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Page 489
presented to Sir Léon's unarmored breast. He gasped with surprise and horror, too stunned by this sudden, completely unexpected threat to struggle as he was bound hand and foot to the mare. Now Joanna took the reins, sheathing the knife at her belt. Knud rode on one side, Sir Guy on the other with the three men-at-arms grouping and guarding the baggage animals.
To Sir Léon's startled protests, Joanna replied, "Did you think I intended to ride into your keep, thus yielding myself, my money, and my husband all into your power? I am a woman, but, as you should know by now, not a fool."
"I am an honorable man," he exclaimed. "I swear, I never had such a thought! Never!"
"Perhaps," Joanna agreed, "perhaps, but there are more things than you know involved here."
It had occurred to Joanna on the ship that two dangers still threatened. Although she and her party had been careful not to mention Isabella's offer to Sir Léon, it was not impossible that Fitz Walter knew of it. If so, his castellan might know also and, on orders, might have explained to the "simple knight" that, having collected Geoffrey's double ransom, the amount could be doubled yet again by killing the entire party, burying Joanna and her men quietly, and sending Geoffrey's body to Isabella. What could be safer or simpler? It was certainly the kind of treachery Fitz Walter would think of and enjoy.
After these weeks of Sir Léon's company, Joanna did not think this first threat a very strong probability. There was, however, also the chance that Sir Léon's wife had thought that matter out for herself. Lady Gilliane could not know Joanna 'would bring the ransom herself, but whoever brought it could be eliminated. Joanna's breath grew shorter. Perhaps Geoffrey was already dead. Perhaps the woman had kept him alive only long enough to write that letter. If a hair on his head had been harmed, Joanna thought, she would send Sir Léon back to his wife all rightin very small pieces.
When they came in sight of the keep, Sir Guy moved forward to implement the next step of the plan he and Joanna had worked out in the hours he had spent shut into

 
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