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Page 22
"I know that."
"Yes, well, if the situation were as usualif she could be betrothed and they could be together under our eyes or under Salisbury and Ela's eyeswe would see soon enough how the wind was blowing. But now all must be done in haste. And then we will leave them, newly married, Geoffrey to go to war carryirig a burden for which he is not really ready, Joanna with the weight of the lands and the people and the fulfillment of Geoffrey's demands upon her. From some small thing that you or I could explain in two minutes a quarrel might arise between them, alone and young as they are, that could grow beyond mending."
"I know that too," Alinor said slowly. "Yet Joanna has good sense and Geoffrey is no foolhe has Salisbury behind him too, and Joanna can go to Ela for help."
"Not if they are married. I think she would be too proud. Listen, Alinor, if we betrothed them only it would serve our political purposes just as well and they would have time to grow accustomed. Geoffrey would have less real power, and Joanna would not feel that every order he gave was a personal affront."
Alinor raised her brows, but she did not permit the smile she felt to touch her lips. Poor Ian was very reluctant to give up "his" daughter. He would rather think the girl had no sense than to admit she was a woman grown. To Ian, Joanna would always remain a frail and helpless childwhich she had never been once out of the cradle. Aside from reminding him of Joanna's age in years and reiterating that she was a most sensible girl, Alinor made no attempt to change Ian's attitude. It was a guarantee that Joanna would have a strong protector in any difference of opinion that might arise. Besides, just now, Ian's reluctance to see Joanna wedded and bedded seemed to have borne a most satisfactory fruit. Alinor's mild amusement faded as she considered from all angles what her husband had said.
"If Salisbury can be brought to agree," she said, "I believe you have the answer to even the few doubts and fears I felt."

 
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