Page 18 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“Um…” Briony wished she could be anywhere else at that moment!

Suddenly, the man smiled, making all the tension in the room dissipate. “And you’re just in time. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but I do believe you’ve saved me yet again.”

“Saved you?”

“Aye, you’re a real miracle worker!” Mr. Mendes said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Briony felt a smile forming on her lips. “And how did I save you this time?”

“From boredom, of course! Don’t tell Senhorita Stubbins, but the book she gave me is frightfully dull.” He pointed to it on the nearby table.

Briony chuckled. She picked up the book and examined the cover. “What? You think it dull? ’Tis one o’ my favorite stories!”

Mr. Mendes placed a hand on the back of his neck and stammered, “Oh… Is it? Did I say dull? What I truly meant waschallenging. Aye, the content required such…deep thoughtthat I needed some time to…clear my mind before reading any more of it.”

Briony snickered, extremely at ease for being around a man she barely knew. “I was only jesting, Mr. Mendes! In truth, I hate it too. ’Tis one o’ the least interesting books in town.”

“Ah, you fooled me for a moment. I get very cross when someone fools me, you know,” he said with a playful tone before his countenance hardened. “Anyway, if you’re going to be the one helping me, there’s something I have to ask you. And if you answer incorrectly, I fear I’ll have to request a new walking partner.”

Briony raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

“Come closer.” He beckoned with his hand.

Briony took a few steps toward the bed and bent down. Mr. Mendes leaned in as if he was telling her a secret and said, “Are you good company?”

Briony laughed again. She wasn’t used to a man being so close to her, but for some reason, the proximity didn’t bother her. “I’m afraid I can’ answer that. You’ll have to find out fer yerself.”

Mr. Mendes leaned back with a thoughtful expression. “Hmm, we shall see.”

“Fer now, let’s try to get you out o’ that bed.” Briony extended her arm for Mr. Mendes to grasp. He gripped it slowly, tenderly, as if he was afraid she might break.

“’Tis all right to grip my arm a little more tightly. I’m strong enough to handle it, and I know you need some extra strength right now.”

Mr. Mendes looked embarrassed as he tightened his grip. A pleasant sensation shot through her where his hand touched her skin, but it also left her jittery and uncomfortable. She felt a blush appear on her cheeks, so she looked down to keep him from noticing.

Her gaze was drawn to the sturdy form of Mr. Mendes’s arm. It was obvious he had a great deal of physical strength.It must be quite a blow to his pride to need my help with something as simple as walking. ’Twould be difficult fer me to accept too, especially if I had to rely on a stranger.

Mr. Mendes cleared his throat.

Briony looked up at his face, and her eyes widened when she realized he’d caught her staring at his muscles.

“Try taking a step,” she said, holding back a stutter.

Mr. Mendes complied, but as soon as he put weight on his injured leg, he sucked in a sharp breath.

“Sit back down fer a moment,” she urged, but Mr. Mendes waved his free hand in protest.

“It’s nothing. I want to make it around the room on the first try. Just ask me something to distract me.”

Briony pursed her lips, unsure if he was truly ready for walking yet.

“Please,” he said with such softness Briony felt like she couldn’t refuse him.

“Fine, but let me know if it becomes too painful. Why don’ you tell me what sort o’ business yer in?”

Mr. Mendes took another step, but this time, he was more careful and it didn’t seem to hurt as much. “I’m a merchant. Portugal exports a lot of agricultural products, like wine, salt, and dried fruits. I mainly sell salt from Setúbal and my hometown of Aveiro. I was actually on my way to Norway when the storm blew us off course.”

“It must be very exciting to travel so much. I’ve never even been out o’ Orkney before.”