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Page 51
compliments first and gossip next. She wanted character sketches of everyone they were likely to meet and a précis of relationships. Although Walter obliged her, insofar as he knew the people, what he said soon brought Marie's tinkling laugh and a coquettish flick of her eyelids.
"Either men and women in England are all saints," she trilled, "or you are very innocent. Do you know nothing but good of anyone?"
Walter felt a qualm of distaste, but he did not express it. He merely shrugged. "I am no priest. I am not interested in other men's sins. My own are enough to concern me."
"And women's sins?" Marie persisted. "Are you equally uninterested in them?"
"I am not interested in talking about them," Walter replied, hoping to discourage the line of conversation and yet not be openly rude by the use of a suggestive remark from which any woman not looking for trouble would withdraw.
"Then you cannot worry overmuch about your own sins," Marie retorted merrily.
A corner of Walter's wide mouth curved upward, and the lids came halfway down over his bright blue eyes, giving them a sleepy, sensual look. All he said, however, was, "No, not overmuch."
Walter felt a surge of physical excitement. A response like that could not be mistaken. Marie de les Maures wished to play. He had thought her a delicious piece from the first seeing, but all the questions about his estate and marital status had made him cautious. He had feared to suggest a special interest, for Marie was not the kind of woman he wished to marry. That word brought Sybelle to mind, and Walter felt a pang of guilt, which was succeeded by a sensation of resentment. There was no need for him to feel guilty, he told himself. He was not promised to Sybelle. Lord Geoffrey had not even been willing to listen to his proposal. And marriage had nothing to do with the game of love he wished to play with Marie anyway.
Marie had been babbling prettily, and Walter let his eyes rest on her. She would make a sweet, soft armful abed, and since Richard played with moderate freedom himself, Walter did not expect any moral objection. But there was another problem: Richard might have a political purpose for his sister-by-marriageto make some alliance, in which case he would

 
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