Chapter 281: I Shall Do My Utmost
Geoffrey had read it and said several words no Lord Chancellor should say. Her Grace had gone too far.
She had gone far beyond far. The woman had crossed into a territory for which no decent map existed.
He had known Theodora had cruelty in her. Everyone with eyes knew that. Even those without eyes likely sensed the chill when she entered a room. But he had not known she would drag the throne itself to its knees in the process. The recklessness. The arrogance. The astonishing belief that the Crown could be used as her private cudgel and somehow remain unstained.
A queen mother did not order poison against a woman under royal protection and expect the realm to applaud her housekeeping.
If anyone learned that Her Grace had instructed kitchen staff to replace Livia Valenti’s herbs with poison, the damage would not remain neatly attached to Theodora. It would climb into Henry’s council table.
Did she truly not understand that? Geoffrey’s pace quickened.
Behind him, the physician nearly stumbled. "My lord, is the lady conscious?"
"I do not know."
"How long ago was she poisoned?"
"I do not know."
"What was the substance?"
Geoffrey stopped so abruptly that the man nearly walked into him. "Doctor...what I know is that Miss Valenti has been poisoned and if you do not keep that woman alive, I will make sure you never get any job again in England. Are we clear?"
The physician swallowed. "I shall do my utmost."
They moved on. Guards straightened as Geoffrey approached Livia’s apartments.
Geoffrey did not slow. "Open the door."
"My lord—"
"Open the damned door!!!"
The guard opened the door. Geoffrey entered with the physician at his side. Tabitha nearly collapsed in relief the moment Geoffrey entered.
She caught herself against the bedpost, one hand pressed to the carved wood, the other still gripping Livia’s cold fingers. Then the physician approached, and Tabitha scrambled away from the bedside to give him room.
The physician set his leather case down, pulled back the coverlet, and bent over Livia. fear lent speed to his fingers. He touched her throat, lifted one eyelid, pressed two fingers to her wrist, then paused.
"What?" Tabitha demanded. "What is it? What?"
At least one good thing had come from Livia’s sacrifice, if any good could be pulled from such horror. The marriages had been postponed. The real woman Her Grace had wanted rid of was on death’s door anyway.
The physician bent lower and held his cheek near Livia’s mouth. The physician gripped Livia’s shoulder and turned her slightly, listening again. Then, with sudden force, he loosened the bodice of her gown and called for a knife.
Tabitha lurched forward. "What are you doing?"
"Giving her room to breathe," he snapped.
Geoffrey seized the small blade from the table and handed it to him. The physician slit the tight lacing and pulled the fabric apart. The gown fell open at Livia’s chest. Her shift showed beneath, thin and damp with sweat.
The physician placed a fist against her breastbone. Then he struck hard, continously. Tabitha cried out.
He rubbed hard along her chest, lifted her chin, forced her mouth open, and cleared blood from her tongue with a cloth. "Breathe, damn you," he muttered.
Tabitha shook so violently that her teeth nearly chattered. "Livia! Livia!"
The physician pressed his ear to her chest, then struck again.
"Livia!" Tabitha screamed.
Standing there, watching her body fight and fail beneath the physician’s hands, Geoffrey felt a fierce and unexpected prayer rise in him.
She did not deserve this. None of this.
"Come on, girl," he said under his breath.
The physician reached into his case and drew out a small vial, uncorking it with his teeth. He held the sharp fumes beneath Livia’s nose, then struck her breastbone once more, harder this time.
Livia’s body jerked. Then she gasped. The breath tore into her like pain. Tabitha had no idea how she found herself in Geoffrey’s arms. One moment she was standing, and the next the Lord Chancellor was holding her upright with surprising gentleness. His arms were firm around her shoulders, steadying her while the physician worked to expel the poison from Livia’s body.
The doctor coaxed a bitter preparation past Livia’s lips in measured drops, then used cloth and pressure to make her retch. Livia coughed, choked, and brought up bile darkened with blood while Tabitha wept soundlessly into Geoffrey’s sleeve.
The chamber doors opened. Theodora walked in. Geoffrey released Tabitha at once. He turned towards Theodora.
"Guards!" he bellowed.
The shout seemed to shake the walls.
Theodora’s head snapped towards him. "What do you think you are doing?"
Her voice rose as high as his. She stepped forward, eyes mad with fury, as though she meant to physically remove the physician from Livia’s side.
"Stop this at once," Theodora demanded.
Geoffrey stood between her and the bed. "Not one step closer."
Theodora’s face went white with anger. The guards entered and bowed.
"Have Her Grace escorted to the Tower before the hour is out. Her household is to be informed at once. Her maids will pack what is necessary under guard."
Theodora stared at Geoffrey. "You have no right."
Geoffrey ignored her. "Have Mistress Joan of the kitchens taken into custody," he continued. "She is to be placed in the cells and examined as soon as I am finished here."
Theodora’s voice sharpened. "Have you gone mad? I am the king’s mother."
"As you have also reminded me, repeatedly, His Majesty left me with authority to preserve order in his absence. I am Lord Chancellor. I hold the law until the king returns to hold judgment himself. You will be confined in the Tower until such time as the council can gather and His Majesty may be informed."
"You cannot send me to the Tower," she said.
"I would confine any royal whose presence appears to threaten the honour of the Crown."
"I did not do this."
"I have a letter in your hand that says otherwise."
(Powered by Mar King 4/4)