Audrey’s face had grown pale, but she nodded and set her tray on the floor just inside the door, then turned and fled the room.
Brielle stayed near the doorway, keeping the partition open. She lowered her knife, although she kept it out and ready.
Gerald lumbered to his feet with a groan. He still pressed one hand against his jaw, smearing blood across his chin. He glanced at Brielle and spoke something, but with his muffled words, it was impossible to make them out. It sounded like he might be speaking French, too.
She shook her head and switched to English. “Stay. When the others come, we’ll hear all.”
He scowled but then shuffled backward until he could lean against the rock wall—managing to tread on Evan’s pallet in the process.
Tense silence settled in the room, broken only by Gerald’s heavy breathing. Brielle said nothing, only shifted her gazearound the area, occasionally looking at him or Gerald. She clearly didn’t intend to conduct any more business until the others arrived.
At long last, the sound of shuffling echoed from the corridor. Brielle heard it when he did, and she cocked her head to peer through the door.
The two men who stepped into the room were new to him.
A glance at Gerald showed a glare on the man’s face. He still supported his jaw with one hand and kept the other fisted at his side.
Brielle spoke to them in quiet rapid-fire French. When she finished, the newcomers turned to Gerald first. The one who seemed to be the eldest stepped near the man. His French was measured enough that Evan could pick out most of what he said. “Why is it you spoke ill about one of our own?”
Gerald’s expression sobered into a look of respect. “I said nothing wrong.” His face turned into a grimace of pain. “The outsider doesn’t understand our language. How could he know what I said?”
A new surge of anger coursed through Evan. Now the man would lie? He’d spoken the lecherous words in perfect English. He clenched his jaw against a rebuttal. If they didn’t give him a chance to speak, he’d ask for a moment to set the record straight.
But then the older man turned to him. His eyes studied Evan, and for a second, Evan wondered what they saw. He must look as overgrown as a French trapper by now. He’d been shaving once a week on the trail, for he’d always hated the itch of a beard. But he hadn’t supposed they’d allow him use of his razor here. Maybe with Brielle relaxing his guard, he might be admitted that opportunity now.
Or rather, he might have been, before he’d attacked one of their guards.
He pushed that thought aside and focused on the man stepping toward him. The fellow approached and stood right in front of Evan. He didn’t maintain the distance the guards did, always leaving enough room so Evan couldn’t easily send a blow or kick their way.
But this man’s near approach bespoke something of trust. Or at least respect.
The man’s gaze held only grave curiosity. And there was something familiar about his features, though Evan couldn’t place where he might have seen him.
“And what of you, sir? Did you understand the words Gerald said?”
Evan nodded. “I did. He spoke clear English.”
The older man’s throat worked, his jaw hardening. “And what did he say?”
Evan glanced at Brielle. If he asked her to leave, she would protest and insist on staying, he had no doubt. She wasn’t the kind of woman to be pushed aside. But maybe this elder would have enough authority to insist.
He looked back at the man. “It’s not something suitable to repeat, sir. Especially not in mixed company.”
The man turned to Brielle, and apparently only needed to send a single look to elicit obedience. Her face darkened into a scowl, which she sent at every man in the room, but she backed into the hall and closed the door behind her.
The man looked back at Evan, and a sadness seemed to settle over him like a cloak. His voice was lower than before when he spoke. “She is listening on the other side of the door, so you might keep your words quiet.”
If the situation hadn’t been so dire, Evan might’ve smiled. This man clearly held sway over his people, and he also knew Brielle well. Evan had a feeling he’d like this fellow, if given the chance to know him.
But as he recalled Gerald’s words to repeat them, his smile turned sour. He didn’t glance at Gerald as he told the event from start to finish. Then he clamped his mouth shut and awaited their verdict.
The man’s gaze held nothing except that same sorrow as he turned back to Gerald. “My son, you have saddened me once again.” He started toward the door and waved for Gerald. “Come.”
The second man, who’d stayed silent through it all, fell into step behind Gerald. When they opened the door, Brielle stood in the hallway, near enough to hear, just as the older man said she would.
Evan couldn’t understand the murmured words she exchanged with the men. Then the trio exited the room, and Brielle stepped inside.
Her face was impossible to read. Maybe a bit wary, but emotions that he couldn’t decipher clouded her expression.
