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the flirtations she had begun. She did, of course, act with greater coolness, but this only produced still greater difficulties. Now that her mind was free of the preoccupation of which man to choose, she saw the animosity she had raised among her suitors. This sent her, filled with remorse, to her father, but he only laughed heartily and begged her not to leave or turn her pursuers away just yet. |
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The explanation of his reasons for this request relieved Rhiannon's mind but created a problem. She had intended to write to Simon and ask him to return. When she thought matters through, however, Rhiannon realized that the last person she wanted at court just now was Simon. Whether or not he was in sympathy with her father's purpose of keeping his wild bucks from raiding, Simon was not likely to consent to being one suitor in a crowd of others. Besides, if she showed him favor, all the others might turn on him. Although in a general way Simon was well liked, it would be a far different matter to see a suitor from England run off with a Welsh prize even though Rhiannon had no intention of marrying. The satisfaction of her desire was reasonable, but she was strongly opposed to submitting her body or soul to the tether that marriage oaths would impose. |
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Thus it was with more horror than pleasure that Rhiannon saw Simon ride into Aber on a fine afternoon in mid-August. Instinct conquered reason; Rhiannon fledacross the bailey, out the rear postern, down the precipitous slope that led up to the walls, and into the woods. Like a wild thing, she cowered behind a tangle of brush until the quiet of the afternoon wood brought her some calm. Even then, flight seemed the only answer. |
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To return meant that her cheap device to escape her need for Simon would be exposed. Shame did not often touch Rhiannon. Fearlessness and honesty |
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