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night she would be perfectly happy. She would not allow herself to fall into the fault her mother complained she shared with her father. She would not look into the future and frighten herself with the dangers and sorrows to come. |
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In the normal course of events, Joanna would have had a long morning to clutch her joy to her. The custom was that, when the married pair woke and called for their servants, the noble lords and ladies would be summoned to inspect the sheets. Isabella, however, had no intention of allowing Edwina or Tostig to precede her into the bridal chamber. Both slept far more soundly than their master or mistress, well drugged. It was a lady of Isabella's who entered, exclaimed a loud apology, saying that she thought she heard a call, and retreated so clumsily that somehow she bumped the table upon which were set wine and a few tasty tidbits for those who might be wakeful in the night. |
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Geoffrey was wide awake at once. He had snapped to alertness when the door opened, but had moved nothing except his eyes, assuming it was Edwina come to remove the kitten. The loud apology and jostling of the table brought both Joanna and him upright. They exchanged a single glance, and then Joanna called, "Edwina?" |
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"No, my lady. Your maid seems to have tasted a little too deeply of the wine." |
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Behind the concealment of the bed curtains Geoffrey and Joanna exchanged another glance. Joanna had been right. Isabella either had known exactly what was planned or had simply been on guard against any assistance from Joanna's maid. Probably one of the queen's ladies had been on guard in the antechamber all night long. Geoffrey flushed briefly with rage, but Joanna was more amused than angered. What was important now was to smooth things over. |
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"Wicked girl!" Joanna exclaimed and then laughed indulgently. "Ah, well, on such a day one must be a little forgiving." |
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On the words, Geoffrey pulled back the bed curtains on his side. |
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"I am sorry to have wakened you, my lord," the lady |
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