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gusting as Ela's suggestion to Geoffrey had been, there was no need for her to repeat it to her husband. It came immediately to Salisbury's mind of itself. There did not seem to be any other explanation of the summons. UnlessSalisbury dropped his eyes. Was it better to believe that his sixteen-year-old daughter-by-marriage was so vicious and corrupt that she would pretend to have been summoned so that she could be with her lover? |
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Nonsense. Salisbury knew it was nonsense. If so, surely she would not have written to Geoffrey to come in haste. He knew his brother and he knew Joanna. Salisbury refilled the goblet he had just emptied and raised the flask suggestively toward his son. Geoffrey shook his head. There was still wine in his cup. Partly to avoid a topic that was obviously causing Salisbury pain, he reverted to his father's ill-concealed displeasure at his arrival and asked whether John was still angry at him. Salisbury's face lightened a little. |
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"No, of course not. He was never angry. The trouble is, Geoffrey, that you have acted so much the man that he forgets you are young andand not always able to separate your heart from your politics. No," Salisbury held up a restraining hand and smiled. "Do not begin the argument again. It is too late. Most of the fortifications are already built and manned and no ill has come of it." |
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"The snows have not yet melted in the high places," Geoffrey said bleakly. But it was purposeless to argue over a fait accompli. What would happen, would happen. "Then if the king is not angry, why was I not summoned? Surely Ian's deputy should do honor to Prince Alexander. Ian and he will be not-so-distant neighbors some day and not too far in the future if what I hear of King William's health is true." |
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To Geoffrey's surprise, Salisbury looked over his head and then down into his wine. Ela laughed high and sharp. "Your father did not want you to hear the tales told of Joanna. He knows she is guiltless, but he does not trust you to keep your temper. Well, I agreed with him." |
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"What do you expect me to do?" Geoffrey grated. |
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