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Page 318
if she were not. The marriage could harm no one and, if his father was correct, might do much good. Not only was Ian a man of great influence in the north, but he had become a close friend of the earl of Pembroke. If Ian came from Ireland where he had been close with Pembroke and he permitted his stepdaughter to marry the king's nephew, it would be assumed that Pembroke also favored the marriage. This would be doubly a warning to those of rebellious tendency. Pembroke also held Joanna very dear because she was the daughter of his closest friend, now six years dead, and Pembroke was the greatest military leader England had since the death of King Richard.
My father was right, Geoffrey thought. This marriage will be a very good thing in all ways. He returned to the table, sat down, and drew the parchment toward him again. By the time he had dipped his quill, a rather mischievous smile was lifting his lips. He read what he had written and then continued, ". . . it would not be safe for John to leave the country. It is most truly said, however, that it is an ill wind that blows no one some good. All this evil is likely to bring me my heart's desire at last. My father was just with me and tells me that he writes this very evening to bring Lord Ian and your mother home."
At this point Geoffrey paused and brushed his nose absently with the feather of the quill. Should he be an arrant coward and cast the blame for the gigantic and hurried wedding they would probably have onto his father? He grinned at the idea but dismissed it. This was too good an opportunity to make it irrevocably clear to Joanna that he expected and intended to many her and would not agree to breaking their marriage contract.
"As soon as I heard this, I told him it was my dearest wish that we should be married at once, as soon as was possible after your mother arrived. What followed you will not like as well, but I believe you will see the necessity and will curb your wrath."
Geoffrey was not so sure Joanna would curb her wrath,

 
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