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find and that the corner by the hearth was private enough for any except the most intimate purposes. She had been well occupied during the three days encompassing the wedding and the tournament. Women were scarce, and Marie was pretty and an expert flirt. At no time had she lacked for attentive male company, so she had not missed Walter's in the least. |
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In addition, she had been much preoccupied with convincing her sister to try to establish a better relationship with her husband. This was less philanthropic than practical. Marie realized that if Gervase annoyed Richard, she would be sent back to Pembroke keep without delay, and Marie, although she might be guiltless, would have to go with her. It was true, Marie admitted, that the knights of Richard's entourage and the Welsh clan leaders who were attached to Prince Llewelyn were not the equal of the men of the French court. Nonetheless, Marie pointed out, they were better than no company at all. |
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Gervase agreed, perhaps reluctantly, but she did agree. Two years of virtual isolation had taught her something. She moderated her manner sufficiently so that Richard was not rubbed raw by continual fault-finding and complaining. Moreover, the time he had spent in company with Alinor, Joanna, and their husbands had reminded him that marriage could be more than a nagging burden at the back of one's mind. This, combined with a vague feeling of guilt about his treatment of his wife, made Gervase's effort to be agreeable fall on fertile soil. Richard said nothing about sending his wife or her sister back to Pembroke, nor did he move to a separate chamber when one became available. |
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It was Marie who moved, and her sister did not oppose the separation as she had in the past. For one thing, Gervase did not at this time wish to use Marie as a weapon against her husband; for another, both agreed that Walter was the most suitable man they had seen. From what they had heard, it did not seem that the war would end soon, and even after it did, it seemed hardly likely that Richard would be in favor or seek the court. Nor, whatever the outcome, did it seem likely that Richard would return to Normandy or allow them to return without him. In fact, he was already talking of going to Ireland, an even more barbarous and primitive country than England or Wales. Thus, there would be no wider choice. |
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Moreover, Gervase had her own row to hoe, which made |
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