< previous page page_439 next page >

Page 439
slowly. Perhaps it would be better that way. Let him believe her heart was slow and considerate in its submission. Possibly that would give him assurance that it would not lightly change.
These concerns were largely obliterated, however, when Joanna had news of the treachery of the Poitevin lords that had ended John's hopes for reconquering Anjou. The request that John sent for more support, Joanna could rightfully ignore. Ian had brought with him every man required by his feudal obligations. However, the request worried her. Had John been successful and called for more men to consolidate his gains or take over the strongholds previously controlled by Philip, all would have been well. Even disaffected vassals would think seriously before challenging a victorious king. The news that he had lost all he had gained and perhaps even more in that some previously loyal barons had defected cast an ugly light over the expedition. Joanna waited for two weeks, sounding out visitors to Roselynde keep and town, and then wrote to Alinor.
"I understand from your letter," Joanna began after the salutation, "that the fault for what took place was nowise the king's, that he acted in all ways as was right and proper, but I fear those facts will be lost upon the men who remained here. As you well know, none of them have any love for the king, and all will ignoreor, for the worst-disposedwill even lie about these matters. Already rumors fly about and all of them are unfavorable. The kindest say the king fell into a lethargy and would not act and the men, in despair, went home. Some say the king insulted the wives and daughters of the vassals and that was why they withdrew; others are even worse and say the king fled first, leaving the barons without a leader. I do not know where these ill winds blow from, but I can guess and Lady Ela agrees that most likely their sources are where you would expectVesci in the north and FitzWalter in the east.
"This I know you will have expected, but what makes me particularly uneasy is that Oxford happened to be here on his way to Portsmouth when the copy of the king's letter

 
< previous page page_439 next page >