His Secret Slave to Scandalous Queen

Chapter 164: That Can Be Easily Fixed

He could see her lips moving. "Diana..." he called. "I can barely hear anything you are saying from all the way here."

"Oh..." Livia said, glancing at the absurd stretch of table between them. "That can be easily fixed." She rose from her chair and picked up her plate.

Tabitha’s head turned at once. It was remarkable, really, how one woman could make the smallest movement feel like a public scandal. "My lady?" she said, one brow rising in disapproval.

Livia smiled tightly. "I am only moving to sit beside His Grace."

"You may move," Tabitha replied. "I shall bring your plate."

"I can carry my own plate, thank you."

"My lady—"

"It is capon, Mrs. Crowe, not the Crown Jewels."

Richard looked down into his wine cup to hide his smile. It did not work. His shoulders betrayed him.

Livia walked the full length of the table. She could feel Tabitha’s eyes on her back. She could also feel the eyes of every servant in the room. She was tired of being handled. She understood propriety but understanding did not make suffocation pleasant.

Richard rose before she reached him and pulled out the chair beside his own. She sat.

"Thank you," she murmured.

He returned to his seat, but not before giving Tabitha a triumphant look. Tabitha’s expression said, I am still watching you. Richard sighed into his wine.

Livia gave him a tired smile. He answered with an apologetic one. "How long until this is over?" she whispered.

Richard’s mouth curved. "And here I thought you did not miss me at all."

Livia leaned slightly closer, keeping her voice low enough that only he could hear. "I am sorry. I know you love her, but she is exhausting."

"She is intense, yes," Richard admitted, glancing toward Tabitha. "But to be fair, I was quite a handful growing up. After all these years, she has still been unable to whip me into shape."

"Was she this way with your mother?"

"I am still in the room, my lady," Tabitha said from several feet away, "and I can hear you quite well."

Richard shut his eyes as if pained.

Livia bit her lip and turned back to her plate. "Of course, Mrs. Crowe."

"Excellent," Tabitha replied.

Livia returned to her food and told him about her day. Richard listened. He was far more fascinated by her than by the meal before him. His plate might as well have been decorative. Every time she spoke, his gaze settled on her mouth, her hands, the way her face changed when she grew animated.

At one point, she glanced at his untouched food. "Are you going to eat?"

"I am."

"When?"

"When you stop being interesting."

She laughed.

"Would you like to spend the day with me tomorrow?" Richard asked. "We could visit the bookshop. Perhaps have a picnic by the lake afterward."

"Hmmm..." she said, tilting her head with mock consideration. "Do you think Her Highness would allow that?"

"You have not had any trouble defying her since she arrived," Richard said, his mouth twitching. "I am certain you can manage."

Tabitha’s posture sharpened. "Visiting public places is quite acceptable, my lady."

Livia rolled her eyes. "It would be nice to spend the day with you, Your Grace."

Richard smiled then. He looked boyishly pleased. "Good...Then it is settled. Eat your food. We can take a walk after dinner."

Tabitha cleared her throat. Richard closed his eyes for a heartbeat.

"Around the estate," he added quickly.

Tabitha said nothing. Livia stared at her plate. The irritation she had been swallowing rose hotly in her chest.

They could not even speak of a walk without supervision.

"Okay," Livia said. "That is it." She pushed her chair back. "I cannot take this. I am done."

"Diana—"

"No." Livia held up a hand. "No, I have behaved. I have smiled. I have sat where I was told, walked where I was permitted, and endured being watched. I am going to my room."

"Diana."

"Goodnight, Your Grace!"

"Diana!" Richard called after her. "Do not be like that!"

Richard stared at the doorway. The servants had all gone very still.

"Let her go," Tabitha said. "I will take her food up to her chamber."

Richard turned on her. "Would you take it easy with her, for God’s sake?" Richard had never raised his voice to her. Not once, not even as a boy. "I know my father gave you specific instructions," Richard continued, his voice rough with frustration. "But God, Tabitha. Give the woman some breathing space."

He pointed toward the door Livia had escaped through. "I know I gave you a damned hard time growing up. I know I was impossible. But she is not me."

Tabitha’s lips pressed together.

Richard dragged a hand through his hair, disheveling it completely. "She has already lived too long with people controlling her. I will not have her feel caged here. Not in my house."

Tabitha bowed her head slightly. "I apologise, Your Grace."

"Goddammit!" He shoved away from the table and stood fully. "You are apologising to the wrong person."

"Then I will give her my apologies."

"Just..." Richard exhaled sharply, the fight seeming to leave him all at once. "Just whatever." He turned and strode out of the dining room, too angry to care.

Tabitha bowed quickly as he passed. She stood where she was, watching the doorway Richard had gone through.

Well.

That had been unexpected. He cared for the girl. The man had always liked women. Insatiable, that was what he had been.

But Lady Bellamy had quieted something in him. Tabitha sighed, glancing toward the abandoned plate at the table.

Perhaps she had been too severe. Perhaps the girl was not simply another young lady to be protected from Richard.

*****

The next morning, Livia was dressed for her trip into town with Richard. It was a simple gown. Her bonnet sat neatly, and her excitement was simmering.

When she stepped out of her chamber to go out for breakfast, Tabitha was waiting in the corridor.