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so that is even. I suppose I am as content as I could be within the keeping of my word to do you no hurt. And I am more content in knowing that I have much to which to look forward." |
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There was another short silence. Sybelle remembered how in the midst of her passion she was aware of some lack, some incompleteness in their loving. There was more, then, and Walter was doubtless less satisfied than she, since he knew only too well the whole pleasure. Sybelle felt a prick of jealousy, which she repressed, reminding herself that it was not her business what Walter had done in the past. Instead, she fixed her mind on the fact that she had lost nothing at all in the delight she had found. Not only had she eased her man's need, but from his flattering, if amused, remark she had whetted his appetite for more. She felt him chuckle again. |
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"And are you content?" he asked, teasing in turn. "Did you get what you came for?" |
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"But we did not finish talking about Sir Heribert" Sybelle began, and then blushed. |
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Had she really come to talk of Sir Heribert? Or had she come because of her worry that if Walter's need for a woman grew too great, he might regret the mistress he had left behind in such haste? |
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"I did not know that you would. . . ." she added in a very small voice. |
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Walter's voice tightened around her. "Love, love, I was only teasing you," he murmured. "I know you are innocent. If there is a fault, it is mine, but I do not think it much fault even on my part. How wrong can it be for a man to desire his betrothed wife? Perhaps I should blame the king, for if not for his stubbornness, we could have been wed at once." |
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"You may blame the king with my goodwill," Sybelle assured him, but the mention of Henry brought back into her mind Heribert's seeming eagerness to take part in the struggle against him. "Why did Sir Heribert bring so many men?" she asked. "I wrote the summons for you myself, and I know there was nothing in it to imply you desired him to go to war." |
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"I have this thought and that about itall of them not to Heribert's credit," Walter replied somewhat grimly. "Yet I am not sure. It could be that Heribert is hot against the king |
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