Chapter 294: Always Remain Polite
Richard received the letter from his father. Richard broke the seal and read. His engagement had been prepared.
The Church had been informed. All that remained was a reply from him naming a suitable date for the wedding.
Then he read the next portion. The Langford house would sponsor Livia Valenti. His eyes moved over the words slowly.
He cursed under his breath. So it had happened. Henry was finally marrying her. Was Henry forcing her?
Was the king using the title of queen to claim her? Or had Livia truly chosen him? His hand tightened around the parchment.
Geoffrey had refused to stand with him. And now he had chosen to sponsor Livia into Henry’s arms. After everything Richard had told him. After the blood behind the throne. How could Geoffrey, who knew the law better than any man alive, place his own family name beneath a marriage that would strengthen Henry’s claim not only to England, but to Livia herself?
It was betrayal.
"Your Grace?" the butler, who had been standing there waiting for him to finish glaring at the message, called.
Richard looked up absentmindedly. "Hm?"
"Do you require anything else, Your Grace?" the man asked.
Richard glanced down at the letter again. His father’s neat hand stared back at him. "No...That will be all."
The butler bowed and turned towards the door. Richard stared at the letter for another second.
"On second thought," Richard called.
The butler stopped at once. "Your Grace?"
"Tell the head groom to make sure my horse is well rested tonight. I shall be leaving for London."
"Of course, Your Grace." The butler bowed again and withdrew.
Richard remained seated for a while after the door closed. The house of Langford would not support that marriage.
No way in hell would Henry have Livia with the Langford name behind her.
No.
He folded the letter with care. Then he set it down. He would go to London.
*****
Tabitha prepared Livia with the utmost care. Visiting the home of the Lord Chancellor of England as the king’s intended was no small thing. It was presentation. The court would hear of it. Servants would report how Livia looked, how she spoke, how much she ate.
People would want to find fault. That was the trouble with rising. The higher a woman climbed, the more people developed interest.
Livia sat before the mirror while Tabitha arranged her hair. She looked better than she had the day before. Colour had returned faintly to her cheeks, and her eyes were clearer. The physician had allowed the visit.
Tabitha pinned a curl into place. "Always remain polite. Do not allow anyone to provoke you. Do not lose your grace, no matter what happens." She placed another pin. "Kill everyone with kindness."
Livia exhaled softly. "Tabitha, it is the Lord Chancellor. It is a simple midday tea. The entire council will not be there."
"People walk in and out of the Langford house to see him. You may run into one lord or another. You will be watched and judged. People will try to decide whether you are worthy before they know a single true thing about you."
Livia lifted her chin. "Right. I shall be on my best behaviour."
Tabitha stepped back to inspect her. The gown was a soft shade of blue that made Livia’s skin look less pale. Her hair was pinned with pearls, her throat bare except for a simple cross. Tabitha reached for her cloak. "Remember, no sharp replies."
Livia sighed. "Fine. I shall be polite and dull."
"Thank you," Tabitha said. "God forbid someone says something, and all of London will run with it before dusk."
"Tabitha?" Livia’s voice stopped her, "I will be fine." She turned from the mirror and reached for her hand. "I promise, I will behave. You do not need to worry so much."
Tabitha sighed, and the sternness softened around her mouth. "Forgive me. I know you will do well."
Livia smiled. Tabitha squeezed her hand once, then released it. A knock came at the outer door.
One of the guards knocked and spoke. "Master Stephen is waiting to escort you, my lady."
Tabitha gave Livia one last inspection from head to hem.
Livia lifted her brows. "Do I pass?"
"You will do."
"Such praise."
Tabitha nodded towards the door and followed her out. Stephen was waiting. The moment Livia stepped through, he bowed.
Not the small, familiar lowering of his head he usually offered her. This was a proper bow. Livia lifted her chin and accepted the bow.
"Stephen," she said softly. "Where is the king?"
"He is waiting in the courtyard, my lady."
"All right then." She turned and headed out with Tabitha behind her and Stephen at her side.
When they reached the courtyard, the carriage was waiting. Henry stood beside it in dark clothing, his hand resting lightly on the open door. Around the carriage, the royal guards held formation. Lionel sat mounted nearby.
Livia crossed the courtyard towards Henry.
"You look beautiful," he said.
Livia dipped her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He smiled, then offered his hand. "Are you ready?"
She nodded.
Henry helped her into the carriage. Livia settled against the cushioned seat, gathering her skirts. Henry climbed in after her.
A few minutes later, the carriage rolled out towards Chancery Lane. The journey was not long. Chancery Lane came into view. Lord Langford’s residence stood dignified and well-kept, its gates already open.
Geoffrey was waiting in the courtyard as soon as the royal carriage was spotted approaching. The carriage stopped. Henry stepped down first, then turned to help Livia. She placed her hand in his and descended carefully, aware at once of people watching. "My lady," Geoffrey said, inclining his head as Livia stepped into his courtyard, "I hope you feel strong."
Livia smiled. "My lord, I am no stranger to you. Surely you may still call me by my name."
"Not anymore," he said. "You are to be my sovereign very soon. Things must change."
Livia glanced at Henry. "I still have not heard any benefits that come with being queen."
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