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you have begun in the middle. We do not know who 'he' is or who 'she' is. Will you not sit down? If you think Ian should not stay, he will not." |
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"But Lord Ian must know. He is the one who will have toThat is, if" |
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This might go on all night, Ian thought. He glanced at Alinor and saw that, although she was still dreadfully pale, the worst of this spate of grief was over. It might recur, probably it would, but not for a little while, not while Lady Elizabeth held her attention. "I will go," Ian said firmly, walking toward the door. "If there is something I must do, Lady Elizabeth, my wife will tell me. That way I can truthfully say you told me nothing and all will be well." |
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It was the best thing he could have done. Clear of the distraction of Ian's too-handsome person, for it was that as much as fear that had been unsettling Lady Elizabeth, she came to the point. |
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"It is about Lord Geoffrey," she whispered. |
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"Geoffrey?" Alinor quavered, her eyes filling. |
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"I am sure it is too late, butbut if there is any chance II want him to have it." |
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The tears did not fall. They seemed to be sucked back to their source as Alinor's every sense came alert. Plainly, Lady Elizabeth knew of Geoffrey's death, yet she hinted that, had he been alive, there was some danger to him fromwell, it could only be from the queen. Alinor urged her visitor into a chair and sat down close beside her. She wondered briefly whether this was some device of the king's, but no one had ever accused Lady Elizabeth of anything beyond an overgreat willingness to couple. Her good intentions and good nature were proverbial. |
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As if she had seen Alinor's doubts, the young woman said, "Please understand, Geoffrey and I liked each other. To me he waswhat?a child to be taught and leda star pupil? I took him to my bed because," she lifted her head defiantly, "you may laugh at me if you like, but it was because he was sweet and good and I did not wish him to be embittered. The ladies of the court all made up to him and |
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