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Page 23
or not. Those who were ready to betray their husbands, Simon took without a thought; those who loved their men, he did not pursue. But in the infinitesimal pause before Llewelyn answered, Simon knew it was of great importance to him, and his breath sighed out in relief when Llewelyn shook his head.
''God knows I have presented enough men to her," Llewelyn said, "and I am willing to dower her with lands as well as what she will have from her mother. Rhiannon will have none of it. They are not marrying women. Gwydyon did not marry Angharad, Kicva's motheror, more like, she would not marry him."
"That is very strange," Simon said. The ruses his unmarried mistresses had used to attempt to trap him into marriage were myriad. He had not thought the single state was ever a woman's choice, except those who professed the celibacy of a religious life. "Did they have many lovers?" he asked.
Llewelyn laughed. "I never had the courage to ask Kicva, to tell the truth, and Rhiannon just laughs at me and says it is not my business when I ask her why she will not take a husband."
"But as her father it is your right"
"With Rhiannon it is easier to name a right than to enforce it. I do not provide for her. I cannot even command her comings and goings." Suddenly Llewelyn shook his head. "Do not reach for Rhiannon, Simon; you will get your fingers burnt."
"Do you forbid me, my lord?" Simon asked, his breath catching again with a strange anxiety. "I mean you no dishonor." His eyes wandered to Rhiannon where she stood talking to her half-brother Gruffydd.
Llewelyn's eyes followed Simon's and then moved back to the dark, incredibly handsome face. "That is something new in you," he said thoughtfully. There was a pause while Llewelyn considered what Simon had proposed half-unconsciously. "Certainly I would not oppose such a marriage," he went on, "but your

 
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