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Page 319
to himself, Simon grew somewhat more cheerful. Perhaps she was, in her own controlled way, hysterical. Perhaps the period in London, away from the anxieties of dealing with his family and the court, would help. But then there would be another bad period when Henry moved to Westminster. It would be better to put no additional burden on her, Simon thought, while she had so many to bear already. He could wait. When she was home in Angharad's Hall, safe in her own place with her burdens dropped behind her, perhaps she would no longer fear to love.
Thus, he was better prepared for her appeal for terms than most lovers would have been. "I will not importune you," he assured her, "but I will not release you from your oath to me, either."
"No, I do not desire that. The betrothal must stand so long as I must deal with Henry, but you must understand it means nothing for the future. I will not many you, Simon, nor do I any longer desire to hold you to your oath to me. You are free to do as you please with any woman you please."
"A worthless freedom, and one you cannot give me. I am not bound to you because of my oath. I gave my oath because I was already bound. But I have said already that I will force nothing on you. What else do you expect of me?"
I do not know," Rhiannon admitted fretfully. "There is something about you that strokes me and whispers 'love' even when you are at the other end of a room looking elsewhere."
In spite of his worry, Simon burst out laughing. "My infamous charm! I swear I do not do it apurposeat least not to you."
"Then it would be better, I think, if we were less often in the same place."
Simon regarded Rhiannon silently. He subdued a new feeling of hurt and was able to accept it. "We must live in the same house in London," he told her,

 
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