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"I do not come from the queenoh, yes, I do, but I mean I do not come to summon you to her. II must speak to you, Lady Alinor." |
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The voice was trembling. Could Lady Elizabeth have lost someone also? From what was said about her she could not differentiate one man from another, but what was said in Isabella's court was not always true. Alinor got off the bed and fumbled on the table for flint and tinder. |
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"Of course," she said. Perhaps the little whore had a heart; perhaps she only thought she had a heart. In any case, at this moment Alinor could not have been unkind to the devil himself if he were grieving. "Let me light the candles. Do not be alarmed. Ian is here, but he will go if" |
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"NoOh, I do not know. I have something to tell you, but I think it is very dangerousveryoh. I know you will not betray me Lady Alinor, butbut Lord Ian" |
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"To whom is this dangerous, Lady Elizabeth?" Ian asked softly. |
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"To me. Oh, dear, I should hold my tongue. I know I should. It cannot matter now, and yetwhat if it did? He was so kind, you see. He neverAnd he was so respectful of me, even after" |
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"I assure you if the danger is to you I will not betray you," Ian said. If he could have laughed at anything, he would have laughed at this silly little hen, thinking she was important enough for him to tell tales of her. |
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"Oh, I know you would not do so on purpose, but you will be so angry, you see, and you will show itbecause gentlemen are not very goodmost gentlemenat hiding such things, and then she will want to know how you found out. She is very stupid, far stupider than I, but I was the only one there because she had sent the maids away. She thought I would be glad of it. She thought I was angry because he stoppedBut I understood that. It was only in fun. We never cared for each otheronly liking. And I showed him thingswhat to touch and how" |
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"Forgive me, Lady Elizabeth," Alinor said gently, "but |
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