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angry. "I meant to explain to her, but there were more important matters; and I" |
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In the midst of her worry, Lady Ela had to smile. "I warned you that she was her mother's daughter. She said she would not blame you for what was past because you were not "hers" then, but that you would mount no mistress while she was your wife." She watched him keenly, but there was no expression on his face and his eyes were now fixed stubbornly on the tips of his shoes. "Geoffrey, do not be a fool! Do not ruin your life by setting out to spite Joanna." |
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"I have no intention of doing that," Geoffrey remarked neutrally. |
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"In any case, the fault is not Joanna's, nor yours either," Ela said hastily. "The trouble stems from Isabella." |
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Although no feature of Geoffrey's face moved, Ela could see his expression congeal as every tiny muscle beneath the skin tensed imperceptibly. Guilt lashed her. If she had done as Salisbury desired and had taken Geoffrey into her care, the hatred/fear/hatred that existed between the queen and her stepson would never have been born. Breathlessly, she told him of the rumors Isabella had spawned regarding Joanna and Braybrook and what Joanna had replied. Still there was no change in Geoffrey's expression and he did not interrupt her. |
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"You must not kill him, Geoffrey. Joanna says she believes he is as much a victim of Isabella's tongue as you or herself. You do not wish to set your father and Braybrook's into enmity, do you? Not now! In God's name, do you wish to be the cause of the rebellion that will destroy us all? We are poised on a knife edge." |
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"If you mean will I openly challenge Braybrook for dishonoring my wifeno. That would merely acknowledge that I believed it. It will depend upon Braybrook" |
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Ela made a weary, defeated gesture. She could only hope that her words would have some effect. Geoffrey was not a fool and had been involved in court politics since he was a child. The danger was that he was young and very proud |
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