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Page 49
he had good manners, good birth, and wealth. Marie was satisfied. Unless she could find someone with similar qualifications who happened to be more appealing physically, she would take Walter.
Accordingly, Marie began to discuss what would be necessary to take to Builth. Since Gervase did not cut off her sister's questions, it was clear that she no longer intended even a pretense of reluctance. Walter was sure there would be a separate chamber and bed for Richard, no matter how crowded the keep, but he was not equally sure that Gervase would share that bed with her husband. It was not the sort of question a man could ask; Walter compromised by suggesting that Marie's bed should be carriedthinking privately that the sisters could sleep together if necessaryas well as chairs and cushions, which might be in short supply. Gervase nodded, but Marie laughed at him.
"I do not know whether that answer satisfies my sister," Marie said, "but I wish to know what clothes to bring. Will the ladies be dressed in the latest fashions? Are they so poor that they wear no jewelry? I do not wish to offend by my dress anymore than by my manners."
"I am not too knowledgeable in such matters," Walter began defensively, "but you need have no fear of much outshining the others ladies in jewels."
He remembered the rivers of pearls and emeralds and diamonds that Lady Alinor's husbands had won for her and with which she was bedecked at court functions. Nor was Lady Joanna less well endowed. It almost seemed as if her devoted husband wished to drown her in seas of moonstones and sapphires. Adam's favorite were rubies, and they well befitted his dark rose, Gilliane. Simon had not had much of a chance yet to bestow precious gifts on Rhiannon, but Walter knew she hardly needed his contributions. He recalled to mind the way she glowed like a rainbow with the jewels her grandfather had left.
"Nor," Walter continued thoughtfully, "do you need to fear that your style of dress will be thought too advanced. Roselynde is a great port, and Lady Joanna, at least, is always dressed in the highest style."
"We certainly need nor fear too advanced," Gervase snapped, "since we have seen nothing new for near two

 
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