Chapter 52

 There was a long silence as the women and men present seemed to look to each other for agreement, and then a loud cheer broke out, and Kit realized they were chanting, “Mercy!”

A smile threatened to spill across her face, but at the risk of angering her mother, she fought it. A glance at the friendly faces before her showed they all thought she had done well, though she didn’t dare shift her eyes to Eli for fear her mother would notice and lose any semblance of grace she may have gained from the crowd. She did look at Jecob, and he mouthed, “Thank you,” to her, but Kit had to look away, still not sure if it had been enough or what the punishment might be if he was not to lose his head.

Her mother took hold of her arm again, but this time, she did not squeeze. She tilted her head slightly, and in a quiet voice said, “Well played, Katrinetta.”

Kit cleared her throat but said nothing. All of her words had been used up