For Darkness Shows the Stars

there’s an uprising, then the Reduced on the estate are in danger.”
    Benedict blinked several times, as if surprised by her response.
    “The Reduced haven’t died off yet,” she added. And, even by the most generous estimates, only one in twenty children born to a Reduced was a Post. It would be many generations, if ever, before the Reduction could truly be over.
    But Benedict still wore an odd expression, and sheepishly Elliot realized what he’d meant by his question. He’d been asking which side she’d choose, not who she’d choose to protect. She ducked her head in embarrassment.
    “Perhaps we should go to the Boatwright estate now,” he said, smirking, and Elliot was too flustered to protest.
    “I’m glad to see that the Norths have mended their breach with the Groves,” Benedict was saying as they took the path through the forest. “I saw Horatio Grove down in Channel City last year, and I wasn’t sure if I should approach him or not.”
    “Relations have been good between us ever since Horatio and Olivia’s father died,” said Elliot. “I always gathered that my father’s argument was with him, personally, but neither the Grove children nor my sister and I ever knew what it was about, so it seemed foolish to continue holding grudges from the last generation.”
    Benedict grinned. “You really don’t know? Well, I guess I’m here to reveal the truth behind all the family secrets, then.”
    Elliot stopped on the path. “What do you mean?”
    He chuckled. “Elliot. You’re serious?” When she made no response, he continued. “It never occurred to you to wonder why your mother, who was as capable a woman as anyone ever knew, would marry a man like your father?”
    Of course it had. “Are you saying that my mother was in love with old Mr. Grove?”
    “I’m saying your mother was engaged to marry him.” Benedict nodded as Elliot’s mouth gaped open. “Oh, yes. I remember going to their betrothal party when I was very, very young.”
    “Then why didn’t they get married?”
    “Because my father died.”
    Elliot stared at him in disbelief, but there was no deception in his words or face.
    “The North estate is the largest one on this side of the island.”
    “You’re saying my mother left Mr. Grove for my father because he was richer?” Little wonder Kai had offered to pay her off. She came from a long line of women for whom love was nothing in the face of money.
    “No!” Benedict burst out laughing. “Because they all thought that marriage to her would help keep Uncle Zachariah in line. The Boatwrights and the Groves—they needed the North estate to survive. If it were to fail, then not only would the people living on the North lands starve, but everyone else would suffer as well. You know that. You’re just like your mother.”
    No, Benedict was surely not stupid. He knew precisely what to say. She used to lie awake nights, hoping her mother would have approved of the choice she’d made four years ago. Now she knew it for certain. She and her mother were the same—she’d given up the person she loved for the good of the North estate. And her father had never associated with his neighbor because of Mr. Grove’s history with his wife.
    “I can’t believe you didn’t know this. I thought it was the reason you’re still here.”
    Elliot swallowed. “What do you mean?” Had he heard, down in the enclaves, that she’d once promised Kai she’d run away? Did he know every secret her family had ever held?
    “If you didn’t think you needed to remain here and work, wouldn’t you want to marry Horatio and get out from under your father’s thumb?”
    Now it was Elliot’s turn to laugh. He must have been talking to Tatiana. “Horatio Grove?” she joked. “You think he’d marry me?”
    Benedict’s voice was soft when he replied, “Anyone would marry you, Elliot.”
    Elliot was saved from responding by the sound of a horse’s hooves pounding down the path. A moment later, one of the giant Innovation horses came galloping toward them. Tatiana sat in the saddle. She pulled the beast up short before it mowed them down.
    “Watch it!” she cried, scowling. Her sharp, pretty face looked pale. “What are you doing wandering around in the woods with Benedict?”
    “We were going to the Boatwright house.”
    “Me, too,” she said, flipping the reins in her hands. “We need Felicia back here at once. I hope she’s not so busy with Olivia that she can’t spare