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Page 294
Although Joanna gave no sign, she could have sighed with relief. It was easy enough to guess Geoffrey's intention, and she had not known what to do. To resist him would be unkind. Moreover, Joanna was not sure how effective resistance would be. Not that Geoffrey would force her; he was, she suspected, too knowing for that. Anyway the question probably would not arise. What Joanna feared was that she would yield at his first touch, conquered before she began to fight by her growing lust for Geoffrey's body. She seized upon the temporary respite eagerly, pretending somewhat more concern about the city of London than she truly felt, and bid Edwina bring the visitor to the solar before Geoffrey could protest. Thrown off balance again, Geoffrey stood silent. He knew the violence that any interference with "business" could generate in the women of Roselynde and his divided mind overlooked the fact that the alderman had asked for him.
It seemed at first that the request for Geoffrey was merely the normal reaction to the presence of a male in the household. The alderman's remarks, after civil greetings and assurances that the fire was truly quenched were addressed to Joanna. He had the happiness, he said, to report that Joanna's mare had been found unharmed and was now safe in her own stable. However, after profuse thanks and the promise of a reward to the honest finder had been made, the man did not rise to take his leave. Neither Joanna nor Geoffrey was surprised. They had thought it odd for a person of such importance to take upon himself the return of a horse.
The alderman had been shaking his head, brushing away thanks. "It is a poor recompense," he said to Geoffrey, "for the great help you and your lady extended to us in our hour of need."
"I am only sorry that what help we were able to give had so small or ill an effect," Geoffrey replied, polite but puzzled.
"That is of no account. The willingness is all, and the love for us that willingness displayed emboldens me to beg further favors."

 
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