Page 100 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“Brother, I need your help,” Lucia cried as she hurried to his side.

Santiago rolled his eyes, maintaining his position on the balcony rather than turning.I wonder what “urgent” request I get to hear about this time. It’s probably for money to buy some trifle that all her friends have. Her weakness for fashion trends is going to empty my pockets at this rate.

Lucia nudged her shoulder against his. “Well?”

“Well,what?” Santiago couldn’t keep the bite out of his voice. He’d only just returned from his latest trip and was about to leave again in the morning.This is my one opportunity to relax. I don’t want to spend the evening listening to silly whims.

Lucia pursed her lips into a pout and twirled a strand of blond hair between her fingers. “Don’t you care what I need help with?”

Santiago groaned. “Just tell me already so I know how much money you need. I’m tired; I’m not in the mood for games.”

Lucia gasped, and Santiago could already see wetness forming in her eyes, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

“You’ve been gone for months! If that’s the kind of response I get when I ask for help, then forget I asked.” She turned and strutted back toward the ballroom.

But after a few seconds, when it had become apparent Santiago wasn’t going to react, Lucia spun around and shouted, “I’ll just get someone else to help me!”

Santiago sighed as Lucia marched back to the party.She’s right. Lucia is the only family I have left, and we barely see each other anymore. The least I can do is make her happy while we’re together.

But lately, all he seemed capable of doing was pushing her farther away. No matter how much he tried to be the loving brother she deserved, he just felt so despondent every time he came home.

Truth be told, the wordhomeno longer sounded right to his ears now that his parents were gone. The Mendes house, so big and empty despite Lucia’s frequent parties, felt more like a mausoleum than a home anymore, and ever since his parents’ accident three years before, Santiago spent as little time there as possible.

Lucia had dealt with her grief by surrounding herself with the city’s numerous diversions, while Santiago had simply run away from everything that might make him remember the past.

I’m sure Mamãe[28]and Pai[29]would be scandalized if they knew I was a merchant now. They always wanted me to accept my birthright, and now that they’re gone, I’m further from that than ever before.

I hope Andreas is having a more enjoyable evening.Santiago glanced into the ballroom and was glad to see his friend smiling and laughing with his sister as they danced.

Lucia has grown very close with him since our parents died. I wonder if there might be something more between them soon. Andreas may be a commoner, but he’s one of the best men I know.

Perhaps, just perhaps, I can find happiness again too.The joyous atmosphere of the room and the smile on his sister’s face made Santiago consider the possibility.

Maybe I can meet someone—

“Open the door! By order of His Majesty the King!” The harsh shout from the street below wrenched Santiago out of his reverie.

The sounds of merriment abruptly ended within the house, and nervous whispers took their place. Santiago peered down from the balcony at the ten quadrilheiros[30]standing right outside the door. He’d never seen that many gathered in one place since they typically stayed in Lisbon near the king.What could be so important for them to show up here?

“Santiago!”

The man turned to find his sister standing before him, a nervous Andreas at her side. Her entire body was trembling as though she would fall apart at a moment’s notice, and Santiago observed the way she gripped Andreas’s arm with such intensity that her knuckles had turned white.

“Are they going to arrest us? Why are the quadrilheiros here?” Lucia whimpered in a low voice, her breaths so shallow she could barely get the words out.

Santiago reached out and patted her shoulder. “Calm down, sister. We’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sure they just need information for something—”

The door creaked open below them, and Santiago motioned for Lucia to be silent.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Tomas Cabral, head servant for the Mendes family, demanded. Santiago smirked at the older gentleman’s steady voice; it was difficult for anyone to intimidate Tomas.

“Are Senhor and Senhorita Mendes in?”

Rather than answering, the man said, “Why have you come?”

The leading officer growled and said, “Senhor Mendes is to be taken into custody and his sister brought in for questioning.”

Lucia gasped. “What!”