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Page 503
breathlessly. "I am not used to idleness. I have not even my embroidery."
Gilliane was very much surprised. She had not thought such a grand lady did anything, but she took in the feverish spots in Joanna's cheeks, the tenseness, and understood the girl needed help. Comfortingly, she slipped an arm around Joanna.
"Do not fret, child. Soon he will be well, but come, you can help me in the dairy. I must look to the cheeses today, and it will do you good to walk outside for a time. You are too much within."
At first Joanna thought she would scream with impatience as Gilliane talked to her about cheeses, but little by little she grew interested. Roselynde made cheese too, of course, but this was of a different taste and texture. They sampled and discussed mixtures of cow and goat milk, length of hanging and smoking times, and Joanna felt her innards stop shaking. She was frankly regretful when Gilliane turned back toward the keep, but felt better again when the older woman suggested that she embroider a tunic for the elder of the two sons, who was to be presented for fostering and needed some handsome clothes. It would at least be a place to rest her eyes so that she would not need constantly to struggle not to stare at Geoffrey.
As they entered the hall, Joanna looked down. She did not know whether Geoffrey was up and about again and she did not wish to lose her newfound calm. Thus, she was very startled to hear Gilliane cry, "Mother! What are you doing?"
Joanna's eyes came up just in time to see an elderly woman step away from the entrance to the wall chamber in which Geoffrey lay. Something shone briefly in the old woman's hand as she turned toward them but was concealed by her skirt before Joanna could see what it was.
"I suppose I can walk about my own home," the old woman said.
"But mother," Gilliane protested breathlessly, hurrying forward, "you know you have been ill. You know Léon said you must stay above in the women's chambers. Come

 
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