|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip in any way and his fear of explaining why he had not admitted having Geoffrey as a prisoner sooner, Louis yielded to Gilliane's reasoning. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In fact Louis's doubts had a sound foundation. Gilliane usually knew nothing and cared less about money and the running of estates, but he told himself that Gilliane wanted Léon back. This was true, but there were other reasons for Gilliane's sudden quickness of mind that Louis would not have approved. Yes, she wanted Léon back. It was dangerous to be without a man; her sons needed their father. Louis did what he could, but he had his own property and children to consider also. Moreover, Gilliane hated and feared the duties of the estate that devolved upon her and she knew she did not perform them competently. She loved Léon toohe was kind; he never beat her without good reason. Of course, she loved him, as much as one could love a man Who never seemed to notice one was alive, except for the few minutes spent in coupling. Even then Gilliane often wondered whether he knew or cared whose body received him. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apparently, Geoffrey was of a different kind. When Gilliane had first undressed him, the letter he had written to Joanna fell from his sleeve. Curious, Gilliane had called a clerk and had it read to her. She had not known that real men wrote such words to their wives. Only in the romances that the minstrels sang had she ever heard such tenderness. She did not really think of Geoffrey as a lover. He was too young for her, and it would be a sin, and, anyway, if he could look upon her in that way the letter would be a monstrous liebut her heart softened toward him. Then, as the days passed and she fought for his life with every bit of skill and knowledge she had, he became dear to her as a child that one tends and protects is dear. Now as she looked at him, she was glad. The Geoffrey who cared so much for his father was very likely to have written the truth of his heart in that letter. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I assure you that Lord Salisbury is not only alive but little hurt, if at all," Gilliane said, unable to resist soothing |
|
|
|
|
|