His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

Chapter 218: She Is Willing To Learn

When she noticed Tabitha, she raised one hand. Her attendants stopped immediately. Tabitha resisted the urge to glance behind her for an escape.

Theodora came to a halt before her. Tabitha sank into a deep curtsy. "Your Grace."

"Do I have you to congratulate," Theodora asked, "for bringing Miss Valenti into the palace?"

"I should very much like to claim the achievement," she replied carefully, "but it belonged entirely to His Majesty." Tabitha kept her gaze lowered, aware that every word she spoke was being weighed, measured, and possibly sharpened for later use.

"Then," Theodora said at last, "I presume you understand that your mistress will require guidance concerning the customs of this household."

"She is willing to learn."

"Willingness is not obedience."

Tabitha lifted her eyes only slightly. "Miss Valenti has no desire to cause offence."

"That remains to be seen. Whitehall is not Covent Garden. Affection from the king does not excuse discourtesy, nor does it grant a woman permission to disregard rank. I will tolerate no insolence, no public scenes, and no attempt to disrupt the order of this court."

"You will receive none from me, Your Grace."

"And from your lady."

"I cannot control everything my lady does," Tabitha replied, keeping her tone respectful despite the warning sharpening beneath it. "She is strong-willed and remarkably determined for someone so young. She reminds me of a younger version of you," Tabitha continued. "Except her innocence and naivety remain intact."

Theodora laughed. "Innocence?" she repeated. "That woman has shared the beds of half the gentlemen in England."

Tabitha lowered her gaze. If Theodora wished to make outrageous claims, she could hardly object.

"I will be informed whenever Miss Valenti enters my son’s apartments," Theodora said. "And whenever he visits hers."

"His Majesty expressly ordered that Miss Valenti’s household remain independent of your authority," she said. "Her servants answer to her, and ultimately to the king."

"I am aware of what my son commanded."

"Then there should be no misunderstanding."

Theodora’s eyes narrowed. "Do not mistake the king’s temporary infatuation for lasting power. I can make both your lives unbearable at Whitehall, regardless of how much favour she currently enjoys."

Tabitha believed her. The palace was Theodora’s natural habitat. She could destroy a woman without ever raising her voice.

Still, Tabitha did not retreat. She looked directly into the Queen Mother’s face.

"If a pin hurts her head... you will have a problem, Your Grace. England will have a problem. The throne will have a problem."

"You have been bluffing all these years," Theodora said. "I am beginning to believe there is no secret army of witnesses waiting in the shadows. You have no allies. Nothing. I think you alone know the truth," she continued. "And you, Tabitha, can be disposed of easily."

Tabitha’s lips curved into a slow, wicked smile. "If I truly have nothing, Your Grace, what did the late king discover that broke his heart so completely he fell to his death?"

Theodora’s face emptied of colour. Tabitha savoured the silence.

"We kept the truth buried after that night because of His Majesty," she said. "Not for you. Never for you. God knows the king does not deserve a mother such as you."

"The late king knew..." Theodora whispered.

"Your sins killed your king, Your Grace. Your sins took the throne from you and you have no one to blame but yourself."

"You insolent—"

"Servant?" Tabitha supplied pleasantly. "Yes. A servant who knows where the bodies are buried."

Theodora’s eyes flashed with fury. Tabitha lowered her chin.

"My lady will live peacefully at Whitehall for as long as His Majesty wishes her here. Or the truth will become tired of being silent." Tabitha stepped back and sank into a flawless curtsy, every inch the obedient attendant once more. "If you will excuse me, Your Grace, I must oversee supper before my lady returns with His Majesty."

She rose without waiting to be dismissed, turned, and walked away, leaving Theodora rooted to the spot.

Theodora remained where Tabitha had left her, her thoughts had already begun racing through every corridor of Whitehall.

Tabitha was bluffing. She had to be. The late king had been alone that night except for his valet.

His valet.

Theodora’s breath caught. She remembered him now. Valets saw everything. Had he been there? Did he know too? She pressed one hand against her chest as the gallery seemed to narrow around her. She hated being controlled, hated it even more when the hand tightening the leash belonged to an ordinary maid.

Madeleine had finally learned who truly ruled the court, but Livia threatened to undo everything merely by existing. The girl had Henry’s affection, and apparently Tabitha’s dangerous protection. Left unchecked, she might gain influence without even seeking it.

Livia had to go and Tabitha with her.

Theodora turned slowly in the direction the maid had taken, her mind already arranging possibilities. She would have to be careful.

How did one remove two troublesome women without raising alarm?

*****

Once Livia had given her sworn account to the magistrate’s clerk and answered more questions than she thought any human being should reasonably possess, she left the gaol with her nerves scraped raw.

The visit had reopened memories she had spent months forcing into silence.

Outside, the royal carriage waited under guard, its curtains partly drawn. Lionel stood nearby, watching the street with his usual suspicion.

Livia climbed inside. Henry sat exactly where she had left him, but the little colour he had possessed earlier was gone. His head rested against the padded seat, his eyes closed, and one hand lay slack beside him. Even his breathing seemed strained, each breath taken carefully.

He looked wounded, exhausted. Livia’s irritation vanished.

"Your Majesty..."

"How did it go?" Henry asked. His eyes remained closed, and the words came faintly.

"I am far more concerned about you," she said, climbing fully into the carriage. "We must return to Whitehall at once."

Henry gave a small nod. She called through the carriage door for the driver to make haste.

(Brought to you by Janelle Fox 2/3)