There were moments when Henry's face seemed impossible to read, that dangerous intelligence always moving behind his eyes.
"Some people think you could never have done such a thing," she said carefully.
"And what if I did?" he asked. "Would you see me differently?"
Livia's breath caught. If he had done it, if men had died because his crown required their graves, then what was he? A monster?
"I…" She stopped. "I…" Her voice failed again. At last, she asked the only question she could bear. "Did you?"
His gaze dropped to the meal before him, long gone cold. "I should get ready for council." He rose.
"Of course. I shall head to my chambers," Livia said and smoothed her dress.
Henry moved around the table towards her. He stopped before her chair and bent low, one hand resting on the table beside her plate, the other lightly touching the back of her chair. His mouth came close to her ear. "I loved having you in my arms all night."
