Henry.
But lately, Richard had begun to believe something he had not dared believe before. Perhaps Livia did not want the king anymore.
Perhaps whatever Henry had been to her belonged to a past filled with impossible choices. Perhaps Richard had not stolen her from Henry. Perhaps he had simply stood where she could finally choose him.
The thought warmed him. He had won. Maybe that was why she had not spoken of Henry. Not because she hid longing, but because the man no longer deserved space in the middle of what they were building.
Richard glanced over his shoulder. A few feet behind them, Tabitha sat beneath the shade of an elm. He shifted closer to Livia. "I have missed touching you," he murmured.
Livia's cheeks turned an instant, beautiful red. She looked as though the sun had chosen her personally.
Richard adored it. He wanted to tease her for it. He wanted to kiss the blush from her skin. He wanted her, rather desperately.
"I have missed you too," Livia whispered.
