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never more powerful, but Joanna knew how worried Salisbury was, knew that he believed it needed only one spark to set the tinder of the barons' dissatisfaction afire and blaze up into a civil war. Usually she would have thought to herself that it might well be worth civil war to be rid of John, but now she was outraged. She was not less sure of the hatred her attacker felt for herand she was ashamed, realizing that she had done something, although not a thing to deserve thisbut she could not deny that there might have been purpose layered on purpose in the attack. Joanna had a strong sense of fair play. If Braybrook hated her, and she was almost sure it had been he, that was one thing. But to use that hate to bring trouble upon an innocent bystander was outrageous. |
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The impersonal sense of injustice permitted Joanna to conquer the remainder of her fear and revulsion. She could not imagine her innocent jest having engendered such hatred in anyone. However, if dislike for her were mixed with another, deeper purpose, the attack became more rational and less fearful. It became reasonable that the man would not speak if he believed she would recognize his voice and know he had nothing to do with the king. Joanna sat more upright, her eyes clearing. |
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"Geoffrey, I thinkgood heavens, why are we sitting here talking while you drip blood. Shall I see to you here, or will you come up to the house?" |
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"You are quickly recovered, are you not?" Geoffrey asked suspiciously. |
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"Yes, because it comes to me that you are right. It was the hate that frightened me; that anyone could hate me so deeply was insane. But someone could dislike me, and dislike you too, and see that discomfiting us could harm the king also. That is not mad. It is wicked, and I am very, very angrybut not frightened. I know how to guard myself against those with real purposes. Never mind me. Let me see your hurt Geoffrey." |
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A brief examination made Joanna insist that Geoffrey |
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