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Page 511
reaction. She had never minded in the past, yet now the thought that Léon would seek his pleasure elsewhere angered her. In any case, that was not a pastime any modest, pious wife would urge upon her husband. She racked her brains for a moment, then nodded.
"They have a hunting place in a wood, I am not sure where, but I know it is at some distance and that when they go it is for a few daysbut how can I suggestIt is not my business to tell Léon what he should do."
A brief effort subdued Joanna's impatience with that sentiment. Naturally, a wife did not tell a husband what to do. Even such indulgent husbands as Ian and Geoffrey would respond to such temerity with a box on the ear. Nonetheless, there were many, many ways to make a man do something you desired without telling him.
"There is no need to tell him, but you could say that you have not had fresh venison for a long time. And you could say also that Louis has been so busy between caring for his lands and trying to help you that it is long and long since he had a time free to hunt. And you could say that you thought venison was a more strengthening meat than beef or mutton, and boar still more strengthening, hinting that such meats would be of benefit to Geoffrey and a politeness due a guest in ill health"
"He would know I was pushing him if I said all that."
Joanna bit her lip, but her voice did not betray her irritation. "You must not say it all at once, of course. You must say one thing now, another at another time, always waiting until your husband starts the matter."
"But Léon must know nothing"
No wonder most wives bore black and blue marks, Joanna thought, if they were so clumsy in handling their men. "Listen to me," she urged. "If Sir Léon should mention his unclewhich I have heard him do a dozen times a daythen you might say first how helpful Louis was to you. That is true, is it not? Then you can say that he had no time for recreation. Then you could mention hunting and then Geoffrey's health and"
Gilliane stared at Joanna wide-eyed, and then a slow

 
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