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Page 417
Fortunately, an assault was not necessary there. Just as they were making ready to storm the walls, Hugh Lusignan himself rode in and made his homage to John. Better yet, he persuaded his brother Geoffrey and the cubs to throw themselves upon the king's mercy. ThenI am almost growing to believe Ian's notion that God's hand is in this matterword came to them that Louis, Philip's son, was besieging Geoffrey Lusignan's castle of Montcontour. Truce was declared between the king and Lusignan and they all rode off together to attack a common enemy. Louis promptly lifted the siege and withdrew so that Hugh and Geoffrey saw the benefit of being at peace with their overlord."
"Ian is in the best of spirits," Alinor continued, "even though he is hobbling about like a cripple. He thinks the contract made to marry Joan to Hugh's son will heal the hurt to Hugh's pride that was done when Isabella was reft from him. I, however, fear that it was not only Hugh's pride that was hurt. I think he desired, and still desires, Isabella herself. Ian says I am mad and that no man as sensible as Hugh could want a movable statue like Isabella, but he forgets that Isabella was fourteen when John took her and Hugh was, himself, very young. Since then Hugh has not seen her, and I believe her image has grown more perfect in his mind. He cannot, after all, know what she really is. To me, this bodes ill. Hugh is said to be an honorable man. I doubt that he will attack John treacherously, but I fear that he will find some 'honorable' stratagem to do the king hurt."
Alinor ran the feather of the quill back and forth against her cheek. She did not wish to add to her daughter's unhappiness, but there was a warning she must transmit. "Having mentioned Isabella, I must tell you that although she is not, in general, ill natured, being too much enamored of herself to feel much about anyone else, she has conceived for you and for Geoffrey a hatred that is deep and lasting. I am very, very glad, my love, that Geoffrey will be with his father in Flanders rather than here. You must do whatever is in your power to prevent Geoffrey from coming here. The queen's gentlemen are often at the front with the king and all of them

 
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