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Page 484
she said about his propertywas clear enough.
Each time she sneered at him Sir Léon thought, she had demeaned his manners. Wherein had they failed? He had not spit nor stuck his fingers in his nose nor passed wind. And what had manners to do with whether Gilliane wanted him back? Of course she wanted him back. She was a woman, capable only of sewing and overseeing the duties of the house. He watched, bemused, as a dozen men hastily shed their cloaks so that some could be spread on the ground, the knight's folded and used for a pillow for Joanna to lie down upon. Ridiculous! If they had to fight again the men would be stiff and cold. Voices then were hushed; if a man wished to speak, he plucked his partner by the sleeve and drew well away. One would think the creature was made of glass, and yet Sir Léon himself had seen her ride as hard as any man and watch a battle from scarce a spear's length away without blanching.
From the time of that rest, from which all rose greatly refreshed, everything went right. The weather was good; they were not pursued; and when they came to Mersea there was a ship in harbor that would admirably serve their purpose. The merchant had cargo for Bruges. He would deliver that, then sail to Dunkerque, where Joanna and her party would debark. If they were questioned at the port, the master would agree to a simple tale. Sir Léon had gone to Bruges to bring home a recently widowed, childless sister. There he had fallen ill and was still too weak to bear arms. Thus, he had hired Sir Guy and five other men to protect him, his sister, and her dower (the excuse for the baggage carrying Geoffrey's ranson) which was, of course, being returned with her.
Sir John had gasped with shock and then argued violently against Joanna's trip to France. He had offered himself as her deputy. He had reasoned, appealed to Adam for supportand failed. Adam was aware that most women were not capable of such things, but that had nothing to do with his mother and his sister. Most women were good only for futtering; one could not talk to them nor depend upon them for anything. Barring going into battle, however,

 
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