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Walter's arms without delay or consideration, Sybelle was frightened by her desire to do so. She had spent an uneasy night, trying to reconcile her mother's warning with the powerful attraction Walter held for her. While she had examined his injuries the previous evening, Sybelle had honestly concentrated on that problem. Nonetheless, below the level of her concern for his physical condition, she had been aware of a strong sensual pleasure generated by seeing and handling Walter's body. |
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Sybelle was aware, too, that no other male body she had touched had stimulated her in the same way, and this, of course, made Walter seen even more desirable. It did not occur to her that every other man she had dressed or bathed was a close relative, known to her since birth and surrounded by the taboo of incest. All she recognized clearly was her desire to touch and be touched, and it frightened her. |
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"You ask a clear question, Sir Walter," Sybelle said, "but I have no clear answer to give you. I have only this to say," she added slowly, almost with reluctance, "that I have refused outright every other offer made to me, and I have not refused yoursso you cannot be a fool whatever you choose to say. You are pleasing to me as a man, but as a person I do not know you." |
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Walter felt puzzled and looked it. "I have a good name among men," he said. "Your father would not have listened to me for a minute if I did not." He smiled at her. "I am kind to my horses and dogs, even to my serfs. The Earl of Pembroke will vouch for my courage, I believe." |
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Sybelle laughed shakily. "You know that is not what I mean." Then she grew serious. "There is a special relationship between a man and wife. So much closeness can breed great loveor great hate. I . . . my father must have told you something of my special case. It is important to me to . . . to know my man. Sir Walter, I am not bred to meekness as most women are." |
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"You have not lived with it," Sybelle countered. "It is not always easy, even for a man like my father, who was raised in my mother's household, to be obliged to give heed to a woman's bidding." |
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"That was not what your father said." |
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Although he had had no direct answerand Walter's origi- |
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