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immediately. On the other hand, if Walter grew too frustrated, might he not think back with longing to the days when he could relieve himself at will with his mistress? |
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At her words, Walter had aborted his rising movements and settled into his chair again, but not with the relaxation that implied long tenancy. When Sybelle did not continue immediately, he cocked his head at an inquisitive angle. One brow rose, and there was a sparkle in his eyes that betrayed his mischievous amusement. Sybelle wondered how much Simon had told Walter about Lady Alinor and then, considering the amusement, felt sure it was far too much. If she tried to substitute a platitude or wise saw for what her grandmother had really said, Walter would laugh in her face. |
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''She said," Sybelle began defiantly, her voice angry because she could feel color flooding into her face, "that it would be best if I could keep my maidenhead for my wedding night but not to be such a fool as to drive you to distraction over the matter." And suddenly Sybelle saw a fine bypath opening. Her voice lost its defiance, and her complexion returned to normal. "I had rather," she added, "that you eased yourself on me than spend what is mine on some other woman." |
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Walter had had to set his teeth to keep from laughing when Sybelle reported her grandmother's counsel. He had, indeed, heard tales from Simon that had indicated Lady Alinor was not overafflicted with prudishness or piety. Thus, once Sybelle had begun with My grandmother said, Walter had had a fair notion of what was coming. The last sentence, however, had cut off his amusement as if with a knife. |
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First came a sense of shock at hearing Sybelle use a phrase in reference to herself that was commonly used for whores. Before Walter could make an angry protest, the end of the sentence hit his brain. What is mine. Lord Geoffrey had used the words mine to me, but the meaning was the same. Walter heard the fierce sense of possession, although Sybelle's voice was soft and undemanding. But Geoffrey had been talking about the land; Sybelle was talking about him. |
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His natural reaction might have been rage. Men possessed women; women did not possess men. However, Sybelle's tone had changed on the last three words, only a little but enough to tell Walter that she did know about Marie. Guilt immediately cooled rage, and Walter's sense of self-preservation |
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