Page 95 of A Time of Witches

Commotion roused within the prison.

“Ye’ll let me through, or I’ll tell them how ye roughly handled a woman with child.”

Kat.

Edith and Sybil looked at one another and clambered stiffly to their feet along with the girl.

“Don’t ye touch me. I’m well enough to walk on my own.”

And then Kat was there, outside the bars of their prison, resplendent in a yellow gown, with her flame-red hair and bright green eyes. A length of blue silk lay over her forearm, and she hefted it higher so they could see. “I brought something for ye.”

They were herded into the small square room where Sybil had met with Jacinda.

“Kat, you shouldn’t have come,” Edith whispered. “It’s too dangerous, and those men don’t do well when spoken against.”

“Edith.” Kat swallowed and shook out the garment, revealing the finest gown she had ever sewn. “I had to. I’ve been working on this for ye since I heard…”

Blue silk embroidered with honeysuckle flowers and woodlarks, each stitched with the finest detail.

“It’s too fine.” Edith gaped. “Kat, it’s far too fine for me.”

Kat’s eyes watered. “It isn’t fine enough for the likes of you.”

Sybil touched a hand to the silk. “Put the gown on, Edith.”

Kat stepped closer to their friend. “Please.”

Edith blinked away a sheen of tears. “I can’t. I’m filthy.”

“It’s meant for ye.” Kat reverently placed the garment in Edith’s bewildered hands. “I want ye to wear it today.” Her voice caught. “It’s for ye, as I said.”

Still Edith hesitated. “But I won’t be able to give it back. Kat, I—”

“I know.” Kat nodded and swallowed thickly. “Go on now.”

The guard turned to allow Edith the opportunity to strip off her overdress, which hadn’t been cut away as Sybil’s had.

Edith’s strength had waned in those last two days, and both Sybil and Kat aided their friend into the gown.

When she was properly laced, Kat smoothed the bodice and adjusted the skirt, then stood back to admire her handiwork. “What do ye think?”

Edith looked down for a long time. The silk was the exact summer sky blue as her eyes, making them stand out with startling clarity. Kat had sewn a white linen cap for her, which hid Edith’s shaved head.

When she finally lifted her gaze, her eyes were brilliant with tears she could no longer hide. “I’ve always wanted to be beautiful.” She pressed her lips together then whispered, “I feel beautiful.”

Sybil took Edith’s hand. “You are beautiful.”

“I feel it in this gown.” Edith swallowed and gave them both a watery smile. “Thank you, Kat. Thank you for this gift.”

Kat caught her in an embrace.

“Enough,” the guard called out. “It’s time.”

Time.

Time for Edith to be marched away, to be dunked in the River Lark, to be murdered today or another day, depending on the result.

Sybil shook her head, unable to even form the words.