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at first that we be married. I do not know why they changed their minds" Her voice faltered. It seemed to Joanna that they had told her something of their purpose, but she had been so disturbed in her mindshe knew not whythat she had not really listened or understood. "But it must have been for some good reason. I would not cause the failure of some plan of theirsand of your father's too, for he agreed we should be betrothed instead of marriedfor a few minutes of pleasure. You know this is true, Geoffrey," she added pleadingly. "It was you who first said you were 'hiding from the devil.' " |
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The conversation had cooled him. Geoffrey let the hand he had stretched toward Joanna drop. He knew quite well why Ian and Alinor had proposed a betrothal instead of a marriage and why his father had agreed. However, it was not a reason he could proffer at this moment because Joanna would never believe him. Besides, now that the urgent demands of his body were under control again, he realized that to mate with Joanna at this time would be a mistake. He felt that the decision Ian and Alinor had made was wrong; he and Joanna would have been better off abed together. Nonetheless, it was true that to bed her without the sanction of the Church would raise a guilt in hera feeling of sinthat would end in unhappiness. That was indeed why he had spent three days riding aimlessly from place to place, until his troop thought he was crazed, and why he had taken to the whores in Bosham town the previous night with such energy that young Bosham thought he was an insatiable sexual giant. |
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"Very well," Geoffrey said, "I will not press you, but" |
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Joanna giggled. "I was very angry because you would not stay at home. I thoughtI do not know what I thought, but now I understand. Oh, Geoffrey, I am very sorry you are going tomorrow. Stillit is safer, much safer." |
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He did not answer that. His mind was back with the filthy, coarse whores of Bosham and the fine, high-bred whores of the court, and Joanna was so great a contrast to |
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