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Page 389
Joanna slammed the small embroidery frame down onto the table that held her silks with such force that half the skeins flew into the air and then down onto the floor. Salisbury looked away. Geoffrey smiled at his wife. Joanna bit her lips and walked stiffly out of the hall and up to her own chamber.
"I fear Joanna does not agree with you, my boy," Salisbury said anxiously. "I do not deny I need you sorely. J have been as a man bereft of his right arm since you were hurt. However, it would be far better for me to continue thus than to have you hurt again or have your wound reopened. I am not sure I trust your word on this. Perhaps I will ask Joanna outright"
"No!" Geoffrey interrupted. "I swear to you I am not misjudging my state. You may look me over yourself and you will see I am well healed. If I had been still unready, Joanna would have spoken out quickly enough. When do we go?"
"Tomorrow morning to make ready and sail with the morning tide the next day," Salisbury replied still doubtful.
"Good," Geoffrey exclaimed. "There will be less time for Joanna to fret. Tell me, now she is gone, what is afoot?"
Salisbury began to describe the situation as related to him by William, count of Holland and Renaud Dammartin, who were both already in Portsmouth and would accompany them. While he spoke his worry lessened. Geoffrey would not be leading any battles in this enterprise because Holland and Dammartin would serve in that capacity. Salisbury could keep Geoffrey beside him and be sure that he was well guarded and did not overstrain himself. When their plans were laid, Geoffrey having accepted his father's suggestion about his battle station without argument because he acknowledged that the other men were more experienced and of higher station, Geoffrey saw Salisbury to bed and went up to join his wife.
Joanna rose from beside the fire where she had been sitting and staring into the flames and began to help him undress without a word.

 
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