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would betray his vows on the next night. She knew that was true, yet she shook and burned, cold and hot with rage and grief and jealousy. Then, when Ian and Geoffrey and Adam came home the next day, saying that Simon had been invited to hunt and would return later, Rhiannon had to make herself busy so that no one would see her face. Choking on her anguish, she asked herself what Simon was hunting. Was he on the trail of a four-legged or a two-legged doe? And even if he truly was hunting deer, did that not show clearly that he preferred the company of his hunt companions to her? Well, and if so, he could have them. She would leave him to them for good and all. |
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Some time after she reached this resentful conclusion, a squire of the body to the king came with a special invitation and request that Lady Rhiannon come to sing for Henry and some special guests from Provence. Since the messenger came into the hall while Rhiannon was trying to calm herself by better fitting her French translations to her music, she could scarcely have found an excuse not to go. In her present mood, it never entered her mind to seek any excuse. She accepted the invitation at once, only requesting time to dress herself suitably. |
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No ease or hope had been discovered in the two days of discussions. Ian was tired and depressed. He did not wish to go to court and to put on a face of calm and goodwill. Naturally the squire's instructions did not forbid him to attend; in decency the invitation could not exclude the male kin of any woman invited to the court. However, the fact that they had not been specifically invited hinted that Henry would prefer their absence. Rhiannon's safety had been fully provided for. In addition to the squire, there was a full escort of men-at-arms and a promise of a full escort to bring her home safely when her performance was over. |
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A hurried conference resulted in Rhiannon setting off alone with the squire and her escort when she was |
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