Bringing her into Whitehall under his protection would change everything. She would not be queen; he knew that. She would not be his wife. But once he placed her within his household, acknowledged her as a woman kept by the King, any man who touched her would not merely be taking liberties with a mistress. He would be defying the Crown itself and that was treason punishable by death.
"My lord…" Stephen's voice trembled at the edges. "She will not budge. Unless I use force, there is no way I can get her to Whitehall."
Henry looked up slowly. Stephen swallowed. The poor man had the unfortunate complexion of someone who had spent the entire day carrying messages back and forth.
"Get Lionel," Henry said. "Tell him to meet me there." He reached for his riding gloves and turned from the table.
Stephen took one hurried step after him. "Your Majesty, if you could wait a few minutes, I will have him meet you in the courtyard."
Henry was already moving.
"My lord—"
