Kit awoke alone late the next morning, surprised that her mother hadn’t sent for her, though she wasn’t too startled to realize Eli had left her. There was a note on her nightstand thanking her for a night unlike any he had ever imagined and promising to see her soon. She hoped he had not been summoned. When her ladies entered to get her ready for the day, they assured her he had not and that they’d seen him with the other Representatives not long ago.

It was past the midday meal when scar face showed up at her chamber door again. Kit was dressed regally in a lavender gown,...