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take her home to Wales, but not to London. We will be even more vulnerable there." |
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"There is no question of vulnerability," Alinor replied. "You are letting your imagination run wild. No force will be used. Besides, you assured both Winchester and the king that you would remain with the court until the council." Then she turned her eyes to her son-by-marriage. "This is where Geoffrey's concurrence is needed. When the king asks for Rhiannon to sing again, as he will, Geoffrey must tell him that Winchester frightened her so much with his talk of nests in English meadows that she only wished to flee home last night." |
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Geoffrey's face cleared. "Yes, and you are quite right, this is not an adder wrapped in rose leavesat least, not for me. I see the rest now. I can say that it took all our efforts to convince her not to go home but that nothing would make her remain here. Finally we managed to find a compromise. She would go to London and sing for the king, but only at Alinor's house or when Winchester was not at court. Then, when the king comes to London, I will remind him. Yes, yes, this is good." |
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"There is only one difficulty," Simon put in, rather red in the face. "I do not know whether Rhiannon will agree. |
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Every head turned to him. In the silence his flush grew deeper. |
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"Well?" Alinor urged sharply. |
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"Weerquarreled over her going alone to court last night," Simon offered. "I was tired and said more than I should." |
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"You must have said a good deal more than was necessary." Alinor snapped. |
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"But it was my fault, Simon," Ian interrupted hastily. "Curse me! I should have gone with her. I knew it, but" |
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"There is no sense in 'should haves' now," Alinor |
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