Evan should be ready, also. What all should he tell the man? Only what he’d overheard? Durand would probably want to know what existed between Evan and his daughter. He’d been watching closely enough when they were gathered around the fireplace. He must have seen something.
So how much should Evan say about his feelings toward Brielle? And his mission? He’d wanted to tellhereverything first, then make plans with her about when and how his purpose should be communicated to her father and the others. But if Durand pressed, should he tell him first?
Perhaps revealing his intentions toward Brielle—and likely his mission in the process—was the right thing to do here. Coming clean would draw at least a little respect in the man’s eyes. Either that or he’d haul him out to the nearest tree and string him up beside Gerald, so he didn’t bring an army of miners to destroy their city.
Lord, show me.He would have to follow the Lord’s nudges as the conversation progressed. Wasn’t there a verse in one of the Gospels where Jesus said not to plan ahead what one should say when being questioned? In that hour, the Holy Spirit would give the words.
Give me the words, Lord.
Evan’s body itched to move, to stand and pace. Or better yet, to go find the man himself. But he’d better settle in and find some patience, for it could be a while before Jean-Jacques even found the chief, much less the time it would take for the man to answer the summons.
But it must have only been minutes after that when the sound of footsteps drew near in the hallway. The bar clanged, and the door opened.
Chief Durand stepped inside. Even without someone accompanying him, the man’s presence seemed to fill the room. Maybe that was only the importance Evan had assigned him in his mind. This man had the power to make things very hard between him and Brielle ... or smooth the way completely.
Lord, give me the words.
Durand looked from the guard to Evan, then back to the guard. “I’d like to talk with him alone.”
Leonard’s chin jerked up, but then he nodded and stepped toward the door. “Yes, sir.”
When the door shut behind him, Durand turned to Evan.
From his position sitting on the fur, the older man towered over him. A feeling he hated. Maybe the fellow wouldn’t mind if they found some even ground for the coming conversation. “May I stand, sir?”
The man looked around the area, then moved to the wall nearest Evan, opposite from the spot where the guards usually parked themselves. “Actually, I’d like to sit.” As Durand eased down to settle on the hard floor, his age showed itself in his grunt and the creaking of limbs.
He seemed to be settling himself for a long conversation. A new knot twisted in Evan’s middle. He had a feeling he wouldn’t get out of this without telling all.
When he was settled with his knees bent in front of him, wrists propped up on both knees, Durand focused on Evan with a thoughtful gaze. “I was coming to speak with you anyway when I received the message you wanted an audience.” He nodded at Evan. “You may speak first.”
Coming to inquire about his intentions toward Brielle, no doubt. Evan pushed that thought away, lest it tie him up in tighter knots. For now, they had a more important threat to discuss.
He leveled the man with a serious look. “When we left your quarters, the other men were just returning. Leonard wanted to stop there and make sure his brother-in-law was well. He had me sit against the wall near the fire, and therewere many other people around.” It was important he lay the scene clearly in the man’s mind or he might disbelieve what Evan had to tell him.
As Evan recounted what he’d overheard from Gerald, Durand’s breathing grew heavier the longer Evan spoke—his only visible reaction. But the air hung thick with enough anger and pent-up emotion; the place might explode if one of them didn’t tamp it down.
After Evan stopped speaking, Durand asked, “Is there any more?”
Evan replayed those minutes in his mind, trying to summon anything else that had been said. Maybe he had a few of the men’s comments out of order, but he’d given all the details he’d heard.
He shook his head. “My first instinct was to tell Brielle, but I thought you might know better how to stop him. Permanently.”
Durand blinked, the only shift in his expression. “I will take care of it.”
Evan held his breath for a moment as he tried to find the words for this next part. “I want to help. Brielle’s safety is important to me.”
Now he’d exposed the next thing they had to speak of. He should let Durand get his own questions off his chest.
The man’s gaze shifted, his eyes losing some of their anger as he considered Evan. Long moments passed. Painful moments, but Evan didn’t drop his gaze from Durand’s.
At long last, the man spoke. “I need to know more about you before I can give my daughter the blessing she seeks.”
Evan let the full meaning of that statement soak through him. Brielle had asked her father to bless a courtship betweenthem? Or maybe to speak on his behalf in front of the council?
But the older man knew there would be more. In truth, the look in his eye said this conversation would determine whether he approved anything—including allowing Evan to take part in protecting Brielle ... or not.
Give me the right words, Lord.
