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Page 256
Perhaps she could yet find some compelling reason for him to take her to England once he had discussed the matter of Knight's Tower and come to some decision.
"Will you leave me to keep Christmas all alone?" she asked. "Can I not come with you and share the feast with Simon and Rhiannon?"
Since Sybelle had not pulled the bed curtains closed, she could see that Walter looked thunderstruck. "Christmas!" he repeated, the stunned expression rapidly giving way to one of apprehension.
"What is it?" Sybelle cried.
"The twelve days!" Walter exclaimed. "I have not one fitting gift for you, let alone twelve."
Sybelle burst into laughter. "Dear heart, you have just given me twelve gifts in one, and all of them rich and fitting," she assured him. Then, more soberly, she went on, "In these hard times of war, such small pleasures as gift-giving must be put aside. I have naught for you, either, except an embroidered collar for a gown that is not made. This feasttide we will make do with kisses."
Walter lifted his brows. "I suppose you will desire that the kisses be generously given? Ah, yes, then we will be in sore straits by Twelfth Daytwelve generous kisses. . . ." His voice faded as a new train of thought entered his mind. "Yes, yes, I will take you with me," he said quickly. "The best excuse I can give to Sir Heribert will be that I must take you to spend the twelve days with your uncle and his wife. We can say that it is a long-promised appointment, and since Simon is Llewelyn's vassal, I can use that as excuse for not asking him to accompany us. That is reasonable." He paused, then went on more slowly. ''I do not know why, Sybelle, but I still do not trust himand yet . . ."
"I understand," she replied. "I did not wish to push you one way or the other, so I said nothing before, but Sir Roland and I feel the same. Sir Roland says that Heribert's men are not just what they should be, either. Not that they are undisciplined, but he feels there is an arrogance in their manner betraying that their master allows them more freedom than is right with the common folk. He thinks, and I do, too, that Sir Heribert did not object as much as he claims to your brother's ways."
Walter nodded. "Sir Roland is no fool. I am glad to know

 
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