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Ian did not look surprised, which rather confirmed Alinor's notion that the queen was motivated by more than a sudden and abnormal spurt of generosity, although Alinor knew Isabella liked her. |
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"The king mentioned the wedding also," Ian said. "He repeated what Salisbury had writtenand what Geoffrey confirmed, scarcely waiting to greet methat Geoffrey was most eager to marry as quickly as possible." Ian looked consideringly at Alinor. "He also suggested that the wedding be at court, but there was no command about it. His manner was so fair that I scarcely knew the man. He said frankly and openly that politically the marriage would do him much good, that it would serve the double purpose of reaffirming my bond to him and displaying his reconciliation with the Church. Still, he said he would not press me to it, that he knew it would give little pleasure to us and to the children to be put upon show at such a time. He hoped'' |
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"Geoffrey, Salisbury, Isabella, the king" Alinor interrupted, "but I have not heard one word from Joanna. In fact, I have not had a letter from her in longer than usual." |
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"That is not unreasonable," Ian soothed. "Geoffrey said he wrote that we were being summoned home. There would be little sense in sending messengers to follow us when she expected we would soon be at Roselynde." |
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"But we are not at Roselynde," Alinor pointed out with a worried frown. "We were near as nothing waylaid as we came off ship and summoned here with the greatest urgencyfor what? What has happened to Joanna that everyone except she is clamoring for an immediate wedding? Ian" |
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The muscles of her husband's body tensed, as if he would leap out of bed, but then he relaxed. "Alinor, for God's sake, think whom you are including together! Could Geoffrey and Isabella possibly have the same reason for desiring an immediate marriage? You spoke to Geoffrey as well as I. Can you believe Geoffrey would be party to anything that would hurt Joanna?" |
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For a few minutes, Alinor continued to look worried, and |
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