Evelyn grabbed one of the pieces of paper from under the counter and her quill pen, “My dear Lady Elizabeth, you need to tell Lord Ramett both your current situation and how you feel about him. If you don’t clearly explain things to him, then the miscommunication can lead to multiple things. Maybe he thinks you don’t return his feelings; to preserve your dignity and happiness he does not attempt to officially court you. All he wants is the best for you, but missed opportunities eventually lead to a life of despair where you end up married to an old Count.”

She grabbed her cup of water on the counter and poured just a couple drops into the ink pot. She stirred it with the little wooden stick she had and then filled the feather quill with ink.

“And to convey these feelings, you write him a letter,” she handed the quill and paper to Elizabeth.

“What do I write! I’ve tried coming up with letters in the past, but nothing feels right!” Elizabeth complained.

Of course, Elizabeth was a character in a fantasy world, and Evelyn knew this type of trope. The girl who wrote a hundred letters just to trash them all and never send them. Evelyn wouldn’t let this happen on her watch!

“We will write this letter together, and you will immediately send it along with a request to meet with Lord Ramett,” Evelyn declared.

Elizabeth brushed the tip of her button chin with the top of the feather and she leaned over the paper on the counter. “Dear Lord Daniel Ramett,” She said as she started to write the letter.

As Elizabeth got to the end of the salutation, Evelyn leaned on the counter to look closer at the letter. “Hmmm, we need to start with your feelings. Maybe ‘In the absence of your presence, I’ve come to realize how deeply I care for you. With the flower festival around the corner, I found myself desiring to walk through the fields of our land’s splendid flowers with you at my side.’”

Evelyn paused as she watched Elizabeth furiously write down what she was saying. She hadn’t expected her own words to flow that easily. She was an avid reader of romance fantasy though, and she’d dreamed so many times of what she would have a girl actually write to fix the communication issues in a story.

As Elizabeth finished the last word, Evelyn continued. “My heart longs to see your handsome face, and I - “

“I can’t write that!” Elizabeth interjected. Her face turned bright red. “It’s too direct.”

“You have to be direct,” John’s deep voice surprised both of the women and they looked over at him. He paused watering the potted Lily on the counter and shrugged off their stares. “Guys don’t understand your feelings unless you're direct.”

He limped over to look at the letter. “In fact, I would end Evelyn’s line about a handsome face with, ‘and I now wish I’d been bold enough to confess the stirrings of my heart earlier.’ Then add a new line before telling him the issue you are facing,” John watched Elizabeth hesitantly write in the line, her writing hand shaking and her face tucked behind her arm trying to hide how bright red it was.

Before Evelyn could continue, John continued. “I find myself in a predicament where my father has received a marriage proposal from Count Coolridge and plans to accept it on my behalf against my pleas,” he paused for a moment staring off into space, not noticing that Evelyn and Elizabeth were staring at him with wide eyes. “I honestly confess that I have been too shy these past years to tell you of my own feelings. If you return my feelings even the slightest, I beg you to come with precipitance to my father’s house, and aid me by offering your own marriage proposal for me,” he finished and looked down toward Evelyn who couldn’t help the smile spreading across her face.

John truly was the best employee she could have hired! He was perfect. He always came over to watch ships sail with her and now he was even helping with ship navigation!

“I can’t ask him to propose to me, and I might as well be with that wording!” Elizabeth’s horror was clear from her shrill voice and wide eyes. “And where does a man even learn to say such things?”

John’s gaze grew distant and sad, and his brown eyes slowly moved over to Elizabeth as if he was dragging himself back to reality. “I learned from my squad mates, Lady Lafett,” he grimaced, the pain showing on his face was clear. “A couple of them had sweethearts back home. Luckily it was just a couple,” he grabbed the watering can. “Please excuse me. The flowers in the greenhouse need watering,” he bowed and limped away to the back door.

“I think your new employee has quite a history he is hiding,” Lady Elizabeth whispered.

Evelyn took a deep breath to dispel the tug of sympathy she felt. “Yes, I’ve been afraid to say anything and stir memories. Any soldier is bound to have lots of memories they have no inclination to relive.”

Her father back in her previous world had been a soldier, and while he’d shared the happy memories of camaraderie and bonding, there were certain stories where he’d go quiet, and they all knew better than to ask what happened to that person.

She shook her head. Eventually, she would need to talk to John. She’d heard that sharing the stories could help. It was back to the age-old comments section mantra of ‘Communication solves all woes!’ For once though, she was stumped on how to actually talk to him.

Elizabeth tapped her shoulder. “Are you finding your own heartstrings yearning for a man?” she asked with a mischievous smile.

Evelyn shook her head. He wasn’t 2D. She had no plans for ever having a non-2D husbando. “No, I’m just worried about my employee. He really is a fantastic gardener and I couldn’t have found someone better if I’d searched for a year. I don’t want to lose him.”

“Suure,” Elizabeth drew out her response and laughed at Evelyn’s glare.

“Finish writing your letter just the way John said it,” Evelyn pulled out her no questions allowed voice.

“But I can’t be that direct,” Elizabeth whined.

Evelyn shook her head again. “Lady Elizabeth. Do you want to be married to Count Coolridge?”

Elizabeth blinked and looked down, puffing her lips out slightly in a pout. “No,” she whispered.

“Then you will write that letter in that direct way that indirectly tells Lord Ramett to marry you or lose you to an old man,” Evelyn’s voice continued in her harsh tone.

Elizabeth looked slightly abashed, and she put her quill to use finishing the letter. At the end, she signed ‘With Love, Elizabeth Lafett’.

Evelyn softened and smiled as Lady Elizabeth looked up at her. “It’s perfect,” she handed Elizabeth a dried lavender sprig and an envelope. “Seal this inside, address it, and pass it to your coachman to get it sent out immediately. You can’t waste any time in these matters.”

Elizabeth nodded and did as Evelyn bade.

The lavender sprig was a call back to Lord Ramett telling Lady Elizabeth he liked the smell of lavender, and ever since then, Evelyn had made sure that the Lady used lavender-scented products and had lavender plants around her room. Hopefully, this letter would finally help the lavender ship sail.

“Thank you for your help!” Elizabeth said with a bright smile lighting up her face still slightly marred by her earlier tears.

“Of course, My Lady. Please bring me the good news as soon as you hear it!” Evelyn curtsied goodbye as Elizabeth waved and practically bounced out of the shop.