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husband and myselfsomething I would prefer not to repeat that he said concerning the nature ofof women. It had nothing to do with the blood on the sheets. |
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"Well, whoever said it did?" |
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The king's rich and mellow voice came from the doorway, where he blocked entrance for the remainder of the witnesses. His smile was pleasant, but there was an odd note in his voice and an odd expression in the eyes he turned on Isabella. It almost frightened her. She had hardly ever seen John look at her with anything but admiration. Stupid, ungrateful man, she thought. John hated Geoffrey as much as she did, yet when she had taken this marvelous opportunity to shame Geoffrey before all, John was angry. And it was all Geoffrey's faultlying for that vixen. Isabella was sure that Geoffrey was lying, either to save his own pride or, more likely, out of desire to make trouble. Shame was not sufficient; Geoffrey FitzWilliam would have to die. |
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"A slight misunderstanding, my lord," Geoffrey said, lowering his eyes. |
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Much as he detested his brother's son, John had to give Geoffrey credit for good behavior. It was fortunate that he was such a dutiful idiot. Isabella was such a fool that Was she only a fool? Could she have taken some contagion from FitzWalter? Until that moment John could have sworn that FitzWalter was too clever to do more than flatter Isabella so that she would run to him in case of trouble, butIsabella would have to be watched, closely watched. Meanwhile, it would be necessary to be very careful with regard to Geoffrey. He must not be teased or twitted. From his face, and the expressions of the other women, he had come very near to forgetting his duty this time. |
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"I hope the misunderstanding is amended?" John asked smoothly. |
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Geoffrey said nothing, the muscles in his jaws bunching. |
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"Oh yes," Joanna cried eagerly. "It was only a mistake. We understand." |
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So she is a slut, John thought. Does my nephew know and protects her to save himself shame, or is it only a vague |
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