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could have no large, catastrophic repercussions. "And Adam will come, too. Poor Adam, he is furious that all the action in this war is so far away and no one has insulted him or even raided his lands. Moreover, the more furious he gets, the meeker are his neighbors." |
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Geoffrey began to laugh again. "And so would I be meek if I lived close by Tarring and Adam were roaring around looking for trouble, But, Ian, the point of all this talk is that I can send William with Walter when he takes action against the castellans." |
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Ian did not answer immediately. He was very tenderhearted and had a sudden vision of his dearly loved eldest grandson climbing a scaling ladder to storm the walls of a keep and finding death there instead of adventure, as so many did. Then he called himself a fool. William would go up a ladder only behind Walter de Clare, as Geoffrey had gone up behind him, and Walter de Clare was a strong bulwark. Besides, it was most unlikely that Walter would permit so untried a youth to take part in an attack on the walls. |
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Slowly, Ian nodded approval. "Yes, if a contract is made, or even if Walter only makes a proposalfor there can be no doubt he will keep any commitment he makesWilliam would do well with him. In place of the fondness of fostering, there will be the care for his betrothed's brother. You need fear no carelessness toward William on Walter's part, and no overprotectiveness, either. Walter has, as we agreed, a greet deal of common sense." |
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Geoffrey grinned. "He has, even if it does not show when Sybelle is in the room." He rose and stretched. "I am for bed, Ian. Thank you. I am easier in my mind now. In fact, if we can get Walter and Sybelle married before he takes over the lands, we will have an ideal excuse for William to go with him. I will ask that William be given leave from the king's service to accompany his sister, who is shy and timid and needs the support of a member of her family in her new home." |
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Ian had started to swing his leg over the bench on which he was sitting before rising, but his head snapped up and he let out a whoop of laughter at hearing such a description of Sybelle. |
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"But how is the king to know it is not true?" Geoffrey asked reasonably. "In Henry's presence, she is as meek and |
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