Page 25 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

The midwife broke eye contact and turned away so that Adaira wouldn’t notice the tear streaking down her cheek. “I know, but ’tis folly to wish fer something that can never be.”

A Tear within the Sea

The next morning, Briony went to apologize to Adaira before going down to Santiago’s room. She found her friend in the foyer with some towels. Unfortunately, her father was already talking to her.

“I don’ know why it keeps feeling this way. That young doctor can’ help me either. All he does is tell me the same thing over and over again…”

Briony stopped paying attention to what the man was saying.If I don’ step in, who knows how long Mr. Stubbins will drone on about his ailments?

“Hello! ’Tis so good to see you both!” Briony put as much cheer into her voice as she could.

Mr. Stubbins twisted around and scowled at the midwife. “I’ll talk to you later, Adaira,” he said without looking at his daughter, “when you have morerespectablecompany.”

Respectable, my foot! There’s nothing respectable about being the town drunk, is there?

Briony almost said as much, but that would have ruined her whole purpose in addressing the man in the first place. Instead, she just kept a saccharine smile on her face until he was out the door.

“Yer unusually subdued this morneen. Is there something going on I should know about?” Adaira asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I just needed to talk to you alone, and that seemed like the fastest way to get rid o’ yer father. Besides, I doubt you wanted to listen to his complaints anyway.”

“Ah.” Adaira nodded, but her countenance was a little guarded. “And what was it you wanted to say?”

Briony grabbed the woman’s hand. “I’m so sorry fer being rude to you yesterday. I don’ think yer childish or foolish at all. I just…”

“Don’ believe you deserve love.”

Briony’s eyes widened. “N-Nay, that’s na it. I just know what will happen when he finds out the truth, sopleasetry to understand.”

“O’ course I understand, dearie. Maybe even a wee bit more than you do,” she said, tapping Briony on the nose. “Don’ worry about me. I’m well acquainted with that temper o’ yers; you might even say we’re as old o’ friends as you and I are.”

Briony grinned, relieved that things were resolved between them. “It gladdens my heart to know yer na angry.”

“Well, na everyone can be as much o’ a hothead as you, you know. Now, go on, and I’ll see you later.” Adaira shooed Briony away with a hand, and the midwife scampered off down the hallway.

When she reached Santiago’s door, she paused.I wonder if I should wait a wee bit longer since ’tis half an hour early. Those seals just would na let me sleep any longer this morneen. I don’ recall them being this noisy in the past—

Hushed voices on the other side of the door interrupted her thoughts. She instantly recognized one as Santiago’s, but he was speaking in Portuguese, so she had no idea what he was saying. A second male voice responded in the same language, this one much deeper and harsher.

There was a pregnant silence before Briony heard the harsh voice again, this time much louder. Its owner spoke quickly, but one word he used was strangely emphasized:morta.

Santiago spoke again, and Briony thought she heard resignation in his tone. It gave her a sick feeling inside, and she couldn’t help thinking there was something very wrong.

Suddenly, she heard movement, so she jumped away from the door and ducked down the hallway toward the back exit. Briony had just barely rounded the corner when the door opened.

She peered around to look and spotted two men in the corridor. One was the captain, and the other was the young sailor she had met when she first went aboard theSão Nicolau.

Briony waited until they had left before she returned to her place in front of the merchant’s room.What does “morta” mean? It sounded important. Perhaps Santiago will tell me.

She knocked on the door and entered when she heard Santiago’s invitation.

“Briony, you’re early. Is something wrong?” The man’s expression seemed nervous.

She tilted her head, wondering how she could ask her question without revealing she’d been eavesdropping. She held out her arm for him to grasp.

“Nay, I’m fine. I do have a question though.”

“Then I shall do my best to answer it.” He took her arm and slowly rose for their walk.