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seen him trying to talk with you, and you cutting him off to dance with some silly stripling. And I have seen his eyes follow you."
"But why did he not tell me he could not dance? Why did he not even say, 'Stay, Isobel'?"
"Because," Alinor said, laughing heartily as Simon's behavior as well as William's, became clear to her, "he is an honorable man. He did not wish to worry you or make you think him a weakling who wept over every bruise. AndIsobel, I am going to speak what could bring me, and Simon, and William, too, harsh punishment"
"Oh," Isobel began.
This time Alinor had no intention of allowing Isobel to avoid knowledge she did not want; she hurried on, ignoring Isobel's protest. "There is another contender for your hand, and if you do not believe, and say openly for all the Court to understand, that you are committed to William, Baldwin of Bethune will have you." She saw from the way Isobel's eyes slid aside that this was not news to her. "There is your second reason for William's reserve. He is much afeared that, should he make you love him and then should the King command your obedience to take Baldwin, you would be unhappy."
"I wish I could believe you," Isobel cried, wringing her hands. "I wish I knew what to believe."
"I know nothing of Baldwin of Bethune, except that Simon, who has treated me with great honor and honesty, looks aside when he speaks of Baldwin so that I should not see in his eyes what he thinks. I know William Marshal's reputation and I know also that even those who spit when they say his name admit he is a man of honor and does not lie. You do not need to believe me. Forego a single dance tonight and stand beside William and ask him in plain words if what I say is true."
Then as a reward for her good deed, Alinor was

 
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