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Page 58
family than because of the pain he suffered or any fear of death. Then his expression grew very tender and happy; they feared because they loved him, and he fought to live, no matter how tired he was, because he loved them. Ian needed love. There could never be too much, no matter how much was poured out on him, and he could never do too much to win and hold that love.
Naturally, the thought of love brought Sybelle and Walter back to Ian's mind. Would Alinor and Joanna urge Sybelle too strongly? Mother and grandmother were growing impatient over Sybelle's reluctance to settle on a man. They wanted somebody ready to pick up the burden and hold the clan together if he and Geoffrey should die. Adam would, of course, do what he could, but he was not the official head of the Roselynde family. And Simon was useless for such a purpose. He would fight to defend Roselynde, but he would not govern the estates.
Then Ian chuckled. Neither Alinor nor Joanna would ever allow such a thought to enter her mind. Alinor loved him and Joanna loved Geoffrey, and to the best of their abilities both women pushed all thought of their husbands' deaths out of their minds. But deeper than love of any man lay the love of the land. Either Alinor or Joanna would lay down her life for her husbandwithout a murmur or a hesitationbut both would sell their husbands' lives and their very souls for the land. Sybelle, too. It was bred into her bones.
Ian sighed. He had labored under the whip of Alinor's love for her estate for nearly thirty years. Then he smiled again. They had been good years, full of battle and love and laughter. And Geoffrey and the two women were right; Walter was ideal for the purposeclever, capable, strong, and honest. If Sybelle wanted him, it would be good.

 
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