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els, discover what has caused so great a discontent in them, and suggest a peace agreement." |
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"I do not believe it," Alinor said flatly. After as minute an examination of her husband's face as she could make in the dim light of the night candle, she sighed. "I see that you believe it. Ian, Ian, your soft heart will be our destruction. Such a yielding is against the king's whole nature. I do not mean that I disbelieve he urged this mediation. He can say anything" |
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"It is more than saying, Alinor. John has already sent out letters proposing this." Then Ian shrugged. "I am not so soft-headed as you think. What the end of this will be I cannot guess. I do not believe the king has changed his nature, but he has certainly changed his methods, and that is a good thing in itself. It means that for this timethe autumn and winter anywaythere will be no war, at least not among the barons of England." |
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Stubbornly, Alinor shook her head. "He lies." |
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"Perhaps about his purpose, not about what he will do at this time," Ian insisted. "His long purpose may still be to reduce all of us in the realm to a condition in which we can do nothing but obey. I believe, however, that he now knows his end cannot be achieved by his single power and the fear this induces. He needs allies, strong allies, and he believes God Himself has pointed out the ally he must choose." |
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Now Alinor nodded vigorously in agreement. "Of course. Now I see. Submissionfor which we will paywill bring a multitude of goods. Rebellion will again become an offense against the Church as well as against the king. Philip of France will no longer have an excuse to launch a 'holy war,' which he has been threatening to do for" Her voice checked. "I wonder if that could be the reason," she murmured. |
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"For a most curious proposalwell, more than a proposal. It was near a command. Isabella insists that Joanna and Geoffrey be married at court and proposes to supply the wedding feast and all other matters for the celebration." |
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