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Page 302
"As I told my lord the king a day ago, there is no immediate need for any inducement. It is my intention to remain with the court."
The words were civil. They might have had a better effect if Simon's eyes were not brilliant with challenge. He had been able to come up to Rhiannon at last because as Winchester advanced, the people around her had fallen back, away from the bishop. The combined effect of the withdrawal and Simon's expression was not at all soothing to Winchester's feelings. Simon's look dried the saliva in Rhiannon's mouth, and she stepped sideways instinctively, although she could not flee with Simon's hand holding her arm like an iron band. The movement drew the king's eyes, but fortunately he misread the expression on her face.
"We have tired you," he said regretfully.
Rhiannon seized on his words as a drowning man clutches at a chance log floating by. "Yes, I am sorry," she whispered. "Will you give me leave, my lord, to go?"
"Yes, of course," Henry replied at once, and added contritely, "We should not have urged you to sing a second time. I shall take care is the future not to ask too much."
Winchester opened his mouth, possibly to protest or to offer a quiet chamber where Rhiannon could rest, but Simon was prepared and spoke first.
"There is no need to call her escort. I have my own men. I will see my wife home." He swept her away, hardly allowing her to curtsy to the king and bishop. As soon as they were out of earshot, he snarled, "Fool! Idiot! To come alone into their power. Have you no sense at all?"
Rhiannon made no reply because she had been far more frightened by Winchester than by the king. In retrospect, his smooth speech about an English meadow was terrifying. Rhiannon knew that the bishop had not been at all touched by her singing.

 
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