Henry's mouth hardened.
"His Grace arrived later," Lionel continued, "and yes, he was angry. He had reason to be. I had his household lined up like criminals outside his own door."
"He gave you a show and you fucking bought it."
Lionel lowered his gaze. He had no defence. "Your Highness, please," Lionel said, his voice lower now, stripped of defence. "Explain it to me properly, and I will fix it."
Richard had not merely betrayed him, but taken something from him that had held back the weight of the crown.
"Livia is here in Whitehall," Henry said.
Stephen sucked in a sharp breath. Lionel went still.
Henry continued, each word tasting like blood. "She is set to marry Richard. She has been living with him since the night she disappeared from Beaumont's."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Stephen's face changed first. Shock, then understanding, then pity. He remembered the king in those days.
