For Darkness Shows the Stars

the carts by hand before delivering them to the purchaser. They were found in good condition, but we don’t want to risk anything but the best for our Luddite clientele.”
    “Naturally,” said Baron North.
    “But you’re right, young man,” said Admiral Innovation. “Very aggravating for the project. Wentforth’s the only one who knows every piece of the ship.”
    “What wonderful mechanical training he must have had,” Tatiana drawled. “And what a great loss to his estate.” She rolled her eyes in Elliot’s direction.
    But Elliot paid her no mind. Kai hadn’t been avoiding her. He wasn’t on the estate. Who cared about Tatiana’s potshots?
    “The ship, you see,” said the admiral, becoming more animated now than he had for all the hours of tedious discussions on horseflesh, “it runs on the same principle as the carts.”
    “Wentforth was lucky to find them,” Felicia said quickly, “and he studied them carefully to extrapolate the technology.” She shot her husband a glance of warning, but it was too late.
    The baron sniffed disapprovingly. “I wasn’t aware that you were building a new kind of ship on my lands. Or rather, my father-in-law’s. Are you sure you’ve cleared this with the tribunal?”
    “Oh, it’s not new,” said Felicia, smiling. “We’ve merely extrapolated the design of the sun-carts for something larger and ocean going. It’s no different than if Miss North here,” she nodded in Tatiana’s direction, “were to get one of her dress patterns made out of new material. Nothing wrong with that.”
    Benedict grinned while Tatiana, clad in Post velvets she’d had shipped all the way from Channel City, straightened her skirts and looked away.
    “At any rate,” said the admiral, clearly wishing to change the subject, “Wentforth’s been gone, and it was a hardship. Of course, he went reluctantly enough.” He chuckled.
    Reluctantly! Elliot squeezed her mug in suppressed glee.
    “With his sweetheart awake, it took some real convincing on my part to tear him from her bedside.”
    “Did it?” Elliot blurted. “I mean—how lovely for Olivia.” She yearned for him to say something useful, maybe estimate a time for Kai’s return.
    “Yes,” said the admiral. “He’s been quite glued to her side ever since he returned yesterday.”
    Her hopes withered on the vine. He was back, and he still hadn’t come. Elliot dipped her head forward, praying no one could see the disappointment etched onto her features.
    The admiral nodded. “It’s wonderful to see such devotion in a teenager to a sick young woman. My captains seem particularly steadfast in this regard. I’m sure you’ve heard of my dear daughter. My Captain Phoenix—he cared for her very much, and did not let her sickliness sway him at any point.” Felicia laid her hand on his, and they exchanged a soft, sad smile. “I love him for how much he loved my Sophia. I love him as the son-in-law he never got the chance to be.”
    Elliot blinked hard. They loved him because he’d risked his life to help their daughter. Of course, the risk wasn’t without its rewards. She wondered how much of Donovan’s musical talent the ERV procedure had been responsible for. Kai’s voice hadn’t changed, so perhaps Donovan’s beautiful singing was natural talent. Surely, however, his violin skills were helped along significantly by the muscular grace and finesse his enhancement conferred.
    “It seems as if Malakai Wentforth has the same love for the Grove girl.”
    Elliot had to agree. To fantasize otherwise would be foolish. She’d seen it with her own eyes, and it had been confirmed by everyone else she knew. Kai loved Olivia. As he should.
    “Indeed,” said Tatiana, raising her eyebrows. She’d lost any pretense of respect for Kai’s relationship with Olivia now that she knew who he was. A rich Post originating from anyplace else was one thing, but a runaway North Post, parading about on these lands like a lord—that was something else entirely. “I imagine that’s a bit premature.”
    It was, perhaps, the most supportive thing Elliot’s sister had ever said. Even if it was by accident. But if Tatiana was her only ally, Elliot doubted there was any possibility of mistake.
    “I wonder that Horatio Grove allows it,” Tatiana added.
    “Pardon?” the admiral asked.
    “Captain Wentforth must be at least eighteen,” Tatiana replied smoothly, though she knew his exact birthday. “Olivia is still a child.