Page 25 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

"I'm fine," I promise. "It's just...I was trying to write to my mother, but then I started writing about last night."

He raises an eyebrow. "I'm not sure that's the kind of thing the Queen of Someil would like to hear about."

"No, I don't think she would." Feeling bold, and knowing that he won't think badly of me for it, I return to my desk and get the letter, holding it out to him.

"Are you sure?" he asks before he takes it.

"Yes. I think. If you hate it, don't tell me."

"I've loved all of your writing," he says softly. "I doubt this will be any different."

"Perhaps not." Or perhaps he'll decide that he can't marry someone with thoughts like that.

I watch as he reads, his expressions revealing a lot and a little all at the same time. After what feels like an age, he clears his throat. "We didn't do some of this."

"We didn't," I respond slowly. "I suppose I was just thinking, and then I started writing. It's not the first time we've written something that we wanted to do together."

"Is that so?" His lips quirk up. "I didn't realise you thought about this kind of thing."

"I'm sheltered, not naive," I point out.

"Well, I'm sure we can arrange it." He steps closer, brushing a strand of hair out of my face, his dark blue eyes boring into me as he studies me intently.

I lean in, putting a hand against his chest even as he closes the gap and captures my lips with his. The kiss is deep and full of barely restrained need. As is something else that I'm nowveryaware of.

"Arthur," I murmur.

"Mmm?"

"We should..." I gesture towards my bedchamber. It's the middle of the day, but I don't think anyone is going to be looking for us. This is the perfect opportunity to spend some more time with him and to work out some more of my curiosity.

He searches my face, and must see what he's looking for, because he nods and takes a step back so that we can do that.

The door creaks open before we're able to move much further, and I close my eyes, letting out a groan. Given that I'm in my private sitting room, there's only one person who can come in.

"Solana..." My aunt stops in her tracks and looks between the two of us.

"Lady Aunt," I respond, with a curtsy. "Prince Arthur was just coming to tell me about this evening's banquet."

"Prince Arthur should not be here," she says in Someilian. "Your mother would be horrified to learn you're alone with him."

To Artie's credit, he keeps a remarkably straight face while she speaks and doesn't betray any of what we were talking about.

"It's his castle, Lady Aunt," I respond, switching to Falhavien.

"And you are still unmarried," she reminds me.

Arthur bows to my aunt. "I'm just leaving, Duquesa. I was too excited to tell Princess Solana about the Solstice banquet tonight, and didn't realise she would be unchaperoned."

"Hmm." She doesn't look convinced.

"I should return this to you," he says to me, holding out the letter.

I clear my throat. "You should keep it."

He raises an eyebrow. "If that's what you'd like."

"It's for you," I say firmly.

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