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with the earl. Although he knew it was ridiculous, it seemed like a form of betrayal to remain with his new blood-bonded family and let Richard go out alone. However, Geoffrey had risen almost as quickly as Walter and came forward to join them. |
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"Lord Pembroke," Geoffrey said as they came out into the antechamber, "do you have any duties for Walter until his shoulder heals?" |
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Walter opened his mouth to protest, but before he could find words that would not be offensive, Richard had shaken his head. "To speak the truth," he admitted, smiling, "I have little to do myself but watch and waitat least, for a few weeks. If you need him, I will yield him to you." |
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"No, no." Geoffrey hastened to say, seeing the outrage on Walter's face. "It is nothing to do with me at all but with one of Walter's keeps. He was speaking to me the other day about wishing to summon the castellan of Knight's Tower to a . . . ah . . . neutral place to test his loyalty." |
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Richard's brows drew together, and he looked at Walter with an expression of doubt. "Does Lord Geoffrey know" he began, but Geoffrey held up a hand. |
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"I do not wish to know anything," Geoffrey said quickly. "The keep is Walter's by right, and it is my purpose to forward his taking it into his hands with the least destruction as soon as possible." His face was hard at first, but the distress on Richard's countenance made his expression soften into sympathy. "It cannot really make any difference who holds Knight's Tower, can it, Pembroke?" he asked. |
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"No, it cannot," Walter put in before the earl could speak. "It is my belief that my brother's castellan does not care a fig for anything but his own well-being. Thus, if he has any purpose, it will be to rob me of my right. If I am wrong in this belief and he is an honest man with strong feelings one way or the other in this conflict, then the sooner I know, the sooner it may be possible to come to some fair accommodation." |
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"Yes," Richard agreed, "but I would not wish to take any advantage" |
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"It is nothing to do with you," Geoffrey said. "Walter is betrothed to my daughter, and Clyro will be part of her dowryyou heard it sworn. Thus, he may be as free with that keep as if it were his own. My question was asked only |
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