Soon, Livia arrived at the great withdrawing chamber. The other women were already gathered. They sat in small clusters.
Livia stepped inside with her head high. The conversations faltered at once. Every face turned towards her. She knew what they saw. The king's favourite. The Italian. The possible whore. Perhaps, if any of them were feeling generous, the possible fool. Livia crossed the room and chose a seat near the middle. She had no wish to look frightened.
The moment she sat, several of the women moved closer. Margery reached her first.
"What happened last night?" Margery whispered.
Another woman leaned in. "They said Lord Ashcroft was taken."
"Is any of it true?" Margery asked.
Before Livia could answer, the doors opened. The room rose as one.
Theodora entered.
