His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

"My dear girl," she said to Bella, all warmth now. "I heard what happened. I am so sorry."

Bella curtsied again. "I feel much better now, Your Grace."

Theodora’s gaze travelled over her. Bella still looked pale.

"We missed you around here," Bella added.

Theodora smiled. "I am sure you did."

Behind them, Madeleine’s voice rose in outrage as the guards escorted her away.

"Now," Theodora said, "why are you here?"

Bella’s courage faltered. The answer had seemed simple ten minutes ago. Find Henry. Show him Livia’s letter. Make him stop the departure.

Under Theodora’s eyes, the plan suddenly appeared less heroic and more wildly foolish.

"I... I..." Bella looked toward the doors to the King’s apartments. "I wanted to get a message to His Highness."

Theodora’s gaze dropped to the folded paper in her hand. "Let me see." She extended her hand.

Bella looked at her long, elegant fingers and tightened her grip on Livia’s letter. "Your Grace..."

"Now, Bella."

Bella hesitated for one last second, then surrendered the letter. Theodora took it with a small, satisfied nod and unfolded the paper. Her eyes moved quickly over Livia’s careful handwriting, missing nothing. The concern for Bella’s health. The apology about the French lessons. The announcement that she would soon leave England with the Duke of Kingsmere.

How useful.

Bella watched her face, searching for any sign that the contents mattered. She found none.

When she finished, she folded the letter neatly.

"Do not trouble the king with such trivial matters, Bella. A tutor leaving is hardly something to bother his highness over."

"It is not only about the lessons."

Theodora’s gaze sharpened. "No?"

Bella’s courage wavered beneath it. She had the sudden and uncomfortable sense that every additional word would become a weapon in Theodora’s hand. "No....But..."

"I will make certain another French tutor is found for you in due time. You need rest. Come now," Theodora said, gentler but no less commanding. "Go."

Bella curtsied, though reluctance stiffened every movement. "Your Grace."

Then she turned and hurried away. Theodora watched her disappear around the corridor. Only then did she open the letter again.

So Diana was leaving England with the duke.

Hmm.

A smile slowly touched her lips. It was time to act. Theodora folded the note and slipped it into her sleeve. Bella had not asked for it back, and even if she had, Theodora would not have returned it.

She turned toward the king’s private apartments and began walking. Her attendants followed at a respectful distance. Theodora felt the palace recognising her again.

Outside Henry’s door, she found Stephen seated in his customary chair, keeping watch with misery.

The instant he saw her, he rose and bowed. "Your Grace...Welcome back."

"Let the king know I have arrived," Theodora said immediately.

Stephen bowed. "I will, Your Grace."

Then he remained exactly where he was. Theodora waited. Stephen waited too. It became, within seconds, a contest of endurance.

Theodora’s gaze narrowed. "Now."

Stephen swallowed. "Your Grace, His Highness gave strict instructions that he is not to be disturbed."

Theodora stared at him. Stephen appeared to discover a sudden fascination with the grain on the ground.

"No one is exempt," he added carefully. "His Highness was most particular about that."

"Since when?"

"Since he returned from the Tower several days ago."

A small crease appeared between Theodora’s brows.

"The only persons permitted inside have been Lord Ashcroft and myself," Stephen continued. "Even then, His Lordship does not remain long. I am the only servant allowed to carry His Highness’s meals into the chamber."

Theodora’s eyes shifted to the closed door. "And he has not emerged?"

"No, Your Grace."

"Not for council?"

"Council has been managed by the Lord chancellor."

Theodora shook her head. As a boy, Henry would usually hide from the world. But he was a grown man. The crown at least should have changed him a bit. "I see."

Stephen wisely offered nothing further. Theodora studied the door for another moment. She could demand entry. She could remind Stephen that she was the king’s mother, the dowager queen, and a woman perfectly capable of making his life miserable as she had proven more times than anyone could count.

But forcing her way inside would achieve nothing. Henry was still struggling with his darkness. He had nothing to fear from her plan. Not yet.

She had promised him there would be no bloodshed, and Theodora intended to keep that promise. At least until the girl had completed the task for which she would be used.

Afterward, she would die. Over her dead body would her son be smitten with a harlot. Once she had succeeded in what Theodora required of her, she would die. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

For now, patience.

"Fine," Theodora said, turning away from the king’s door. "I will be in my chambers. Inform Lord Ashcroft I need to see him."

"Of course, Your Grace." Stephen bowed once more.

Theodora turned and walked away. This time, she headed toward Princess Madeleine’s apartments.

There truly was no rest for the wicked. At least, that was what her own son believed she was. The thought might have wounded another mother. Theodora merely found it inconveniently accurate.

Exile had not made her less interesting. If anything, disgrace had proven that she had gone soft.

The doors to Madeleine’s room opened and she entered.

Elodie immediately dropped into a curtsy. Theodora gave her one mild inspection from head to toe.

Madeleine lay upon the bed, propped against embroidered pillows and wearing a miserable look.

"When you first arrived here," Theodora said to Elodie, "I made it clear that your movements within Whitehall were restricted."

Elodie’s eyes flickered toward Madeleine.

"The moment I turn my back," Theodora continued, "I hear that you dismissed the princess’s original attendant."

"I told you," Madeleine drawled from the bed, "she understands very little English."

Theodora turned her head slowly. "Then you will translate when I am finished."

Madeleine’s mouth tightened. Theodora faced Elodie again.

"You disobeyed my direct orders. Worse, you presumed to rearrange a royal household that was not yours to command."

(100 golden tickets)