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of bodies that war leaves behind. Eleven-year-old Ian was too young, but William should be ready. |
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To William, Geoffrey recommended patience, but the matter was serious enough to make him wish to discuss it with Ian. The women could not interfere, since they were modated in a in a guesthouse in a separate walled enclosure. Even so, it was not easy to find a private moment. First, Geoffrey had to wait until the simple evening meal of bread and milk had been served and the good brothers had gone off to bed, and no talking was possible during the meal. Courtesy required that guests maintain the same silence as their hosts and give at least the appearance of attention to the religious work being read aloud. |
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Then William and Ian demand the attention of their doting grandfather so they could boast of the increase in their prowess and attainments since they had last seen him. Finally Geoffrey shooed them off to bed, sending William also, ostensibly to be sure that little Ian did not get into mischief. Rid of the boys at last, he raised the question of William's further training and the problem of removing the boy from King Henry's too-careful hands. |
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Finally Geoffrey said, "I have just bethought me of an excellent person to give William experience. Did Walter de Clare tell you of his problem in taking hold of the property he inherited from his brother?" |
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Ian began to laugh. "Walter said very little to me beyond 'Eh? What?' He never heard what I said because he was too busy looking at Sybelle. I would have thought him deaf, except that he heard every word Sybelle said to him perfectly welland her voice is softer than mine, I warrant." |
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Geoffrey laughed also. "He was sore stricken. I suppose you know that he came rushing to Oxford after me when he left Roselynde." |
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"Yes, Joanna wrote, but we would have known anyway. You should have seen his face when Alinor by chance made a jest that Sybelle was somewhat overripe on the vine. I nearly choked, keeping from laughing. He was both terrified and furious, believing that at that very moment you might have been selling his pearl of price into slavery." |
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"Oh, he meant to have her," Geoffrey agreed. "It was all I could do to stop him from making the offerbut you know, Ian, it was not the time for it. Walter would not compromise |
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