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she agreed to the marriage as soon as your name was suggested to her. I am sure because I know Ian and Alinor. If Joanna had any objections, they would never force her. I do not believe in that either. To force an unwilling maid to take a man she dislikes is only to lay a groundwork for future grief." |
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"And if the man is unwilling?" |
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Salisbury's mouth dropped open in surprise, then concern filled his face. "Good God, Geoffrey, have you set your heart elsewhere? Why did you not speak to me? After what happened between your mother and me, did you think I would fail to sanction any marriage you desired? Say something, boy. Who is it?" |
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"You mean you cannot marry the woman? Oh well, then, that is no impediment. For a man" Salisbury shrugged. "So long as you are kind to Joanna and discreet, you may do as you choose. What your wife does not know cannot hurt her." |
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"There is no other woman," Geoffrey said impatiently. "That is not what I meant." |
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"You mean you do not wish to marry Joanna?" Salisbury's voice rose in an incredulous howl. "Joanna? She is the most desirable thing I have seen inin I cannot think how many years. She is beautiful enough to make me almost forget my age, her temper is sweet, her nature pliable, and she is rich. She will have Roselynde and the bulk of Alinor's property even if another daughter is born. She will have it all if there are no more children. What can anyone possibly say about Joanna that is not good? What fault can you find in Joanna?" |
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"None. There is no fault to be found in her," Geoffrey agreed uncomfortably, although he well knew that the girl was neither so sweet nor so pliable as his father believed. |
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Salisbury sat down again heavily and stared wordlessly at his son. He discovered that Geoffrey's features were peculiarly unreadable. The young man had come so recently from his duties as squire that the training still sat heavily upon |
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