As awareness lit his gaze, he turned his head and found her. Her own smile was impossible to contain. “You’re finally awake.”
He blinked, then glanced around, maybe looking for a window. “How long did I sleep?” His focus halted on Audrey, and his brows lowered as though he was trying to place her.
“We arrived yesterday afternoon, and it’s evening now.” Charlotte motioned to the woman standing beside her. “You were so tired, you might not remember meeting Audrey Masters. She’s a good friend and the village healer.”
Comprehension settled in his gaze, and his chin dipped in a nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Masters. Charlotte spoke highly of you.”
Warmth spread through her chest. She had mentioned Audrey a number of times, and he’d remembered. How could Audrey not be charmed with such a greeting?
Charlotte refocused on Damien. “How do you feel? Audrey brought medicines to help you recover.”
Once more, his gaze flicked to Audrey, this time a hint of wariness in his eyes. His hands slid up to tuck the covering tighter around him. “I’m recovered. Just needed that sleep, though I didn’t intend so much of it. I’m ready to be up and about.”
“Good to hear.” Audrey’s voice held a hint of mirth. “Charlotte told us of your dunking in the icy lake. Might I take a quick look at your hands and feet?”
The wariness didn’t leave his expression, but he extracted his hands from the covers. Charlotte shifted her chair to move out of Audrey’s way so she could inspect each of the fingers. She murmured a series of questions about whether Damien could feel her pressure and any pain or numbness. She seemed satisfied with his answers, then moved to the end of the bed and lifted the covers off his feet.
They’d removed his boots and wrapped warm cloths around his feet yesterday when they first arrived, and Audrey unwound the fabric now. Her expression remained focused as she went through the same round of questions. Nothing in her demeanor had changed, but tension hung in the air that hadn’t been there moments before.
When she finished her scrutiny, she lifted her focus to meet Damien’s gaze. “A few of these toes don’t look well. The three on this right foot, and the two smallest on the left. I brought an oil that needs to be rubbed into the skin several times a day. We may save them yet.”
He nodded, a tightness pulling at his expression.
Audrey rose and moved to the table, then returned with a cup of tea and a metal cannister. “Charlotte and I will be next door for a while. There’s a chamber pot under your bed.”
Damien’s expression eased, flooding Charlotte with guilt. After sleeping so long, he would need such a necessity. Leave it to Audrey to think of it.
When the two of them stepped into the hallway, Audrey spoke first. “Your father and brother are visiting with my menfolk. We can give your Monsieur Levette a bit of time to gather himself.”
Before Audrey could open the door to her own chamber, Charlotte grabbed her arm. The torches in the corridor cast shadows on her friend’s face, making it hard to read. And Charlotte had to know. “Will he be well? Recover fully?”
Audrey placed her hand over Charlotte’s, her voice softening. “Only God holds our times in His hand, but I don’t see anything that makes me fear your friend might grow worse. He may lose some of those toes, but there’s a chance we can save them. As for the rest, he seems a remarkable man to have endured so much.”
Charlotte soaked in the words as she eased out a breath, pleasure coiling through her. A remarkable man, indeed. Audrey didn’t know the half. Though with her perceptiveness, she might suspect more than she let on.
When they stepped into the chamber Audrey and her husband shared with her father, both men were settled at the table, Charlotte’s father and brother with them.
Audrey approached and stopped behind Levi’s chair, her hand resting on her husband’s shoulder. “My, you all look like you could be plotting trouble.”
He reached up and covered her hand with his own, sending her a wink. “Only the best kind.” Levi’s British accent had become more familiar, but after having not heard it for over a week, Charlotte was struck anew by the cadence. The pairhad been married for almost two years, but they still seemed to swoon in each other’s presence.
“How is our patient?” Charlotte’s father propped an arm on the back of his chair as he turned to her. “If you’ve left his side, does that mean he’s awakened?”
Heat slipped up to her cheeks, and she nodded. She’d wanted to make her feelings plain about this man, and clearly she’d done just that. But this might be a good time to focus on the facts. “He seems much recovered. Audrey brought a tea for him and an oil for his feet. Hopefully he need only regain his strength now.”
Her father nodded. “Glad to hear it. Is he up for a visitor?”
Charlotte glanced to Audrey, but her friend was looking at her. In fact, the entire group seemed to be waiting for Charlotte to answer. Damien might appreciate a bit of company, and it was time he get to know the people of Laurent. Her father would be a comfortable place to start, since they’d already spent several days together.
She nodded. “We’re giving him a few minutes to see to personal matters, then I’m sure he’d welcome company.” And the longer her father stayed busy with other matters, the less likely that he’d notice the chalice missing from their mantel. She had to face him soon to discuss the matter. Perhaps tomorrow when Damien was up and around, she could find a private moment with Papa. She was being a coward. Her father had always been fair and forgiving.Lord, give me strength. Please.
But perhaps Damien should be part of the conversation, too. Maybe she should bring him in right after she’d confessed privately to her father?
Both options sat heavy in her belly.
The men took a few more minutes to finish the conversation, then her father rose. “It’s been a pleasure, as always.” He tapped Andre’s shoulder. “Son, you can stay for a few more of Levi’s stories while I check on our guest.”
Her father rested a hand on Charlotte’s back as though to guide her toward the corridor with him. She’d planned to accompany him to their quarters and see what she could do to help Damien, but the strength in his touch made her suspect he had more in mind than a visit.
