"You," he said quietly, "should stay this way. Opinionated. Do not let yourself be cowed into a corner, Bella." His voice grew firmer. "Always, always speak your mind."
Bella gave a small, horrified laugh. "Oh, all of this is going to end when the Queen Mother arrives."
Henry's smile deepened. "I will have your head, Lady Bella."
"Better you have it than she has it," Bella said, laughing softly.
Henry kept hold of her fingers, his thumb resting lightly over her knuckles.
Then he said, "If you want, I can have you moved to a castle away from Whitehall. You will have your freedom, Bella."
"No," Bella said. "I would like to remain near you... Thomas would never forgive me if I left his father to vultures like the princess."
The words flew from her mouth before caution could catch them.
His brows rose. "Lady Bella Cresswell."
She gave him a sheepish grin instead of an apology. She knew she had said something outrageous, knew she ought to regret it, and had decided not to.
