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enterprises, it only provides an interesting challenge and invites one to think of new ways of using old . . . er . . . skills." |
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Marie smiled at him seductively. She had not been wrong, she thought; he was most certainly attracted to her, and he had shown no great interest in the girl he was to marry, nor any special eagerness for the marriage to take place. He had not even said the girl's name. Obviously what was important about her was that she was Lord Geoffrey's daughter. No doubt she would be richly dowered. Lord Geoffrey was cousin to the king, and he must be very rich. There were two sons, Marie had heard, but there would still be enough for a lavish daughter's portion. |
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Smiling and fluttering her lashes, Marie made some ambiguous remark that invited further advances while expressing doubts of Walter's sincerity. Although he launched at once into compliments and assurances, Marie hardly listened. What could have happened between the time he had brought them to Brecon and his return there with Richard? His eagerness to go to Abergavenny himself to fetch Richard, Marie had been sure, was owing to his intention to secure her. Why then had he not made a proposal to Richard? Then it came to her. Walter must have asked Richard about her dower property and learned that the lands were held by her first husband's brother. And Richard had either offered nothing or offered too little. |
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"Have I offended you, Lady Marie?" Walter asked, a brow quizzically cocked. |
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"Not offended, Sir Walter," Marie murmured, lowering her eyes. She realized she must have flushed with rage or showed some other sign of the emotion when she thought that Walter had slipped out of her grasp because of her brother-by-marriage's selfishness and niggardliness. "Perhaps you go too fast," she added coyly. |
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"Alas, your loveliness spurs me on," Walter declared. |
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His voice had a tinge of flatness, but Marie did not notice. She fluttered her lashes a little more, held up the edge of her sleeve to shield her face as if a spurt of modesty had overtaken her, and made another remark that would draw more compliments and pleas. Walter responded as he should, but only a very small part of Marie's mind carried on the conversation. The rest of her thoughts were running over the |
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