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Page 283
accomplish his purpose. But, Rhiannon, I assure you if we removed Winchester's influence, Henry would soon lose interest in the bishop's ideas. My cousin is not at all warlike at heart."
"No, he is not," Ian said. "He is a man of strong affections, which is why Winchester has had so easy a conquest. He was one of Henry's guardians when the king was a child. Partly owing to his close association with King John, he was not well liked and was pushed out as de Burgh gained ascendency. Naturally, when Henry began to resent de Burgh, he turned to Winchester."
"It will be worse soon," Walter said. "I have heard that Winchester seeks control of Devizes. That is what I came to tell you all before I was drawn into the other matter. I fear that if Peter des Roches becomes de Burgh's warder, de Burgh will die."
Geoffrey uttered an obscenity, which startled everyone because it was most unlike him to use such crudities. However, he made no direct comment on Walter's news except a warning glance at him. Instead, he looked at Rhiannon.
"We have not really strayed from the need to win Henry's friendship. As Lady Alinor said, the king is easily led; as Ian said, he is a man of strong emotions; as Walter implied, he is spiteful. If you can gain his affection and esteem, Rhiannon, it may be that you can turn aside his spite from your father and point it in the right directiontoward Winchester."
I see it," Rhiannon sighed, "but I am the last person to be useful for such a purpose. Simon will tell you that I am not the softest-spoken woman in the world, nor the most tactful."
"Anyone who can deal with Math can deal with Henry," Simon said, grinning. "Fix it in your mind that the king is a two-legged Math with more self-love and less common sense, and all will go well."

 
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