Chapter 265: We Know She Is Lying
"Fuck!" Lionel turned away, breathing hard. "The king will kill us if Miss Valenti is married off before he returns."
"We know she is lying," Geoffrey said. "That is not enough. until His Majesty returns or we can prove the seal was obtained unlawfully, there are only two courses open to us."
"What?"
Geoffrey lowered his voice. "Stall the process, or get Miss Valenti into hiding."
"I shall see what I can do," Lionel said.
"And, Lionel."
Lionel paused at the door.
"Please escort Miss Valenti here. I need to speak with her. I must know what His Majesty told her before he left, and I would rather hear it from her than from Her Grace’s imagination."
Lionel bowed. "Of course, my lord." He left the meeting chamber and made his way through Whitehall’s long passages with anger walking beside him.
By the time Lionel reached Livia’s apartments, his jaw ached from clenching it. The guards outside straightened at once. One knocked and announced him. A moment later, Tabitha opened the door. She took in Lionel’s expression and narrowed her eyes.
"What now?"
Lionel lowered his voice. "The Lord Chancellor wishes to see Miss Valenti."
She held his gaze for one long moment before stepping aside. Livia sat near the window with a book open on her lap. She looked up when he entered.
"Lionel?"
"The Lord Chancellor requests your presence."
Her body stiffened. "Oh. Did something happen? His Majesty? Richard?"
The hope and fear in her voice struck him together. Henry first, of course. Then Richard. The two men remained on opposite sides of her heart in ways Lionel doubted even she fully understood.
"No," Lionel said at once. "We have received no fresh word from France in that respect, but I am quite certain they are safe."
Lionel continued, "The Lord Chancellor wishes to speak with you about another matter entirely."
The reassurance settled her enough that she closed the book and rose. Tabitha was already watching Lionel with suspicion. He didn’t blame the woman.
Livia smoothed her gown with both hands. Since Bella’s funeral, she had worn mourning black, but today the gown was simple, without jewels or display. There was no effort in her appearance. "I will go."
Tabitha reached for a shawl. "I am coming with you."
Lionel shook his head. "The Lord Chancellor asked for Miss Valenti."
Tabitha’s eyes flashed.
Livia touched her arm lightly. "I will be all right."
They left the apartments with Lionel walking ahead and another guard following behind. Livia was placed carefully between them, protected on both sides, although she could not help feeling like a parcel being transported through enemy territory.
When they arrived at the meeting chamber, the second guard remained outside. Lionel opened the door and entered with her.
Geoffrey Langford stood when she came in.
Livia dipped into a curtsy. "My lord."
"Miss Valenti." Geoffrey inclined his head. "Thank you for coming."
Lionel closed the door behind them and stood near it.
Geoffrey gestured towards a chair. "Please sit."
"I would rather stand."
"As you wish."
There was a brief pause, during which Geoffrey seemed to choose his words with care.
"How have you been?" he asked. "I hear you have been quite withdrawn since Lady Bella’s death."
Livia’s throat tightened. "She was a dear friend, my lord."
"Yes," Geoffrey said quietly. "I believe she was. My condolences," he added. "She deserved more years than was allowed her."
Livia looked down for a moment. "Thank you."
When she lifted her gaze again, she asked, "You wanted to see me. Is all well?"
"I hope so." Geoffrey folded his hands before him, and his expression became cautious. "I do not mean to embarrass you, Miss Valenti, but what were His Majesty’s plans for you upon his return?"
"Why do you ask?" Livia said.
"It appears His Majesty left an instruction regarding the women of his court."
"And what does this instruction say?"
Geoffrey looked at Lionel once, then returned his attention to her. "It says that all such women, including you, are to be married to eligible bachelors from noble households. Suitable dowries are to be settled upon each of you, according to rank, station, and His Majesty’s favour."
"Oh," Livia said quietly. "The king said this?"
"Not precisely."
Her gaze sharpened. "Not precisely is a very large road, my lord."
"It was not spoken to me directly," Geoffrey said. "A written instruction was produced this morning."
"By whom?"
Geoffrey hesitated.
Livia’s expression cooled. "By Her Grace."
"Yes."
Of course.
"May I see this message, my lord?" Livia asked. "I apologise if it is any bother."
The Lord Chancellor picked up the parchment from the table and handed it to her. Livia accepted it with both hands.
Theodora had not merely laid a trap. She had placed flowers around it. Livia lowered her eyes to the bottom of the parchment.
The seal sat there.
"And this is His Majesty’s authority, I presume?" she asked.
Geoffrey watched her carefully. "The hand is that of his Majesty too."
She handed the parchment back. "Very well...Whatever His Majesty wants."
Geoffrey blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
Lionel stepped forward. "Miss Valenti."
"His Majesty’s will be done, my lord." Livia folded her hands before her. "I am but his humble servant. What am I supposed to say?"
Geoffrey narrowed his eyes. It was clear that he had expected outrage, perhaps even tears. He had not expected obedience.
Lionel, however, looked angry.
Geoffrey leaned back. "You do not wish to dispute the instruction?"
"Against the king’s own seal?" Livia asked. "What would be the use?"
"That depends on whether the instruction truly reflects His Majesty’s intention."
"If there is doubt, that is a matter for the Lord Chancellor." Livia lowered herself into a curtsy. "If that is all, my lord."
"Yes. That will be all for now."
Livia turned and walked to the door. Lionel followed her into the corridor. The guard outside straightened, but Lionel dismissed him with a short gesture.
"My lady," Lionel said.
Livia kept walking.