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jestingly included a description of the determined pursuit of Alinor's son by every nubile female in his household from maidservants to his wife's gently born wards. "And he does not run away very fast either," Leicester complained. "In fact, I am quite sure he has been caught several times." Adam, Alinor thought, although a well set up young man, was not a patch on what Simon would be at his age. She could only thank God it would be his wife's problem rather than hers and make a mental note to herself that they would need to look for a particularly gentle and complaisant girl. Even if Simon should happen to be of a faithful temperamentand Alinor doubted he would be because of his avid passion for new experienceshis wife would be sorely tried. |
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That was in the far future. Simon was, after all, only three years old. There were more immediate problems. After another affectionate glance at her son, Alinor recrossed the antechamber and closed the door to her bedchamber behind her firmly, but as softly as possible. She came directly to the bed after that, shed her bedgown, and got in beside her husband. Alinor hoped that they had disarmed whatever suspicion was felt about them. It was surprising to her that the queen rather than the king had set a spy, but unless someone was hidden under the bed, no one could now hear what was said. They looked at each other, both mouths opening at once. Alinor smiled. |
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"Tell me," she urged, "it is the king who calls the tune." |
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"Yes, but I wish I knew what tune it was. I have known him long, almost thirty years now, and I do not know this mood. Salisbury says John did not realize how much displeasure his behavior was causingthat what he did was meaningless to him and he did not believe, no matter how often he was told, that it had meaning to others. The news of the conspiracy shocked him into a recognition that he must change his ways." |
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"Salisbury would say that." |
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There was a short pause and then Ian said, "This time he may be right." |
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