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Page 219
Walter did not take Sybelle's hands but came forward into the room. As he drew level with her, she turned and the candlelight fell more fully on her face. He felt ashamed of the questions that had crossed his mind. The golden eyes were faintly anxious; one hand was still slightly raised to catch him should he stumblebut there was not the smallest sign of passion in Sybelle's expression. She had come, just as she said, to be sure his comfort had been provided for. Yet he was certain that if he took her in his arms she would take fire at once.
Their eyes met, and it was immediately apparent to Walter that he would not have to go so far as to touch her. "No," he said softly, backing away a step. "Your parents left you here believing in my good faith."
Sybelle dropped her eyes and bent her head. It was a charming gesture that Walter took to be a mark of gentle embarrassment. And he was half-right, in that Sybelle had been surprised by the surge of eagerness that rose in her in response to the hunger in his eyes. She had not expected to react quite that way to so subtle a stimulus. Walter's unspoken passion had always excited her, but in a formless, general way that quickened her breathing and made her feel as if her skin was extraordinarily sensitive. This was different; it was a clear, directed desire. Something had changed in her, she realized, since they had so nearly come to coupling in the empty chamber.
However, it was not embarrassment that made her look away but amusement, which she did not wish to explain. It was barely possible that her father trusted to her virtue and Walter's self-restraint; however, her mother and grandmother were not so high-minded. Lady Alinor had said dryly, "It would be best to keep your maidenhead for your wedding night if you can, but do not be such fools as your mother and father were and drive yourself and Walter to distraction over the matter. Walter can do for you as my Simon did for me, and no one the wiser." And while Joanna had frowned, she had not contradicted her mother. Walter, Sybelle thought, would be shocked, and in any case, although he might not realize it, he was too tired for such games this night.
There was no sense in disillusioning Walter about the character of the senior lady of Roselynde too soon. "Yes, of course," Sybelle said softly in reply to his remark about her

 
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