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Page 115
other men were heading in the same direction. They hesitated, one cursing under his breath, when they saw him. To Salisbury's surprise Joanna greeted him with a broad smile.
"My lord," she murmured, "I hope you did not scold poor Geoffrey."
"Erno. I"
"He is full as a tick," Joanna giggled, "and he was very, very cross because I told him to go away and sleep it off."
"Is that what you said?"
"Well, I also agreed with him when he said he should be in camp with his men and not dancing with me."
Salisbury looked at his prospective daughter-by-marriage sharply. "If you knew he was drunk, why did you tease him?" he remonstrated, but he was more amused than angry.
"I did not mean it as teasing at first," she replied. "I meant only to assure him that I would not be offended by his doing his duty. In time of war, the men must come before dancing," she said seriously. Then she began to giggle again. "But when he called the gentlemen with me 'rutting stags,' I could not forbear roasting him a little." She sobered again, put a hand gently on Salisbury's. ''I will make my peace with him when I next see him. Do not be angry with me."
"With you? Never, my child. It is my fault. I did not realize how drunk he was. I should have sobered him up before I brought him in here. I am glad you are so understanding about it."
"Yes. Do not trouble about me," Joanna agreed, "butif I am not presuming, my lordthere is another who may be offended. Geoffrey wasHe spoke quite rudely to Henry de Braybrook. I do not know what should be done, but"
"Braybrook?" Salisbury's mouth tightened, but then he forced his lips into a smile. "Do not worry your head, my dear. I will make all smooth. Tell me what you have heard from Lord Ian and your mother."
"Nothing yet, my lord, except the word Geoffrey

 
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