Chapter 197: There Are Petitions Awaiting Review
Livia’s gaze did not waver. "Try hundred."
"I believe we shall both be far too old and dry for anything enjoyable by then, my love," Henry said. He saw the slight tightening at the corner of her mouth. Whether it was irritation or the beginning of a smile, he chose not to know. He straightened and offered her his hand.
Livia looked down at his hand then she ignored it entirely. With perfect composure, she gathered her skirts, lifted her chin, and stepped into the carriage unaided. She settled inside without once looking back at him, her face turned straight ahead.
Henry’s smile widened.
Infuriating woman.
Wonderful woman.
She refused him with the same elegance other women used to flirt with him, and God help him, it only made him want her more. He wanted this version of Livia too: impossible to bend.
The carriage door closed. Henry stood in the courtyard as it rolled away, carrying her back toward Covent Garden and beyond the reach of his hand. He watched until the turn of the passage took her from sight.
Only then did he turn back into the palace.
*****
Lord Chancellor Geoffrey Langford was waiting in the throne room. The chamber around him was already prepared for council.
Geoffrey lowered himself into a deep bow as the King crossed the chamber.
"Lord Langford," Henry said, his tone cheerful as he moved toward the throne.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Geoffrey replied. "I am glad to see you spirited enough to join council today."
Henry ascended the dais and turned, settling into the throne with an ease that had been absent for too long. There was colour in his face. Energy in his gaze. A dangerous brightness too, one Geoffrey did not yet know whether to welcome or fear. "Yes...Who shall we be listening to today?"
"The ministers have decided to let Your Majesty focus on the royal wedding," Geoffrey said. "There are petitions awaiting review, of course, but nothing that cannot be held until after the ceremony. The Archbishop will call later with an outline of Princess Madeleine’s devotions and instructions from now until the wedding."
Henry’s expression flattened slightly. Even the mention of Madeleine seemed to pull a thread through the morning’s fragile good humour. A wedding. A princess he did not love. A kingdom waiting to watch him bind himself before God to a woman whose presence in his life felt more like bondage.
"Have him meet with my mother," Henry said. "She enjoys being useful in matters that involve arranging women’s lives. Anything else?" Henry asked.
"Actually, Your Majesty," Geoffrey said carefully, "I would like to discuss Richard."
Henry inhaled slowly. The brightness in his face cooled at once. He leaned back upon the throne. "I must advise Lord Langford...that from this point forward, you should be very careful what you say and how you say it."
Geoffrey bowed his head. "Of course, Your Majesty."
"Then proceed."
"My son has informed me of Miss Bellamy’s attachment to Your Majesty prior to his engagement with her. He also understands," Geoffrey continued, "the grave injury this matter has done to his friendship with you. He is deeply disheartened by it."
"Richard hid her from me."
"He believed he was protecting her."
"You are trying to make Richard sound noble, he is not."
"I am trying to keep two men who were raised as brothers from destroying one another."
Henry looked away. Richard had been more than friend and still, he had touched Livia. "Richard is a man...if he has something to say, he can say it to me."
"He should be here," Geoffrey admitted. "He came with me, but turned back at the gates. He had forgotten something at the house."
Henry’s eyes narrowed.
"I also would like..." Geoffrey started to explain but was cut short.
"Then I shall wait," Henry said. "Whatever apology Richard has prepared, I would rather hear it from his own mouth."
"Your Majesty," Geoffrey said carefully, "I assure you, Richard has no intention of becoming an obstacle in the matter concerning Miss Bellamy. He leaves for France in two days."
"Yes," Henry said. "I shall believe that when he is aboard the ship and the ship has left English waters."
Geoffrey bowed his head. "I will ensure it."
"See that you do but you and I both know Richard. I would like to think I know him better than you. He is reckless, insufferable and unbearable."
Geoffrey could not deny it.
"Therefore," Henry continued, "I advise you, as his father and as Lord Chancellor, to make certain your son remembers what I am before he remembers what I was to him. If Richard defies me again...I will have him charged with treason. I will have him beheaded if he gives me cause."
Geoffrey bowed slowly, because there was nothing else he could do. "Of course, Your Majesty."
*****
Richard stood at the drawing-room window of the Covent Garden house, his heart in his hands. He had followed Livia’s carriage from Whitehall at a distance, careful not to draw attention, careful not to be seen by Lionel. It had taken all his restraint not to rush after her the moment she stepped down. But he had waited until Lionel left.
Tabitha had let him in, reluctantly.
The past days without Livia had taught him one merciless truth: he could not do without her. Distance would only make him mad.
There was no way he was getting on that vessel without seeing her. Without hearing her voice. Without at least saying goodbye.
But goodbye was not why he had come. He had come to convince her, to ask her to run with him.
Anywhere beyond the reach of the crown. Richard knew it was madness. He had to try.
The drawing-room doors opened suddenly, and Livia stepped in. Tabitha followed close behind her.
Richard turned. She was beautiful still. His Diana. "Diana..." he whispered.
Livia stopped. Her heart slammed. He should not have been there. He knew that. She knew that. Tabitha certainly knew that. The King’s shadow was already stretched too far over all of them, and Richard standing in that room made the danger suddenly, violently real.
(powered by 100 power stones.)
