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his. She tried to tell herself that the spurt of speed they had put on would attract even a perfectly indifferent person and arouse curiosity. They might be outlaws fleeing. There was no conviction in the thought. Upon the hill with the afternoon light on them, it must have been apparent that they were a respectable party led by a woman and a knight. |
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Now they could hear shouts from the oncoming troop. Joanna and her men laid on frantically with whips and heels, and they careened past the worst danger point with what seemed only bare yards to spare. Fortunately, the horses were relatively fresh. They had been well rested during the time Joanna slept in the camp in the woods and again while the ransom was paid and amenities exchanged in Horndon. Thus they were able to sustain the same wild pace down the road, narrowly clearing another party, which had separated from the rear of the main body and cut across some fields to try to head them off. |
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Although threats and promises were shouted after them, Joanna realized that no arrows had been released. That almost certainly identified their pursuers as FitzWalter's people. Only his men would be aware of the value of the prize and thus reluctant to take any chance of harming Joanna. Most of the shouts were now directed to pointing out that Joanna's party could not possibly escape. No one would shelter them, and the river would soon bring a stop to their flight. Obviously, they did not know of Adam waiting less than three miles ahead. |
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That knowledge and the fact that their horses were slightly outdistancing their pursuers gave Joanna some confidence. Her mind was able to free itself from the immediate danger and wonder how FitzWalter knew so quickly of her offer to ransom the Frenchman. Had the casual attitude of the castellan been a trap? Surely not. There were all sorts of perfectly reasonable devices he could have used to delay her so that she would be kept in the keep. Most probably the castellan had sent word of the transaction immediately, not because he was suspicious but because he did not want FitzWalter to become suspicious of him. |
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Soon Joanna became aware that the noise behind them |
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