"I do not want to leave Whitehall," the young woman said.
Livia turned towards her gently. "What is your name?"
"Margery, my lady. Margery Vale."
"Lady Margery," Livia said, "thank you for speaking honestly."
Another woman, older than Margery spoke next. "I do not know if the rumours are true, but if the king has asked that everyone be married off, what can we do?"
At the mention of the king, every gaze came to Livia. They were afraid Henry himself had ordered their removal.
Livia felt their eyes on her. They looked so innocent in that moment, so doe-eyed and uncertain, as though they had been handpicked. Livia hated that she needed to use their fear.
But Theodora had given her no choice.
"I do not know how true the rumour is either," Livia said.
"But you are closest to His Majesty," Lady Margery said. "Surely he must have mentioned something to you."
What they wanted was assurance from the one woman they believed might know the truth of the king's mind.
