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All through the long ride to Kingsclere, the arguments flowed back and forth in Simon's mind. Rhiannon was herself agonized, mistaking his frowning absorption for unhappiness. A hundred times she opened her mouth to speak and closed it again, unable to offer comfort because she was still unwilling to offer herself as sacrifice. |
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It was an untold relief to arrive at the keep and be greeted with tearful gratitude by Sir Henry. The old man was in bad case. He was nearly paralyzed and often in pain. He was well cared for but terribly depressed by his helplessness and the boredom of sitting hour after hour unable to move and with nothing to do. Sir Harold did his best, but he had duties around the estate and his close attention was all the more necessary because he was new in his position. |
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Worse, Sir Harold did not yet have a wife. Until Alinor had fixed on him to be castellan at Kingsclere, he could not afford a wife unless an heiress could be found for him. Since there were many penniless younger sons and the parents or guardians of heiresses preferred men with something to add to the lady's estate, Sir Harold had never thought of marriage. Now his elder brother and Lady Alinor were both looking around for a suitable girl or young widow for him, but none had yet been found. Thus, there was no one to sit with old Sir Henry except the even older priest, who was also failing. There was no one to talk about subjects that would interest him, like hunting or fighting, or even to give him a game of chess. |
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Both Simon and Rhiannon were touched by the old man's joy in their coming and his tremulous fear that they would stay no longer than the one night. By common consent, without words, it was decided that they would extend the visit. Sir Harold was almost as grateful as Sir Henry. He felt dreadfully guilty about leaving the old man alone so much, but he did not dare neglect |
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