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Page 282
the conference is set. Until then, he cannot be sure that Richard will not come in person to protest the failure to hold the conditions of the truce. Then he must send out his summons. Do not fret yourself, there will be time enough."
"Yes, and I think it very important that you engage the king's friendship," Geoffrey said.
A look of strong distaste passed over Rhiannon's face.
"Do not blame Henry too much for this, my dear," Alinor said. "He is easily let to unwise enthusiasms, I am afraid, but he is not evil. The blame really should rest on Winchester. He should know the men of this realm better."
"There I cannot agree with you," Joanna remarked dryly. "I fear that Winchester knows the barons of England very well indeed, and has devised this incredible lunacy because he despairs of ever bringing them to agree on anything."
"My dearling Joanna," Ian exclaimed, his expression changing from depression to surprise, "that is just what he said to me when I spoke to him in Juneand I did not really listen! He is wrong, very wrong in what he is doing, but now I see he means well, not ill. It lay most heavily on my heart that a man I knew so long and respected should seem to change into a monster. He thinks that when the barons are powerless the realm will be at peaceyes! He said that also."
"And that is what he has convinced Henry to believe." Geoffrey also looked relieved. "He may even be right," Geoffrey added thoughtfully. "If there were no power in the land but the king's, it might bring peace."
"Graves are also peaceful," Adam growled, "but I have no particular wish to inhabit one."
Geoffrey smiled at this sardonic reminder. "Well, I agree to that, and Winchester must not be allowed to

 
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