"I never needed to hear it to know, my love," he said. "I have always felt it. Even in your hate."
Livia smacked his chest. Henry laughed softly. "I should take it back."
"You cannot." Henry's smile deepened. "But it is nice to know you have finally realised it." He drew her back against him, wrapping both arms around her and kept staring out at the horizon. "Lord Langford wants to throw you a ball. A formal one. To welcome you into society."
"Oh," she said. "I… I hope it is not too much trouble."
Henry gave a low laugh. "Trust me, linking the future queen to his house is worth all the trouble."
The balcony breeze moved between them, lifting a loose strand of her hair across her cheek. Henry brushed it away with his thumb, he seemed in no hurry to say anything else.
