Page 34 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

Arthur grimaces at the question, and I realise I might have made a mistake.

Evie clears her throat. "He says so in his letters, but there hasn't been a position for him yet."

I want to ask more about the situation, especially if she's writing to him and sending gifts. It sounds a lot like what Arthur and I had, but all anyone has referred to them as is friends. Maybe that's true, or maybe there's something between them. I can only imagine the difficulties that would cause. Being friends with a servant is already something that would be frowned upon in Someil, but a relationship would be a whole other level.

I pick up my tea instead of asking probing questions. I have a lot of time left in Falhaven, I'm sure I'll learn about the nuances of everyone's relationships at some point.

The door to the solar opens again, and Veronica walks into the room. Her gaze lands on Arthur and she lets out a sigh of relief. "Father is looking for you," she says.

"I told him that I wasn't working this afternoon," Arthur responds. "I have plans." He looks at me and smiles.

"He's still looking for you," she says.

Arthur lets out a frustrated smile and reaches out to take my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, I should go see what he wants. Will you be all right?"

"Of course. I have your sisters for company," I assure him.

"Good." He looks over at Veronica, as if debating whether or not to kiss me while the two of them are in the room.

Deciding that I should help with the decision, I lean in and kiss his cheek. "I'll see you later."

He nods and gets to his feet, saying goodbye to each of his sisters and leaving the room to go and find his father.

"Do you know what that's about?" I ask Veronica.

"I've no idea. Probably about one of the trade negotiations they're in the middle of," she says as she takes a seat.

"Is he the only one who works with your father?"

"No, we all have our roles to play," Veronica responds. "I work a lot with the treasury, while Evie does a lot of the planning for banquets."

"I thought you didn't like them much?" I ask Evie.

She shrugs. "Planning banquets and attending them are two different things." Ah, so it's the food she likes planning.

"Did you not help your parents with running things back in Someil?" Veronica asks as she helps herself to a slice of cake.

"No, it wasn't really the kind of thing they wanted me to do. I would never be given duties like yours."

"I'm sure you can have some now that you're here. Artie will likely want help," Veronica says. "And he'll do anything you want him to."

"He's been very attentive since I got here," I say. "I just wish I could do something for him."

"Then you should," Evie says.

"I'd like to, but I don't know what," I say. "I suppose it would be nice to have some time alone."

"You can just ask the servants not to disturb you," Evie suggests, picking up her cup and taking a sip.

"I was thinking more alone than that."

Veronica gives me a knowing look. "I think that can be arranged. There are some small lodges on the castle grounds that are sometimes used to house guests. We could help you put together a picnic. You'd like that, Evie, you'd get to bake for it."

Her eyes light up. "I could. What do you like? Or what do you not like? I can make all of Artie's favourites, and yours too."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. But I'm sure Artie's favourites will be good," I promise her.

Evie shakes her head. "He wouldn't like that. He'd want you to have some things you like too."

---