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ter sighed. He had pleaded and reasoned alsohoping more that John would satisfy his brother than that any spirit of mercy would move the kingbut he had been equally unsuccessful. The child had died with the mother after weeks of suffering. |
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That was not all. John had always played fast and loose with the wives and daughters of his nobility, but in the past he had confined himself either to willing women or to those who could be seduced or threatened into willingness. Of late, he did not even bother to put a gloss over what he was doing. He sent openly for any woman his fancy happened to light upon, and if she did not come, he sent men to seize her. Winchester had protested openly about this practice; he had called it a sin against God. John had laughed at himpubliclysaying he could not be more damned than he already was, excommunicated as he had been by the pope. And privately the king had sneered that he did not need to fear sin since, doubtless, he would be absolved for such trifles as rape and murder when he was absolved for the greater sins of flouting the Holy Father's will andworse yetlaying hands upon Church property. |
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"So the bastard is betrothed," Isabella sneered, breaking into Winchester's thoughts. "You see, my lord, I said your brother would not care for your preferences. He has betrothed his son to the daughter of your enemy." |
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"You do not understand William," John replied, a little more sharply than he usually spoke to Isabella. "His purpose is to bind de Vipont to me more firmly by making a blood bond with him." |
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Although she did not answer in words, Isabella tossed her head. "Is the girl still as red as a fox? she asked. "I remember her when she came to court with Lady Ela." |
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"Yes," Winchester replied shortly. It was never wise to praise other women to Isabella. |
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"And a bitch like the mother, no doubt?" John asked. |
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"Oh no." Isabella answered before Winchester could speak. "Not at all. She is a pious prude and as meek as a nun's hen. What could she be else with such a mother. |
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