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Lady Marie de les Maures, he was escorted to the hall by an understeward, not by men-at-arms. Refreshment was offered while a maid went to tell the lady of his coming. That promised well, Sir Heribert thought, relaxing a little. Surely if treachery were intended he would have been disarmed and guarded. |
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The fury Marie had built up in Abergavenny against Walter and Sybelle after Richard and his men left was a poor, pale thing compared with the burning rage that ate at her vitals after her confrontation with Richard and Walter. Her total impotence added bitterness, and the anger and bitterness were intensified because they had no vent. Marie could not even void her spleen to her sister because, at this time, Gervase was very pleased with Richard and would not hear a word against him. He had flattered her deeply, not only by expressing a concern for her comfort and suggesting the move to Clifford but by taking her to Clifford himself rather than sending a deputy with her and leading his army personally, as usual. |
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Although she had taken Richard's threats to heart in that she would not dare repeat her lies about Walter, Marie's rage blinded her to other dangers. As soon as the name Sir Palance was brought to her, she saw the first crack in the chain of impotence that bound her. Heribert had come; therefore he hated Walter as much as she did. Every restraint of caution flew out of her mind. All she could think of was that she had a tool, a weapon to use against the men who had foiled her and shamed her. |
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Her first sight of Heribert was an additional jolt. Marie was not a particularly sensual woman, but his beautiful features awakened a warm interest in her. |
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She came forward in a rush, thanking God that Gervase was not yet in the hall. "Sir Palance," she cried. "How glad I am to see you. It has been so long since you visited my husband and myself at Maures. Had you heard that Pierre died and I am now a widow? Oh, of course, you must have. It was more than two years ago. It is so kind of you to come to see me now that I am no more than my sister's, Lady Pembroke's, companion." |
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"A lady so lovely as yourself is never 'no more than,'" |
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