for darkness shows the stars by diana peterfreund

That same day, the whole troupe decide to go for a ride on the dunes. The next day, Elliot learns that Kai has been apologizing to everyone about his behavior the night before, including to Elliot. Elliot is ordered to find him a room so that he can settle in.

Benedict, the cousin, appears quite surprisingly genial and progressive. At the manor, Elliot is shocked that the prodigal nephew who is slated to inherit the estate has arrived. The beginnings of a grudging friendship emerge. She admits that she may have treated Elliot unfairly and that Elliot is not like how Kai has described her. Elliot prepares to walk home on foot but Andromeda decides to give her a lift on a sun cart. At some point during the party, Elliot's father the Baron arrives and primly asks to speak to Elliot once she returns. Kai makes the point that the Posts that are still working on the estate are kidding themselves if they think Elliot can protect or care for them because Elliot certainly didn't protect or care about him. Even some of Kai's old friends from back when he worked on the estate are aghast at his behavior. Elliot is almost aghast at how lowly Kai thinks of her and how his anger comes out in such bitter, mean-spirited ways. Kai makes an appearance at the Post party and he and Elliot again argue. Elliot also thinks that Andromeda is hostile towards her because Kai has told her the misery he suffered on Elliot's estate. She and Kai finally have a frank conversation in which she reveals that she thinks Kai doesn't want anyone to know he has a history on Elliot's estate because it would hamper his rise in social status. He even meanly says that she would do better to walk back to the Manor rather than waste his fleet's resources on a sun cart. Elliot becomes hopeful again that Kai has reopened his heart to her a little however he returns to his cold demeanor. On their way back to the stables, the horses are frightened and Elliot is thrown off the horse but she is caught by Kai who immediately sets her down politely. Elliot reveals that she, unlike most Luddites, would love to see the world beyond the boundaries of her estate. They become closer friends and Felicia asks Elliot to visit them at the Boatwright's house. Elliot and Felicia go horseback riding on the famous horses that Felicia has helped breed. Elliot learns that her grandfather is dying from having small strokes every day.

One day, the Admiral's wife, Felicia who is also a Post healer arrives at the estate to help see what she can do for Eliot's grandfather. As the weeks pass, Elliot busies herself with the harvest.

For darkness shows the stars by diana peterfreund