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seize a cup of wine and go as far from the tables as he could. By accident rather than design, although he was already beginning to feel less like a corpse animated by magic, Simon found himself near the door opposite the women's hall. Memory of the previous morning hastened his recovery. He leaned against the door frame, sipping his wine slowly and wondering whether Rhiannon would return from whatever outing she had taken while he was there. |
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Before he tired of waiting, a page summoned him to Llewelyn. By the time their talk was finished, Simon found he had recovered from his overindulgence and he was hungry. There was virtually nothing left on the tables, but Simon grabbed a heel of bread and some cheese right out of the hands of a maidservant. He asked if she had seen Rhiannon, but she said she did not think the lady had returned. This disturbed Simon slightly. Rhiannon had a good appetite and seldom missed a meal. |
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Simon grew more and more uneasy as the morning passed. In the hills, Rhiannon would stay out all day, but she did not do that at court. If he had known where to look, Simon would have sought her, even though he knew she hated to be followed and watched over. As it was, all he could do was idle around near where he could see the entrance to the women's hall and yet not be seen himself. When Rhiannon returned and he was sure she was safe, he could just slip away before she saw him. Then, at least, his mind would be at ease. |
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There was no sign of Rhiannon, but Simon noticed that Madog ap Sior was also idling around the women's hall. That was a nuisance. Simon tried to think of some way to be rid of the man, who, he was sure, was also waiting for Rhiannon. Before he became desperate, however, Mallt came out of the door. Simon tensed to withdraw. She had made several attempts to approach him previously, but he had avoided her adroitly enough |
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