His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

"I plan to make my royal favourite, Livia Valenti, my wife and queen of England."

The moment the words left the king’s mouth, Geoffrey knew it was going to be a mess. Several powerful men were trying to decide whether the king had lost his mind or merely misplaced it temporarily.

Henry sat at the head of the table. The king announcing that he intended to marry Livia Valenti meant he had clearly decided the matter and wasn’t interested in any one of them having an opinion.

Lord Sebastian was the first fool to speak. "What family is she from, Your Majesty?"

Several councillors looked at him in relief, as though he had kindly placed his own head beneath the axe.

Henry’s gaze moved to him slowly. "You will have all the details I am prepared to give you when I am prepared to give them."

"My lord," another councillor began carefully, "I think Lord Sebastian is right to question her family background now. If this lady is without title and not from a family known to the realm, then the matter touches more than Your Majesty’s private affection. We must consider her dowry, her alliances, her blood, and whether she is fit to be queen."

"You gave me a wife," Henry said quietly. "You all sat in this chamber and weighed France against England. You told me Princess Madeleine was the proper choice. You told me she would steady the realm, honour the throne, and secure peace."

Henry’s voice remained calm. "She murdered my son. She spilled royal blood beneath my own roof. I did not question you then. You will not question me now."

Bishop Alaric cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, no one seeks to wound you. The council’s concern is for the succession and the dignity of the Crown."

"The Crown’s dignity was wonderfully preserved when a French princess murdered an infant, was it? All you need know for the present is this: her name is Livia Valenti. She is eighteen years of age. She is under my protection and she will be my wife."

Lord Sebastian tried once more. "Your Majesty, surely her guardian must be named before the Archbishop can proceed."

"One will be named."

"When?"

"When I decide." Henry looked around, one councillor at a time. "All other details will follow later. That is the end of this discussion."

It was not, of course. The discussion would continue in corridors. But inside the council chamber, the matter was ended.

Henry turned to Geoffrey. "What is next, Lord Chancellor?"

Geoffrey glanced down at the papers before him. There were, in fact, many things next. The dead princess. Mistress Joan’s interrogation.

But none of these things looked especially improved by saying them aloud at that exact moment.

"Nothing requiring immediate decision, Your Majesty," Geoffrey said. "We still await word from France. Lord Ashcroft’s situation has been clarified."

"Good. Take the current news to the Archbishop," Henry said. "Tell him to begin preparations."

Geoffrey bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Henry looked back to the council. "Everyone may leave. Geoffrey, you stay."

The councillors bowed and filed out.

"My lord," Geoffrey said.

"How is Richard?"

"He is quite all right, sire," Geoffrey said. "He has returned to Kingsmere."

Henry gave a slight nod. "I need you to arrange a guardian for Livia."

Geoffrey’s eyes lifted. "Your Majesty...I would be glad to be of service. If it pleases you, I can stand as her guardian and sponsor. I shall provide her with a suitable dowry. Not one worthy of the Crown," he added, "but sufficient enough."

"Why?"

Geoffrey folded his hands before him. "Because I need a favour in return."

"Why do I not like where this is going?" Henry asked.

"I assure you, it is nothing untoward."

"Speak."

Geoffrey inhaled. "I would like to retire, sire."

"No."

The word came before Geoffrey had finished breathing it into the room.

"Your Majesty—"

"No."

"My lord, if you would allow me to explain—I am old."

"You are not old."

"I merely wish to rest, to tend my household, to arrange Richard’s affairs, and to do something with the remainder of my life before my joints begin working against me." He seemed to think this was a reasonable explanation.

Sadly for him, the king did not.

"Why?" Henry asked. "Why are you leaving me?"

"I am not leaving you," Geoffrey said gently.

"I have so few people I trust," Henry said. "It used to be the smallest circle. Before the crown. Stephen. Richard." He swallowed. "I became king and you stood with me. Lionel stands with me. You helped me lead. You joined that circle. You proved yourself as loyal to me as you were to my father."

"Who will I have when you leave?" Henry asked. "Richard becomes Lord Chancellor? Richard, who betrayed me?"

Geoffrey breathed out slowly. "I am tired, Henry."

"Then rest," Henry said. "Take a month. Take two. But retire?" He shook his head. "No. Geoffrey. No."

Geoffrey looked at Henry sadly. He had thought retirement might do more than save his aching bones. He had thought it might force Richard to stand nearer to the throne, close enough to see Henry clearly again.

Richard had returned from France carrying dangerous conviction in both hands. Perhaps, if placed beside Henry in duty, he would understand what it meant to give up everything for one’s country.

Geoffrey bowed his head. "I shall make certain Miss Valenti is properly sponsored by my family," he said, resigned.

"Thank you, Geoffrey."

"You are welcome, Your Majesty."

Henry’s mouth curved faintly. "I suppose, in a way, that makes us in-laws."

"It is quite the honour," he said. "I shall prepare the necessary papers. The deed of guardianship, the dowry settlement, and the formal declaration of sponsorship. I will submit the arrangements to council and see that the Archbishop receives what he needs."

"Thank you."

Geoffrey bowed. "I shall send Lord Ashcroft."

"Please do."

Geoffrey withdrew. A few moments later, Lionel entered.

He bowed deeply. "Your Majesty. I suppose congratulations are in order. I overheard the councillors as they left."

"Now," Henry said, "you can tell me why you and Livia are hiding something from me."

"Sire."

Henry lifted one hand. "Let us be clear. I asked why you are hiding it, not what you are hiding. If Livia wants it hidden then it will remain hidden."

"Believe me, Your Majesty," Lionel said quietly, "I want to tell you."

"Then why is she stopping you?"

Lionel swallowed. "Because you would have me executed in a heartbeat."

"You betrayed me," Henry said.

Lionel lowered his head. "My lord..."

"Stop talking now, Lionel," Henry said.

Lionel closed his mouth at once. He wanted to speak it. Henry could see that plainly. The man’s guilt had become restless in him, scratching at his ribs like some condemned creature wanting release.

"I do not want to know it," Henry said.

Lionel bowed his head. "As Your Majesty commands."

"She seems to have forgiven you," Henry said.

Lionel lifted his eyes briefly. "It seems so. When I told her what I had done, she was quite angry."

Henry’s voice lowered. "But she forgave you?"

Lionel swallowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Livia had forgiven Lionel. She had forgiven a man who had wronged her because she had looked past rage and seen what was still human. She had kept his secret because she believed he could still stand on the right side.

"Fuck," he cursed and rose from his chair.

Lionel straightened at once. "Sire?"

Henry barely heard him. He had made a grave mistake. He had looked at Livia, frightened by what Whitehall had taught her, and compared her to his mother. He had allowed his terror to speak.

How could he have been so stupid? Theodora hoarded secrets to destroy. Livia had kept one to protect a man.

And he, blind with fear, had looked at that woman and warned her he would not trade one Theodora for another.

God preserve him from his idiocy. He left the council chamber. Lionel followed at once. Henry stormed through the passage and headed straight for his chambers.

He pushed through the outer doors, crossed the room, and stopped. The bed was empty. Henry turned sharply and stepped back into the outer chamber.

The guards at the door stiffened.

"Where is Livia?" he demanded.

One of them bowed quickly. "She returned to her own chambers, Your Majesty."

"When?"

"Not long after Your Majesty left for council."

Of course she had. He had wounded her. They moved quickly through the corridors towards Livia’s apartments, almost at a run by the final turn.

He reached her door and passed the guards. The door opened under his hand. Tabitha stood inside, holding a lunch tray that had barely been touched.

She turned at once and lowered into a curtsy. "Your Majesty."

"Is she awake?" Henry asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Henry crossed the outer room. Then he lifted his hand, moving the curtains that divided the room aside.