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Ela had never seen Salisbury fight. That was true even though she had once attended a tourney in which he had participated. She had fainted before his first joust and then become so hystericalthe one and only real attack of hysteria she had ever hadthat it was necessary to carry her from the field. |
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They will not really be fighting near, she comforted herself. Wales, specially Gwenydd, was many miles west of Whitechurch. And I am older now and not so silly, she murmured to herself. The assurances did little to ease her fear and distaste, but she could not allow a conflict to arise between Geoffrey and Joanna that would ruin their lives and, in spite of being convinced that nothing like abduction or imprisonment threatened Joanna, Ela did not understand the queen's invitation. Usually Isabella was harmless, but she could be spiteful. For everyone but herself, Ela knew, it was best that she be in Whitechurch. Resignedly, she gave instruction to the maid she had summoned. |
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Henry de Braybrook had never had so pleasant a journey in his life. He had been dreading it ever since the queen had sent for him and given him the task of escorting Lady Joanna. He had envisioned the multiple horrors of dealing with a frightened, uncertain girl who would constantly be too hot or too cold or too wet, a long train of baggage wains, which would constantly be mired on the muddy roads, and total boredom. Then, although it seemed at first as if even greater, unexpected horrors would afflict him, everything began to work out right. Edwina had been the first pleasant surprise. Then the sickness in the castle had convinced Lady Joanna to leave without the slightest protest or delay. Best of all, he had never met a hardier lady nor one more accustomed to travel. Although it rained every day, she never uttered a complaint. And she was a lively and interesting companion once she had gotten over her first timidity. |
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It was too bad, he thought, his eyes running over her once again, that she was already betrothed and he married. She was an exquisite piece and would be as rich as Croesus. Had |
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