His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

Geoffrey stepped closer to his son. "For once in your life, get some sense. Think with your bigger head—although at this point, I doubt there is anything in it!" He turned from him, having apparently finished skinning his son for the morning, and faced Livia. "You did not have a mother to guide you."

Richard looked at his father, warning in his eyes, but Geoffrey did not look away from her.

"But you have shown yourself strong enough despite what the world has thrown at you," he continued. "You survived things that would have broken many ladies raised with every comfort. Do not now surrender your judgment." Geoffrey held Livia’s gaze. "Gain some backbone, child, and learn to say no to the maniac you have chosen for a husband."

"Yes, my lord," Livia answered, her gaze lowered to the floor.

Geoffrey gave Richard one last glare and turned toward the door. "I shall be leaving for Whitehall soon. You both should come down for breakfast."

How was anyone meant to eat breakfast after this?

Still, Livia nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Then, before Geoffrey could leave, she lifted her head slightly. "My lord, may I accompany you to Whitehall?"

Richard looked at her at once.

Geoffrey paused. "Why?"

"I would like to see Lady Bella one more time before I leave."

The thought of leaving without seeing her sat badly in Livia’s chest. Livia could not simply vanish into Kingsmere and leave Bella behind.

He nodded. "Of course."

"And," Geoffrey added, turning his gaze pointedly toward Richard, "I will be getting you a lady’s maid to accompany you to Kingsmere and to make certain this one stays far away from you."

Richard looked betrayed by both of them.

"I already have a maid," Livia said carefully.

"One appointed by me," Geoffrey replied.

Immediately, Richard understood.

"Father..." He already knew what that meant.

Livia felt warmth creep into her cheeks. This family, she was beginning to realise, loved differently.

It was odd and perhaps the safest thing she had ever seen.

"You brought this on yourself," Geoffrey said and left.

The door shut behind him. Silence filled the room. Livia looked at Richard.

"What is so scary about a lady’s maid?"

Richard turned to her with a haunted expression. "Because I know who he will choose...and trust me when I say... I hate her."

Livia chuckled. She could not help it. He looked genuinely wounded. Lord Langford had not just promised to provide her a maid but had sentenced Richard to daily torment as well. "She cannot be that bad."

Richard’s mouth fell open. "You are already taking her side, and you have not even met the woman. That’s exactly how it always turns out."

Livia pulled her robe tighter. "All right. You have to go. I need to get ready."

Richard leaned in for a kiss.

She pressed her palm to his chest and stopped him. "No."

He looked offended. "No?" He tried again, hoping charm would help him sneak past her hand.

Livia smacked his chest, opened the door a crack, then bundled him out. Richard stumbled into the passage.

"You’re so mean," he whispered, whining like a beautiful, overgrown boy.

Livia bit down on her smile. "Go."

"I risked death to be with you."

"Will you quit being dramatic." She laughed and shut the door on his wounded face.

*****

Bella’s mother welcomed Livia in at Whitehall later that morning with a grateful smile. The room had changed since Livia had last seen it. The air no longer felt like death was standing at the foot of the bed. The curtains had been drawn wider, letting in a pale wash of daylight. Fresh linens covered the bed, herbs burned faintly near the hearth.

Bella was not healed but she was alive. She could sit propped against pillows now, her hair loosely braided over one shoulder, her skin still pale but no longer frighteningly bloodless. There was a little colour in her cheeks, and though she moved carefully, she looked very well patched. "Diana..." Bella smiled as Livia approached.

"Oh, I’m so glad you are okay."

"I’m grateful you stayed with me," Bella said. "It is difficult," she continued, "being surrounded by no one I can trust."

Livia frowned gently. "Surely, you do not mean that."

Bella’s eyes moved to her mother, who sat near the window with embroidery in her lap and worry written plainly across her face. "Mother...would you mind taking a walk in the gardens for a bit?"

Her mother rose. "Of course." She crossed the room and kissed Bella’s forehead. Then she gave Livia a brief, grateful look before leaving.

The door closed softly behind her. Bella waited long enough to make certain no one lingered beyond the door.

Then she turned back to Livia.

"I have had time to think about this," Bella said.

Livia’s unease sharpened. "About what?"

"And I know if I say this to someone else, they will think I am mad again."

"Bella... What are you talking about?" Livia asked quietly.

Bella swallowed. The effort seemed to pain her, but her eyes did not waver. "I think the princess tried to kill me."

Livia’s eyes widened. For a moment, she could not speak. Princess Madeleine. Henry’s intended bride. The woman who had also been attacked. "Bella..."

"Please," Bella whispered, leaning forward despite the strain it caused. "Believe me."

Livia stepped closer at once, alarmed by the movement. "You should not upset yourself."

"The last time I accused her of killing my son, no one took me seriously."

"They said I had gone mad with grief," Bella continued. "That grief makes mothers see enemies everywhere. That I needed rest." Her mouth twisted.

"What makes you think it was her? Did you see her?"

"No," Bella admitted.

Livia hesitated. "But Bella...the princess was attacked too." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The argument sounded sensible. Princess Madeleine was not some maid who could be dragged into a corner and questioned until the truth fell out of her pockets. She was royal. Promised to the King of England. A woman whose honour came wrapped in the fragile peace of two kingdoms.

(Brought to you by Janelle Fox 2/2)

Bear with me please...bad internet for a bit. Surely it will resolve in one hour or two.