He leaned forward again as a new thought took hold. “Come with me, then. I have to go back to Washington to retrieve my belongings, then I’m going home to England. My family would welcome you. My sister would be overjoyed. Her dearest friend moved away last year, and she’s been pining for neighbors who aren’t in their dotage.”
She tipped her chin, concern and hesitation marking her expression. “Travel with you? To England?”
As she said the words, the problem with his plan rose up like a mountain between them. She, an unmarried woman, could never travel with him, an unmarried man. The time they’d spent alone today was enough to ruin her. Anything more would be beyond recovery.
There was one way he could resolve the concern, though. “I’ll marry you, if that would help.”
12
The moment Levi spoke the words, Audrey jerked back, as though his offer had scalded her. In his mind, he scrambled back through his comments. Could he have found a clumsier way to offer for her hand?
His proposal hadn’t been preplanned, but as the possibility took shape in his thoughts, desire slipped through him. She had shown herself to be kind beyond words and a woman who took action for what she believed to be right. A woman of faith . . . and her beauty spoke for itself.
What would she think of his little village if he took her home with him? Mum would love her, and so would Libby. Dad? He had never approved of anything Levi did. Would bringing Audrey be the first?
Yet she knew little about him. That, combined with his less-than-tactful proposal,wouldsend her skittering away.
He did his best to apologize with his gaze as much as his words. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out as I meant it. You’ve done so much for me, and through it all I’ve seen what a fine woman you are. You’ve risked your standing, and even your life, to free me. If at all possible, I would like to do what Ican for you. It would be my honor to take you as my wife. To provide for your needs and protection for the rest of our days.”
There. Hopefully that came through a little better. He’d never planned how he would propose to a woman—had always thought he’d have a little time to consider it. But at least her eyes were no longer round as saucers.
She studied him, but her face gave no sign of her thoughts. No inkling of what her response would be.
At last, her shoulders eased as she released a breath. “Thank you for the offer. It proves once more that you’re as good a man as I first believed. I need to return to my people, though. My father depends on me. And I can’t disappear without even a farewell. My place is here.”
The ache tightening his chest was probably from the rejection, though her reasons made sense. Had he really expected her to marry a man she’d only known two days, and run away with him to a land she’d never been to? She seemed to prefer to face the wrath of her people.
Perhaps he really had no say in her actions. This was her life. She’d chosen to sneak him out. He’d offered what he could to help her, but she’d made her decision.
Her expression shifted, turning determined. “I can’t go back now, though, not until I know you’ve left here. Brielle will make me bring her to this cave to look for you. If I beg for the council’s mercy, I’ll have to tell them everything. I can’t do that unless I know for certain you’re far away.”
His throat tightened at the thought of leaving this place completely. Of leaving her behind to become only a memory. A story he would tell Mum and Libby at the dinner table.
In these two very long days, Audrey Moreau had become afriend. They may not know a great deal about each other, at least from a factual perspective. But they’d bonded through trial. Through shared fears and struggles. He would trust her with his life—indeed, he had done so several times already.
Only this one thing she asked of him. Surely he could do this single act. Even if it required leaving her behind.
He forced himself to nod. “I’ll leave at first light.”
“I will, too, then.” But the relief that should sound in her voice wasn’t there. Only a sadness that tightened the knot inside him.
The moment a hint of the sun’s rays filtered from the curve in the cave’s tunnel, Audrey allowed herself to sit up, though she kept the blankets tucked around her against the cold. She usually rose several hours before the sun, but with no clock here and a long restless night, she’d had no idea when her normal time came.
Levi also sat up in his bed pallet on the other side of the cave. He’d stirred several times in the night, though not nearly as much as she did. Was he worried as much about his journey south as she was about returning to Laurent?
He glanced her way, and the sleepy smile he offered made something flutter in her belly. How could a man be so appealing, even with tufts of hair sticking in all directions?
She shifted her focus toward the food. “Hungry?” She cleared her throat to force away the sleep gravel.
“I am.” The morning rasp in his voice sounded so much better in his rich baritone.
With the food positioned beside her bed pallet, she didn’thave to stir from her warmth to prepare their morning fare. She gathered a substantial meal for him, since he would need a good start for a full day of travels. She had less than an hour’s hike to Laurent, so she could make do with a small bit of meat.
His eyes creased in a thankful smile as she handed him the food. After setting aside her own fare, she wrapped everything back up so it would be safe for traveling.
“You’re going to eat more than that, aren’t you?”
She glanced at Levi as he motioned to the slice of meat she left out. “I can get extra when I reach Laurent.”
