Page 79 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“I hope I’m not too early. I simply couldn’t wait any longer,” Santiago stated. There was a nervous excitement in his tone, one that tugged her drowning heart back up to the surface.

She peered at him for a moment, noting his clenched fists, stiff jaw, and resolute gaze.Whatever he’s about to say, ’tis dreadfully important.

Briony swallowed and put on her most convincing smile. “Please come inside.”

Santiago silently walked in behind her, though his footfalls made her all too aware of his presence. She stood in the kitchen, her back to the merchant, awaiting his words with bated breath. She tried to ignore the creak of the door closing, the slickness of her own sweat on her palms, the masculine scent lingering in the air.

As soon as the door was fully shut, Briony turned, and a slew of nonsense burst from her mouth. “I should get that door fixed. ’Tis such a troublesome noise. Adaira had that same problem with some o’ the rooms at the inn, but she talked to Mr. Burgess, who is very good with that sort o’ thing, and he said—”

“Briony.”

Briony’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, preventing her from saying more. Though her eyes had been on his when she began talking, now they drifted down to his lips.

His lips…

They had only uttered one word, yet shivers were running through her body.She recalled those lips all too well, for she’d thought of them many times. She knew they tasted of faraway places and secret hopes, of salty air and warm days in the sun.

She longed to taste them again.

She heard Santiago’s sharp intake of breath and returned her attention to his eyes. The man’s voice was soft but steady as he said, “I know what your response was the last time someone declared himself to you, but I cannot hold back anymore. Imustsay what’s on my heart.”

Briony didn’t speak as her brain and heart warred over which one would overload first from anticipation.Could this be what I think ’tis? Surely I’m just imagining—

Santiago stepped forward until they were only inches apart. She saw his eyes darken as he leaned forward. “Briony, eu te amo. I love you.”

He said it.

He actually said it.

The confession I thought I would never hear.

Briony smiled then and not just with her mouth; it was as if her joy lit up her entire body.

He was so close. All she had to do was move her head slightly for their lips to touch. Her brain began giving orders to do just that, but then—

What if this is na real?Briony paused and searched Santiago’s eyes, those beautiful green eyes, just as she had the first time he’d shown interest in her.

It seems like a lifetime has passed since then.And yet I still feel uncertain.

Briony bit down on her lip hard enough to break out of the reverie she’d been in. She stepped back.

It was just one step, one tiny movement, but it was enough.

Enough for Santiago to know something was wrong. Enough to cause him pain.

“Briony?” The man’s voice was quiet and fearful.

And that fear made Briony’s heart scream in protest.How can I do this? How can I hurt him like this?

That same voice in her head from before—the voice of reason or paranoia, Briony couldn’t tell—said,But if he’s still affected by yer song, you can’ take advantage o’ him now. No matter how much you wish it.Briony shook her head, trying to whisk the voice away, but she couldn’t.

Na when what ’tis saying makes sense.

“What’s wrong? Do you not feel the same way?” Santiago stretched out a hesitant hand.

She extended her hand in return, but then she withdrew before their fingers met. “How do I know this is real?”

Santiago’s eyes widened, and he lowered his hand. “Of course it’s real! I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life! Don’t doubt that. Not even for a second.”