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Page 6
case," she continued with a lift of her brows, "as things are between Simon and Rhiannon, the wedding could have been left until December first of next year when, please God, our going to Wales would not tempt the king to cry treason."
"Come, Alinor," Ian protested, grinning at her, "you are only being contrary. You know this is none of Simon's doing. Agreed that Simon wished to marry on December first, he would have been content to take Rhiannon before any priest with a few witnesses and be done with it. And Rhiannon would not care. The wedding must be Llewelyn's idea. I have told you his probable purpose."
Sybelle had not really been listening to this exchange, and her bronze-gold brows were drawn together in a frown. "May I go with you?" she asked. "I do not know whether Papa will be willing to gonot that he would not like to, but I know he does not wish to hurt King Henry more than he has done already. But I . . . I would like to see Simon married and to see Rhiannon again."
"And to see Walter de Clare, perhaps?" Alinor asked, and then added, "No, I am not teasing you, Sybelle. I am asking you a serious question. Whenever Walter has come among the family, his eyes sought you out. True, there is no certainty that he will be at Builth, but he was with Richard Marshal when last we heard of him. Richard will certainly be invited to Simon's wedding, and it is likely, if Walter is with him, Walter will come also because he and Simon have known one another since Simon went for fostering. I know your father would like the match between you and Walter. He likes Walter, and the lands are what we need."
"Alinor," Ian said sharply, "do not press Sybelle with talk of Geoffrey's preference and Walter's estates. Roselynde is rich enough and strong enough. We need no maiden sacrifices."
"I am not pressing her." Alinor protested. "I am asking heror warning her, perhaps. It is my feeling that Walter will ask for her as soon as he sees her again. I believe he would have asked Geoffrey for her sooner, except that Walter feared he would be named a rebel and disseisined at any moment."
"That is most reasonable," Ian pointed out. "It was wise and honest not to press his suit. I must say that I believe Walter de Clare to be a man of strict honor."
Sybelle, as was proper, had said nothing while this discus-

 
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