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then asked for favors from Salisbury. I wanted him to know that a woman can be with a man for pure pleasureasking nothing but the exchange of joy." |
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"That is a good thing to teach a young man," Alinor murmured. "Perhaps my daughter has much for which to thank you." There was a silence as both women realized that now Geoffrey no longer was at all. |
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"Is it true that his body has not been found?" Lady Elizabeth asked. |
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Alinor sobbed, choked it back. "Yes, it is true." |
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"Then I must speak," Lady Elizabeth sighed. "I know it is very likely he is dead, but if there is the smallest chanceYou see, he was the only one whowho remembered. I taught others also, butbut after they found aa better partner" |
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"I am sure they could not find a better," Alinor said impulsively. "No one could be kinder." |
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Lady Elizabeth cast Alinor a grateful glance but was not deflected from what she had been saying. "The others did not think me good enough to spit on when I had no more to offer. Geoffrey was different. He was never ashamed to talk to me, no, nor 'too busy' to come to me when I wanted him, even when he had another mistressuntil he married. Then he came no more, but I understood that. We were friends you see. He still" She broke off again. |
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"He was of very sweet and tender heart," Alinor sighed, tiredly wiping away tears, "always kind." |
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"I did not come to increase your grief or to ease my own heart by talking of him," Lady Elizabeth said apologetically. "I am Isabella's lady, and I really like her. She is stupid, many say, but I suppose so am I. We suit each other, and usually she is very good to me. You know this. That is why I spoke of Geoffrey and me. I wanted you to understand why I seemed to be betraying the queen. To speak the truth, I do not know why she has this hatred for Geoffrey. She is a good woman. I have never known her to hate anyone before." |
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Because she is so selfish she cannot be bothered to feel |
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