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Actually, the ride was not nearly as bad as Walter expected. Richard had been battered almost as much as Walter, and they seldom went faster than a walk, which permitted Walter to allow his left leg to hang loose with a rolled shirt thrust under his thigh so that the knee did not come in contact with the saddle. The ride was also dull because Richard could not speak without painand it was useless anyway, for when he did speak it was almost impossible to understand him. Thus, Walter was left to his own thoughts, all of which were unsettling. |
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He was not sure what he wanted to do about Marie. What Richard had said about her made it clear that his sister-by-marriage's behavior was of no importance in his political plans. Thus an affair was possible, and Walter was hungry for a woman of his own class. Still, even if Marie did not wish to marry, she might be offended if he bedded her while he was negotiating for Sybelle. |
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Walter uttered an oath. He was perfectly sure of what he wanted to do about Sybelle. He shifted uneasily in the saddle; the folded shirt slipped, Walter tightened his thigh to catch it, twisted his knee, and cursed againbut not because of the pang in his knee. It was ridiculous that a girl's name should have such an effect on him. Yes, he knew what he wanted to do about Sybelle, but was not in his power. Walter wished it were his own wedding toward which he was riding. Knee or no knee, he would have been progressing a good deal faster. |
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At this moment the only doubt in Walter's mind with regard to Sybelle was whether he should approach Lord Geoffrey again. Had the victories at Grosmont and Monmouth changed the situation enough? Walter did not wish to seem to importune Lord Geoffrey, who might hunger for help in |
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