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a side path in that direction. Inside the keep walls the number of pests a gardener had to contend with was limited. Hares, marmots, and moles were excluded, but cats and rats, too, liked to chew the tender, aromatic new growth. Joanna's step was soundless on the turf path. A cat could be driven away; if it was a rat, traps would have to be set. Her eyes swept the neatly dug rows seeking the telltale flattening or disruption of the earth that would mark the pest's presence. Nothing. |
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Just ahead were the rose trellises enclosing a bench on which one could sit. Joanna hesitated. There was nothing there to attract an animal. Still, it might have taken refuge among the canes or behind them. It was nearly full dark now and useless, really, to pursue the creature further, but Joanna circled, determined to stamp and shout and at least give the invader a fright. |
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She never had a chance to make a sound. Before she came quite around, a hard hand closed her mouth and a strong arm encircled her waist. "Hush, Joanna, do not cry out. It is I, Geoffrey." The body tensed to resist, relaxed. Geoffrey's grip loosened, a little reluctantly. It had been a very sweet-smelling, well-curved armful he had held. "I hope I did not frighten you." |
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"You startled me, certainly," she replied, but in a perfectly calm voice. "What are you doing here like a thief in the night, Geoffrey? How did you get in?" |
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His teeth flashed in the dusk, waking warm memories in Joanna of many mischievous pranks planned and executed. "Getting in was no trouble. The men all know me. I only had to say I wished to surprise you. They all know alsoGod knows howof our proposed betrothal. JoannaJoanna, I mustI had to speak to you." |
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For a moment she did not reply, straining her eyes in the very last of the light to see his face. The features were barely visible, but she could not determine his expression. "Speak to me about what?" she asked slowly. |
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All during his ride from Hemel, Geoffrey had been framing logical speeches and clever questions that would explain |
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