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Joanna returned to Clyro from a whirlwind tour of her mother's property almost a week later than she expected. She found Sir Peter already at home and two letters waiting for her. One was a terse note from Geoffrey to tell her that Llewelyn had yielded and that he hoped she would remain, as she had said she would, at Clyro. He expected soon to be able to escort her back to Roselynde or wherever else she desired to go. |
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Sir Peter enlarged upon this, saying that he had been given leave to return home as soon as it was sure Llewelyn would make terms. Lord Geoffrey intended to see the other vassals out of Wales, however, to be sure they did not "forget" the war was over. Joanna was rather surprised that there was not a single personal word in the letter, not even a "loving husband" preceding the signature, but she assumed that Geoffrey was very busy and put the note aside with only a slight feeling of disappointmentuntil she opened the second missive. |
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This was from Lady Ela and was equally terse, bidding Joanna at all costs to rid herself of the company of Henry de Braybrook. In this matter, Lady Ela wrote, it was less dangerous to flout the order of the queen than to give substance to the rumors Isabella was spreading. It did not matter how innocent the relationship between Joanna and Braybrook was in truth. As Joanna well knew, Ela pointed out, no one wished to believe in innocence. |
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Dumbfounded, Joanna read and reread Lady Ela's letter. Then her eyes passed from it to Geoffrey's, which still lay on the table. Color flamed in her face, making her eyes as pale and bright as stars. She was far less infuriated by the |
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