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have been an excellent excuse. |
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Llewelyn tapped his teeth with a finger. Why should he feel it was too late? It was still an excellent excuse. It was perfectly logical that, having now met Pembroke personally and liking him for himself, Llewelyn would offer to him the greatest delicacy he hadhis daughter Rhiannon's singing. Yes, and it could do no harm if Pembroke thought he was not perceptive enough to realize that Welsh folk tales would not be the most appropriate entertainment to offer a French-oriented Marcher lord. The choice would underline Llewelyn's intense pride in his heritage as well as imply that he did not understand his guest very well. Good! |
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The letter to Kicva was written before Llewelyn sought his bed, and the messenger was sent out with instructions that it be delivered with more than usual haste. Then Llewelyn dismissed both Simon and Rhiannon from his mind. He had more serious matters to consider than a love affair, particularly since he now had good reason to assume it would come to the conclusion he desired. |
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Reports came in every day. Henry and his army were still at Gloucester. As long as they remained there, Pembroke could afford to stay at Builth, discussing what moves he was willing to make and what he could provide for offense and defense. Llewelyn could put forward his proposals and detail what he would do to support them. The Welsh prince was inwardly irritated by Pembroke's excessive sense of honor; he called it not knowing on which side of the bread the butter lay. However, it had its advantages, too. Once bound, Richard would stay that way; so Llewelyn concealed his impatience with this exaggerated nicety and spoke of many plans as contingent when he was certain from long experience that they would have to be used. |
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On the ninth of November, news came that Henry and his army had begun moving north. Pembroke sent out word that his men should assemble at |
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