. One did not gown oneself in rich brocade and gold-embroidered tunics to check on the still room or the weaving room or to do accounts. Rough linen and homespun were good enough for such daily rounds. Then light dawned. They still had a guest at Roselynde. Sir Simon had ridden out with the Queen but had returned late in the night. Alinor had not seen him because she was

 
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