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"You cannot mean that papa is in any danger here," Geoffrey said unbelievingly. |
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"None that a sword will deliver him from," Ela sighed. "Oh Geoffrey, I see ruin. I see ruin. And I cannot wean, your father from his brother. I have triedfor years and years, I have tried. John is destroying himself, and we will all go down with him." |
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"What do you mean? What has happened?" |
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Lady Ela drew a long shuddering breath. "Nothing. Nothing has happened yet, but there are whispers and hints. More and more eyes turn to look at Prince Henry. He is a fine, sweet child, so different from both mother and father thatThere is something else I have seen. FitzWalter spends much time with the queen, whispering in her ear." |
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Geoffrey raised his brows. "He is wasting his time." |
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"Is he?" Ela breathed fast and shallow. "Is he? Oh, she will not yield him her body, nor does he desire it I think, and he knows she has no powernow. However, he has made himself a prime favorite with her, her advisor on any little thing she desires done. What is more, Vesci and FitzWalter are of a sudden friends of the bosom." |
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"Vesci is nearly an open rebel. What has he to do with FitzWalter who owes the king much?" |
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"Is there any hatred like that of a mean man indebted?" Ela asked bitterly. |
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"What says my father?" Geoffrey asked. He was uneasy, remembering that the northern barons who were in contact with Vesci had spoken of making the child-prince, Henry, king to rule the nation through a council. |
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Ela uttered a sharp, mirthless laugh. "He says that the queen will do nothing against the king." |
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"He is not mistaken in that," Geoffrey agreed. |
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"Oh, you fool!" Ela cried. "Of course the queen will do nothing against the king, but look a little further. If the king should die, will not the queen fly to one she trusts for help? And will she not bring her children with her?" |
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Geoffrey's face blanched. There was no one Isabella hated as she hated Salisbury. She would not think twice |
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