His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

Chapter 217: I Have Not Been Invited

"The wedding is nearly upon us," Bella said. "You will require an appropriate gown. Will you be attending?" she asked.

"I do not believe I should. Besides, I have not been invited."

"You are the king’s mistress now. You are expected at every royal celebration."

"Then I shall take to my bed and claim a sudden fever," Livia said. "A grave one. The sort that improves immediately after the final guest has departed."

Bella laughed. "You need not trouble yourself. I doubt an invitation will arrive. The Queen Mother is not precisely delighted by your presence at Whitehall."

Livia pressed a hand to her breast in exaggerated astonishment. "Truly? And here I imagined she would receive me at the gates, sprinkle rose petals beneath my feet, and formally appoint me the king’s mistress herself."

"Perhaps she is saving the ceremony for Sunday."

"How thoughtful of her."

Bella leaned closer. "The servants say the king has refused to receive his mother since returning."

Livia’s smile faded slightly. She knew why. He was concealing his wound. One glimpse of his strained expression or guarded movements, and his mother would summon the entire army.

"He probably knows she will not be pleased," Bella continued. "Bringing you into Whitehall without warning was rather bold."

Livia kept the truth about the attack to herself. Henry had clearly wished the matter concealed, and though she objected to nearly every command he issued, she would not betray him merely to enrich the servants’ gossip. They seemed perfectly capable of manufacturing their own material.

Bella’s smile suddenly became mischievous. "That is not all the servants are saying, Diana." She gave Livia a knowing wink.

"First, I think you may safely begin calling me Livia. And second," Livia leaned closer. "Oh, please do tell. What are they saying? I live for gossip."

"They say the king is so besotted with you that it is almost frightening to witness," Bella said.

Livia laughed. The court dressmaker returned, followed by an assistant carrying several lengths of fabric over both arms. Silks, damasks, and velvets spilled across the table in a glorious confusion of colour.

The dressmaker glanced towards her. "Would you care to choose anything for yourself, my lady?"

"Oh, no," Livia replied quickly. "I have more gowns than I know what to do with already. I have scarcely worn half of them."

Since Richard had begun dressing her according to his own extravagant tastes, her wardrobe had expanded with alarming speed. Even when she had refused to take them from Kingsmere, he had ensured Tabitha pack them.

The dressmaker gave a polite bow, her eyes briefly travelled over Livia’s gown, no doubt calculating its workmanship and cost.

Bella, meanwhile, returned her attention to the fabrics. For the next several minutes, Bella explained exactly what she wanted for the wedding: a gown elegant enough to honour the occasion and fashionable enough to inspire envy.

The dressmaker gathered several samples and withdrew again to search for alternatives, leaving Bella and Livia alone.

Bella ran her fingers over a bolt of pale blue silk. "I wish you were becoming queen, Livia," she said with a sigh.

Livia looked at her. "You and I have very different wishes."

"Yes, I know." Bella smiled sadly. "I know."

Livia turned towards the nearby mirror, where their reflections stood side by side: Bella in noble finery, accustomed to court and Livia, a woman who had entered the palace without title, family, or any clear idea how she would leave it.

The crown was the last thing she wanted.

"It is impossible," Bella said, lowering her voice. "but imagine someone as kind and humble as you on the throne."

"I doubt kindness and humility are the qualities most valued in a queen," Livia said.

Before Bella could answer, the curtain separating the fitting chamber from the dressmaker’s workroom shifted, and Tabitha appeared. She dipped into a curtsy.

"My lady, His Majesty is ready to depart."

"Oh. Very well. Are you coming with us?"

"No, my lady. I shall remain here until you return."

Livia rose and embraced Bella lightly. "Try not to choose anything too magnificent."

"What would be the point of attending a royal wedding otherwise?"

Livia laughed and left the court dressmaker’s rooms, following Tabitha through Whitehall’s winding galleries.

By the time Livia reached the courtyard, Henry was waiting beside the carriage. Lionel stood nearby with several royal guards. Henry appeared composed. At least from a distance.

"My lady," he said as she approached.

"Your Majesty." Livia sank into a curtsy. When she rose, Henry offered his hand to help her into the carriage. She placed her fingers in his, expecting the familiar warmth and certainty of his grip.

Instead, she felt him trembling. It was slight but unmistakable. Livia paused with one foot on the carriage step and looked up at him. The colour had drained from his face. His lips were pressed tightly together, and strain darkened the skin beneath his eyes. He had dressed carefully enough to conceal the bandage, but no amount of fine cloth could disguise pain once it had begun demanding attention.

Henry’s fingers tightened around hers, warning her not to speak before the guards. Naturally, she ignored the warning. He had been wounded just last night.

Concern overwhelmed her irritation.

"Your Majesty," she whispered, "can we not do this another day?"

"I am fine," Henry said, which would have been more convincing had his face not resembled parchment left too near a winter window. "It is better to have the matter concluded now. I do not know when I shall have more time with the wedding so close."

He climbed into the carriage beside her and immediately settled against the seat. The carriage door closed, and within moments, the escort began moving towards the palace gates.

Tabitha remained in the courtyard until the carriage disappeared beyond them. Only then did she turn back towards Whitehall, intending to return to Livia’s apartments. She had almost reached the passage leading towards Livia’s lodgings when the Queen Mother appeared at the opposite end of the gallery.

Tabitha slowed. Theodora advanced with several ladies and attendants behind her.

(brought to you by Janelle Fox 1/3)