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"That is true. Sir Henrywhich Sir Henry? There are twenty at least." |
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"Oh, that" Geoffrey's eyes hardened. "Did he attempt you? Was that why you hurried? To be rid of him?" |
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"To be rid of him, yes, but not through any fault of his behavior to me." |
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Joanna paused a moment and struggled with herself. It was true there had not been any overt "fault" in Braybrook's behavior, but Joanna was not unaware that during the journey he had indeed been eating her with his eyes. The impulse to tease Geoffrey was enormous. After all, she was accustomed to teasing him; they had been children together. But she realized that there was no longer anything laughable in this form of teasing. Geoffrey was no longer her child-friend. He was a man, and the thought came suddenly to her that he was dangerous. She turned her head quickly to look at him. Perhaps his pallor came from too much wine, but his eyes were not those of a drunken man. They glowed a clear amberhot. |
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"It had nothing to do with Sir Henry personally," Joanna repeated hastily, and embarked on the story of the escort Braybrook had brought for her and, in a low murmur, what had befallen them. She was relieved to see the set expression on Geoffrey's face relax and his lips begin to twitch with suppressed laughter. |
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"Joanna," he protested, "you might have killed them, and half the castle folk too." |
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"Oh no," she replied confidently. "You know my mother is a most excellent physician and I am also. I knew what I did. There was the reason for my haste. I was sure that they would ride hard to overtake us when they were recovered. I did not wish either to have the company of so strong a troop of men who would not obey me nor to need to find reasons to keep my own troop with us after they came up with us. Now I have my men here and Beorn and Knud seek me out in turns at this time and that time. Thus, a watch is kept upon me. And, of course, Brian is here. He is |
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