Erik was the third council member who’d come to visit Levi over these last four days since his fever had faded completely and he was able to sit up for longer stretches. Chief Durand had been the first, and he’d worn his chief-of-Laurent expression throughout the conversation, making his thoughts hard to read. After inquiring about Levi’s family back in England, he’d seemed sincere when expressing his sympathy about Levi’s father’s disabilities, even speaking for several minutes about how their own Louis Bureau had struggled with the same paralysis and sharing ways they’d helped him become more mobile.
Despite the chief’s guardedness, Levi had been respectful and open throughout the conversation, sharing freely of his life and even what he planned for his next steps.
She couldn’t help but notice the glance he sent her way when he used the words “What Ihadplanned to do after leaving here...”
Had his plans changed? The reaggravated injury and sickness had surely altered the timing, but he would heal, as long as he gave the leg sufficient time to recover. He might always be prone to pain in that hip, and maybe even further injury, but he should eventually be able to walk and ride as he had before.
When Monsieur Gaume came two days after the chief, his questions were more heated and layered with accusation and insinuation, though he never voiced a specific charge against Levi.
Thankfully, the talk with Erik now stayed more subdued. As the keeper of the lawbooks and second-in-command to the chief, Erik usually held in his reactions in much the same way his mentor did. But his mind also tended to see things in black or white. Lawful or unlawful. Harmful or healthy. How would he view Levi’s actions so far? She didn’t have to ask how he would view her own.
At least it seemed the council members were doing their due diligence to learn more about him. Did that mean their opinions were still undecided?Lord, help them see the real Levi Masters, not the version they fabricated from circumstances.
Her own fate also remained undecided. No one from the council had even commented on her actions to free Levi, not since the day she returned and told the chief thefull story. Their silence kept a bundle of nerves churning in her middle.
At last, Erik concluded his questioning and spoke his farewell. As the door shut behind him, Audrey filled a plate with the foods she’d kept warming for Levi. She’d finally been offering him fare with a little more substance than broth and soft soups.
She turned with the plate and couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him alive and well.Lord, no matter what the council’s verdict, thank you for keeping him alive. She’d said the same praise more times than she could count over the last days, but the pure joy that had accompanied the first thankful prayers now twinged with longing.
Having Levi alive should be enough, but she couldn’t stop wishing he could also be hers. That he would be willing to adjust his plans to include her. But she could understand that his mother needed him, even with his sister there to assist with their family business.
Would she be willing to leave her village—her family and friends—for such a faraway land, if he asked again? As much as she’d sometimes longed to see such places, she couldn’t imagine never coming back to Laurent again. Never seeing her father or Brielle or any of the others. She wouldn’t get to play auntie to Brielle’s future children. Who would care for her father as he aged? The thoughts made her chest ache.
But she kept her smile as she settled into the chair beside Levi. It certainly wasn’t his fault that she couldn’t bear to move away from her people. If she couldn’t do it herself, it would be unfair to ask the same of him. And being sad about the state of things wouldn’t help him recover.A merry heartdoeth good like a medicine.She’d always firmly believed that Scripture, and now was the time to live it out.
Levi’s eyes settled on the food as she placed the plate in his lap. “Is that a meat pie?” The reverence in his tone was a great deal more than the fare deserved, but it made her smile come easier.
“Breton galette, we call it, but I suppose the English version is meat pie.” She stayed by his side and allowed herself a moment to watch as he savored his first bite. This was what she loved about cooking—seeing the enjoyment her efforts brought to others.
When Papa had praised her early attempts as a girl, she’d worked harder and sought out more recipes from the matrons, doing everything she could to earn his pleasure again. He’d complimented every effort, helping her build confidence to stretch her abilities even further.
Now, seeing Levi enjoy the results of her work made her want to find other foods that would produce that smile. “What are some of the meals you enjoyed in England?”
His gaze turned thoughtful as he chewed the last of his bite. “We eat a great many of these.” He lifted the galette. “Though I like the way you season yours better.”
She tried not to show too much pleasure at the compliment, just waited for him to continue.
“Lots of mutton and potatoes. And of course a great deal of tea.” His expression turned wry with that last comment.
This time she had to bite back the width of her grin. She’d plied the poor man with more tea than any person should have to drink. But it was the best way to spread the herbs through his body.
When he finished his food, his head sank back against therolled furs she’d used to prop him up. His eyes relaxed with a satisfied grin as he met her gaze. “Thank you, Audrey. That was exactly what I needed.”
His eyes ... She could stare into them for the rest of her days. Their rich, earthy tones drew her, making her long to sink into his arms. To let his strength wrap around her and push away all the questions and challenges of family and distance.
His hand reached for hers, his thumb caressing the top. There was a great deal to say between them, yet where to start? He’d been so ill and weak, they’d not spoken since returning to Laurent—not of the important things. Not of what had passed between them in the cave, nor of his plans. Not of what the council might plan for both of them. Not knowing what the punishment would be tightened her insides more with every passing day.
Would he voice any of these now?
The corners of his mouth tipped a little. “I like your people.”
Of everything he might’ve said, that was furthest from what she’d expected. She raised her brows at him. “Even with all the questioning?”
His smile grew a little stronger. “They really seem to care. They’re not apathetic, not too wrapped up in their own lives to do what’s necessary for the good of all.”
She tilted her head as his description gave her a new perspective both on the villagers of Laurent and also on the place he came from. Laurent had only survived all these years because the people worked together—for safety, for provisions, and even for celebrations. “The people of Kettlewell aren’t like that?”
His brows drew together in a thoughtful frown. “Not as much, though I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just different there. Maybe because the homes are more spread out, lives aren’t as intertwined.”
