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By the time Walter collected himself even enough to try to speak, Sybelle had managed to undo the laces of his shoes and had drawn them off. Walter's rigidity and inability to find words increased the tide of desire that was flooding her in response to what she believed was his rising passion. She had promised to resist. Of course, that had only been a jest. Nonetheless, Sybelle knew that Walter did wish her to be virgo intacta on her wedding night. Thus, though spoken as a jest, her promise to resist was a serious pledge to help him. |
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There was nothing left to do but run away. Sybelle feared that if Walter laid a hand on her or spoke a pleading word, her resolution might crumble. Both of them would regret bitterly what had happened . . . or, at least, Walter would. Sybelle had her grandmother's cynical words to comfort her, but Walter would blame himselfand perhaps her, also. |
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She rose suddenly to her feet, keeping her eyes averted from his face, and said, "Wine and cake are on the table beside the chair. It is very late, my lord. I believe you will be able to manage the rest of your undressing, so I will away to my bed." |
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The last few words were a mistake. Sybelle had meant to say she wished to sleep, but that other phrase had leapt out of her mouth. Her voice broke, and she fled incontinently before her treacherous body or tongue betrayed her even more flagrantly. |
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Her departure was so sudden and Walter still so frozen in a milling turmoil of doubt and regret, that he just sat staring like the image of a man at the door through which she had passed. By the time he gathered his wits, he knew it was too late to do anything that night. He realized that Marie could not have betrayed their coupling outright. All the ladies had been together. Even if Marie did not mind her sister knowing what she had done, she certainly would not openly expose her fornication to Rhiannon. Moreover, Sybelle's manner indicated doubt and distress rather than outrage. |
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Perhaps that was owing to the sweetness of her disposition? Amid his anguish, Walter's lips twitched toward a smile. Sybelle was not that sweet. He had seen her temper when her property was threatened. No, nor would any woman who cared for a man be sweet enough to ignore his starting an affair with a lady of breeding the very day he had made contract for marriage. Sweat started out all over Walter's |
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