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Page 555
matter any more. Now we are free of John's vices and treachery. We can begin again."
They talked all morning and all through dinner, and Joanna began to let her hope take root. The febrile excitement had died out of Geoffrey, but he was warm and alive, his eyes bright and intent as he spoke of the future. The prince was young and he had about him fine, strong menPembroke, Salisbury, Langtonmen who would teach him honor and justice. John's oath to the pope had died with him, so that England was no vassal state any longer and the annulment of Magna Carta was meaningless. With that as a guide, the prince would know from his youth what were his duties and his rights.
Joanna agreed to everything, more with the joy of seeing hope in Geoffrey than with understanding, although she knew what he said was important. She was so happy that it was only some hours later that she realized she had not offered to relieve her tired mother, nor even arranged to have a meal carried up to her. She ran up, Geoffrey following, and found Alinor and Ian, hand in hand, also with peaceful eyes full of hope. Joanna turned to thrust Geoffrey out again, but Alinor smiled and said he could come in.
"Ian has promised to say just two words, and then go to sleep."
"He does not even need to say one," Geoffrey put in eagerly. "I know about the king, and I am ready and more than ready to take up arms for the prince. I will go now, this very night if you think it needful, to swear for myself and for you. Then I am ready to call up my levies. I know they will answer without hesitation now that John is dead. Adam too will come and swear."
The expression of anxiety faded from Ian's dark eyes, and his lips twitched into a faint smile. "You need not leave this very night," he said slowly and with effort but also with pleasure. "You may at least say farewell to your wife."
Geoffrey laughed aloud. "Do not fear me. I would have spared a few minutes for that."
"You had better take more than a few minutes at it," Ian advised.

 
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