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eyes, the anxious glances of the servants. Years of training then asserted themselves. Well or ill, Joanna knew the responsibility of the keep, of all her mother's lands and, now, all of Geoffrey's lands lay upon her. If the head is lost, the body dies; that precept had been pounded into her since she could first understand words. Dutifully, she tried to go about her normal business. |
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When the weary day ended, Joanna cried herself to sleep in the empty bed, only to wake to begin another hopeless struggle. In the morning her mother's letter came. The tenderness that was so seldom displayed in times of ease was a little comfort. Edwina watched fearfully, but Joanna's grief did not seem to be much increased by Alinor's confirmation of Salisbury's news or the ugly tale of the doubled ransom. However, by midafternoon Joanna began to think she could endure no more. She withdrew to her chamber, with a sharp order to be left in peace for a few hours, to escape from the tender concern that bound her to her pain. |
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By habit she sat down before her embroidery frame and lifted the needle. She had just begun work when Edwina came rushing into the room, wide-eyed and trembling. "Madam, madam," she cried, "Tostig is here! Tostig and Roger of Hemel! Come! Oh, come quickly!" |
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For one long moment Joanna remained frozen. Then she raised her eyes to her maid. "How do they look?" she whispered. |
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"Much hurt, both, and sad, but notnotoh, I fear to give you hope, but my lady, my dear, they do not look soso fearful sad as they should. Come! Come quickly!" |
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Then Joanna leapt to her feet, sending the embroidery frame, the table with her silks, her chair, all flying. She flew herself, across the women's quarters and down the twisting stairs, stumbling and catching at the wall. |
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"Is he dead? Is he really dead?" she cried aloud across the hall, afraid to ask the question she really wanted answered. |
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Tostig looked toward her and staggered forward. He had lost two stone of weight and was gray-faced, his eyes burn- |
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