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tell her I am most sensible of her kindness." |
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The lady turned to go and Ian made an idle comment to his wife about the subject matter of the tapestry, which drew a laugh from her and a light riposte about the uncleanness of his mind. The door, she noted, without turning her head, did not quite close. The click of the latch, quite apparent when Stephen left, did not occur. Lady Alinor smiled at her husband and continued to talk, mentioning after a few minutes that their son had been a little less active than usual on the last lap of their journey. |
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"You mean he sat quiet for more than five breaths?" Ian asked sardonically. "Have you not offered up thanks for the small mercies granted by heaven?" |
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Lady Alinor laughed. Simon was a devil incarnate. She had thought Adam an active, mischievous child, but Simon outdid him by far. He was not so large or strong as Adam at the same age, but he was more lithe, climbed like an ape, and was at least as curious. |
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"Well, it was restful," she agreed, "but I will offer no thanks if it is a sign of illness. I think I had better go and take a look at him." |
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She rose without haste, for she did not wish to catch the queen's lady or perhaps one of the king's servants listening at the door. The antechamber was empty when she crossed it. Nonetheless, she went into the small wall chamber opposite and looked carefully at her youngest son. There was no anxiety in her glance. Simon had been a little quieter than usualfor a short timebecause she had threatened to lift his hide with his father's belt if he did not cease from tormenting everyone. He was the image of Ian with his eyes closed, for he had his father's silky black curls and sensuous, sensitive mouth. He had inherited his mother's eyes, however, and the bright hazel, with its glints of green and gold, gave a markedly devilish aspect to the dark beauty he had taken from Ian. |
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Forgetting for a moment why she had come, Alinor cast her eyes up to heaven. Adam was already in trouble with women. Robert of Leicester had written of his progress and |
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