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Page 347
child." Joanna had no time to read fearful implications into that simple cry of love because Lady Ela seized upon her. She was sobbing, her pretty fair face blotched with tears and her eyes reddened. "Be good to him," she cried softly. "As you are a little my daughter, Joanna, make up to him the ill I have done him."
It was Ian who broke her determined calm, for he too was weeping. He said nothing, only held Joanna tight to him, as he had held her so many times when she was a little girl and had fled to him for solace from some grief or punishment. She clung to him, who had so ably replaced her father, and burst into a storm of tears. "Do not weep, love," Ian soothed. "He is a good man, and I love him, but there is nothing for you to fear. If he hurts youI will kill him!"
That checked Joanna's tears as swiftly as they had come. "No, no," she whispered, terrified, already seeing her husband dead by her stepfather's mighty hand because she knew Geoffrey would never defend himself against Ian. "My God, do not lay that burden of fear upon me. Whatever is between Geoffrey and me, he loves you and you love him"
Before she could finish, Alinor pulled Ian away with some force, hissing, "You idiot! Do you not see she is overset already? Do you want more scandal? With a little more 'kindness' she will be screaming for release from a marriage she greatly desires. I tell you she loves him and he her. Let them only be alone and away from this madhouse, and all will be well."
There were others, many others, who proffered good wishes, some sincerely and some with ill-concealed hopes that were contrary to their words. Both groups could see signs that their expectations for the marriage would be fulfilled. Bride and groom were both abstracted, and both stole quick glances at the other when they thought it would not be noticed. Those who wished it so read eagerness and love into what they saw. Those who wished ill to the pair, saw fear and suspicion in the behavior. And both groups were at least a little right in their reading of the signs.

 
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