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vassals and the appearance and manner of your keep and your servants give evidence of good management." |
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"Then why must I be overseen?" Alinor asked rebelliously. |
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The Queen stared into the face that she could see was red as fire, even in the dim light. She gauged the intelligence and anger in the dark eyes that showed sparks of brightness in their depths. Why anger? The child was neither greedy nor dishonest. Ah, she was proud. There was the key. Alinor could not abide the thought that she was considered incapable of ruling her own lands. The cold truth would do more good here than either threats or honeyed lies. |
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"In plain wordsfor the King's good. You have ruled your lands for this past year for your good and for the good of your vassals. That is most reasonable. If you were to marry, your husband would rule your lands to the same purposes. If you do not marry, however, your revenues come to the King." The Queen paused and then said distinctly, separating her words so that no implication could be missed. "A warden is needful to make certain that every mil not used for your maintenance or for the needful repairs and care of the lands comes into the King's coffers and not into private purses. Do you understand?" |
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Silence. Alinor stood like a carven image, except for the shallow breaths that lifted her young bosom. The Queen sat down on the bed, and Alinor automatically knelt and removed her shoes. As the Queen lay down, Alinor rose. Tears glittered in her eyes. |
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"Is this your way to force me into marriage, Madam? Will you set a warden who will impoverish my estates and ruin my vassals to bring me to obedience?" |
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"Alinor!" the Queen exclaimed exasperatedly. "One does not accuse royalty to its face of such things!" She could not help laughing at the mixture of the naiveté and boldness. "In fact, in this case it is not true. It suits the King's purposes better for you to remain |
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