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There she learned that cutting off one's nose to spite one's face is painful and unsatisfying. She was furious with Geoffrey, although she could not name a discourtesy or a fault to be furious about, and even more furious with herself for being furious. She did not understand why she should be angry. |
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Having spent the afternoon and evening enduring the battle between her pride, which refused to permit her to ask her maids whether Lord Geoffrey had come in, and her good sense, which told her it was ridiculous to torment herself only to appear indifferent, Joanna began reluctantly to prepare for bed. Tears came to her eyes, and she brushed them away impatiently, furious again because she was crying about nothing. Indeed, she did not even know what the nothing was she was crying about. |
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All she could think of as she removed her wimple and allowed her braids to fall was that Geoffrey had not sent to inquire about her. That was ridiculous! Probably he was not even in Roselynde and, even if he was, why should he send for her? The servants knew him long and would obey him in any household attention he might desire. Why should he wonder whether she was ill? She never was. Everyone knew she was as strong as a horse; all the Devauxs and Lemagnes were. Slowly Joanna's fingers undid her braids. She had not summoned her women. She would not permit them to see her senseless distress. Tears came again. Before Joanna could lift a hand to wipe them away, a large wet tongue squelched across her face. |
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''Brian, no!" Joanna exclaimed, pushing the dog away and wiping her face on her sleeve. The animal whined, and Joanna looked at him. Poor thing. Partly he was responding to her mood, she knew, but also the poor beast had been confined all day. Joanna felt terribly guilty. She had not thought to tell someone to take him out. "Come," she said, and rose hastily. |
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Either Geoffrey had not yet come in or he had already gone to bed, Joanna thought. The hall was lit only by a few torches; no candles burned in the family area, and the fire |
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