Theodora needed truth loosened. Tongues softened. Resistance made weak enough for secrets to spill without the speaker realising they had opened their mouth.
Stephen and Lionel would not betray Henry willingly so she would have to be creative. She had to find out who this girl was and make her the bane of Madeleine's existence. The thought warmed her better than the fire.
Two birds with one stone. Henry would be indebted to her. Her son would look at her and remember, finally, that no one loved him as fiercely as she did. No one else would wade into filth, scandal, and possible damnation just to drag his happiness back to him.
And Madeleine? Madeleine would learn once and for all who the real queen was. The actual crown had been stolen from her. But she was queen dammit.
*****
Richard could barely breathe as he walked away from Whitehall. Henry the merchant. Henry the king.
Diana's Henry.
