Chapter 346: I Have News

Whether Livia wanted to be recognised as a princess of Italy.

Henry drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. It felt as though some invisible weight had shifted from his shoulders. He almost wished he could see his mother’s face when she learned that the woman she had fought so viciously to keep from the throne was, in fact, the illegitimate daughter of an Italian king.

She could discover that particular piece of news when her head was laid upon the block for everything else she had done.

That seemed fitting.

Henry climbed into the carriage and left Geoffrey behind to manage the beginnings of diplomacy with Alessandro. There would be time enough for terms, recognition and all the endless pieces of parchment royal marriages needed.

For now, Henry had an intended to speak to. And he had absolutely no idea whether she would consider his news good.

By the time Livia was brought quietly back to Whitehall that night, Henry had worn a path across his privy chamber.

Stephen had watched him pace for so long that concern gradually replaced irritation. He was trying to decide whether the king was merely anxious or five minutes away from collapsing into another episode.

The poor man did not realise this restlessness had nothing to do with despair.

If anything, the opposite.

Henry was impatient because something extraordinary had happened and he could barely contain it.

The doors opened.

Livia stepped into the privy chamber and curtsied. "Your Majesty."

Henry spread his arms.

Livia crossed the room quickly and went straight into them.

Henry caught her against his chest and closed his eyes. "My queen," he murmured, pressing a kiss into her hair.

She held him tightly for a moment before pulling back. "What is going on? You had me smuggled out of the Abbey like a thief."

"I am actually not supposed to see you until the wedding. No one must know about your visit. Well, no one except those that need to know. I have news, my love." He took her hand. "Come." He led her across the privy chamber and through the doors towards the balcony.

Below, London stretched beyond Whitehall, lanterns glowing in scattered windows, the river dark beneath the moonlight, the city restless even at that hour.

Henry rested his hands lightly on Livia’s arms and looked out over it with her.

Perhaps this would help. Perhaps seeing the kingdom below them, seeing the people she would soon help him rule, would make whatever choice came next feel less frightening.

"Good news or bad news?" Livia asked. "Because honestly, we cannot seem to take a breath without something looming somewhere."

Henry chuckled softly. "It depends entirely on how you choose to see it."

"That sounds suspicious already."

"It probably is." He took both her hands. "But first, I need you to know something. I love you. Whatever you decide after I tell you this, I will still marry you. This changes nothing between us."

"I have to decide something?"

"Yes."

She turned fully towards him. "Henry, what is going on?"

"My love, your father is in England."

The colour left her face.

"What? What is he doing here?" she demanded. "Did he finally come for me?"

"No. Listen to me." Henry tightened his hold on her hands. "The man you knew as your father—the man who sent you away and sold you into Beaumont’s hands—was not your father."

Her eyes widened until Henry feared she might simply stop breathing. "I..." She stepped backwards. "I need to sit down."

"Livia."

"I need a seat." Her legs nearly gave beneath her.

Henry caught her quickly and guided her towards the cushioned settle on the balcony. The moment she sat, he lowered himself in front of her, one knee touching the stone.

"Henry," she whispered fiercely, "someone could see you."

"Let them."

"You are the King of England."

"And you are to be my Queen." He reached for her hands again. "Look at me." Her gaze returned reluctantly to his. "Stay with me, love."

"There must be some mistake. My mother told me to find Lorenzo Bellaforte. She told me—"

"Did she tell you that he was your father? Did she say those exact words?" he asked again.

Livia shook her head.

The memory came back painfully. Her mother was sick and fighting for breath. Maybe she had heard what she expected rather than what had actually been said.

"She said..." Livia closed her eyes. "Lorenzo Bellaforte. Find him. He will take care of you." she opened her eyes again.

Realisation began to spread across her face.

"Oh God. But when I went to him, he never corrected me. He never told me I was wrong. He simply took me away quickly. Found somewhere for me to stay. I understood it at the time. I thought he was ashamed. He had a wife and children. I thought perhaps he did not want them knowing some bastard girl had appeared at his door claiming to be his."

"Lorenzo is currently being held in Whitehall for treason against his king," Henry said. "He sold you, Livia. And he was the one who sent the assassin to Covent Garden."

"You got hurt instead of me," she whispered.

Henry reached for her hand. "Your father is here, Livia. And he wants to see you."

"How? I am not even supposed to be here. I was meant to remain at the Abbey until the wedding if that is ever going to happen."

"I can manage it."

"Who is he?"

Henry had been waiting for that. "Your father is King Alessandro di Monteluce of Italy from the Valenti family."

She smacked him hard on the shoulder. "Get out!"

Henry laughed and caught her hand in his once more.

"But why did my mother give me someone else’s name?"

"She told you to find Lorenzo because she trusted him to take care of you. Unfortunately, she trusted the wrong man. Lorenzo served as the king’s Chancellor. He was taking his instructions from Queen Caterina."