A Warrior’s Heart by Misty M. Beller

25

As people slowly left their quarters, Brielle could feel the weight of her father watching her. He’d seen everything that passed between her and Evan, she had no doubt. Just the fact that Evan had come to see her, desperation marking all his features, would have been enough to raise Papa’s suspicions. She had much to answer for now.

Good thing she’d already planned to tell her father more about why she was certain Evan could be trusted.

All the people who’d come to hear her story had returned to their own homes now, and only the five in their family remained. Papa sent a look to Uncle Carter that her uncle interpreted easily.

He pushed up to his feet and stretched his hands high over his head. “Charlotte, Andre, I have something in my room I’ve been meaning to show you both. How about now?” His offer was more statement than question. Charlotte might have picked up on that undertone, but Andre scrambled to his feet, simply eager for something to do. Sitting around while the adults talked was not his favorite pastime.

While they shuffled out, Papa refilled Brielle’s mug with hot tea, and she cradled the warm cup in her hands. She’d finally heated enough to let the fur hang loosely on her shoulders. Her feet still ached, but it wasn’t that fiery sting like before.

As quiet descended over them, she didn’t look at her father. He would speak when he was ready, and she didn’t have the energy to face his stare that saw all the way to her soul.

“So, I take it you’re certain Evan MacManus can be trusted.”

She dared a glance at him and nodded. “I said that before.”

“I recall you still weren’t clear about his purpose for coming here. You merely felt sure of his character. Have you learned more since then?”

How to answer that? The short response would be a simple no, but that wouldn’t communicate what she really did know about Evan. Her father would see and understand the way things were, no matter how she hedged or pleaded. And it was probably best that he spent time with Evan to see for himself. That would be the only way he would see the man the way she did. Frank honesty had always been her mien with Papa, and that seemed like the best approach now, too.

She turned her full focus on him. “I’ve learned much about him. I’ve learned he’s loyal and hardworking, kind and generous. He takes responsibility for his actions and does everything possible to protect those in his care. He’s a good man. God-fearing.”

Her father studied her, and she willed him to believe her. His brow lined as he mulled through her words. Then he offered her a weak smile. “You’ve always been a good judge of character, so I wouldn’t expect you to give your heart to a man not worthy of it. I suppose the only way I can know for sure is by getting to know this fellow.”

Heat flashed up to her cheeks. Just as she’d suspected, Papa had seen all. At least he’d come to the right conclusion on his next step. “Perhaps he can come help you in your workshop. Help you with the cookstove you’re working on from his sketch.”

“That’s a good plan, and I would like him to join me, but we must have the council’s approval first.” His look turned pointed. “You know that.”

Unfortunately, she did know. And she could feel the loving reprimand in his gaze. She’d been pressing against the bounds of the council’s edict.

“You’ll speak for him before the vote?” She studied him, looking for any sign of his thoughts.

Papa nodded. “I’ll spend some time with this Evan first, then I’ll share my thoughts with the council before the vote.”

She eased out a breath and took a sip of her tea, trying to untie the knot in her middle. A bit of nerves about Papa’s meeting with Evan was normal. She wanted them to like each other.

And they would. Her father was also a good judge of people. And Evan’s heart would shine through when they spoke.

“Now, I think it’s best you rest. I promised Jeanette I would come check on them and spend a few minutes with Louis. As hard as this was on her, I think he struggled even more, not being able to go out and look for you both.” Papa stood and pulled on his coat.

As she nodded her farewell, a yawn overtook her. A few minutes to sleep, then she would go to Evan. As much as she wanted Papa to spend time with him, she wanted the chance first.

So much she had to tell him.

Evan stepped from the Durand quarters with Leonard walking close behind him.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you. With every step he sent up the prayer. Now that the worry had passed, his exhausted mind couldn’t seem to manage more than that single thought. Hopefully, Brielle would rest a while, and he could, too. He wanted to be at his sharpest for what he had to tell her.

They’d trudged halfway down the hall when a door behind them opened and footsteps thudded down the corridor.

He spun and saw a young lad—probably not more than ten years old—running toward them. He stopped at the door they’d just passed and paused to turn a wide grin on them. “Papa’s back. He and Monsieur Duluth found the two men who went out after Brielle. They’re all safe.”

The lad opened the door and darted into the apartment before Evan or Leonard could respond.

Leonard glanced at him. “Mind if we stop in and see them a minute? Duluth is my sister’s husband. I’d like to make sure they’re all right.”

Evan nodded. “Of course.” The man wasn’t exactly asking his permission, but it was still nice he offered the consideration.

They stepped through the doorway the lad had just entered, and Evan glanced around a large room much like the Durands’, though the fireplace was set on the opposite wall. These people must have cut chimneys up through the stone, so two dwellings shared the same chimney. A great deal of work had been put into this unique village.

A half-dozen people were clustered around the fire here, too, and Leonard knelt beside one of them. He gave the man a good-natured clap on his back as he murmured words in French, but Evan wasn’t close enough to make out what was said.

After a few minutes, Leonard glanced back, as if he’d just realized he had a prisoner he was supposed to be watching. He motioned for Evan to sit. “Make yourself comfortable.”

A spot against the wall seemed the best place to stay out of the way. Evan settled there as more people entered through the rear door from the hall—an older man and woman, and two young boys, who looked as though they might be grandchildren.

The volume of noise in the room rose as the adults greeted each other and the boys moved to play with the first lad Evan had seen. It was fun to watch them interact, women doting on the four men who’d just returned and the men plying them with questions.

More people entered the room, until the atmosphere was as festive and the crowd as thick as the feast had been. He kept himself tucked against the wall and seemed to be almost invisible to the others who milled about. At least they no longer seemed as curious about his presence as they’d been during the feast.

Several conversations were happening near enough that Evan couldn’t avoid overhearing. By the fire, Leonard was pulling the entire tale of their journey from his brother-in-law, and behind them stood two matrons who were rehashing Brielle’s adventure, which they’d heard from Jeanette.

Another conversation drifted to him, but at first, he couldn’t find the source. A deep male voice, one that rang with familiarity but raised his hackles. A heartbeat passed before he saw the man and recognition dawned.

Gerald.

He stood near a bedcurtain tied back against the wall. Part of the drape was pulled just enough to conceal whoever Gerald was speaking to.

The hidden man’s voice drifted to Evan, and he strained to make out the French words. The partition muffled the sounds, but Brielle’s name came through clearly. He worked to keep his interest from showing in his expression in case Gerald looked over and spotted him.

Gerald’s face was twisted in an angry mask, clear enough to see even in the dim light. “It’s a shame she survived, the little vixen. When I sent the half-wit out, I figured I’d finally taken care of her for good this time. She thinks she’s so powerful, just because her papa’s the chief. She’s not half the warrior I am.”

Gerald crossed his arms as the other man spoke again. Evan didn’t breathe or move as he strained to catch the words, but the sound was too low and muffled to understand. Did Gerald have something to do with Marcellus going out in the blizzard?

Whatever the unseen man said only heightened Gerald’s ire. Deep lines creased the man’s forehead and his eyes narrowed. “Someone should have put an arrow through his chest the moment he stepped through the gate. Don’t know why we’ve had to use our good hunters to watch over him. The men who’ve been sent out to hunt since he arrived are little more than boys. If I were in charge, I’d have taken care of him at the beginning. Matter of fact, this madness has gone on long enough. Think I’ll do the job now.”

A tingle of apprehension slipped down Evan’s spine. Was Gerald speaking of him? He was the one they were using good huntsmen to watch over. He agreed with the man that the use was wasteful, but their way to remedy the situation was as far apart as could be. Did Gerald plan to kill him?

The other man was speaking, and the name Durand was the only word Evan could decipher.

The lines across Gerald’s brow smoothed and the corners of his mouth curved up. “It’s about time someone put her in her place. The wildcat she is, she would probably be a pleasure.” His eyes hardened, losing all twinkle. “I know watching her suffer would make me happy. She’s given me enough misery, becoming so high and mighty. It’s high time the tables were turned.”

Evan dared a quick breath as fire raged through his veins. He couldn’t risk moving even his chest in case the motion caught Gerald’s attention. Was the man serious, or was this merely bluster?

If only Evan could see who the cad was talking to. The fellow behind the curtain said something else, and Evan imprinted the cadence and tone in his mind.

Gerald narrowed his eyes again as silence settled between them for a couple heartbeats. “Tonight. I’ll put an end to that Englishman while the guard is sleeping. Then when he wakes up and the ruckus starts, I’ll grab the wench and have some fun.”

The other man spoke, his voice quicker than before, sounding worried. As well he should be, for what Gerald spoke of should be a hanging offense. He might lose his life over such an act, especially with the chief of the council being Brielle’s father. And if he’d sent Marcellus out in a blizzard specifically to endanger her . . .

Even if Gerald were punished, what he was speaking of doing to Brielle could never be undone. The scars he would leave on her heart and body were too awful to imagine.

Evan fought with everything in him to keep himself immobile. Gerald was crafty enough to deny saying such treasonous words or to claim that Evan had misunderstood. Then the accusation would make him even more eager to take revenge on Evan and Brielle both.

He had to be wise about this. Had to find a way to stop the man for good. He couldn’t risk Brielle’s safety on the chance that the fiend was merely boasting.

When Gerald spoke again, Evan pulled his focus back to decipher the words. “Think I’m ready to leave this place anyway. I’ve never been appreciated here. Chrissy was the only one, and she’s gone. You want to come along? We could bring the wildcat with us and take turns with her. I bet she’ll tame down pretty quickly.”

A new fury roared through him. Take Brielle away? Not for anything in the world. The man would have to kill Evan and every other fellow in this place before he could take her. And Brielle certainly had her own ways to refuse.

Several people crossed the line of vision between him and Gerald.

“I guess we better get back.”

Leonard’s voice nearly made Evan jump, as close as the man stood. Evan had been so caught up in Gerald’s conversation, he’d not seen Leonard come near.

Evan nodded and pushed up to his feet, sneaking a glance in Gerald’s direction as he did. Two men had approached and were speaking to him. Distracting him, hopefully. Evan pulled his focus away, so if the man saw him, maybe he wouldn’t realize Evan had been close enough to overhear.

The hallway was quiet as they made their way toward his cell at the end. A good thing, for his mind was turning. Should he tell Leonard what he’d heard? The man didn’t seem to have enough clout or authority to have Gerald locked up. Leonard would likely have to call someone else. Brielle was his next in command, and it made sense to start with the higher up.

But did he dare tell Brielle what he’d heard? She would be livid and would probably take action herself. And even as capable as she was, he couldn’t stand the thought of putting that weight on her shoulders alone. Everyone needed someone to guard their back. He’d committed to be that for Brielle, but in this situation his hands were tied. Almost literally.

So, he needed to confide in someone who could do the job for him.

Her father.