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ground, but the ankle turned and she winced with pain. "Very well," she said, I am ready to be carried home, butbut do we have to tell Llewelyn about the idea that I am a witch?" |
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"No," Simon replied instantly, all concern for "lying" to his overlord passing from his mind. |
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In Wales such a reputation might not be too dangerous. Wise women versed in herb lore and the old religion were usually respected and allowed to live in peace, although it was clear from what had happened that some danger was involved. However, if an aroma of witchcraft tainted Rhiannon, it would be worse for her in England, where the old faith was equated with Devil worship. That would mean that Simon might not be able to bring her to Roselynde. Even without any accusations, Rhiannon was so strange in her ways that she was looked at askance. To raise the subject of witchery, even to deny it, would be a mistake. |
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"What will you say?" Rhiannon asked. |
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"The truththat I never asked Madog why he had attacked you. That I assumed he wished to force marriage on you, and I was too busy finding out what he had done with youand to youto worry about why he had done it." |
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"But he told you unasked . . ." |
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Rhiannon fell silent and shrugged. She had no right to complain about Simon's duplicity in clinging to the literal truth. She intended to use the same device herself to avoid the subject of whether or not she was a witch. Nonetheless, Simon's rapid perception of how the truth could be used as a direct lie distressed her. How many times had he done it already? How often would she herself be a victim of that kind of "truth-telling" if she weakened and linked her life to his? |
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When Simon had found her, if he had asked her to marry him, Rhiannon would have agreed, so overwhelming was her joy and relief. It was not only important that he had found her but that he was so |
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