Page 58 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“A-All right,” she found herself saying, almost without even meaning to. “Come on.”

Briony marched up the path, ignoring the upright hairs on the back of her neck. She tried to subtly pull her hand from Niall’s, but he held firm.

She gulped as fear made her chest tighten and her heart quicken.Or is it something besides fear?

“How are you, Briony? I missed you yesterday. I looked fer you around town, but I could na find you.”

Briony stopped walking and turned to Niall. There was no threat in his expression, nothing sinister in his tone.But I don’ like feeling trapped.

“If you wish me to respond, then kindly remove yer hand.”

Niall frowned a bit, but he did as she wanted.

“Thank you. Yesterday was the anniversary o’ my mum’s passing, so I spent some time by myself.”

Niall’s eyes widened. “Ah, Briony, I’m sorry. I did na realize—”

“Don’ worry about it. ’Twas just a hard day.”

In more ways than one.

Niall looked like he wanted to say more, but before he could, Briony asked, “How long do you think you’ll stay in town?”

The man cleared his throat, seeming relieved to change subjects. “Well, I’ve been enjoying Everton much more than I thought I would. The atmosphere, the scenery, thepeople…” He looked at her pointedly. “I may end up staying fer a long time.”

Briony didn’t know what to say, so she began walking again, this time being careful to keep her hands far from his.

“Are you still helping Mr. Mendes go fer walks?”

Briony noted the edge that appeared in Niall’s voice. “Aye, I am.”

“Is that necessary? I thought you were just the town midwife?”

“There aren’ that many expectant mothers right now. Dr. Sherwin requested my help.”

“Ah, so ’tis an extra source o’ income… You must be struggling to provide fer yerself all on yer own.”

How dare he!Briony swung around angrily.

“That’s na what I—”

“You need na worry about that anymore now that I’m here.”

“What are you saying, Niall?”

Niall flew forward and gripped her waist. With an earnest grin, he drew her close and leaned in. At that moment, all the danger within his eyes seemed to melt away. In its place, a fierce love burst forth, wrapping Briony in its intensity and warmth.

A nervous excitement erupted in her stomach even as Santiago’s face danced through her mind.Is he about to—

“Must I spell it out fer you, Briony? I mean to make you mine, plain and simple.”

Lost?

Briony gaped, taking a few seconds to process what she’d just heard.’Tis much harder to think with his arms wrapped around me. And his eyes staring deeply into mine. And his mouth inching closer—

She gasped and jumped away, trying to ignore the hurt on Niall’s face as she did so. “Th-That’s very sweet o’ you, but we barely know each other. We may have met when we were bairns, but I have na seen you in years…”

And you have na even asked to court me!She would have said this aloud, but her mouth was suddenly too dry to form the words.