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land until he could cozen the pope to support him, John thought. Then he would buy hersuch women were always for saleright under his brother's nose. |
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There was time for a short dance to stretch the legs before the next dinner course was brought forward. John led Joanna to the floor this time, Geoffrey, as required, squiring Isabella. Joanna was much surprised at how light John was on his feet and spoke of it, and the king was flattered and assured of his eventual satisfaction. There would be no need to force this one he thought, a little regretfully. There would have been much joy in taming the vixen. Geoffrey was less pleased by his partner even though she was a most graceful dancer and said nothing that could offend him. In fact, she was so pleasant that Geoffrey grew a little cold inside. How he hated Isabella! |
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Although it was still daylight outside, the light was failing in the hall where the windows were covered by scraped hides. Torches were carried in and the great candelabras that hung from the rafters were lowered so that their candles could be lit. As those servingmen scurried out, the third course began to arrive. This was the game course and boar and venison followed each other in a profusion of sauces and methods of preparation. Everyone was eating a little more slowly now. |
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The second dance with Geoffrey was more dignified and slower paced than the first. It was the custom to have the slow dance measures after the third course because by then a good many of the dancers were not only stuffed with food but slightly drunk as well. |
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During the serving of the fourth coursesweetsthere was an eruption of loud, angry voices that rose even above the deafening noise produced by several hundred people eating, drinking, and talking. The king, who had been greedily examining a dish of comfits to choose out the largest and sweetest, threw up his head. To her right, Joanna could feel Geoffrey freeze, an apple halfway to his mouth. Ian and Salisbury were already half across the benches, but the bawling died down as those more sober enforced peace |
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