The news reached King Edward before midnight.
Eunuch Liam knelt beside the desk and spoke in a low voice. "Your Majesty, Queen Elizabeth fainted during the arrest. The physician has examined her."
Edward did not look up. "Speak."
"She is with child."
Edward's hand paused.
Silence filled the chamber.
"Bring another physician," he said at last. He would not believe anything that came from Elizabeth. What if this was her plan to escape punishment? "One who answers only to me."
Before dawn, two senior physicians stood before the king. They examined Elizabeth again, checked her pulse, her breath, her belly. They whispered to each other, then bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty," the elder said, "there is no mistake. The queen is truly with child."
Edward leaned back slowly.
He had hoped it was one of her schemes.
