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Page 335
Walter's nature, which attracted her so much, would be the cause of trouble between them.
While she was talking of Walter, Simon was continually mentioned in comparison and contrast. Sybelle knew Simon inside out, but the depth of her love by no means made her blind. Her innocent assumption that Rhiannon knew Simon as well as she did led her to speak with greater freedom than she might have in other circumstances. That freedom convinced Rhiannon that what she heard was no special pleading on Simon's behalf. Yet in all the talk Sybelle never once mentioned any fear that her husband's affections would stray. Rhiannon finally raised the point herself and her question was greeted by an astonished lift of Sybelle's brows.
"Our men do not do such things," she said distastefully, and then, seeing that Rhiannon was embrassed, began to laugh. "Oh, please do not think you have spoken amiss and exposed an innocent maid to the horrid truth. I know that Simon has been between every pair of female legs that would open for himand Walter probably is not far behind in this enterprise. Ian, I have heard, was near as bad, and Adam must have been worse, for he, if he saw something he wanted, would pursue even the unwilling. That is ended when they take a wife."
"I cannot believe it," Rhiannon said. "Why should the leopard change its spots?"
"I do not think they change their spots. They shed their baby fuzz and their playful ways for their true coats. One reason, of course, is that there is no marriage made among us except for true desire on both parts." Suddenly Sybelle looked at Rhiannon with frowning concern. "Surely you know the choice was free on Simon's part and had nothing to do with your father's desire."
"Yes, I know that, butbut you are saying that the

 
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