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her nose disdainfully and began to turn away, he continued with spurious gravity, "I think I like the cockleburs better, in fact. They are less expensive to gather, which must be a point to consider for a husband who is not rich." |
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She could not help laughing. Simon knew she had gems enough not to need more from a husband and that she cared very little whether she wore rubies or polished stones which could be had for the simple labor of picking them up from the ground and rolling them in a mill. Even so, in Welsh terms, Simon was rich. |
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"Do you delay me hoping that these gentlemen"Rhiannon nodded at the four men who now stood close"will be discouraged by my appearance? I assure you they will not. They, too, prefer cockleburs. Then the dower my father gives with me could be spent on objects worthier than my adornment." |
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"You need no adornment," one said. |
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"There is naught worthier than your adornment," another exclaimed. |
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The other two, keener witted, said nothing, seeing the trap. Rhiannon raised her fine-arched brows, preparing to impale the unwise flatterers on their own lances of wit. But, before she could praise the economy of one, who would offer fine words in the place of rich gifts, or complain that the other thought her so ugly that any sum expended on baubles to hide her true appearance would be worthwhile, Simon deflected her aim. |
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"We may all soon be rich enough not to care for your dower or the price of rich gifts," he suggested provocatively. |
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Instantly the attention of the four young men shifted. The eldest of them, Owain Brogynton, had not fallen into Rhiannon's snare, but greed drew him headlong into Simon's. |
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"How so, when Prince Llewelyn has forbidden raiding? Do you think yourself safe from his command because of your Saeseneg relations?" |
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