'It's a long story,' she said, still looking up at him.
'I have nothing else to do but listen,' Josse replied.
'It - I shall have to tell you many things that I would rather not.'
'What things? There is no need to distress yourself, Joanna. No need, for my sake, to speak of matters that pain you.'
'But there is need,' she insisted, 'if you are to understand.' She lowered her eyes. 'The things I would prefer not to have to tell you relate to myself, sir knight. To my own past. And I am reluctant because it is to you that I must tell them.'
'I don't see why you - ' He stopped. Yes, perhaps he did see why, after all. 'Oh.'
She laughed softly. 'Oh, indeed. I thought for a moment I was going to have to explain still further. I am reluctant, Josse, because of what I feel for you, because of what I sense you might feel for me. I am not proud of my past.'
'Which of us is?' he countered. 'We have all done things, lady, which we would rather forget.'
'Forget,' she murmured. 'Yes.' She seemed to go into a reverie and, from her face, he judged it was not a happy one. Then, lifting her chin and staring into the fire, she said, 'Ah, well, my decision is made. For better or worse, I have a tale to tell you, if you are prepared to hear it.'
Settling back in his chair, Josse said, 'I'm listening.'
