Richard received the letter from his father. Richard broke the seal and read. His engagement had been prepared.
The Church had been informed. All that remained was a reply from him naming a suitable date for the wedding.
Then he read the next portion. The Langford house would sponsor Livia Valenti. His eyes moved over the words slowly.
He cursed under his breath. So it had happened. Henry was finally marrying her. Was Henry forcing her?
Was the king using the title of queen to claim her? Or had Livia truly chosen him? His hand tightened around the parchment.
Geoffrey had refused to stand with him. And now he had chosen to sponsor Livia into Henry's arms. After everything Richard had told him. After the blood behind the throne. How could Geoffrey, who knew the law better than any man alive, place his own family name beneath a marriage that would strengthen Henry's claim not only to England, but to Livia herself?
It was betrayal.
