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return love, but she would not proffer it. "You know William dotes upon Geoffrey, the more because he was born a bastard. You remember that, do you not? You have considered it?" |
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"What is there to consider in that?" Joanna asked. |
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"Geoffrey is dear to Salisbury and because of him is often at court. If you marry Geoffrey, you will spend much time there also. Jealousy is rife at court. More than one woman will taunt you that you had to marry a bastard, however near to the throne." |
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"Not more than one," Joanna said, and her eyes grew brighter and harder. |
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Alinor stared at her strong-willed daughter. A slow smile grew on her lips. Ian guffawed. Nonetheless, he said warningly, "You are not to raise your hand, your whip, or your knife to the queen's ladies, Joanna." |
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Joanna said nothing, but her eyes were light and shining and met Ian's challengingly. |
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He rubbed the back of his neck, as a man with a puzzle would, and then shook his head. "You must understand, my love, that much of the spite will come from places you cannot reach. It is no sense to punish the servants for the faults of the masters. The one man in the world the king loves is William of Salisbury, his half brother. Because of that, he hates Geoffrey." |
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"Is he mad?" Joanna asked amazedly. |
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"Oh no, merely greedy and jealous," Alinor remarked. "John must eat the world. He must have all, everything. Thus, it is hateful to him that William also has room in his heart to love his own son." |
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"But that is mad," Joanna insisted. "It is as if I should hate Adam or Simon because you love them." |
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"You have a sweet nature, heartling. You are willing to share what can be shared," Ian praised. |
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"Oh no," Joanna protested. "I will not share a jot of the love that is mine. For each of us, for Adam, for Simon, and for me, you have a different love, whole and complete, because we are different. When you look on Adam, you look on Adam and listen to Adam and think of Adam. You do not |
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