|
|
|
|
|
|
with shadows. All I need to decide is how we can leave behind the greatest amount of confusion in Sir Roger's mind and the least amount of blame for Sir Harold." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Sir Harold knows nothing about thisdo you, Sir Harold?" Rhiannon asked, smiling sweetly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Certainly not!" Sir Harold replied promptly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"When Sir Roger wakes, which should be around dinnertime, you may tell him that I could not get him up in the morning, that he bade me go away." This was the truth. Rhiannon had stirred Sir Roger just enough to pour some more sleeping draught down his throat. He had certainly told her to go away. "Since he had made so great a point of the king's hurry, as soon as Simon returned wewe left to go to Westminster." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Simon burst out laughing and clapped Rhiannon on the back so heartily that she staggered forward a few steps. Then he caught her and hugged her. "I am sorry, my love, I did not mean to hit you so hard, but what a thought! What a beautiful thought!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Is it safe?" Sir Harold asked, and then when Simon opened his mouth to explain, he held up his hand. "I am no good as a liar. Tell me no more, I beg you, but if you wish to stay here, you are very welcome. Sir Roger could be put out, and no one would dare use open force to take you." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I am not so sure of that," Simon remarked. "There may soon be no law aside from the king's wordor perhaps Winchester's. But that is not all my reason. If we go, you and my father and my mother are innocent. When it is possible to accomplish the same end without them, insult and defiance should be avoided," he ended sententiously. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhiannon looked at him in such patent amazement and disbelief that both men laughed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Besides," Simon went on, his eyes gleaming, "it is much more fun this way." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"For you," Sir Harold said dryly, "but it will be too much exertion for Lady Rhiannon. If you go, I can say |
|
|
|
|
|