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true. There was nothing he was not prepared to offer to obtain her as his wife. |
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Again he shifted restlessly, and this time the knife did prick him. Sybelle exclaimed apologetically, and Walter said it was his fault. |
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"Are you sitting on something uncomfortable?" Sybelle then asked with spurious innocence. |
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"Yes," Walter replied, recognizing the teasing and now prepared to give back as good as he got. |
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Surprised, Sybelle looked up again. "What is it?" This time her question was sincere. She did not remember anything on the stool that could make him uncomfortable. |
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"It is the question I wish to ask your father," Walter rejoined. "I wish you would hurry with what you are doing." |
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Sybelle turned red once more. "I can only go faster if I cut the cloth," she said. |
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"By all means," Walter agreed promptly. "This is a cause good enough for me to sacrifice an old shirt and tunic." |
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For one moment Sybelle stare at him, then she burst into laughter. She was not accustomed to men outside her family who could parry her wit and land a hit on her, but it was much better fun, she decided, than poking holes in strawmen who either looked hurt or did not understand. |
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"It is not," she assured him. "For you will get the same answer whether you go now or later, so there will be no profit in ruining your clothing." |
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The reply made Walter stiffen slightly, but, although Sybelle had lowered her head to her work again, he could see the curve of her cheek and noted that she was smiling. There was nothing cruel in Sybelle, Walter was sure. Nor was she a flirt. That must mean he was acceptable to Lord Geoffrey, that she knew it, and that she was willing. |
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Walter relaxed. The last few stitches of the tunic gave way, and Sybelle rose to her feet to remove it, giving Walter a clear view of her face. She was smiling, but her look was mischievous rather than grateful or even pleased, and Walter's unease returned. He still believed that Sybelle thought her father was willing to make contract with him and that Sybelle herself was not opposed to the marriage, but obviously there was a jumping jack in the package. |
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Whatever Walter felt, the preceding conversation had removed any awkwardness Sybelle had felt. As she started |
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