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Both her husband and her son stopped chewing to stare at her. "Well?" Ian prompted. |
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"Wait for Geoffrey," Alinor replied, smiling and taking a hearty bite from a slice of cheese. I do not wish to have to say it all twice." |
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Simon and Ian looked at each other. They were never so much at one as in those times when both wished to strangle Alinor. Fortunately for their pride and their tempers, Geoffrey and the others came in just then. A gesture made Simon recapitulate what he had just told them. Various expressions, some of approval and some of irritation, were cut off by Ian's shushing motions. |
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"Your mother," he remarked sardonically, "was delighted. She says she has a way to turn this stupidity to account, but it needs Geoffrey's concurrence." |
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Geoffrey immediately began to look very wary. Alinor was usually wise, but from time to time a really outrageous notion would occur to her. Since she was both clever and stubborn, it was very difficult either to prove her wrong or to divert her. |
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"You need not look as if I were about to hand you a live adder wrapped in rose leaves," Alinor said. |
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"But it is not unknown for you to do so, Mama," Gilliane pointed out gently, "and to say such a thing can only make poor Geoffrey wonder all the more." |
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Alinor laughed. "But do you not see it?" she asked. "Henry is assuredly besotted on Rhiannon's singing. He noticed that she was frightened when he spoke of keeping heryou told me that, Ian. He cannot have failed to notice how disturbed she was at what Winchester said when she had just asked for assurances that she would not be caged." |
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"Come, Mama, spit it out," Adam said impatiently. "What are we to do?" |
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"You? Nothing! You are as bad as Simon for saying what you should not. What Simon will do is take Rhiannon to our house in London." |
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"Why London?" Simon asked. "I can see reason to |
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