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Page 522
Ian was pointing. He looked puzzled, then as their meaning came to him, his color suddenly rose and his eyes brightened dangerously.
"No, no," Ian warned, laughing even harder. "Do not demean yourself by losing your temper. Is it not a tactful way to give us permission to talka little sign, a flagon of wine and two cups? You would like it even less if Joanna said in words you had her leave to hear the news. Now, now, Geoffrey, do not turn that color. It is useless and ruins the digestion." Suddenly his laughter cut off and his face grew older. "Besides, I have that to say to you that can sour your stomach for a worthier reason."
"I feared it. I feared it. All the honeyed words, all the sober tales of how the king was chastened and all was now smooth as silktold soso surely! So easily!"
"Geoffrey," Ian said softly and soberly, "you believed because you needed to believe, and Joanna lied because you needed those lies. Yet I dare swear they were not really lies. Our women do not lie to us; they leave things but or place the emphasis on the wrong word so that the thought is bent. You were very sick, Geoffrey. Your body needed peace to mend itself. You were given that peace. Now you are strong enough to carry it, a part of your burden is handed back to you. Do not mistake how hard it is for Joanna to yield you up to the struggle of full life againso near to death as she has seen you, and after believing you dead already."
There was a silence while Geoffrey digested that. His eyes rested all the while on the two goblets and, finally, the frown smoothed off his face and he reached out and took one and chuckled. "Perhaps, but it goes against the grain to think that I have got my own way for once, and then discover that it is her way after all."
"You will grow accustomed," Ian retorted drily, and sighed. "As for your question about the kingJoanna did not lie, at least not by John's seeming behavior. It is quiet and modest. He, does no ill, butcurse him and rot him, what a fool! He comes home a whipped curalthough it is true enough that was no fault of his. He bore himself right manly and planned the battles full well. We would have

 
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