Chapter 267: It Was An Accident
Tabitha looked down at her hands. "We were at Theodora’s household when one of her maids dropped a folded paper. It was an accident. The girl was carrying linen and moving too quickly, and the message slipped from beneath the cloth. I picked it up before she realised." Her eyes lifted. "It was written by Theodora."
"It detailed how the maid was to carry contaminated linen into the princes’ rooms," Tabitha said.
Livia felt a chill move through her.
"I found the letter," Tabitha said, "and I sent it to His Majesty."
"The late king?"
"Yes." Tabitha swallowed. "I was told afterwards that the letter reached him. What we heard next was news of his death."
Livia’s brows drew together. "He died because of the letter?"
"I cannot prove that. I was only told that after he read it, he suffered a violent seizure of the heart.."
"Who found him?"
"I do not know. I was informed only that he received the letter and died soon after. I do not know who discovered the body, and I do not know what became of the letter."
"So you went to Her Grace to threaten her with a letter you did not possess?"
"Yes," Tabitha said. "I believed the threat would be enough...For years, it was. "
"Until now."
"Until now," Tabitha agreed. "She called my bluff." She looked away. "Then she revealed something else. She claimed His Majesty knew...She said Henry knew about the deaths of his brothers."
"No," Livia said at once. "No," she said again. "That is not true."
"I want to believe that."
"Then believe it."
"It is not so simple."
"It is exactly that simple when the alternative is believing Theodora."
Tabitha’s eyes returned to her. "Her Grace was very certain. She told me to go ahead and inform the king."
"Because she wants you frightened. She wants you doubting him." Livia stood and crossed to the window.
Henry was capable of darkness. She knew that. She had seen it in his temper, in his threats. But knowing he was capable of darkness was not the same as believing he had known his brothers were murdered and accepted it.
She would not hand Theodora that victory without asking Henry herself. "It is not true, Tabitha."
"I would like to believe that too," she said. "But what if it is?"
"We cannot think about that now," Livia said. "If we follow every poison Theodora drops before us, we will die chasing shadows while she walks straight through the door. I need your support...I need you with me if we are to stall this marriage nonsense until His Majesty arrives."
"You have my support," Tabitha said. "What can we do?"
"First, I want you to organise a mourning collation with the other women," Livia said. "Something quiet, with spiced wine, cakes. It should be held to remember Lady Bella. I want every one of them there. I also want you to let the news of the marriage order spread before the meeting. But not clumsily. I do not want anyone saying the gossip came from us."
"My lady, Whitehall has never needed assistance spreading gossip. It only needs a crack under a door and one bored maid."
"Then give it a crack."
Tabitha’s mouth curved. "You want the women frightened before they come."
"I want them informed before they come."
"What exactly is your plan?"
"I shall do what His Majesty does. Think three steps ahead."
Tabitha gave a low chuckle. "I told you that you had it in you."
Livia allowed herself a small smile. "Go..."
Tabitha inclined her head and left at once. Livia waited until the door closed before exhaling. She had no idea whether the plan would work.
Still, Henry thought ahead. So would she.
*****
That evening, Livia went to the library. Lionel accompanied her, of course. He walked two paces behind her.
The library was one of the few places in Whitehall that still allowed Livia to breathe. The keeper of the library sat at his desk, bent over a catalogue. He looked up at the sound of her entrance, and his face brightened at once.
"My lady," he said, rising. "You are a sight for sore eyes."
Livia smiled gently. "It is good to see you too, Master Hartwell."
His gaze softened. "My condolences on Lady Bella’s passing. She was such a sweet soul."
"She was."
Master Hartwell bowed his head. "She will be missed."
Livia looked down at the table. "Sadly, I may be leaving the palace soon as well."
The librarian’s eyes widened. "My word. Why?"
"It has come to my notice," Livia said carefully, "that His Majesty has arranged for all court mistresses to be married off to noblemen."
Master Hartwell frowned. "Oh, that cannot be right."
Livia lifted her eyes to him. "Why?"
The old man hesitated, glancing first at Lionel. "Forgive me, my lady," he said at last, "but I have known His Majesty since he was a boy. I have never known him to look at anything the way he looks at you. He comes here almost every day. He asks which books you have chosen. He orders copies made of those you favour. He asks that the library be kept current in Italian works, histories, and anything he thinks might interest you. He even requested a private reading nook arranged for you near the eastern window. I am still waiting on the carpenter."
Livia smiled warmly. "Yes...That sounds like His Majesty."
"It does, my lady. His Majesty has always had a possessive relationship with books. I had not expected him to extend the habit to readers." Hartwell lowered his voice. "I do not believe His Majesty would wish you married off. At least, not so suddenly."
"Then perhaps you can help me," Livia said.
"Anything," Hartwell replied at once. "Of course."
"I do not believe the message was written by the king’s hand. Lord Ashcroft does not believe it either, so I am relieved to know I am not entirely mad."
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