"I'm sure you already know that sir and here I am knowing nothing about you." Livia answered.
"I mean how do you know all these? Surely you cannot be this well read and still end up a servant."
"I was sold by my father. He didn't want the responsibility of a bastard child, I guess." Livia said. "Nicholas bought me and brought me to London."
"Sounds like a tragic story. Your mother?"
"She died."
"I apologise. I should never have raised such sore subject."
"its alright. I am sure someday, life will be beautiful." Livia said.
"What do you consider beautiful?"
"I don't know. To be free to do whatever I want. To be happy. To love. To live. To read. To laugh."
"Sounds simple yet the pursuit of happiness isn't always the smoothest of tracks. I'll say you're off to a great start." He teased.
She laughed.
"You have an incredible smile." He observed.
"I…thank you." She said blushing furiously.
"I must go. My gu…" he quickly caught himself. "My friend must be worried about where I am."
"of course. Thank you for the company. I still do not know what to call you."
His eyes roamed her face. "Henry."
"is it Mr, Lord, your grace."
"just Henry."
"Have a good night, Just Henry." She said.
Henry smiled, lifted his hand to move the hair that had fallen across her face to hide it from his view. "Livia…" he whispered. tasting the name on his tongue. He then straightened and got to his feet. "Good night."
Livia nodded and watched him leave. It wasn't ten minutes later that Beaumont stormed the decking, two other servants behind him. "You whore!!!" he boomed, slapping her across the face. "You dare have a man up here!"
"Sir!" she started to speak when he kicked her face. Blood flew out of her mouth instantly as she gave a loud cry, the book flying off her fingers.
"You were seen, you bitch!" he signalled to the servants. "grab her!"
The girls rushed forward and lifted her to her feet.
"If you wanted a fuck so badly, I have men who would pay good money for one so young and you give it away for free!" he slapped her again.
"I swear, we were just talking, sir Nicholas."
"Strip her!" he ordered the servants. "If I smell a man on you, you are finished."
"No!" Livia fought her way away from the servants.
"If she gets away, I will have your heads!" Beaumont yelled.
The girls grabbed her as she made for the exit. Then began to peel her clothes off her body. "I swear to you, we were just talking. I swear. I don't even know how he found me up here! Please, listen to me."
The girls stripped her down to just her underwear, her breasts open in the air, nipples erect from the cold. She covered her chest with her arms, shaking.
Beaumont stepped forward, putting his fingers between her thighs to feel for moisture and when his fingers came out dry, he calmed a bit. "Or did you suck his cock instead?"
"What? Please no!"
"Prepare to start earning your keep." He spat on the floor and walked past her, the girls finally left her alone, snickering and giggling.
Livia dropped to the ground and picked up her dress, tears spilling from her face. She pulled the dress on slowly, her body racking with sobs. For liberty is the greatest good that men desire. Henry's words echoed in her head.
Where would she find this liberty? At what price? When would she find it? Would it come soon? Would it come later? Or would she die without it?
"Livia?" Jane called from the stair doorway.
Livia turned to her voice, her face still streaming with tears.
Jane quickly approached her and wrapped her arms around her. "Shhh….its okay, darling. Its okay. Its going to be okay."
"Is it?"
"It will get better. Whether here or somewhere else."
"You mean it will get better here, when Nicholas begins to whore me out." Livia spat.
"Its nasty to think about that way but yes, Livia."
Livia held on to her and let her tears flow even harder.
"Did he really touch you?" Jane asked.
"No! We just talked about books, about life."
"That's all?"
"That's all, I swear Jane." Livia said.
"Hey, I believe you, I believe you. Its okay." Jane did believe her but she just didn't believe that all this stranger wanted from her was to talk about books.
*****
Henry lay on his sprawling bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying his visit to the brothel. How can a girl who has been established as a book thief and smells like ale enrapture him so much. Though she did have great legs, smooth skin, soft he could tell. If her dress had ridden a bit higher, he could…
"Oh fuck!" he yanked the bell rope, summoning his valet. He would probably be asleep but that didn't concern him.
Five minutes later, the door opened and Stephen walked in. "Your highness. Is all well?"
"Get my mother to get me one of the ladies."
"Right now sire?"
"Right now!" Henry snapped.
"Of course, your majesty." Stephen ran out of the room immediately.
Henry got off the bed and stepped on to the balcony, viewing the city around him. Their conversation had been brief yes, but it had been inspiring. The way she spoke so passionately, so witty, Livia was a gem. She was meant for greater things not serving in a tavern.
Even though he had just requested his mother to arrange him some sexual entertainment, he couldn't wait for another kind of entertainment with Livia, the inspiring kind, the one that made him wish for a minute that he wasn't just her king.
Moments later, a soft knock sounded at the door before it creaked open without waiting for a full reply.
One of the girls entered. Henry did not turn immediately. He stood by the balcony, one hand resting lightly on the stone railing as he looked out over the palace grounds.