< previous page page_242 next page >

Page 242
whatever information you uncover of any kind, more especially whatever might seem to you trivial or funny or unfitting. Also be sure you send to me by separate messenger, a trusty man instructed to put the letter into my hand secretly when my lord is not by, and who knows how to hold his tongue. If Ian hears of the task I have set you to, he will beat me witless for corrupting your purity of mind. For the same cause keep the matter close hid from Geoffrey, who is one ilk with'my beloved fool on this subject."
The last two sentences gave Joanna the giggles. It was perfectly true that both Ian and Geoffrey would be horrified by Alinor's suggestion. They would approve neither of Joanna's attempt to discover what the king wished to keep hidden nor of the method suggested for uncovering the truth. Although Joanna was not nearly as amoral as her mother, having absorbed a great deal of Simon's uprightness and love of justice, neither was she in the least bound by the codes of honor hammered into the brains of men. What she would do would harm no one and might be of infinite benefit to herself and her family.
Fortunately, there would be no problem in keeping the matter secret from Geoffrey. He was at present in the north with the king who was assisting King William of Scotland to capture Cuthred MacWilliam, the Celtic pretender to the throne. Joanna merely omitted to send Geoffrey word that she was going to London. Instead, she instructed Sir Guy to send on any messengers who might come as fast as relays of horseflesh could carry them. If the men rode day and night, changing horses as necessary when the animals tired, it would mean barely twenty-four hours' delay in her reply.
All went smoothly enough at first. Joanna presented herself with a muddled and incoherent complaint about a demand (which, in fact, had never been made) from the Exchequer for timber for the works at Portsmouth. Before the matter was explained to her satisfaction, she was very nearly a favorite daughter of the man involved. The information she obtained from him was both good and bad. It was clear that John did intend further fortifications at

 
< previous page page_242 next page >