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Page 327
ship he provided than because of sexual need, but the avidity in his eyes and the way he avoided touching her was a constant reminder of his desire and her own. Twice, over the month they were in Knight's Tower, Sybelle had touched him and said, ''Please." And it was all she needed to do. Walter was frantically eager, but afterward, even though he had not forgot himself as he feared, he was uneasy, the shadow of worry in his eyes more pronounced.
Fortunately, they were not alone for long. After Shrewsbury had fallen, Simon and Rhiannon had returned, bringing back the old garrison of Knight's Tower. After allowing the men-at-arms to rest a week and making clear that his ways were far different from Sir Heribert's, Walter had sent south to Goldcliff those who said they were willing and had dismissed the others.
The presence of Simon and Rhiannon had somewhat mitigated the sexual tension between Walter and Sybelle. Nonetheless, Geoffrey's letter was greeted with the joy and reverence one would normally have expected to be accorded to a heavenly vision. Simon and Rhiannon were no less happy than Walter and Sybelle, because the strain of acting as buffers was telling on them, too. That very day all the arrangements were madeWalter left Dai in command of Knight's Tower with orders to keep everyone out, and Sybelle and Rhiannon drove the maids and themselves until all the packing was finished. They left the following dawn.
The worst of the cold had broken on the same day that Edmund had protested the evils of the civil war and Henry had all but agreed to make peace. Many took this as a token from God of better times to come, and it might have been, but its immediate effect was to make travel much more pleasant. There were some drawbacks, as the thaw filled rivers, made fords dangerous, and turned parts of the road to bogs. However, the party moving toward Roselynde had no baggage wains and were able, despite the conditions, to make excellent time. And even checks and delays were taken lightly, for everyone was in the highest spirits. With the end of their trial in sight, the pressure had lifted from Walter and Sybelle. They could touch and laugh and even kiss; they were eager, very eager, but the frustration was gone.
The family was already gathered in Roselynde when they

 
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