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Page 385
could be said to have a calm disposition. Both tended to show affection and relief by scolding. If Ian was hurt, Alinor alternately called him a jackass for not being more careful and embraced and kissed him fiercely. If Salisbury should be wounded, Lady Ela berated her husband for being inconsiderate and taking chances that might lead to her widowhood, interspersing her scolding liberally with. caresses. In fact, Geoffrey did not want Joanna to act in a like manner. He had often wondered how Ian and his father bore so patiently with their wives. He did not know what he wanted. Had he been sure that the attention Joanna gave him was proof of love, he would have regarded himself as the happiest man alivebut he was not sure and the attention was so dear to him that he was afraid to ask lest even that be taken away.
Aside from her natural fears for Geoffrey's physical safety, Joanna had been very happy in her marriage. She was quite sure Geoffrey loved her. He was nothing loath to speak his mind on that subject and endearments followed each thanks for her service to him. She was now as much in love as he and, thus, was more sensitive to each glance and gesture. As he grew better, she grew more uneasy. Something in the way his eyes followed her told her all was not well, and, for all the ''thanks" and "beloveds" that his lips spoke, she was aware that Geoffrey was dissatisfied. She racked her brains for a hint of how she had failed him without discovering any answer. She even asked, "What lacks you?" far too often, for Joanna knew it was very wrong to tease a sick man with questions.
As it was, she was so eager to please Geoffrey that she did things she knew were foolish, like returning to his bed long before he was really strong enough. Not that it did him any harm; Joanna took good care that Geoffrey lay still and did not risk reopening his wound, Her compliance soothed him, but only for a while. All too soon the trouble returned to shadow his eyes even while his lips smiled. Joanna could only conclude that the dissatisfaction was not with her, that Geoffrey was already fretting because he was not with the

 
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