But something in his tone—something guarded—piqued her curiosity. He’d asked about Evan, so surely she could do the same. “Do you mind ifIask how you know him?” Evan had shared a few details with the council, but Levi would likely tell a very different side of the story.
He stilled, and silence lengthened between them as he stared ahead. What memories played through his mind? The thrill of overhearing valuable war intelligence? His rush to get the information into the hands of the commanding officers?
At last, he spoke, his voice distant enough to be still lost in memories. “War is an awful thing.” He looked over at her, and the sadness in his eyes pressed into her chest. “So many lives needlessly taken.”
She nodded. They were blessed to be protected from such atrocities in Laurent.
“I think Evan and I both did things during the war that we regret now. Most men probably do, if they let themselves stopand think about it. But you can’t stop. Not in the midst of an assignment. It’s only later that the memories haunt you.”
She could see the haunting in his eyes, and her hand itched to reach out and comfort him. But he spoke again before she could work up the courage.
“I overheard battle secrets MacManus was relaying to an officer. When I passed those on, they saved British lives. I think he saw me that day, and he likely holds a grudge.” Levi paused, then his throat worked, as though preparing for what he had to say next. “I saw him a few months later entering a fort in Canada. Less than a half hour later, the entire fort went up in flames, killing not only British soldiers, but civilian women and children.”
His voice cracked on the last words, and his mouth sealed shut, his throat working once more. The import of what he’d said finally slipped through her. Levi likely had a very good reason to be angry with Evan, just as Evan did with Levi. As he’d said, it seemed no one could escape war unsullied. The lines grew too muddy, right and wrong too gray, depending on which side one fought for.
Levi tipped his head sideways to meet her gaze. “I don’t really blame him for what happened anymore. There are times when I feel sorry for him. He must have been only following orders, and he has to live with what happened.” He stared forward again, and a long sigh eased out of him. “I’m more thankful than I can say that the war is behind us.”
Silence settled around them again as she sorted through all the new details she’d just learned. She just prayed that, one day, both Evan and Levi would be freed from the horror of the war and find peace within themselves and with each other.
Levi was the first to break the quiet. “So ... it seems like your friend and MacManus get along much better now than their first meeting.” A weak grin played at the corners of his mouth.
The weight of war talk slid away as memories arose of Evan and Brielle’s unlikely courtship. Audrey should have seen it sooner, but Brielle usually kept herself so distant from the men. She was Le Commandant, fearsome warrior. But a few days in Evan’s company had slain her pretenses like no one else ever had.
She raised her brows. “They do. They’re to be married now that he’s returned.” A new pain sliced through Audrey’s chest. She would miss the wedding. Brielle had been counting on her to help with decorations for the assembly room and to organize food for the feast. In this, too, she was failing her friend. The sting of tears threatened again.
Levi seemed to sense her pain, even though he surely couldn’t see any redness in her eyes in this dim light. His brows drew together. “Do you think they’ll wait to see if you return?”
Audrey inhaled a breath to settle herself. “I’m sure they think I’m far away by now. It might take Brielle longer to ready things without me there.”
Silence settled between them. Not a comfortable quiet, but not awkward either. Mostly, the air around them felt tainted by her grief.
“You need to go back, Audrey.” Levi’s voice filled the cave with quiet certainty. “You need to be there with your friend for the day you’ve probably both been planning a long time.”
Emotions turned inside her, clogging her thoughts andburning her throat. “I want to be in both places—there for Brielle and here with you.”
He leveled a long look at her. “I don’t want you to stay here out of a sense of duty. And I greatly dislike the fact that I’m the cause for you to miss the special day with your best friend.”
He was so noble, this Levi Masters. One of the most caring men she’d ever met. And if she returned to Laurent, she might be sealing his fate here in this cave. She couldn’t do that—not to anyone, but especially not to him. Did he have any idea how quickly he was winning her heart?
She had to say something to put his mind at ease over this matter. “It’s Brielle’s special day with hergroom. Others from the village will help with decorations and food. Her sister, too, I’m sure.”
Levi didn’t seem convinced, but he let the matter rest. He’d set the bow and arrow aside, though the string still hung loose on the bow. Perhaps he was too tired to finish the repair now.
She studied his face, and the exhaustion in his eyes nudged her. “Are you ready to rest?”
“I think so.”
“Let’s lay you down. Then I’ll pour you some tea.” She maneuvered his leg as he rested back on the fur. When he finally nestled in the softness, the last of his strength seemed to ebb out of him. She had let him stay up talking for too long. It took too much of the strength his body needed for healing.
She helped him drink the full cup of tea, rich with herbs that would help purify his blood and ease the pain.Thank you, Lord, for helping me remember to pack these.
As she set the cup aside, Levi looked half-asleep already,his eyelids drooping. But as she prepared to scoot away from him so he could rest, he caught her arm.
“Audrey.”
She stilled. “What is it? What can I get you?”
“Just ... will you stay with me? Will you rub my face and hair like you did before? Just for a minute.”
