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smiled at her indulgently. "However I regard a danger to myself, I assure you I will not permit Adam to run headlong into trouble." Then his arm tightened around her. "I cannot have you with us, Joanna, and it is not because I would not wish it. There is something else the pope can do, something I pray he will not do, but we must be preparedwhich is why Adam must be in Sussex with me and you must be at Roselynde with easy access to the other southern keeps." |
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"Roselynde? The southern keeps? On top of all else, do you fear trouble with France?" |
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"Of course, what is more likely? You know the French kings have always claimed overlordship of England. From William the Bastard on, every king of England has been a vassal of the king of France." |
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"For lands in France, but not in England!" |
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"That is true enough, but it is a matter that French kings have always been willing to forget without special encouragement. What if the pope should declare John not fit to be king? What if he should urge holy war against a man devil-inspired, who is leading his subjects down the path to hell?" |
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"King Philip will come upon us like a ravening wolf." |
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"Just so. You must warn the fishermen and the merchantmen to watch as they have never watched before andif it comes about as I fearyou must be where they can come to you readily so that you may direct me to where I must go to defend the land." |
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"Geoffrey," Joanna was trembling again, but her voice was steady. "I cannot be in two places at once. If I must go on progress to the vassals, I cannot remain at Roselynde." |
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He bent and kissed her, then drew her up into his lap. "The French trouble cannot come upon us untilthe spring. Time is needed for the pope to have the news that John remains contumacious and for him to negotiate with Philip. It is not likely that Philip would miss an opportunity to be well paid for doing what he would be glad to do anyway." |
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Joanna closed her eyes and rested her head on Geoffrey's shoulder. She wished the earth would open and swallow King John and King Philip and the pope too, right into hell. |
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