Page 66 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

Santiago put a hand on his neck and looked away, breaking the trance she was under. He grabbed a teacup for himself and stared at it as if it was incredibly interesting. “What was Mr. Moreland talking to you about at the party? Before the storm arrived, I mean.”

“Oh.” Briony couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice. “He…”

He’s insane. He thinks he’s a selkie. And worse, he thinks I’m one too.

Briony shook her head. She wasn’t about to tell himthat. She settled on something easier that wasn’t too far from the truth. “He wishes to marry me.”

Shock flashed through Santiago’s eyes before he veiled it behind a neutral expression. “And how did you reply?”

Briony peered at the man, eager to find something that would tell her what he was thinking.How much does he care about my response? Is he hoping I said nay?

But trying to read him right then was like trying to read a book in another language: useless and frustrating.

She gave up with a small sigh. “I made it very clear that I don’ want him. Even though now I’ve lost my only chance o’ getting married.”

Santiago coughed and said in a raspy voice, “Nonsense. Any man would be lucky to call you his wife. Has no one ever asked you before?”

“Why would they when I’m illegitimate? You may na come from a home where that’s a stigma, but here ’tis like the kiss o’ death. Rejecting Niall means I’ve doomed myself to spinsterhood fer the rest o’ my life.”

Unless you prove me wrong…

She looked back at her companion, who was grimacing as though in pain. “Did you get hurt out there? Do you need anything?”

“Nay, I’m fine,” he snapped, “but you speak as though you regret your choice. Do you?”

“I…” Briony’s cheeks heated again, but this time with shame. “Yer right. I suppose I should na complain about my situation when I’m the one who put myself here. And to answer yer question, nay. I’d rather be an old maid forever than marry…him.”

Santiago’s face softened, and the low light made his eyes twinkle like dew on summer grass.

“I’ve never seen such a light green in someone’s eyes before…” Briony flinched when she realized she’d spoken aloud.That was meant to stay in my head forever!

She couldn’t bear to look at him after saying something so humiliating, so she focused her attention on sipping her tea. It seemed like an eternity before he spoke again.

“In my country, it’s said that green signifies hope, but they must have gotten it wrong. The lovely gold of your eyes holds more hope than any color I’ve ever seen.”

Briony’s heart lurched, and her mouth dried at his words.

“As your friend, would you promise me something?”

Briony looked up, locking gazes with him even as her heart withered at the wordfriend.I was wrong. He does na love me after all.

“Promise me you’ll never let that hope burn out.” Santiago smiled like it wasn’t a big deal, but a slight quiver in his voice told her he was anxious for her to agree.

And she knew with all her being that she didn’t want to let him down.Na now. Na ever.

“I promise.”

“What is it that you hope for?” he asked.

Fer you to care fer me as I do fer you. Fer you to hold me in yer arms and kiss me as you did before…

Briony cleared her throat. “I hope fer peace with my mother. Na to feel pain when I think o’ her, but also… She was such a secretive woman, even with me. I have so many unanswered questions.”

And after Niall’s mad claims, I wish now more than ever that I could speak to her.

“Why do you ask?” Briony looked at him curiously.

Santiago’s expression became a bit sheepish. “It’s just that you’ve helped me so much. I wish there was something I could do for you.”