Page 28 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

Several more tears formed in her eyes. She leaned over and sighed as they, too, splashed into oblivion below.Is that all that’s in store fer me? To die and be forgotten like a tear within the sea?

Briony rose to her feet and turned away before she could notice two black eyes peering at her from the water.

Ice and Storms

When Briony woke the following morning, a strange scent filled her nostrils, and she found herself going to the front door before she was even fully awake. She tugged it open and found a large stack of sea trout on her doorstep. There was no note to suggest who had left them there, but Briony knew they hadn’t been there the night before; the smell was so strong that she was sure she would have noticed them if they were. There was no stench of decay, though, and they looked like they were freshly caught.

’Twould be foolish to eat them, but they are rather tempting…

Scoffing at herself, Briony scooped up the fish and marched to the edge of the cliff behind her cottage.’Tis truly a shame that someone wasted so much food, but ’tis too risky to eat them when I have no idea where they came from.

Briony released the fish and watched them topple into the waves below.

Two grey seals appeared in the water nearby for a moment before dropping back out of sight. They were ecstatic to receive such an easy meal, and Briony felt a stab of jealousy that they got to enjoy her favorite food instead of her.

Don’ be ridiculous, Briony. ’Tis just a bit o’ trout. I know it has been a while since you’ve gotten to eat any, but ’tis na worth being upset over. Besides, you shall have a feast once Johnsmas arrives. I’m sure Santiago will enjoy it—

Briony stopped as she recalled their fight and melancholy settled in. She shook it off as best she could, for she wasn’t ready to give up on the friendship just yet.

Na without properly fighting fer it. Though I’m sure he’s keeping something from me, I know I have na been completely open with him either. Just because he has a secret does na mean he’s a bad person.

Briony thought of her own secrets as she walked into the town church for the Sunday service.I’m surprised Santiago has na already learned I was born out o’ wedlock. Laird Oliver is usually eager to talk about my “many” sins.

I never did ask Santiago if the laird stopped by after we saw him that day.

She spotted Adaira up at the front pew and slid in next to her.

“Where’s yer father?”

Adaira rolled her eyes. “He claimed he was ‘ill.’ He usually is after a night at the tavern.”

Briony just patted Adaira’s shoulder in sympathy. Then she took a glance around the church at all the faces, her eyes stopping when they met Santiago’s. He was standing by the pew across from hers, apparently about to sit down beside his sister.

Her stomach clenched at his green gaze. It was intense in a way that made her want to look away, but she found herself unable to.

Does he regret how we left things yesterday? Please let it be so!She sent him a small smile.

Santiago’s lips curved up, and he opened his mouth as if he wanted to speak, but then the vicar reached the pulpit. Briony shifted her gaze as Santiago took a seat, but she could still feel his stare as Vicar Peterson spoke.

About halfway through the sermon, Adaira leaned over. “You must tell me what’s going on between you and our favorite merchant. I declare, he has been looking at you this entire time!”

Briony’s face warmed so much she was sure even her ears were red. “I honestly don’ know. Fer one moment, we were friends. The next, we were arguing. And now…”

Adaira smirked. “Even a blind person could see there’s more than friendship on that man’s mind.”

“Adaira, be quiet!”

“Shh!” Mrs. McGuff said from the row ahead of them. Briony looked in horror as the woman turned and glared daggers at her. Fergus and Hannah sat on either side of Mrs. McGuff, and Mr. McGuff sat on Fergus’s other side.

“Hi, Mistress Briony!” Fergus whisper-yelled, giving her a wave.

Mr. McGuff grabbed his son’s hand and grumbled in his ear. Fergus grimaced and slouched down in his seat, looking at the floor.

Briony put her hand over her face, thoroughly humiliated. She tried not to notice the fact that Adaira was still smirking.

After what seemed like the longest service she had ever attended, Briony leaned over to her friend and growled, “Adaira! What if Mrs. McGuff overheard our conversation?”

“Relax, dearie! She has always been hard o’ hearing.”