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the king will soon yield to reason. As to troubling the Earl of Pembroke about my property, I believe there will be no need to do so when there is peace in the land." |
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In fact, Walter hoped he would be betrothed to Sybelle, and the backing of Roselynde would obviate any need for anyone else' help. However, he was not such a conceited coxcomb as to talk definitely of his acceptance by Lord Geoffrey until he truly was accepted. The vague statement was true, and hopefully, it would divert Gervase and Marie from urging him to ask for Richard's help or, worse yet, from urging Richard to offer assistance to him. |
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Marie's eyes brightened. Richard owed her restitution for what his selfish fixation on his own affairs had caused her to lose. For a while she had feared he intended to forget that debt or to cancel it altogether by immuring her in this isolated keep. However, it was now clear that he had other intentions, and these were most satisfactory to Marie. |
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Of course, she would have preferred if Walter himself had a respectable title, but her widow's portion was not large and the uncle of the Earl of Gloucester was not to be scorned. A title might be arranged later if Richard won this war that Sir Walter kept harping on. More important was the fact that Sir Walter was rich and not only was not now married but had not ever been married. That meant that there were no sons who were in line to inherit his lands. Considering all these facts, Marie had immediately leapt to the conclusion that Richard had sent the man to see and be seen preparatory to suggesting an alliance that would end her widowhood. |
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Walter had unintentionally encouraged this notion by being slightly more attentive to Marie than to Gervase in handing dishes and pouring wine. A sharp comment from Gervase made him aware that he was bestowing noticeable attention on the sister he found more attractive, and after that he made sure not to favor either ladybut it was too late. He had fixed into Marie's mind the notion that he was hers to take or leave. |
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After saying that he expected to be able to take hold of his lands once the war was over, Walter was able at last to lead the discussion away from his private affairs. Marie had asked why he expected King Henry to yield to reason now when he had not done so for two yearsproviding to Walter that he had |
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