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trust him, I assure you. Was that why you did not ask his help? Because you did not trust him?" |
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Walter just stared. He could not believe his ears. Twice he had said a war was in progress and that his affairs were relatively unimportant. Did this silly goose believe that it would ever have crossed his mind to ask Richard to divert his armyor any part of itfrom his own defense to overawing castellans? Even setting aside the catastrophic political effect of bringing a rebel army into parts of England that were at peace, the notion was ridiculous. |
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As if she believed that Walter was unconvinced about Richard's trustworthiness, Marie put a hand on his armbut the impression Walter received was that she wished to touch him. "Really, Richard is most honest," she urged. "We are not truly prisoners here. That was just Gervase's way of speaking because we are bored. If we had any place to go, we would not be restricted, I am sure." |
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"You misunderstand me," Walter said, finally regaining his voice. "I have no lack of faith in the Earl of Pembroke. I knew him in childhood and was a member of his brother's household. Indeed, I love and honor Richard. Because I believe in his cause, of my own free will I have joined Pembroke in opposing the king. One does not do such a thing lightly." |
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"Why, then, there can be no trouble." Gervase smiled at him. "Richard is a great one for doing favors for childhood friends or dependents of his brother. You have only to ask him." |
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With enormous effort, Walter restrained himself from bellowing, You silly nit, there is a war going on! In fact, it was the final words he spoke aloud, his voice rather choked in his attempt not to shout. |
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Gervase lifted her brows. "Oh, yes, the war. I had forgot about that. It is so odd that there is always a war whenever Richard does not want to do something. The war must come first, of course." There was a bitter bite to her voice. |
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"This war, at least, must come before my small problems," Walter said soothingly. "My troubles will be solved just as easily next year as this." |
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"You mean that you believe the war will soon be over and that then you will ask Richard's help?" Marie asked. |
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"As to the war, I do not know," Walter replied. "I hope |
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