Page 82 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“Don’t try to pretend you don’t know why we’ve come. You knowpreciselywhy,” Cardoso sneered.

“Unhand Senhorita Fairborn and tell me, then.” Santiago glared at Alves with eyes like daggers until the man let go of Briony’s wrist.

Cardoso sent Alves a disapproving glance before returning his attention to Santiago. “Very well. Santiago Mendes, I am Comodoro Cardoso of the king’s navy, and on behalf of His Majesty, King Joseph,[21]and the Royal Navy, I hereby arrest you for high treason.”

Contradictions

Briony waited. She waited for the outrage that would pour from Santiago’s mouth, the disbelief that would appear on his face, and the glance that he would give her as a sign that everything would be all right.

She waited with complete faith that that was what was about to happen.

And yet…

Santiago’s eyes flickered over to his sister, whose look of terror had increased tenfold. Beside Lucia, Captain Costa stood solemnly, his hand squeezing the woman’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort. A look passed between the siblings, and Lucia gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

Briony turned to the commodore as he stared at Santiago with a hungry expression. This man was clearly used to being a predator, and right now Santiago was his prey.

Na if I can help it.

“What are you talking about? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” Briony blurted, moving between Santiago and the commodore.

Cardoso scowled, glaring at her as if she was a measly fly to bat out of the way. “Is it? Then you must not know Senhor Mendes very well, senhorita.Ihappen to know that Senhor Mendes was one of the conspirators in an assassination attempt last year.”

“Nay, yer lying!”

Cardoso laughed, grating on Briony’s nerves. “Oh, how noble of you, trying to defend him. What are you, his lover?”

Briony’s face heated up. She was so embarrassed by his words that she couldn’t think of anything to say.

“And not just any assassination attempt either. Senhor Mendes was part of a group trying to murder His Majesty the King.”[22]

Briony let out a quiet gasp, at which the commodore smirked triumphantly.

He peeked around Briony and asked, “Do you deny your involvement in the affair, Senhor Mendes?”

Briony spun around, raising her eyebrows at Santiago expectantly. But what she saw in the man’s eyes wasn’t the strength and determination she’d thought she would find. What she saw in them was sorrow, hurt, and—

Santiago broke eye contact and stared at the dirt. “Nay, I do not deny it.”

“What?” Briony whispered, her voice so low that no one could hear it.

Except fer him.And while Santiago didn’t acknowledge her openly, Briony couldn’t help but notice how he winced as if her question physically pained him.

This is the man who just declared his love fer me, the man I was about to share my deepest secret with…

Santiago held out his wrists as Alves placed handcuffs upon them and the other officers aimed their rifles in his direction.

“Senhorita Mendes and Captain Costa, I will also need to speak with you. Join me on my shipatonce.” Comodoro Cardoso cast one last smile at Briony before he and his men started heading back to the ship, prisoner in tow.

Briony didn’t even notice the horrible man’s glance, for she was too much in shock to be aware of anyone except the bound man limping down the hill. Her eyes bore into him, silently begging him to look her way.Please let me know this is na happening right now or that there’s some kind o’ mistake.

But her wish never came. Santiago didn’t turn back even once as he made his way down to the large ship at the end of the dock.

Lucia and Costa followed closely behind the officers, the first weeping quietly and the second consoling her with gentle words.

As Santiago shuffled onto the ship and disappeared into its interior, Briony whispered his name, unable to comprehend what was happening. She tried to push forward, to reach him, but she found that her legs had lost their strength. She wobbled a few times, trying to regain her balance, but it was no use.

Briony collapsed, and all went black.