|
|
|
|
|
|
obviously a special case. He thought of her married to a man who held a great courtand burst out laughing so that he was cursed sleepily by those around him who were not prepared to wake so early. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just think of the wife of a man like Richard of Cornwall or one of the ducs of France running barefoot after game in the fields and woods with her hair all unbound, dressed only in a rough, dirt- and grass-stained kirtle. And Rhiannon was not one who could be forced into a pattern of behavior because it was considered correct. She would run away or might even kill a man who tried to enforce his will on her. In addition, there was the question of dower. For a great marriage, Llewelyn would need to find a large sum of money or a very substantial amount of property. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without being told, Simon knew that Llewelyn was not willing to do that. Money was always a problem, for Wales was dreadfully poor. Any of the great Marcher lords might be happy to take land, but Llewelyn was completely unwilling to increase the influence of any man whose primary loyalty must be to the king of England. Doubtless he knew that Simon would inherit his father's northern properties when Ian died, but with both a wife and the major portion of his lands in Walesand his heart there alsoLlewelyn had reason to trust that Simon would stand with the Welsh in any conflict of loyalties. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All the better, Simon thought, as he kicked Siorl awake and told him to get the men up. He would get a much smaller dower than a greater man, but Llewelyn would be aware of what he had saved and would be glad over the giving. But best of all was the fact that Llewelyn said he would write to Kicva. To tell Rhiannon he had made a serious proposal for her marriage would probably do nothing but enrage her. On the other hand, if Kicva approved, Simon knew he would have a strong ally, and one who could deal with Rhiannon. |
|
|
|
|
|