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bade a decently maidservant bring her the letters, as if closer contact with Walter would somehow contaminate her. |
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Walter hardly noticed the rudeness. His settled for a moment, and then politely moved awaybut Marie's image remained. She wasWalter's mind hesitated and then chose the worddelicious. Marie, too was dark, but a rosy rather than an olive brunette, with heart-shaped face, large black eyes, a delicate nose, and very small, very red, pouting lips that somehow seemed appropriate for her lush body. She had flashed Walter one provocative sidelong glance from under long lowered lashes before looking at the letter her sister held. |
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Having examined both her husband's letter and Llewelyn's invitations without asking Walter to sit down or offering him dry clothing of refreshment, Gervase turned to her sister. "We are to be let out of prison for a few days," she announced caustically. "Apparently we are summoned to some kind of primitive rite among the natives. Not invited, mind you, summoned." |
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But Marie had been examining the invitations Gervase still held in her hand. She could not read the words from where she sat, but she could see the quality of the parchment, the elegant lines of the scribe's handwriting, and the fact that the broken pieces of seal, which still dangled from the cord, were flecked with gold. Gervase was furious and spiteful, but Marie was quite sure that the invitation her sister held did not come from any primitive. |
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Marie smiled at Walter, turning her head so that Gervase would not see. Until she was safely out of Pembroke keep, Marie was not going to take the risk of annoying her sister. Gervase would not be above leaving her behind for spite; however, neither was Marie going to miss the chance of ingratiating herself with Richard's messenger, who might be a mine of information. |
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"And who are you?" Gervase asked of the patiently waiting Walter. |
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"My name is Walter de Clare, madame," Walter replied quietly, concealing his amusement. Spiteful court ladies were part of his experience; he knew what to do about themand he had seen Marie's smile. |
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"Are you an escort or a warden?" Gervase queried nastily. |
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