Page 23 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage
The man waddled forward on his stout legs, coming to a halt right in front of her. He narrowed his eyes, and Briony mentally prepared herself for the onslaught of insults that were about to spew from his mouth.
Before he could start, though, Santiago was already speaking. “It is quite an honor to meet you, Laird Oliver. Your name has been mentioned many times in passing, and I had hoped to see you in person while here, despite your many ‘responsibilities.’ Now that I’m actually in your presence, it’s easy to understand why everyone spoke so well of you.”
Briony gaped at Santiago as she listened to the blatant flattery.
Laird Oliver, on the other hand, beamed at the praise, not seeming to suspect it was anything less than sincere. He opened his mouth to reply, but Santiago was too quick yet again.
“What is it you need to speak withMistressFairborn about?”
Briony didn’t miss Santiago’s emphasis on the respectful form of address, especially since the laird hadn’t bothered to use it.
The laird’s lips lowered into a frown. “The other day, this wench ran into me and made me drop my furs! She did na do anything to help me pick them up, nor did she compensate me fer my loss. She’s naught but trouble, and ’twould be wise fer you to remember that, lad. She needs to be put in her place.”
Santiago’s countenance turned thoughtful. “Ah, I did hear about that, senhor,[17]and I must confess I’m the one to blame. I’m deeply sorry, for she was on an important errand for me at the time. I’m more than willing to take care of the expense since it’s my fault she was in such a hurry.”
Briony placed her free hand on Santiago’s arm.Please, don’ do that. I don’ want you paying fer something you had nothing to do with.
The laird’s eyes homed in on the action, no doubt interpreting it as something else. “Well, if that’s the case, don’ worry about it. I’m sure we can find other ways o’ making up the difference. Perhaps we could come to some kind o’ arrangement. I’ve heard yer a merchant, though I have na learned what sort.”
Briony tried to say something, but Santiago grabbed her hand, shocking the words right out of her.
“Perhaps we could. Why don’t you come visit me later on and we can discuss it?” the younger man said.
A greedy smile lit up the laird’s face. “Aye, I shall call on you later in the afternoon, then, once I’ve had lunch.”
Laird Oliver’s cordial expression wavered when his eyes met Briony’s, but he managed to keep it from slipping off completely before he turned and sauntered away.
Briony barely noticed his departure, though, since she was too busy thinking about the fact that Santiago was still holding her hand. Her stomach was tense all over, and every part of skin touching Santiago’s own felt like it was up against a heated stove.
She glanced at Santiago and noticed that he wasn’t even looking at her; he was peering at the spot where the laird had been standing.
Does he na realize he’s still holding my hand?
She kept staring at him until he turned back to her. There was a question in his gaze, but then his eyes swept down to their joined hands. With a jolt, Santiago released her fingers and dropped his hand to his side.
“Ah, I apologize. I wasn’t paying attention. Were you saying something?”
Briony cleared her throat. “Laird Oliver is na someone you want to have many dealings with, especially na on my account.”
Santiago frowned. “Why is that? Just because he’s a narrow-minded fool?”
A chuckle burst from Briony’s lips. “You have such a brilliantly direct way o’ speaking sometimes. You’ve judged him correctly. He is a fool with nary a good bone in his body. But please, don’ do anything fer my sake. I’ve been dealing with him all my life. I can handle this.”
“But you shouldn’t have to, should you?”
“Nay, she definitely should na!” said a voice from behind them.
Briony and Santiago both flinched and spun around only to find Vincent McLaren, the mad fisherman.
“I did na mean to startle you, but the two o’ you sure are jumpy,” he cackled. His laugh turned into a wheeze as he tried to catch his breath.
Briony glowered at the man.He keeps getting into my business lately and complicating things. I hope he does na make a habit out o’ this.
Mr. McLaren waggled a finger at her. “Now, don’ be fixing me with that look, lass. I can’ help that yer na very observant. You don’ even notice things right under yer nose!”
“You exaggerate, Mr. McLaren,” she argued, her face hardening.
“Exaggerate? Bah! If that were so, you would na be searching fer the truth about yer mum.”
