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Page 212
contentedly to do the household tasks which were, indeed, much easier to perform without an impatient man underfoot. Although she was a little surprised that he did not return to sleep in the bed she had made ready for him, Joanna did not take offense or regard it as a punishment. As yet, she was less "in love" than of a loving nature; thus, she was not yet sensitive to each word and expression as Geoffrey was. She did not read obscure meanings into gestures or smiles. Had Joanna seen or heard of any action that overtly displayed Geoffrey's love for another, she would have been hurt and furious. However, she did not yet seek for assurance of love in every glance and suffer disappointment when she did not find it.
Thus, Joanna met Geoffrey with smiles when he came to escort her first to his father's house and then to court. Having spent the night brooding over imagined coldness, Geoffrey was not pleased with his betrothed's mild manner. It was unfortunate that the distance between Salisbury's house and her own was so short. Had it been longer, Joanna would have realized that something personal was troubling Geoffrey. As it was she assumed he was still brooding over his political differences with his father, and once they were in company with others the distractions of greetings and exchanging news fixed Joanna's attention elsewhere.
The meeting with the king went very well. John was at his best, kind and jocular, laughing openly because Salisbury had frustrated his attempts to please his nephew and niece-by-marriage by providing them both with a surprise meeting.
"Here am I, having gone to the trouble to send Lady Joanna a private summons, just so that Geoffrey would find her hereand my own dear brother casts a stick between my legs by begging me not to summon his son. But you see that good intentions are rewarded. Geoffrey came of himself, so I have done well and pleased everyone."
Certainly that speech had pleased. Salisbury beamed and even Geoffrey smiled. It was a logical and most innocent explanation of John's action, and not out of character. The

 
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