He could easily imagine that the sleeping was accidental. Philip was usually so vigilant, bringing books and carving projects to keep himself awake while Evan slept.
Last night had started out the same, but when Evan awoke partway through, the snoring had been bad enough to reverberate through his shoulders. That awful sound was probably what woke him again tonight, for he’d not slept well since.
Maybe this was God’s way of getting him back on track with his mission.
He’d not found any pitchblende laced through the rock walls in this room, but he should make certain the mineral didn’t exist anywhere else in Laurent before he left.
A knot tightened in his chest. Maybe he should forget about looking inside this peaceful haven. If he found the mineral the American government needed so badly to win the war, they would bring soldiers and excavators who would upend this quiet village as much as these peaceful people feared his presence would. Not that the soldiers would come to kill, but they would certainly change the heart of the place, at least for a time.
But he had to do his diligence. He’d sworn an oath before setting out on this mission. Pitchblende was the only mineral still needed to finalize the blasting powder able to create an explosion significant enough to end this war.
He couldn’t dwell on the fact that the explosion would take countless lives. It was not much different than on a battlefield, although he’d never been directly responsible for the ravages of what happened on the front line.
Only for the annihilation of a fort full of women and children.
He clenched his fists as their desperate cries rose up to cut off his breathing. That nightmare was in the past. He couldn’t go back and change things. And it was why he’d requested this mission. Searching for a mineral in the icy north should hurt no one.
But he’d never expected to find a village like this.
The snoring broke off in a snort, and Philip licked his lips as he raised a hand to wipe the sleep from his eyes. He pushed himself up to a sitting position and eyed Evan with a sleep-clouded gaze. A spike of hair rose up on his head, which meant he probably had a flat spot at the back.
The man cleared his throat. “Must be morning, but it’s hard to tell without daylight showing under the door.”
Evan sat up, too, and spread his shoulders to stretch the tightness from them. “It is hard to tell night from day.” If he hadn’t been keeping such careful count, he would have completely lost track of what day it was. He pressed a hand to his middle. “My belly is the only thing that keeps the mornings and evenings straight.”
Philip nodded and flashed a grin. “Audrey’s meals are what make night duty worth the effort.”
Evan nodded his agreement. “Not sure I’ve had such good cooking in years. I don’t know how she does it without a cookstove.” The man might not know what that was, so he added, “That’s a kind of big fireplace we have back home, with a cooking surface built on top to hold pots and such. It helps cook things more evenly.”
Philip raised his bushy brows and curiosity brightened his eyes. “I’ve wondered what inventions the rest of the world has been coming up with. This cookstove sounds like something we should build for Audrey. You’ll have to sketch it out for us.”
Now there was a good idea—a way he could actually help these people, especially the one who’d done an awful lot of good for him, between her nursing skills and her food three times a day.
Evan nodded toward the cloak still wadded on the ground where Philip had laid his head. “Was your bed too hard? If I’d known you planned to sleep, I could’ve shared my fur.” He offered a friendly grin. The fur was barely large enough for him, so if the man wanted one, he should bring his own. But maybe the offer would be kindly received.
Philip reached up to rub his neck, tilting his head sideways with a grimace. “I’ll bring something softer tonight. Didn’t expect to sleep, but Brielle stopped me on my way in here the other night and said I could.” He straightened and sent Evan another grin. “Guess she’s starting to trust you a little more.”
Then the man’s expression grew into a look so stern it almost made Evan chuckle. “But I’m a light sleeper, so don’t think you can sneak out.” As his face relaxed, a bit of a twinkle slipped back into his eye.
Philip was a good man. Maybe they could become friendsby the end of this debacle. In truth, most of these people seemed like the kind he’d enjoy living among. Working alongside. Sharing meals together.
Most of them. Gerald hadn’t passed muster yet, but maybe today would change that opinion.
Evan stood to perform his morning ritual and had just returned to his mat when Audrey’s step sounded in the hall. He’d know that soft scuffle anywhere. It was not as hushed as Brielle’s stealthy tread, which was the most silent of anyone’s. Brielle’s lighter stature probably helped her walk quietly, along with the way she’d honed the ability to move without sound.
Audrey entered, and a delicious aroma followed her a breath later. He soaked in the spicy scent of some kind of sausage and couldn’t help a teasing grin. “Do I get your pastries with my meal this morning? Or did Gerald eat them all last night?”
She ducked as a blush flooded her face, but he suspected it was more from his words than the wink he included with them. “I brought Breton galette again. I hope you’re not growing weary of it.” She lifted the cover, and a fresh burst of the rich aroma nearly made him lunge forward and take the plate from her hands.
He controlled himself, though. But as he took his first bite, he closed his eyes and let his body fully relish the pleasure. When he’d absorbed the very last taste, he opened his eyes and grinned. “That was almost worth being held under guard for.”
Her face bloomed again as she turned to hand Philip his own plate. “I brought fresh torches, too.” As she moved around the room, replacing the pitch-covered logs that had burned to nubs, another footstep sounded in the corridor.
The door opened and Gerald stepped in, a scowl darkeninghis face. When his gaze caught on Audrey, though, his expression shifted completely.
Still, something in it didn’t sit right with Evan. The look wasn’t the way a gentleman appreciated the lady. There was something ... lustful ... in the gaze.
Every one of Evan’s protective instincts rose up within him. Audrey needed to leave this room. She shouldn’t be subjected to attentions like that from any man, and she certainly shouldn’t be alone with the cad.
