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he cried. "Do you not know a cat is no fit pet for a gentlewoman?" |
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"Math is not my pet," Rhiannon replied, laughing. "I am hisor, perhaps, we are friends, although he may not regard me highly enough for that honor." |
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"I hoped he was dead when you did not bring him last winter," Llewelyn said sourly. |
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The dogs having been routed, Math stalked solemnly up the hall, stopping before Llewelyn's chair to regard him with an unwinking stare. The ruler of many counties sighed. Math flitted his tail, seemingly contemptuous of what he saw, and walked on past Llewelyn toward the door that led to the hall of women. Rhiannon burst out laughing again at the look on her father's face and embraced and kissed him warmly. Llewelyn looked almost as surprised as if the cat had done it, but very pleased. |
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"Now, what has won me such a rare display of affection?" he asked fondly. |
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"Your own love for me, of course," Rhiannon replied. "Greater love no man can show than to endure Math for my sake." |
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That restored Llewelyn's good humor completely, and he asked pleasantly for news of Kicva and the homestead. He did not ask why Rhiannon had come, assuming it was the usual combination of affection for him and a need for more varied company and conversation than could be obtained in Angharad's Hall. |
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After a week, however, he began to wonder. Rhiannon was inviting attention from the young bucks of the court in a way she never had before. Llewelyn was not too pleased; he had hoped she would take Simon, if she took anyone. When the second week had passed. Llewelyn was even less pleased. He began to fear that Rhiannon planned to choose her man in the ancient way: whoever survived the combat over her would take her. He could have stopped it, of course, by sending her away, but in a way it was useful. It was |
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