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broke in. "I am sorry we could not explain to Simon how it came about that Rhiannon went alone. Who could believe that he would fix on this idea of abducting her? In any case, there will be plenty of time to explain to Rhiannon why it is necessary for her to go to London." |
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"Yes, because it will really forward Llewelyn's purpose more than ours," Geoffrey remarked. "Our point will be made even if she insists on going back to Wales." |
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"But I am not afraid that she will wish to go to Wales," Simon complained. "She is almost as enamored of the king's listening as he is of her singing." |
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"That is not true," Rhiannon said. Everyone had been so absorbed in the discussion that no one had noticed her come out from behind the bed curtains. She was standing quite near the table, her eyes angry. "Any singer is glad of those who listen with their hearts," she continued, "but a wise bird does not sit down on limed twigs just to obtain hearers." |
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Simon threw up his hands in disgust. "Everything I say is wrong these days." |
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To this no one bothered to reply. Alinor had done a quick survey of what had been said and decided with relief that nothing except Simon's last words could be thought of as critical of Rhiannon. This did not worry Alinor. She was quite confident of her son's ability to wriggle out of any stupidity he had fallen into with a girl who loved him. In fact, the best opportunity for him to redeem himself would occur when they were alone. |
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"Well, then," Alinor said, as if her son had not spoken, "are you willing to go with Simon to London and await the king's coming there?" |
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"Yes, I am," Rhiannon replied. "I may be ignorantas some believebut I am not too stupid to learn." |
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