"I know you love him, Joanna, but do not defend him Not tonight, not to me "

She stared at him, her eyes slowly filling with tears "My God, Llewelyn, what are we going to do7"

He reached out, traced a tear's path with his thumb, brushing it away before it could reach her mouth "I do not know if it will comfort you any, Joanna, but you need not fear a battlefield confrontation I have no intention of taking the field against John "

She drew an audible breath, and her hand tightened upon his arm h, my love, my love, thank you1"

Although the temptation to he to her was overwhelming, he shook 18 "ead "I do not do it for you, Joanna John can call upon all the ^sources of the English crown, has the support, as well, of most of the elsh Princes He can put ten, twenty times as many men under arms ever could I'd have to be out of my wits to engage him on the field JL pen baftle " Llewelyn paused "And if he thinks I'm that big a fool, my pride will utterly vanquish my common sense, he's made the latest mistake of his life"

u324 The night was so unseasonably warm that no fire had been lit in th hearth. But Joanna had begun to tremble. "I'm so cold . . ." she sai