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Page 215
was what to do herself. It was not lost upon her that Geoffrey had grown silent and Engelard d'Atie, a long-time friend had read the signs aright and had drawn Alexander and William de Cantelu aside. Worse, among the courtiers and ladies who stood between and around herself, Bray-brook, and Geoffrey, conversation ran in fits and starts while sly glances were cast at them.
A few more minutes made it absolutely necessary to do something. Joanna excused herself courteously to the gentlemen around her but with her mind very clearly elsewhere. Actually, she was fighting to control her temper and the strong impulse to walk over and spit in Braybrook's face. No consideration of good manners or modesty withheld her. She had, in fact, taken a step in that direction before the realization came to her that such an act might do more to confirm the sickening rumors than to eliminate them. So violent a reaction on her part must betoken strong feeling, the rumor mongers would gleefully relate. Having moved, however, it was absolutely necessary to continue moving. To hesitate was again to underline Braybrook's importance to her.
Urgent need is a good teacher to the quick in mind. Joanna stepped forward without any apparent hesitation. Her eyes were now fixed upon her too-quiet betrothed. Less than halfway to Geoffrey, her route crossed Braybrook's position. She nodded her head, smiled pleasantly, sketched a curtsy as one does for an old acquaintance, and continued with unbroken purpose to Geoffrey's side.
"My lord," she said softly, looking without flinching into flaming yellow eyes above a hard mouth and pinched nostrils, "I forgot to ask you whether I should make ready a bed for you this night."
Geoffrey was furious. It was very clear to him that Bray-brook was no victim of the queen's tongue; in some way, although it was not yet certain what way, he was an active participant. However, Geoffrey was not drunk now and was well aware that any move he made against Braybrook would not only be a political mistake but would smirch Joanna's

 
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