The other man didn’t appear put off by his slip. “Audrey has a lot of wisdom when it comes to wounds and injuries. I would do what she says without question.”
The warm words caused pride to bloom deep inside him. If the chief still felt that way about her, surely that boded well for what the council might decide to do about her disobedience.
“Yes, sir.” He nodded.
The chief glanced around and scooted a chair to where they could easily see each other as they talked, then settled onto the seat. “Speaking of Audrey, she said you have some things you wish to speak to me about.”
Once more, Levi nodded. That seemed the only thing he could do around this man. He’d wanted to be the one to broach the topic first, but he’d missed his opportunity.
Now he had to make sure he did the next part right. “Sir, I wanted the chance to clear the air. We haven’t spoken of ... the details of what happened when Audrey and I left.” He barely kept himself from wincing. Why couldn’t he keep her name out of this? Still, he pressed on. “I want you to know that never at any point have I meant harm to your people—not any of them. I regret what happened to Leonard more than I can say.”
Audrey had said she’d told the chief, Brielle, and her father the exact events of that day, so he wouldn’t go into any details that might tarnish their memories of the young guard. Still, he wanted to be honest. “I’ve replayed that fall so many times in my mind. If I’d reached to steady him sooner or movedfaster down the mountain, perhaps I could’ve grabbed him before he reached the ledge.”
The chief’s face had taken on a sadness that seemed to rise from deep inside. “Audrey said you did everything you could to save him. Thank you for that.” The words were those of understanding and gratitude, but the man’s tone came out stilted, as though he didn’t fully believe what he said. Or maybe gratitude was too hard to find in the face of the grief this entire village must still be feeling.
Silence settled over them for a long moment as Levi searched for what he should say next. At this point, all he could do was put to words what had been building within him. “I know nothing I say can change what’s happened. But if there’s anything you think will help—anything I could say or do—please tell me.”
The chief nodded, his throat working. His eyes were glazed. He stood and moved the chair back to where he’d secured it from. Then he turned back to Levi, his expression making it clear he had more to say. “The council will meet soon to make decisions about how we should move forward. I know we’ve been silent since your return, but there’s been much we’ve been thinking and praying about.”
Levi nodded. “If you have any questions for me, anything you’re not certain of, you know where to find me.” He worked for something like a wry grin, but it felt more like a grimace.
The chief offered a nod, then turned back to Audrey’s father. “Martin, that design we discussed is coming along. Carter said to come by the workshop when you have a minute and he’ll show you.”
Monsieur Moreau finally set aside his project and rose, hisslow movements reflecting pain in the action. The two men shuffled toward the door, speaking in low voices of whatever design the Carter fellow was working on. Levi didn’t strain to hear. The conversation was meant to be private, and he had no need to listen.
Besides, his own discussion with the chief had left much to ponder. The council would meet soon—he’d not said an exact day, had he?
A sense of urgency pressed through him. If they sent him away, he needed to make sure he’d said everything that needed to be spoken aloud. He longed to tell Audrey how he felt, to make his love clear to her. But if he was never allowed back in Laurent, speaking of those things would only make the parting harder. As painful as it would be to keep his love bottled inside, that would be best for her.
But there was one other conversation that was needed.
After Monsieur Moreau closed the door behind the chief, he turned and shuffled back toward his chair, and Levi’s pulse picked up speed. “Sir, do you think we could talk for a minute, too?” He could speak with the older fellow in his chair by the fire, but the space separating them would feel awkward. One of the things he hoped to accomplish with this conversation was to clear away the distance between them.
Moreau paused in his trek, and his gaze slid from Levi to the chair by the fire, then back to Levi. He seemed to shore up something within himself, then he straightened and moved toward Levi with a surer step.
After shifting the chair and settling into it, Monsieur Moreau addressed him with a more serious—and a clearer—expression than Levi had seen on him. “It’s time we talk.”
After those ominous words, he folded his arms, then waited for Levi to speak first. Was the man trying to unbalance him for the conversation?
Levi recentered his thoughts on what he needed to tell him. “I want you to know that nothing untoward happened between Audrey and me in that cave.” He tried to meet the man’s gaze, but even though Monsieur Moreau was staring at him, his focus seemed impossible to penetrate. “I wouldn’t take advantage of any woman, though I know so many days alone with a man can’t have been good for her reputation. If you think there’s anything I can do to repair her good name, I’ll gladly accomplish it.”
Even marry her.Especiallymarry her. But he had to keep those thoughts to himself until the council spoke its verdict.
Before he gave Monsieur Moreau a chance to speak, there was one more thing he needed to say. “I’m grateful for everything Audrey did to help me recover. Without her, I would have died out there on the mountain. She’s a remarkable woman with an amazing spirit. I’m sure you’re very proud of her.”
At those words, Monsieur Moreau’s expression shifted. The barrier in his gaze eased, revealing a light there. The glimmer was small, but real. Hope dared to rise within Levi.
Monsieur Moreau still had his arms crossed over his chest, but he nodded. “I am proud of her.” His voice held something like a wistful tone, but then he straightened. He finally looked into Levi’s eyes. “I trust my daughter, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do whatever is necessary to protect her. She seems to see something different in you, but I’m still very aware you’re a man. One who has experienced a great many more things in the world than my Audrey. I’ve allowed youto stay in our home because of your injury, but I’m not easy about it.”
The candor in the man’s words was almost a relief. At least they were speaking openly now. “I understand your concern, and I’m grateful Audrey has you.”
He paused. Should he speak of the future? He’d not planned to in this conversation, but maybe doing so would help Monsieur Moreau. At least it would be nothing less than the truth. “Sir, I’ve not said anything of my next words to Audrey. I don’t plan to until after the council’s decision is announced, and even then, I’ll only say them if I’m free to plan such things. But my intentions toward Audrey are honorable. She’s won my heart in more ways than I can list. I don’t know if it will be possible for me to ever live in Laurent, but if the Lord makes a way, my hope is to ask you for your blessing and her for her hand.”
As the words sounded in his ears, their unflagging optimism seemed to hang in the quiet of the room. Levi inhaled a breath. “I understand how unlikely it might be that I’m allowed to stay here, though. I wouldn’t ask Audrey to leave her family and friends, so that’s why I’ve not spoken of this to her.”
Monsieur Moreau’s brows had drawn together as he took in everything Levi said. Maybe it was too much. This conversation had been meant as an apology and a way to clear the air, not a declaration and a request for his daughter’s hand. “I’m not asking for an answer or even a reply. I just wanted to let you know that my intentions toward Audrey are for her best, no matter the outcome of the council’s vote.”
Another long moment passed, a frown of concentration still gathering on the older man’s face. At last, he nodded. “Good to know.”
