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Simon grinned at her. "How do you know that? Since when have you become an expert on feudal rights?" |
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"Since I have been considering marriage. All men these days seem to become incoherent when they speak of the king. I have no desire to say the wrong thing. It is because I must often stand in Mama's place at Hemel or in London." |
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Her voice faltered a little and her eyes moved to Ian, who was laughing heartily at something Gilliane had said. He looked well now, but he had been very ill twice during the winter, and Joanna had taken over her mother's duties while Alinor nursed her husband. This had left Sybelle to act as her father's hostess and sometimes even as chatelaine all alone. Simon's glance followed hers. It was clear he understood her concern, but neither of them spoke of it. |
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"Everyone is so touchy these days," Sybelle went on. "I do not wish to add a woodenheaded remark as fuel to the flames." |
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"No, you are quite right. Sometimes I feel that I will burst myselfand I am not even deeply involved, since my lands are in Wales. It is Winchester, all Winchester, I think." |
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"My father thinks so too, although he does not say too much because there was an old friendship between Grandpapa and the bishop." |
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Simon nodded. He had been wrong to oppose attending the council. Really, there was no other way to determine who pulled the strings causing this unhappy dance. He found, however, when he and Sybelle joined the larger group, that they were discussing a danger he had never considered. The council might be a trap for those who opposed the king'sor Winchester'swill. Since there were many ways to spring such a trap, the family's forces were divided. Alinor, Joanna, and Gilliane would remain in Roselynde to rally their husbands' vassals should the need arise. Sybelle alone would accompany the men |
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