1 Prologue

The light stings my eyes as I'm led out to the gallows.

Not for the first time, I wish my hands weren't bound so I could use them to shield myself from the glare.

Or cover my ears.

The excited shouts of the villagers at my hanging is not something I ever thought I'd have to hear.

I meet the eyes of a child who could be no more than ten and flinch.

It never fails to disgust me that public hangings are a family affair.

I nearly stumble as a guard pushes me.

I hadn't even realised I'd stopped moving.

If not for the gag in my mouth I would have cursed the man out.

Who cares if it's not ladylike?

I'm about to die.

/Don't think./

Right.

Push it away.

/Don't think./

The last thing I want to do is make things harder on those that I'm leaving behind.

I scan the crowd as the noose is put around my neck.

The relief at not finding the faces I was looking for is nearly overwhelming.

The last thing I want is for sweet Arabella and staid Kent to have to see this.

Arabella.

The poor girl just lost her brother and now she's about to lose her sister-in-law.

Still Kent will take care of her.

And in her own way Arabella will take care of him.

If not for his duty to protect her he'd probably -

/Don't think./

Right. That doesn't bear thinking about.

The crowd seems to grow ever more boisterous.

It's time then.

I feel the trapdoor below me move.