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from joining Pembroke. Winchester was not much worried about the danger the ragtag Welsh would provide. He was sure his disciplined, well-trained mercenary forces would be victorious whether the Welsh joined Pembroke or not, but there was no sense in fighting both if it was not necessary. The Roselynde clan would be bitterly angry, but they could do nothing while he held the girl, and afterward they would do nothing either. After all, no harm would come to Lady Rhiannon; she would be kept in the greatest luxury. All she would lose was a few months of freedom, and she might even come to like it; many women did enjoy a life of idleness with no responsibility. In any case, Ian had withstood worse assaults from John without rebelling. |
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It had not occurred to anyone back in London that Simon and Rhiannon would spend more than one or two nights at Kingsclere. Therefore, when Roger de Cantelupe came from court two days after they left and asked that Rhiannon come to sing, Ian answered blandly that his son had taken his betrothed home. The messenger was clearly distressed, but that did not bother Ian. Which way had they gone, Sir Roger asked. Ian never lied and could see no reason to arouse animosity by refusing to answer, since he was sure Simon would have left the keep long before the messenger could get to it. To Kingsclere first, he replied, and after that he had no idea. |
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Had Ian known that Sir Roger came from Winchester rather than from the king, he would have said nothing; but the messenger had been intentionally deceitfulknowing how Winchester was regarded by most of the nobilityand Ian's nature was trusting. Winchester was furious when he heard the bird had flown. Then he reconsidered. It would be better this way. No one would know for some time that he had taken the girl and the youngest cub of the lioness of Roselynde, except Llewelyn and Simon's relatives. He would have |
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