To buy himself a moment—just a moment to prepare a lie polished enough to survive her eyes—he reached for the flask Lionel had forced upon him earlier and took a swig.
He kept his face admirably steady. "I trade," he said at last, lowering the flask, "a great many things. Anything needed by the nobility. Fabrics, jewels…"
Livia's mouth curved. "Books?" she asked, the teasing in her voice soft.
Henry huffed a laugh. "Yes, books. But mainly for you. I'll have a room filled with books for you," he said. "Your own personal library."
"I would love that," she said.
Then she asked, with maddening innocence, "Another question. Will we live together?"
"Uh… no," Henry said.
Livia's brow lifted. "Oh?"
Henry wished immediately for another swallow of ale, and that was what he did again, buying himself time but there wasn't enough.
"I… uh… I…"
