Chapter 47

“It doesn’t matter. I only hope Eastbury is able to elect a finer candidate for you on their second try,” Eli said in response to Kit’s question about what Jecob had said to him on the slingball field.

She remembered then that he would be leaving again the next day, and her stomach tightened. “It seems like every time I’ve gotten used to you being here, you have to go away once more.”

“I know.” He sighed and readjusted, dropping his arm so that his hands were on her hip and knee now. The feel of his touch was comforting, and any thought of removing herself from his lap, now that she had control of herself, was quickly pushed aside. “I’ll be back soon enough, though.”

“This man who came in second, do you think that is who they shall elect? My mother doesn’t seem to care for him much.”

“I have no idea what they shall do. Eastbury is very divided right now. There are some who feel discouraged with their current treatment and others who are willing to do whatever is necessary in order to win the queen’s approval.” He was choosing his words carefully, she could tell. “Your mother was very much in favor of Jecob being the candidate, and though I’m certain she’d never let you see it, this situation has to be upsetting to her as well.”

Kit considered all that he said and some that he did not. She knew her mother had been rooting for Jecob. Now that he was eliminated, she supposed there would be another candidate thrust forward as the new favorite. “Do you suppose there’s anyone else I should avoid?” she whispered. “Anyone else that my mother would have me choose?”

“I’m not certain, but once I return, I will do a better job of collecting information for you.”

Kit’s face lit up. She should have thought of that before. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful. The men seem comfortable with you, all of them but Jecob, at any rate. You could be an insider for me, a spy of sorts. That would be most helpful.”

He smiled at her, but she thought she saw that uncomfortable look again and hoped she hadn’t offended him. “I shall do whatever I can to help you, my Princess.”

She knew in her heart that was true, no matter how painful the situation might be for him. It was evident to her that he would’ve given anything to be one of her Representatives, just as she wished he had won the election in Eastbury, but she didn’t even allow her mind to explore the possibility of Eli replacing Jecob because of how close the voting had been between Jecob and the farmhand. For all she knew, Eli’s only votes had come from his sister and mother.

“Princess,” Avinia’s voice called from the doorway to her interior room, though she didn’t step in. “We must prepare you to meet the Representative from Iceforge. If your mother sees you still haven’t taken care of your hair, she’ll be irate.”

As comfortable as Kit was sitting on Eli’s lap, she knew she shouldn’t be there. Once she paused to think about how inappropriate it may look to anyone who hadn’t seen her sobbing a few moments ago, heat began to rise in her cheeks. She scurried to her feet and then offered him a hand, which he accepted, though he didn’t need it, and he was soon standing next to her. He didn’t release her hand, and the feel of his rough fingertips against her smooth ones was both soothing and tingle inducing.

“I won’t be escorting you outside, my Princess. I have to prepare for our departure tomorrow.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied, though she was disappointed to hear the news. “Thank you again. For everything.”

“I live to serve you, my Princess.” He smiled at her in such a way that she knew he meant it, and then gave a slight bow before moving toward the door, though his hand didn’t leave hers until he could no longer reach her, and Kit let him walk away because she knew she couldn’t have him.

“Katrinetta?”

Avinia was directly behind her, and her voice startled the princess. “I’m coming.”

“Are you all right?”

It was a legitimate question, and Kit didn’t even know what her ladies were aware of. “No, but I think I shall be. I’ll just have to get through tomorrow first. If I can find a way to spare Jecob’s life, I think I will be able to go on.”

“We heard. I can’t imagine how awful you must feel.” Her cousin’s arm went around her shoulders, and Kit fought off the tears through sheer willpower.

“I can hardly bear it,” she muttered, but then, with a deep breath, she thought about what Eli had said and remembered she’d do no good for anyone if she couldn’t keep her wits about her. “Come, let’s go fix my hair. It won’t do to meet the last Representative looking a mess.” She turned and headed to her bedchamber, and Avinia came with her.

“Yes, but he won’t be the last representative now, will he? Won’t Eastbury send another?”

“If he can get here within two weeks, yes. I believe it will be that farmhand, the one who came in second to Jecob.” Kit took a seat on her stool in front of the mirror, and Avinia and Isla started working on her hair at once.

Blankka stood across the room, not speaking, but when Kit caught a glimpse of her in the mirror, she thought she saw a small smile, and she imagined her lady was glad that Jecob was in such an awful predicament. Kit kept her accusations to herself, though. Perhaps Kit didn’t know Jecob as well as she thought she did, but then, maybe she didn’t know Blankka either.