|
|
|
|
|
|
the women would be the most likely of any to accept Rhiannon. And, for Llewelyn's purposes, the intimacy of Lord Geoffrey with the king was almost as valuable as Joan's blood tie. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kicva smiled to herself when she thought how clever Llewelyn was, for the thing worked both ways. To couple the marriage with a most necessary duty to her father and to Gwynedd was to provide a perfect excuse for Rhiannon to back down from her refusal to marry. This would save her pride and make Simon very happy also. It was typical of Llewelyn and the key to his success as a ruler that he so often found a way to benefit his subjectsat no cost to himselfwhile they performed duties necessary to his purposes. Having read the letter a second time, Kicva settled before her loom while she considered how best to present the facts to Rhiannon. She worked quickly while she thought; there would not be many days to finish this piece of work before it was needed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hours earlier when the first message announcing the arrival of visitors was called across the valley from hilltop to hilltop, Rhiannon knew it was Simon coming. Of course, each of the three warnings of a visitor over the past two weeks had, in her opinion, heralded Simon, but this time she was certain again. For a short time she sat still, fighting the urge to run out and meet him. It would be horrible, she knew, to meet under the eyes of all the people in the hall or the courtyards. Even in the garden, maids and men would peep, murmuring to each other that Lady Rhiannon had at last chosen a man. But it would be little better to meet surrounded by Simon's men, unable to touch him or ask the questions she wanted to ask. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Her mother was not looking at her. She had begun to make ready for the guests, telling the servants where to place the bed that would be set up for Simon's use and to which stable to take his horses, issuing |
|
|
|
|
|