“Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
He canted his head at that. “With the lace?”
“No, you’re… You’re unavailable,” I said. “For a week.”
“Not a week. A few days,” he told me. “And while I intend to return before mid-week, I have obligations with the Prince. If you wish to continue to ride, send for me by then.”
“Are you tired of riding?” I asked.
“No.”
“Then are you tired of riding with me?” I asked.
“I–”
We both stopped.
“Sam and I are going hunting,” he explained.
“Ew.”
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
“Butyoudon’t like hunting,” I said. “Sam told me that.”
“I don’t particularly care for it, no. But I care for Sam, and Sam likes hunting, so hunting I go,” he said. “That’s the bloody rub with friendship, love. Sometimes you do things you don’t want to do because you care about the other person and their interests.”
“Well, you like horses,” I argued. “By your logic, Sam should be out here riding with you, and yet?”
“Aye.”
“But I like horses. Perhaps you should just stay here with me all summer? We’re friends, right?”
“We are if you say we are,” he said. “But Sam is mybestfriend.”
“What am I supposed to do in your leave?” I asked.
“You’re unhappy with the time?”
“Yes. Not only am I secondary to the Prince, but now I must entertain myself in place of what washisidea.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“Fine? Sam has many friends to divide his attention to. You’re myonlyfriend. Surely that reality might trump his interests somehow?”
“I think I should be touched that you will miss me so,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be. I’ll be bored, and boredom is quite dangerous when you’re smart.”
“I guess you’ll be fine, Your Highness.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“A joke, of course. But I am happy I’ve not ruined our friendship with my misconduct then. And if youmustride, take your knight with you. I hear you like knights, yeah?”
I tsked.
“That was a joke about your boy,” he said.
