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Page 66
"You do not mind?" Richard asked curiously.
"God, no!" Simon exclaimed. "That is not to my taste at all, to be tied to a seat of justice and an account book. My father has already given me what I most desired. With Prince Llewelyn's permission, he has ceded to me his Welsh properties."
"Welsh? You are vassal to Lord Llewelyn?" Richard asked, leaning forward with sudden alertness.
"Yes, my lord."
"Are you in good repute with him?"
"Very good," Simon replied, and then, seeing it was important for some reason, he added, "He has given me permission to seek the hand of his natural daughter, Lady Rhiannon, in marriage."
"Seek? If he desires you for a son"
"Lady Rhiannon is not that kind of woman," Simon said stiffly. "She cannot be given away like a horse or a parcel of land."
"Well, as soon as she sees your face, she will be lost." Richard laughed. "We can consider that bond as good as made."
He leaned back in the chair, his eyes fixed on nothing while he considered certain possibilities uncovered by Simon's willingness to save him and the connection with Llewelyn. Thus, he missed Simon's expression. Isabella did not, and she bit her lip, hoping her brother would say no more on the subject of marriage. She held her breath as Richard turned to look intently at Simon again. The servants were leaving. When the last two were gone, staggering slightly under the weight of the tub, which was still a third full of water and would be tipped empty in the yard, he signed to Isabella, who went and closed the door.
"Did you love William?" Richard asked unexpectedly.
"Yes," Simon replied shortly, but his bright eyes misted, and Richard was more assured of the depth of his feeling than if he had made a passionate avowal.

 
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