Page 21 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

Mr. Mendes, who had been fidgeting with the dandelion in his hand, suddenly froze.

Did I anger him? I can’ tell from his expression…

They sat for a few seconds in awkward silence until the man said, “That’s very wise, Senhorita Fairborn. I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but I have to know: What is your age? You can’t be older than I, yet you seem to possess far more wisdom.”

Briony felt another blush creep onto her skin. She wasn’t used to anyone being so interested in her. The fact that he was an attractive young man only made things worse.

Should I even answer? Perhaps I could tell him a younger age since I’m nearly a spinster.

Briony turned to him with a lie on her tongue, but when she saw the earnest question on his face, she stopped. At that moment, Briony decided that she wanted to be honest with this man.

More honest than I’ve ever been with anyone. And that thought terrifies me.

“I’ve seen twenty winters,” Briony whispered.

She stared intensely at Mr. Mendes as she waited for his reaction. Rather than judgment, though, the creases around his eyes deepened, and a grin appeared.

“In that case, I can’t have you continue calling me Mr. Mendes, for I’m but a year older than you. You must call me Santiago.”

Briony’s heart sped up.Does he realize how intimate that is?

“Perhaps ’tis na such an unusual occurrence in Portugal, but here, na many people speak so informally to each other.”

He frowned, and a trace of regret came into his voice as he said, “If it brings you discomfort, please ignore the request.”

“Nay, ’tis just… It does na matter, I suppose. I should like to call you Santiago. And you must call me Briony, to be fair.”

Santiago’s face lit up with delight, and the radiance of it melted Briony’s anxiety away.

Right now, I don’ think I even care how others may react. Na when it makes him this happy.

She returned the smile. “I thought you wanted to be careful about letting others get close to you. Dropping formalities does na seem to align with yer plan.”

Santiago chuckled lightly and mumbled under his breath.

“What?” Briony asked.

“I’m beginning to feel like you see right through me.”

The midwife gulped and stared at the ground in embarrassment. His candor was far too unnerving.Would he be this open with everyone? Part o’ me hopes na.

“Is that a bad thing?” she ventured, kicking at the dirt as she spoke.

“Of course it is! I can’t have you learning all my secrets,” he replied jovially. “At least, not all at once.”

Somehow this conversation had become a lot more personal than Briony was prepared for. She leaped up, eager to escape the strange tension in the air.

“Well, ’tis getting late. I better return you to yer room.” She held out an arm without looking at him.

“I hope I’ve not done anything to upset you,” he said as he rose to his feet.

“Nay, na at all,” Briony stated, beginning to take them back. “I just have some cleaning I need to finish at home.”

Santiago didn’t say anything after that, neither as they entered the inn nor when they reached his room.

Briony didn’t want him to think he had upset her, but she didn’t know how to bid him farewell, so she simply turned to leave.

“Briony,” he called, making her stop.