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by the injudicious imbibition of a considerable quantity of rather poor quality wine and a lack of opportunity to sleep off its effects, did not produce the best of humors. Geoffrey strode into the hall with two vertical creases in his brow between his eyes and a rather set mouth. As they entered, the music for a dance measure ended and the regimented lines of men and women broke into a chaotic mass, which immediately began to resort itself into groups. Geoffrey glanced slowly around and then made his way toward a rather large group that seemed to be composed exclusively of young men. Salisbury, about to protest that Geoffrey should seek out Joanna and not begin another convivial party, smiled instead. As one of the young men bent forward to kiss a hand, Salisbury caught a glimpse of a jeweled headdress and a bright flash of gray eyes. Geoffrey's instinct had been unerring. The center of the group of men was Joanna. |
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Preliminary pipings and lute notes indicated that a new dance was about to begin as Geoffrey reached the group. Henry de Braybrook, who had kissed Joanna's hand, was saying, "This dance is mine, Lady Joanna," with all the authority of a gentleman certain of his reception. |
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"No," Geoffrey growled, "it is mine and so is the woman." |
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Joanna cast Geoffrey one single flashing glance of affront, then curtsied low and bent her head. |
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"Your manners, sir, are of the gutter," Braybrook said stiffly. |
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"You are mistaken again," Geoffrey retorted, "they are of the campthe same as yours should be but are not. And do not bother to try to insult me. The king will not permit any quarrel between us here and now. I have more serious business in a day or two. When I come back from Wales, try me again." |
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"Geoffrey" Engelard d'Atie remonstrated. |
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Geoffrey glanced at him but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Joanna. "Do you really wish to dance, Joanna?" he asked, but not as if he wanted to know. The tone demanded a negative answer. "My head is splitting," he added. |
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