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"I do not!" Marie shrieked, and forgetting caution in her rage added, "I can prove he lay with me. Summon him and ask. He will deny it. Then I will bring my proof. Let us see who lies." |
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Richard's fists clenched, and Marie shrank back fearing that he would strike her, but he did not move. He had remembered that Waiter had seemed interested in Marie when he first met her, and that he himself had warned him she would not make a suitable wife. But promised marriage? No, that could not be true. Doubtless Waiter had said he loved her or some such nonsense, and she had taken that as a promise of marriage. Stupid bitch! Richard thought, but with weary patience instead of rage. Still, if she were with child by Walter, the child would be Walter's responsibility. He nodded curtly to Marie and went to the door to send someone to look for Walter. |
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Fortunately, since neither Marie nor Richard had a word to say to each other, Walter was in the hall and came in a few minutes. The smile of greeting with which he entered Richard's chamber froze on his face when he saw Marie. He stared at her for just a moment and then looked at Richard. "What is amiss, my lord?" he asked. |
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"My sister-by-marriage says she is with child by you," Richard replied. |
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Walter's complexion turned pasty gray. "My God," he breathed, "never has so much ill come from so brief and joyless a sin." He turned to Marie, holding out his hand. "My dear, I am so sorry. I gave you no pleasure, and now this has come upon you. What can I do to help you?" |
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She slapped his hand away and spat at him. "You lied to me," she shrieked. "You promised me marriage." |
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"Marie!" Walter exclaimed, shocked. "You know I did not. I even told you that I had offered for Sybelle. You do not need to use such a lever on me. If you say it is my child, I will acknowledge it and care for it." |
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"You told her you had offered for Sybelle?" Richard said suddenly. "But that was not until you came to Builth. When you spoke to me after you had left Gervase and Marie in Brecon, you would not name the woman you desired because you had not her father's permission. So when did you have time . . ." |
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