Chapter 263: It Saves Time
Behind them, Theodora stood brimming with such fury that the red in her face had climbed past anger and entered the dangerous territory of humiliation.
Lionel approached her. He should not have enjoyed it. He absolutely did. "I think it is safe to say," he murmured, low enough that only Her Grace could hear, "you have awakened your own nightmare."
Theodora turned her eyes on him. If hatred could kill, Lord Ashcroft would have dropped into Bella’s open grave.
Lionel gave her a smug smile. It was a reckless smile, and he knew it. He was a man already walking towards his execution. A little smugness on the road seemed reasonable.
He bowed and followed after Livia. Theodora remained still until he was gone. Then she looked around.
No one seemed close enough to have heard anything. Her Grace drew in a slow breath and forced herself towards her carriage.
Fury wanted her to turn back, seize Livia by that insolent throat, and squeeze until the girl’s eyes lost that newly born certainty.
She entered the carriage and allowed her woman to arrange the black skirts around her feet. The door closed. The outside world became muffled.
Livia’s threat was not to be dismissed. Theodora had seen resolve.
True resolve.
Theodora knew it because she had seen it before in a mirror. Long ago, before court had learned to call her cruel, before her son had looked at her as though he no longer recognised the woman who had birthed him, Theodora had stood in Whitehall and understood that softness would kill her. The palace had taken pieces of her.
She remembered the hour she had changed. She had become feared then monstrous. Resolve had to be broken.
If she meant to stay ahead of the woman Livia was becoming, she would have to play the last card up her sleeve. She had intended to use it to spare her own life if the time ever came, but now it seemed she would have to use it to get rid of Livia.
*****
The next morning, the Lord Chancellor arrived at Whitehal. Geoffrey Langford had served long enough to understand that when a note from Her Grace arrived, it was rarely because peace had broken out. The Queen Mother sent messages as one might send arrows.
He had read the message three times. By the fourth reading, he removed his spectacles, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and wondered whether His Majesty had crossed the sea deliberately to avoid this exact nonsense.
The message was brief, beautifully written. It was as if she put special attention to her writing. Her Grace required that all royal mistresses, former and current, be suitably married without delay. Eligible bachelors of good standing were to be presented for consideration within a day, and the matter was to be treated as urgent business of the court.
There were many problems with the instruction, beginning with the fact that Theodora had no authority to issue it.The second problem was that, if Her Grace meant Livia Valenti, then she had either lost her mind or decided to test whether Henry could commit murder.
Once he had settled in the council chamber, he sent for Lord Ashcroft and Her Grace. Lionel arrived first.
"My lord," Lionel said, bowing as he entered.
"Lord Ashcroft." Geoffrey gestured towards the table. "Come in. I require clarity before I begin offending the Queen Mother."
"Has something happened?"
"That depends on whether one considers madness an event. Did His Majesty give you any instruction concerning the future of the court mistresses?"
Lionel frowned. "No."
"No discussion of marriages?"
"None."
Geoffrey leaned back in his chair. "What instruction did he leave you?"
"He assigned me to Miss Valenti. His Majesty ordered me to keep his royal favourite safe until he returns."
That answer contained more than it wished to reveal. Geoffrey made note of it and decided not to press.
"Which leaves me in a conundrum," Geoffrey said, lifting the message, "as to why Her Grace now wishes to marry off all royal mistresses."
Lionel’s face hardened at once. "I am certain that does not include Miss Valenti. She is not to be married off."
"I agree."
The chamber doors opened before Lionel could answer. Theodora entered. Both men rose and bowed.
Her Grace wore dark blue velvet this morning. She looked neither ill nor troubled. If anything, she looked refreshed. "Lord Langford...is there a problem?"
"Yes," Geoffrey replied. "Several."
Her eyes narrowed. "I do not appreciate being summoned."
"I am acting under the authority of His Majesty while he is abroad, Your Grace. I may summon anyone necessary to the governance of the realm, whether they appreciate it or not."
Theodora’s gaze moved briefly to Lionel, and some private hostility passed between them. "What do you want?" she asked.
Geoffrey lifted the message. "You sent word last night requesting that all court mistresses be married off, and that eligible bachelors be presented within a day."
"I did."
"I am pleased we agree on the obvious. It saves time."
Theodora’s mouth tightened. "I fail to understand why this is a matter for discussion."
"Because, Your Grace, you issued an instruction affecting members of the king’s household without citing any authority to do so."
"I am the king’s mother. You would do well to remember whom you address."
"I remember perfectly. That is why I asked you here rather than simply sending a clerk to reject your request."
Theodora took a step closer to the table. "The court has become polluted by women whose presence invites disorder. His Majesty’s absence provides a suitable opportunity to restore propriety."
"By arranging marriages?"
"By securing futures for women who have enjoyed royal favour and now require respectable settlement."
Lionel finally spoke. "Miss Valenti is under the king’s protection. She is not yours to move."
Geoffrey raised a hand. "We will not settle this by growling at one another, tempting as that may be." She folded the message and set it on the table. "I want to be clear on which court mistresses."
(Powered by Janelle Fox 1/2)