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until I have settled my husband in his bed?" |
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The voice was low, but hard and cold as ice. Gilliane turned and gasped. No wonder Geoffrey had written that his wife was like the sun and dazzled his eyes so that he could see no other. Truly she was, butJoanna returned the other woman's stare with a slight sense of satisfaction. In looks there could be no contest between them and, in addition, Lady Gilliane was some years older. Jealousy faded to a small core of irritation. For Geoffrey to turn, even temporarily, to such a substitute was demeaning. The silence was extending uncomfortably. |
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Joanna raised her voice. "Shall I bid my men carry the chests of gold to your hall, or may I bring Geoffrey's clothing and my medicines to his chamber so that I can settle him into bed first?" she repeated. |
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"The gold" Gilliane faltered, "oh, I do not know. Léon will tell you what next to do." What a relief to be able to say that. |
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A blistering retort to such silliness rose to Joanna's lips, but she set her teeth over it. It would be unwise to come to open insult. She bid Knud, who was standing by, to unpack what would be needed for Geoffrey and take Edwina down from her pillion seat behind one of the men-at-arms. She told Edwina to find a servant who could show her Geoffrey's chamber and see that all was ready there. Knud was then to pile the ransom together and set the men to guard it. If Sir Léon was anxious to begin counting it, Sir Guy must stand in for her as she wished first to attend Geoffrey. As she said it, she looked toward him again. It seemed they were coming ever more slowly. Joanna was about to ask Gilliane for a litter, whatever Geoffrey said, when the men stopped altogether and Sir Guy lifted Geoffrey into his arms. Joanna caught her breath. Geoffrey was slender, but Sir Guy could not have lifted him without great effort before he was hurt. |
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"I said that he was too weak," Lady Gilliane cried out accusingly. |
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Inwardly, Joanna winced, but her quiet face gave no sign of her remorse and, as Sir Guy came through the gates with |
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