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Page 386
fighting force. Fear for him lay heavy on her, poisoning her pleasure in his presence and making her behavior unnatural.
Young and strong as he was, cared for with infinite gentleness and attention, Geoffrey healed swiftly. He noted that as he grew stronger, began to ride and exercise in arms with Tostig, Joanna grew more remote. It occurred to him that the only subject Joanna was reluctant to discuss was the coming war. Unfortunately, that was no clear signpost to where her strongest affections lay. Everyone Joanna loved was involved in some wayAdam guarding Kemp and that part of the southern coast, Ian with John at Barham Downs, Alinor, relying on her daughter's ability to hold Roselynde, settled into Mersea while, Sir John was with the king's forces at Ipswich. He could not bring himself to ask for whom Joanna feared most deeply, and Joanna increased his doubt by refusing to speak at all when Geoffrey speculated about whether it would be better to meet Philip on land or by sea. Guilt held her silent. She could not wish to endanger Ian and perhaps even Adam in a land battle, but in her heart she knew what choice she would make if choice was forced upon her.
Before his growing need could push Geoffrey into demanding an avowal from Joanna, Salisbury rode into Roselynde as dusk was falling on May 26. Ostensibly, he came to visit his son, but he was plainly overjoyed to see how near Geoffrey was to total recovery. He had news of the greatest importance, and it was just as well that Salisbury's attention was fixed upon that or he would have noticed the coldness with which his daughter-by-marriage greeted him. Geoffrey saw and his heart was gladdened. He guessed that his wife knew Salisbury had come to recall him to his duty if he was able for it, and she was very angry. Softly, he warned Joanna to hold her tongue and, with a warm glow of satisfaction within, turned his mind to what his father was saying.
"I am not so sure I like that," Salisbury was grumbling.
"That the king made submission to the pope?" Geoffrey

 
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