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be blamed and shamed had been designed to draw from Walter a statement that he would not permit it, that he would shield her by giving her his name. Thus, his declaration of secrecy, plus the implication that he was not prepared to shield her in any other way, infuriated Marie so much that she shook with rage. Feeling her tremble, Walter tried to clasp her closer. "There is nothing to fear," he insisted. At which reiteration of the statement that had enraged her in the first place, Marie shoved him so hard that, taking him by surprise, she loosened his grip on her and he nearly did fall off the bed. |
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"Go! Go!" she cried, not trusting herself to say another word. |
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Since his attempts to comfort her seemed only to make Marie more frantic, Walter rose and began to dress, watching her with troubled eyes. She had turned and buried her face in the pillows, pulling the blankets high over her as if she wished to hide from him. Walter felt like weeping, but he had no idea what to do or say to give her ease. The one thing that he knew would make her happy, he could not offer. |
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Never again, Walter vowed, would he so casually trust his judgment of a woman's reactions. As the vow passed through his mind, he realized he would never need to play at such games again. Soon there would be Sybelle. A flood of relief and joy washed over him that changed to shame with another glimpse of the sad huddle in the bed that was Marie. He longed to flee without another word, but when he was dressed, which was no easy task one-handed, he forced himself to the bedside and gently touched Marie's shoulder. |
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"I am going, as you bid me," he whispered only loud enough for her to hear. "I am sorry, Marie. So sorry." |
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