Page 71 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“You went out in the storm?”

“He searched for over an hour, going from house to house,” Lucia added, popping up behind the two men. “I’ve never seen him so frantic.”

Briony gave Santiago a grateful look. “You did na need to do that fer me. You went to so much trouble—”

He waved her words away. “Please don’t. I had to do something. When you fell and wouldn’t wake, I thought…” He choked up a bit before he continued. “Truly, it was no trouble.”

Dr. Sherwin cleared his throat, plainly irritated. “I suppose you don’ care too much whatmyconclusions are, then? Na even after what happened the other day?”

Briony’s eyes widened.What if that happened because I’m a… Nay, I don’ know fer sure. Perhaps there’s another explanation fer all this.

But this is definitely na something I’m ready to share with anyone. Na until I’ve talked to Niall.

She shook her head. “N-Nothing happened the other—”

“What are you talking about? What happened?” Santiago’s hand left hers as he rose and turned to the doctor.

Briony silently begged Dr. Sherwin not to say anything.Please, please, please! Just keep yer big mouth shut fer once!

The doctor coughed and turned away. When he looked back, he almost seemed embarrassed.If such a thing is possible.

“Since yer na family, I can’ discuss such details with you,” he said with a sharp look at the merchant.

Santiago’s eyes narrowed. “I care about her well-being, so if this is something serious, then I need to know.”

All traces of embarrassment faded from the doctor’s visage, and a threatening scowl appeared in its place. “Andwhydo you need to know? What ties do you have to Mistress Fairborn?”

“None as of ye—”

“Santiago!” Lucia interrupted, grabbing her brother’s hand. “I must speak with you immediately.”

Santiago looked down at Lucia’s hand in surprise. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. “Now?”

“Aye, right now! Please excuse us, Briony, Doctor.” She pulled Santiago away and into the kitchen. Briony couldn’t help but stare at them, her curiosity overriding her manners.

They spoke in quick whispers, but it was clear that neither of them was happy. Santiago was facing away from his sister but appeared troubled. Lucia seemed to be trying to convince him of something important, and her body language was so adamant that it bordered on panicked. Santiago raised his voice at one point, but his speech was in Portuguese, so there was no hope of understanding him.

A hand on Briony’s shoulder jerked her attention away from the siblings. “Mistress Fairborn, are you all right? Do you feel safe with them?” Dr. Sherwin drew his hand back awkwardly when he realized what he was doing.

Briony gave the man a small smile. She’d never expected yet another of her childhood tormentors to become something close to a friend. “Aye, I’m fine. But, Dr. Sherwin, how is everyone else? Is Adaira well? Did anyone…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

“Mistress Stubbins and her intended, along with his son, are in perfect health. As fer everyone else, they’re all living, if that’s what you wanted to ask. Mr. Calhoun has a nasty burn, but that’s the worst o’ it.”

Briony was so relieved that it took her a moment to comprehend everything the doctor had just said. When she did, though, she had to hold back a juvenile squeal. “Intended?! Mr. Burgess proposed to her?”

“Aye, Mistress Fairborn, he did.”

She chuckled, feeling much lighter than she had before.Something good came o’ tonight, despite Niall’s storm.

“You can call me Briony, you know. We’ve known each other long enough fer that.”

Dr. Sherwin blinked a few times, and a flush spread across his face. “I would never presume to be so informal with you.”

Briony chuckled. “Well, that’s what I would prefer.”

The doctor’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but no sound came out. He was entirely perplexed, a sight that was all too funny, and a great guffaw escaped Briony’s lips.