His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

"There are none, my lady," Geoffrey said gravely. "Please, come in."

Henry gave a low laugh. With that terrifying wisdom delivered, Geoffrey stepped aside and welcomed them into the house.

Geoffrey led them to a withdrawing chamber warmed by a fire. The windows admitted a pale stream of daylight, and a table had already been set with tea.

Henry helped Livia into a chair before taking the place beside her.

"My lord," Geoffrey said to Henry, "I hope you came with your taster. I had luncheon prepared for your arrival, sire."

"You may ask Stephen. I lose count of the number of people who leave the palace with me."

Geoffrey turned to his man servant to go make arrangements then took his seat opposite them. "I suppose Your Majesty has missed slipping out of the palace, then."

Livia turned to him sharply. "You know about that?"

Geoffrey gave her a mild look. "There is little I do not know."

"I shall make time to visit the city as usual. The last time I went out, there seemed to be some calm. No complaints, at least none the Crown could remedy."

Geoffrey nodded. "Yes. The people are, by present standards, genuinely satisfied. The number of petitions reaching my office has reduced."

"By present standards?" Livia asked.

"My lady, people are never wholly satisfied. A well-governed kingdom merely reduces the number of complaints from catastrophic to manageable."

Geoffrey reached for his cup. "In any case, the relief measures in the city have helped. Bread prices have held steadier, and fewer petitions have been brought against tax collectors."

Livia understood, suddenly, why his sneaking out mattered.

"I have not heard any great outcry from the people about the failed French treaty." Henry said.

"No great outcry from the common people," Geoffrey said. "The loudest unease comes from merchants trading along that route. They are in considerable distress."

Livia listened quietly.

"The Flemish ports may absorb some trade," Geoffrey said.

"We should come up with a solution for them before trade with France is halted, if it has not already been."

"I do not think we need worry just yet, Your Majesty," Geoffrey said. "Find time to enjoy the days before the wedding, sire."

Henry turned to her, his expression softening. "Livia."

The way he said her name was a prompt. Livia knew it at once. He wanted her to speak. He had brought her here not only to be seen, but to stand upright. It would have been easier to let him thank Geoffrey on her behalf.

She placed her cup down carefully. "His Majesty informed me that you are willing to stand as my guardian and sponsor," she said, turning to Geoffrey. "And I want to thank you."

Geoffrey inclined his head, but did not interrupt.

"You have always been kind to me," she continued. "Kinder than you had any reason to be. There is also the matter of you saving my life. Your good deeds towards me keep piling up, my lord. I shall find a way to repay you."

"You may repay me," he said, "by refusing to cower, my lady. His Majesty may not have told you the whole reality of what lies before you. Your status will be questioned. Your birth will be weighed. And God forbid someone should recognise you from Beaumont’s house. If that happens, there will be another storm."

Henry’s jaw tightened. "Geoffrey."

"No," Livia said quietly.

Henry looked at her.

She shook her head once. "Let him speak."

"I have secured what records I could find of your arrival in England," Geoffrey said. "They are now under seal and out of reach. Those who plan to dig will not find much. The road ahead will not be paved and glittering simply because the king loves you." Geoffrey’s eyes remained on Livia. "Love will raise you. It will not shield you from every hand that tries to pull you down."

For a moment, Livia could not answer. She had known some of this. She was not foolish enough to believe that a crown would wash Beaumont from her history, or that noblewomen would see only Henry’s affection and not the woman beneath it. Still, hearing it laid out so plainly made the future feel like a battlefield.

Henry reached for her hand. "Geoffrey...you are scaring her."

"Oh no," Livia said quickly. "No. Believe me, you are not."

Both men looked at her.

She gave a small, honest smile. "Well, perhaps a little. But I need the truth. I need all the advice I can get."

"You have always fascinated me, my lady." Geoffrey’s eyes warmed. "I am anxious to see how you navigate these waters."

"That makes one of us."

Geoffrey turned to Henry. "Your Majesty, have you given any more thought to what I asked of you?"

"Not now, Geoffrey," Henry said. "Certainly not now."

Livia looked from one to the other, aware there was something beneath the exchange she did not fully understand.

Before Geoffrey could answer, the door opened.

Lionel stepped in and bowed. "Your Majesty."

Henry turned. "What is it?"

"The Duke of Kingsmere is here."

Livia felt Henry’s hand tighten around hers before he released it. Geoffrey rose at once.

"I shall see what he wants and have him return another time."

Henry glanced at Livia. Perhaps this was a good thing. "This is his home, Geoffrey...Surely he has some right in his own house. Do not turn him back on my account." Henry turned his head. "Lionel." He gave a small nod.

Lionel retreated. Geoffrey looked weary. He glanced at Livia. She had become very interested in her tea.

The door opened. Richard entered the withdrawing chamber and bowed.

"Your Majesty," he said. "I did not know you would be here."

Livia kept her eyes on her cup, but she heard the tension beneath the words, the restraint of a man who had walked into his father’s house and found the king sitting there with the woman he had once protected and lost.

Henry lifted his cup. "Hm,...The more the merrier."