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father and mother might not welcome it." |
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"My father would not object, my lord," Simon said eagerly. "He loves you well and would be glad of another bond with your house. My mother, I think, would welcome any marriage I was willing to make and" his eyes wandered to Rhiannon again, "and she would understand Lady Rhiannon better than most other women. She is old now, but her spirit is still strong." |
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Llewelyn smiled reminiscently. He knew Alinor well. "That is true, but I fear they will never meet despite the ease with which we seem to have decided this matter. I do not believe you will ever get Rhiannon so far from her hills. You may try for her with my blessing, but remember I have no power to give you more. Rhiannon is a law unto herself. I fear you will have only grief from her." |
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Simon had not believed him, nor had he noticed the sly glance that touched him and moved away. It would serve his purposes very well, Llewelyn thought, if Simon married Rhiannon; he should have thought of it himself, but at least he had applied the fight spurs now that his brain had been jogged. He watched with mild amusement the confident carriage as Simon crossed the hall. This would be a struggle worth witnessing. |
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There was no reason for Simon to lack confidence. No woman except those whose hearts were already given had ever refused him. When he approached Rhiannon he was more concerned that he would be disappointed by her on closer acquaintance than that she would not welcome his attentions. At first, indeed, it seemed as if he would succeed with her as easily as he expected. When he came near, Gruffydd looked up from his half-sister's face and said rather nastily, "Here is our tame Saeson." |
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It was a remark calculated to raise animosity in both Simon and any full-blooded Welshwoman, but |
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