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she urged him to remove from herself the last hope of being saved from a hateful marriage? She had been so gay, so happy, so lightly teasing all during the feast and celebration that Geoffrey had put aside his doubts as figments of his own imagination. Now they rushed back. He had an impulse to strike her, to cry aloud that she was a fool to condemn them both to hell. But he knew why she had done it; he would have done the same, for he knew his duty. If only he did not love her, he would be praising her virtue. Well, it was too late. They were bound together and had better find a way to live together. |
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"I will tell you one thing, Joanna," Geoffrey said with a strained smile. "If I ever stray from your bed, it will not be to take another maidenhead. I have heard men speak of the pleasure of deflowering a maid. They are mad. It is no pleasure. You were not the only sufferer. I assure you that by my will, I will have no more ado with virgins. |
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"Oh, Geoffrey, is it so? Are you sure?" |
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Blank surprise overspread Geoffrey's face. "What do you mean, am I sure? Did you think this was going to give me a taste for raping little girls?" |
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Joanna did not laugh. She was too intent on her own problem to catch the joke. However, she did look bright and eager. "Do you think I have given proof?" |
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"Proof!" Geoffrey groaned. "I near killed myself making you into a woman. What more proof do I need? I know I have been where no man has been before." |
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"I am glad," Joanna breathed, "so glad. I thoughtI feared you might doubt me." |
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"Doubt you? You mean because of Braybrook? You are an idiot Joanna. I have said it before and I say it again." |
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But Geoffrey grinned at his wife and stretched luxuriously. He was more a fool than she to have tormented himself, worrying that he was repugnant to her. All her oddities were only nervousness. Doubted her? Why? Oh, the tale Ela had told him. He would have thought that Lady Alinor had more sense than to tell an innocent like Joanna the story of her bloodless defloration. Why did she not come directly to |
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