As Levi finished off the first pastry and started into thenext, Miss Moreau moved back to kneel by the tray. She appeared to be organizing things, but something in her manner told him she mostly watched him.
At last, she gave up the pretense and raised that angelic smile to him. “So, Monsieur Masters. You said you have family back in England?”
He nodded, swallowing the bite so he could speak. “Mum and Dad have a home near Kettlewell. My younger sister is still there. My two older brothers work abroad.”
She raised her brows. “Spies like you?” Her lips drew together in a pert expression that made him want to tweak her nose.
“Not spies. The eldest is a captain in His Majesty’s Navy, and the other has a desk job in the war office. It’s because of him that I obtained my commission.” Levi’s stomach twisted with that last bit. This commission hadn’t been the blessing he’d expected.
She studied him, as though she could see some of what he felt. “Do you regret the work you’ve done?”
Her words crept in, weaving through his mind in a way that overturned what he’d always told himself.Didhe regret the mission he’d devoted himself to these past three years? As his mind sifted through the things he’d accomplished, the intelligence he’d been able to pass along—one piece that had possibly saved a battalion of troops in the Battle of Stoney Creek—he tried to sort through his feelings about the job. “I ... Some of the information I’ve learned has saved lives. I don’t regret that. War is an awful business. I understand when it’s necessary to maintain safety and quality of life for the citizens, but I despise battles fought to gain land and satisfy greed.”
Bitterness crept into his tone, and he paused to gather himself again. He focused on the clear green of her eyes, reminding him of bright, cool moss on a stone. “I don’t regret helping save lives, but I do regret every lie I’ve told along the way. I’m glad my commission is over. Glad the war has ended too.”
“What will you do now? Return to England?” Her expression held curiosity, no sign of hidden intent. Even if she was probing to report back to her people, he’d committed to honesty. And the fact that she spoke as though he would be released soon boded well.
“I think so. At least, that’s what I’d planned. I suppose I’ll go back to Yorkshire and see how I can help Mum. The town is small, so it’s hard to find work there. Dad is lame in both legs and can’t earn enough to support them, so Mum and my sister are clothmakers.”
Audrey’s brows drew together as sorrow swam in her gaze. “I’m sorry to hear about your father’s struggles. From illness or injury?”
The familiar cloak of weariness pressed over him. “Shot in one of the French revolutionary wars. The bullet hit in his lower back, and he lost feeling in both legs.”
“How dreadful.” With the pain in her expression, Miss Moreau truly seemed to mean the words. “There’s a man in our village, Louis, who suffers from a similar challenge. It’s made life so much harder for him and his entire family.”
The way she spoke and the emotion in her voice wound through him, as though she really might understand what it had been like growing up with his father bound to a chair. The physical challenges had been hard, but Dad’s moods had been the worst. “It’s been hard on Dad and Mum both.My sister helps a lot, both with Dad and with their business. That area is known for its wool, you know, and they’ve built up a reputation for beautiful fabrics.”
Her face perked. “Really? I’ve always thought how fascinating it must be to create fabric from loose hair. Most of our clothing comes from animal hides.” She brushed the leather of her skirt. “This village you come from . . . Kettlewell, did you call it? What is it like? Bigger than Laurent?” Her voice held a wistfulness. Did she want to see more of the world?
He chewed a bite of pastry as he thought through what little he’d glimpsed so far of this place. “I’ve only seen a few of your people, so I’m not certain how large your village is, but Kettlewell is a small farming community of about twenty families. We lived a couple miles outside of it, yet close enough for easy trade.”
Movement from the guard, who stood nearby, brought Levi’s attention up to the man. He pointed at the last half of the meat pie in Levi’s hand. “Finish. I need to tie you again.”
Levi nodded and returned his focus to eating. When he’d swallowed the last delicious bite, Miss Moreau nudged a mug closer to him.
His mouth watered as much as it had for the food. Finding a decent cup of tea had been a challenge since coming to America. The drink she’d served earlier had been different from English tea but possessed a strong welcoming taste. She could make a tidy sum by selling it as a specialty drink in the genteel markets of London.
With his first swallow, the flavors bit just enough, then went down with velvety smoothness. He breathed out a contented sigh, then eyed her. “What do you put in this? I’ve never tasted a tea quite like it.”
She graced him with another angel smile. “Echinacea mostly, and a few other leaves to smooth the taste. It keeps us healthy through the winter.”
The guard moved behind Levi to retie his hands, so he downed the rest of the drink in three gulps. As he handed the mug back to Miss Moreau, he gave her a grateful smile. “A fine meal, ma’am. Thank you.”
She gathered up her tray and stood as Philip re-bound the cord around his wrists. With the leather cutting into his flesh, he watched Miss Moreau send a final sad smile, then step out the door.
He couldn’t help thinking of her as a friend. His only friend in this place of suspicion.
6
Audrey couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such unrest in her spirit as she returned the tray and used dishes back to her apartment. Her heart told her Levi Masters was not only innocent, but also a good man. Their conversation over dinner had confirmed that suspicion.
But what would the Lord have her do with the knowledge? She’d made her opinion known to Chief Durand and the council. Should she have been more vocal during the meeting? Perhaps, but it hadn’t seemed the right thing at the time. Her father served as their family’s representative.
Maybe Brielle could do something. She would likely still be with Evan, which meant Audrey should leave the two sweethearts to their reunion. Yet, this business with their visitor was urgent. Most of the villagers and council members would have their opinions set by tomorrow, even though Papa Durand allowed three days for discussion. Brielle could help influence those decisions, but Audrey had to speak with her soon to set things in motion.
Evan’s prior experience with Monsieur Masters would hold weight with Brielle. But she and Audrey had been friendstheir entire lives. The closest of friends—sisters in so many ways. Surely that would carry weight as well.
After placing the dishes to soak in the wash water, she wiped her hands on a cloth and made her way back into the rear corridor. The Durands’ apartment sat one door down, and she knocked gently on the door, then waited. Usually, she would enter after that first knock, as though this were her own home. But with Evan having returned ... she didn’t want to walk in on something better left in privacy.
