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Page 395
conferring with Richard de Canvill and Robert of Turnham, in whose hands he was leaving the administration of Cyprus.
How long they might have wandered around Cyprus, Simon did not choose to guess. Richard's delaying tactics were suddenly curtailed by the information that Acre was on the point of falling. That news galvanized the King into action. The idea that the city should be saved without his leadership was unendurable. They hurried back to Limassol and Richard gave orders to load supplies and make ready to put to sea.
"And the Queens, my lord?" Simon asked.
He was sticking his head in the lion's mouth, he knew. Probably he should simply have made arrangements to embark the women on their own ship; however, at the thought of again being separated from Alinor, his heart failed. He was being a double fool for, by all repute, the passage between Cyprus and Acre was usually smooth and easy.
To his surprise, Richard made a natural, easy grimace of distaste, sighed, and said, "With us. I will not live over those weeks of guilt and fear. But the two Queens and 'your Alinor' and a serving maid or two only. I do not wish to be overwhelmed by a horde of caterwauling women."
Later Simon wondered if his personal terrors might be a cause of open dissatisfaction between Richard and his wife. However, Berengaria proved herself to be as staunch a sailor as Alinor and Joanna and the journey was very pleasant. The crowded conditions obviated any chance of privacy for husband and wife so that Richard could indulge himself with music and poetry and pretty speeches.
The change that took place in Richard's mood had nothing to do with his wife, initially. It began when Richard's vessel and the three galleys accompanying him sought to put into Tyre, the first port they came to. Richard courteously sent a party ashore to inform

 
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