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knew Salisbury was not well skilled in reading or writing. Could he have written the wrong words by mistake? That was a brief reaction to disbelief. Joanna knew Salisbury had not written the letter himself. It was a fine clerkly hand, free of blots, waverings, and blotches. What could he mean? Where was Geoffrey? Where was Adam? Could Geoffrey have been so angry that, when his father gave him leave to go, he went to Hemel or some other keep rather than join her? In that case, Adam must be back upon his own lands. She would write and ask Adam where Geoffrey was. |
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Another rereading of Salisbury's letter eliminated that notion. He said he did not know "exactly where Geoffrey was at the moment" and that it might take the messenger "some time to catch up with Geoffrey." That could only mean that Geoffrey was moving around quickly. Where? Why? She forced a little calm on herself by insisting over and over that it must be some business of Salisbury's Geoffrey was engaged upon. She read the letter yet again. It must be. There was no hint of anxiety in what Salisbury said. That was ridiculous. Salisbury would never permit such a feeling to show; he had long training in hiding such nuances from Ela. |
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Before Joanna could drive herself distracted, she had a response to her news about the possibility of invasion from her mother. Alinor had had positive confirmation from other sources. Louis would come. It was now useless for her and Ian to remain in the north. What John had done between York and Berwick had so frightened and sickened Ian's men that it was useless to talk to them any more. The vassals would initiate no troublethat was sure. They would sit quiet if they could. However, if Louis came into the area, they would not resist him. Much as they loved Ian, nothing could now hold them for the king. Thus, it seemed best for Ian to come south and fight Louis there. A few weeks more they would stay to tie up all the loose ends of the administration; then they would return to Roselynde. Joanna could expect them about the middle of April. |
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Meanwhile, there was much to be done, Alinor continued. Joanna must go first to Portsmouth and see what preparations were being made in the king's stronghold |
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