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The one good thing about the turmoil in Joanna's mind was that the disconcerting fact that John would be her next neighbor and table companion did not dawn upon her until Geoffrey led her to her seat and pulled out the bench so she could slip in beside the king's chair. Joanna bent her knees in automatic curtsy and dropped her eyes modestly to the floor. This day, she was now sure, was accursed. On one side was John, whom she feared and disliked, on the other side Geoffrey, whom at this moment she feared almost more than his uncle. She had not a word to say to either one upon any subject and in any case she could neither speak nor eat because her throat was shut tight with nervousness. |
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"Hey, Jo, look at me!" It was a merry whisper just behind. |
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"Adam," Joanna breathed, feeling that salvation had come to her. |
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"Ain't I grand?" Adam teased, in the coarsest vernacular, preening himself with deliberate vulgarity. Then he hit his sister an encouraging blow on the back that nearly knocked her flat on the table, exclaiming, "Lucky girl!" |
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"Adam!" Joanna protested, clutching at the nearest available support, which happened to be Geoffrey. |
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"Gendy," Geoffrey whispered, "that is my property you are mauling about." |
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"Sorry," Adam offered contritely. "I forget I keep growing up and you stay little. I only seem to remember that you could belt me across the room once." He dismissed that past with a careless wave of the hand and reverted to his present proud moment. "Am I ever glad you decided on a court wedding! It got me a whole chestful of new clothes andlook at meserving the high table at a royal castle." |
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"You will not be doing so for long if you do not shut up and serve instead of talking," Geoffrey hissed, half laughing nonetheless. |
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A warm, rich chortle came from Joanna's left. She and Geoffrey froze, but Adam bowed deeply and gracefully and grinned irrepressibly. |
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"Your brother is a fine figure of a man, and not much |
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