|
|
|
|
|
|
''Yes, yet I dare not send a warning of John's spite. You know what will happen if I do." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That brought a trembling smile to Joanna's lips, although she was still shuddering with fear. She blinked away tears. "As well warn Ian of danger as prod a bull with a sharp stick. He would come charging homeGeoffrey, Geoffrey, what will we do?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The first thing is that we must write a letter together. You will best know what to say to your mother so that she will try to keep Ian in Ireland. I will give the news so that Ian can see the danger is not immediate. And it is not, Joanna. It will take time for Pandulf to communicate with the pope. The next thing is that we must go to every vassal and castellan and sound them most carefully while we give them warning. I believe most will be loyal. They will see the benefit of our protection in a time of chaos." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The outline of positive action to be taken calmed Joanna. She drew a deep breath and nodded. "Will we have time enough?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"If we go separately, yes. You must go to your mother's people. I will go north first because I wish to visit Ian's northern vassals twice. They are the most like to break away. That whole northern part is a hotbed of rebellion. Then I will go to my keeps, and, after that, I will go to Leicester to get Adam and take him with me over his own lands." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Adam? Oh, Geoffrey, you will not let Adam come to any danger, will you? He is so heedless, so wild." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey looked reprovingly at his betrothed. "Adam is thirteen, no longer a child. Of course I will guard him as needful, but no more than that. He must know his men and they him. And he is not so heedless as you think. There is a good mind under all that laughter." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"But he is as bador worsethan Ian in the face of dangerand you are no better!" Joanna cried. "Let me come with you. Adam listens to me sometimes." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By no means offended by Joanna's strictures on his reaction to danger, which he took as a compliment, Geoffrey |
|
|
|
|
|