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to Simon, Llewelyn would harrow the court so effectively that Christ's Harrowing of Hell would seem a jest in comparison. |
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Madog was not quick of mind, but the pressure of rage and the need for secrecy jolted him into an unusual mental agility. He put together Simon's English connections and Prince Llewelyn's affection for him with the fact that Llewelyn's illegitimate son Gruffydd loathed the English and was jealous of anyone his father preferred. Madog did not mind if Gruffydd got into trouble. He would watch Simon, he thought, and when he caught him with Rhiannon he would report the matter to Gruffydd. Then Gruffydd would take care of the elimination of Simon, one way or another. |
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The absolute stillness of Simon's body on his pallet further infuriated Madog, who thought Simon had dropped asleep instantly and associated that with sexual satisfaction. However, it was discipline rather than satisfaction that kept Simon so quiet. He had more or less decided what he would say to Rhiannon, but he was quite unable to think of a way to convince her to listen to him. He had assumed she was so furious at the crude way he had rejected her offer of herself that she would not even permit him to approach her. |
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To add to the difficulty, Simon did not dare leave it to time to appease her anger while he furthered his cause by looking depressed and lonelya ruse he had found very efficacious when a lady in one place finally heard of his exploits in another. Time, usually so much a lover's friend, had turned on him. Simon did not know whether he would have a day, a week, or a month or more before Llewelyn came to a decision as to what he would do, when he would do it, or whether he wished to ally himself to Pembroke at all. He was pretty sure of a day or two while Llewelyn consulted the major clan leaders who were beholden to him. After that, Simon knew he might be sent back |
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