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Page 156
Sybelle seemed to have fled from Walter. Marie could not know that Sybelle was performing her first act of obedience to her future husband.
As soon as she had left them, Walter had released Sybelle's hand and smiled at her. "I am not going to let you back out this time," he said. "I will speak to Lady Alinor at once and ask her to settle a time for us to talk of contract, since I understand from your father that it is to your grandmother I must apply."
Sybelle looked at him with wide eyes and shook her head slowly, not knowing what it was about Walter that drew her so strongly. In comparison with her uncles he was not at all handsome: a typically square, ruddy, Norman face; sandy hair; blue eyes that could look sharp or mild; a wide mouth that, soft and full, looked sensual but could be thinned to cruelty. His face would never produce the delight one obtained from looking at Simon or Adam, but it gave Sybelle a sense of confidence and security. Walter would not suddenly disappear in a moment of crisis as Simon did, nor would he burst into roaring rages as did Adam. Sybelle did not look downward from his face to his body, but she was strongly aware of it. That held a different appeal, more dangerous because the appeal did not respond to reason.
Having thought of it was enough. "I will not go back on those words unless you force it on me," Sybelle said softly.
It was Walter's turn to shake his head, but he made no direct answer, saying only, "Find a partner with whom to dance, Sybelle. Yes, I wish it. I must put my thoughts in order, and I cannot think"he smiled at her"at least, not of anything practical, when you are near."
So Sybelle danced with "safe" men, and Walter talked war and politics with those who could not find partners or did not care to dance, but both their minds were busy. Sybelle was worried that her mother would be angry because she had yielded so quickly. It had been that concern that made her look frightened a moment after she had committed herself. Not that Sybelle was afraid Joanna would beat her or scold her, only that her mother would think she lacked good sense and strength of purpose. Aside from that, Sybelle was very happy. A great burden seemed to have fallen away from her. She enjoyed her evening's entertainment, particularly as every glimpse she

 
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