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Page 485
Alinor and Joanna could do anythingand they were the only women worth anything.
Even Adam had protested at the small force Joanna planned to take, but she had pointed out that Philip's France was a quieter and more orderly place than John's England. Moreover, a large force of any kind traveling near the Flemish border would be greatly suspect and sure to be stopped.
"And can you imagine what would happen if the men were overheard speaking English?" Joanna said, exasperated with their silliness. "Where will I find a larger force of men that speaks French? As it is, Knud and the other four will have to mind their tongues."
It was an unanswerable argument. Sir John gave up and switched to another problem. "Do you trust Sir Léon? With so few men, once he is in his own country, what is to stop him from betraying you or simply riding off and abandoning you?
Joanna smiled. "I think he is an honorable man, even if he is a clod, but I will be safe rather than sorry, I assure you. Sir Léon will neither speak a false word nor escape because 'his sister,' as is fitting, will ride pillion behind him and that 'dear sister' will carry in her hand a long, very sharp knife, which will be hidden by her cloak and pressed into Sir Léon's back."
Sir John cleared his throat and closed his eyes; Adam began to laugh.
"That sounds all right," Adam agreed, "but do not poke him for fun, Joanna. His wife probably wants him with a whole skin."
"I," Joanna said indignantly, "do not consider sticking people with knives funny."
How sweet and soft she looks, Sir John thought, but even if she did not think it funny, there was no doubt that she would stab the man without the slightest hesitation.
"That will be safe enough while riding," he pointed out, "but it is too far from Dunkerque to Baisieux to go without a stop."
"For that there is also an easy answer," Joanna replied.

 
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