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Page 376
as is so common in winter and early spring, it is not impossible that some stray bands will be blown to land there. If Adam is in the keep, there can be neither panic nor treachery. He is wild, but not so much a fool as to chance battle against high odds. And even if Sir Guy cannot stop him, he can send to you for help whether Adam approves or not."
This advice caused the first really bitter disagreement between Geoffrey and Joanna. Partly it was Geoffrey's fault for phrasing the idea carelessly. He told Joanna, quite casually, that he was sending for Adam to defend his own lands.
"Adam!" Joanna cried, her heart turning over with fear for her baby brother, "Adam is a child! What madness is this?"
"Adam is not a child," Geoffrey retorted, all the more hotly because he was trying to convince himself of what he was saying. "He is nearly sixteen years of age. In a year or two he would be knighted and defending his own lands in any case."
"He might be managing them, with Ian standing by his shoulder," Joanna said passionately. "He would not be expected to defend them alone against the might of Philip of France."
At that point Geoffrey made another mistake. He should have shown her Ian's letter, but in a foolish fit of loyalty he did not want to make Joanna angry with Ian. That would not have been the result. Joanna knew that Ian doted upon Adam; the fact that he had advised the move would have convinced her that there was little danger for her brother. Instead, Geoffrey tried to reason with his wife.
"Nor is Adam expected to do that. Sir Guy will go with him to be sure he does nothing foolish."
Unfortunately, although Joanna was fond of Sir Guy and perfectly sure of his loyalty and good intentions, she was by no means in the least sure that he could control Adam. "Sir Guy!" she exclaimed. "And how firm do you believe he will be in opposing Adam's will?"
Touched painfully upon his own fears, for Geoffrey knew

 
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