Page 14 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

"I must apologise."

"You must not," I respond. "I can understand it. Would you like to take a seat with me?" I suggest, waving towards the chaise.

His face lights up and he nods.

"Do you have anywhere to be this afternoon?" I ask as I make my way over, making sure to collect the box with the marzipan and the bag with lemon drops before I take my seat.

"No, I am yours for the afternoon," he responds. "I did think of inviting you for a ride, but Veronica told me you didn't have a horse of your own."

"I never had much reason for riding in Someil. Mamá used to have me sit in the carriage with her." My skirts move around me, creating a barrier between us that I don't expect.

"Would you like to?" he asks. "Go riding?"

"I would," I say. "I learned how, and I enjoyed it when I did."

"Then we should head down to the stables tomorrow, and we can find the perfect horse for you."

"I don't know the first thing about horses," I say.

"Luckily, I do," he assures me.

"Does that mean I'm finally going to meet Brownfoot?" I ask, opening the bag of lemon drops and offering him one.

He takes it with a smile. "If you'd like to."

"You've met my cat, it only seems fair that I meet your horse," I respond.

"And eventually, you'll meet Evie's dragon too. I'm surprised she didn't have her with her at the ball when we met." He pops the lemon drop into his mouth and I find myself watching every movement with a little too much interest.

"I forgot she had one," I admit. "I haven't seen much of Princess Evelyn since I got here, just when she and Princess Veronica showed me around."

"You don't have to be so formal about naming them if you don't want to," he assures me. "You can call them Veronica and Evie."

"I know, they used Artie for you too. It just feels so informal, I'm not used to it."

"You can call me Artie if you want," he assures me.

"Artie," I murmur, trying it out. "It does suit you."

"It is my name," he points out. "And what my sisters have called me for years."

"Are you sure it would be acceptable for me to call you Artie?"

He reaches out and takes my hands in his. "You know me better than anyone ever has, you can call me whatever you wish to."

I nod slowly and bite my lip, drawing his attention there without meaning to. "I've only ever been called Solana, and only by my parents and in private."

"Is that what you want to be called?" he asks.

"I don't know. What could it be shortened to?"

"Ana?" he suggests. "Or Sola? Or you can go by Solana. Veronica doesn't shorten her name."

"Ana doesn't feel right," I say. "But I think I like Sola."

"We can try it, if you'd like. It doesn't have to be for everyone, just for us."

"I think I'd like that." I smile at him, realising that I feel very comfortable with him around. Maybe it's because I know him already through our letters, and now I've been at Falhaven Castle for a few days, the realisation that thisisthe same Arthur I've come to know has really sunk in.

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