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about the kitten. Even Isabella would not have noticed a deeper slash or two among what I have. And what she will say about this, I can imagine." |
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Joanna lifted a shoulder contemptuously. "Let her say what she likes. You think she would not have discovered your stratagem? Or imagined one to describe even if none had been planned?" |
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"How would she discover it? Through your maid?" |
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"Edwina? No. She is utterly mine and her tongue does not wag unless I bid it wag, but I would imagine that others have sought through the room. Even if they did not find the kitten Oh, let her spew out her venom. Those who will credit what Isabella says wish to believe ill of us. Those who love us know what we are. Come back to bed, Geoffrey, I am cold." |
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The casual attitude puzzled Geoffrey. He could not understand the apparent contradiction between Joanna's premarital concern for the opinion of others and her postmarital indifference. It did not occur to him that the only opinion she really cared about was his own because it seemed so obvious to him that he would know the truth. He was too sleepy to worry about it and when Joanna had replaced the covers climbed gratefully into the bed only hoping that his wife would not be taken with a desire to talk. One of the court ladies had been so afflicted. Geoffrey had dispensed with her favors as soon as he discovered the condition was chronic, but one could not dispense with one's wife. |
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However, Joanna had no particular inclination to talk. She was discovering another joy of married life. Previously, when she left her warm bed in the night it took some time on her return for her shivering body to warm the sheets and covers enough to provide comfort. Now she had to do no more than press herself against her husband and there was warmth. Geoffrey murmured a sleepy complaint about her icy hands and feet; he did not thrust her away, however, but drew her even closer, which added content to comfort. Joanna sighed and snuggled her head into the hollow of Geoffrey's shoulder. For what remained of this blessed |
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