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Page 206
and outwardly, at least, placid as a cow. There had been times in Geoffrey's life when he felt the cold hand of fear, but never had his gut been twisted with such agony as when he conceived of Joanna as a helpless prisoner. Both Salisbury and Ela had cried out that he was an idiot. Salisbury had gone so far in an effort to calm his son as to say in plain words that, whatever John's intentions, he would not use force at this stage. Ela had pleaded and reasoned that Joanna was not a fool. She would not ride out without adequate protection. Both had pointed out that it was quite mad to rush out seeking Joanna. He could not be sure which route she would take or whether or where she might have decided to visit someone on the way.
Nothing either said had the slightest effect on Geoffrey. He stormed out of the solar, shouting for his arms, his men, his horse. Salisbury started up as if to follow him, but Ela held him back, shaking her head at the fear bred by contagion in her husband's eyes.
"Let him go. He is tired and dreaming horrors. Often I do not agree with you as to what your brother will or will not do, William, but this time you are right. John believes the girl is a whore. He will not think of force until she denies him. Perhaps Geoffrey will find Joanna, perhaps not. Even if he does not, he is better off on the road than making mischief at courtwhich he would do in his present mood."
"If he does not find her, he will be a madman by the time he returns."
"Perhaps, but by then Joanna will certainly be here and she can deal with him."
"Joanna? God forbid. He will frighten her into refusing him."
Ela laughed. "Not Joanna. She has her fears, no doubt, but no raging man can make her turn a hair."
In that Ela was quite right. Joanna watched with mild amazement as Geoffrey faced down the king's messenger and sent him off like a cat with a burr under its tail. When he turned upon her eyes that leapt like flames with his rage, she made a sharp gesture that sent Beorn and Knud back from

 
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