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Page 360
never know whether her husband loved her enough to lie for her. It seemed to Joanna's still overexcited, overtired mind that that would have been the ultimate proof of devotion. Geoffrey was trained to the notion that to lie was dishonor; if he would lie for her, she was more important to him than honor. The bed made an odd noise again. But it could not, Joanna thought. She had not moved, and Geoffrey lay like a log. There it was again! Joanna stiffened, listening. Surely that could not be the leather straps creaking.
"Geoffrey," she said, shaking him, "there is a rat under the bed."
"What?" he groaned.
"A rat. There is a rat under the bed," she insisted. This had never happened to her before. Brian slept in her chamber and where the dog was rats did not come.
"No," Geoffrey mumbled, "go to sleep. It will do you no hurt. It is a kitten."
"A what? A kitten? Why is there a kitten under the bed? Geoffrey!"
Reluctantly, Geoffrey opened his eyes. "Kitten?" he said vaguely, "oh, yes." He yawned hugely and closed his eyes again.
"You lazy thing," Joanna cried, "get up and kill that rat or drive it away. I will never sleep with it squeaking and scratching under there."
"Oh God," Geoffrey groaned, rolling out and getting down on the floor.
"You fool, you are naked. It will bite you. Take a knife or something."
However, Geoffrey ignored her warning and wormed himself half under the bed, cursing vilely. Joanna glanced around for something to strike the rat with if it ran out on her side. Nothing emerged, but she heard the creak of leather, as if some strain had been applied to the bed straps and then Geoffrey began to inch his way out again. He rose to his knees and tossed a cloth bag, which heaved and squeaked protestingly, to Joanna.
"I told you it was a kitten," he said irritably. "Your fool

 
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