Page 48 of Love & Letter Charms
It doesn’t look like nothing! You’re all flushed and pacing and muttering about impropriety! This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since Lady Ellowa’s gown caught fire at the ball last night!
Which I’d like to point out once again I had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with, Spark added.
“It’s merely a … a bit of correspondence,” Aurelise said weakly.
At midnight?Spark’s golden eyes narrowed.From whom? How did it arrive here? I didn’t notice any messenger pixies at the door.
Aurelise sighed. “It arrived via the enchanted wooden box you seem to think I wassnuggling. And it’s from a—a friend.”
A friend who has you pacing your chambers and declaring things absolutely not?Thimble squeaked with delight.This friend sounds FASCINATING! What did they write? Can we see?
Aurelise clutched the letter to her chest once more. “Certainly not. It’s private correspondence.”
Private correspondence that has you in such a state?Spark puffed a small cloud of glittery smoke.Now I’m intrigued despite myself. It wouldn’t happen to be from a certain prince who selected you for the first dance of the evening last night, would it?
“No, of course not!” A letter from the prince himself would have been almost as shocking as the outrageous Dare List R had sent.
Well, Thimble said, settling on Aurelise’s shoulder,if you won’t show us, at least tell us what has you so distressed. We are your companions, after all. We’re here to help.
Aurelise sank onto the edge of her bed, the fight going out of her. Perhaps it would help to have someone—or rather, two someones—to discuss this absolute madness with. “It’s a list of dares,” she admitted quietly.
A list of dares?Spark’s mental voice sounded appropriately horrified.Someone has sent you a list of DARES?
“Yes.”
Can we see it now?Thimble asked, vibrating with barely contained excitement.
With a sigh of resignation, Aurelise smoothed the letter on the bed beside her where both companions could see it. She watched as they read, Thimble’s wings fluttering faster with each line while Spark’s expression grew increasingly horrified.
KISS SOMEONE?Thimble shrieked in Aurelise’s mind, launching herself into an ecstatic aerial loop.Oh, this is WONDERFUL! This is ROMANTIC! This is?—
This is completely inappropriate, Spark interrupted, breathing out an particularly impressive cloud of glittery smoke.Smoke driftshade leaf? Take a midnight swim? Be entirely improper? Lady Aurelise, whoever sent this is clearly attempting to compromise your reputation. Should you be discovered undertaking almost any of these activities, you would be removed from the Crown Court immediately. Your family would be scandalized. The gossip birds would feast upon your disgrace for years.
“I know”, Aurelise said miserably. “Which is why I cannot possibly?—”
But you COULD do some of them!Thimble interjected, landing beside the letter and pointing at the first item with a tiny paw.Stargazing! That’s perfectly innocent! And exploring somewhere new—that’s just adventure! Oh, and speaking your mind—you should absolutely do that one. You’re far too quiet all the time.
“I am appropriately reserved,” Aurelise protested.
You’re practically mute in company, Spark corrected.Though that’s generally preferable to the inane chatter most people produce. Still, this list is clearly the work of someone trying to lead you astray. Who is this ‘R’ person?
Aurelise’s fingers twisted nervously in the folds of her nightgown. “A friend. Well, I don’t actually know who he is, but?—”
HE!Thimble interjected with a mental squeal.
“—but we’ve been corresponding for some time,” Aurelise finished.
Let me understand this correctly, Spark said slowly.You’ve been corresponding with a complete stranger who has nowsent you a list of increasingly scandalous dares, and you’re actually considering completing them?
“No! I mean … no, of course not. I couldn’t possibly …” But even as she spoke, Aurelise found her gaze drawn back to the first item on the list. Stargazing from a roof. It was the least scandalous of all the suggestions. Almost innocent, really. And the night was clear …
You’re thinking about it, Thimble accused, delight coloring her mental voice.You’re actually considering it! Oh, we should start with that one! Right now!
“Now?” Aurelise squeaked. “It’s almost midnight!”
Perfect timing for stargazing!Thimble countered.And I know just the place. The sky garden! On the eastern wing’s uppermost level. It’s essentially a rooftop terrace, almost hidden and very much out of the way, with magical flowers and glowing fountain stones and the most PERFECT view of the stars!
Absolutely not, Spark interjected firmly.We are not assisting our lady in sneaking through the palace in the dead of night to complete questionable dares from mysterious correspondents.
