Page 31 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage
Mr. Moreland’s eyebrows rose. “She saved another soul besides mine? Please, do share.”
“Have a seat, then,” he said, gesturing to the two empty chairs in front of him.
Niall and Briony complied easily, and the captain began his rendition of the tale.
Briony knew the gist of what he was going to say, so she let her eyes wander around the room as he spoke, noticing that several sailors were staring at Mr. Moreland and mumbling in their native tongue.How I wish I knew Portuguese!
Mr. Moreland, on the other hand, was completely engrossed in the story, and his face lost more and more color as it went on. He never looked away from Costa and never interrupted, but by the time the captain drew to a close, the man was as white as a sheet.
“Mr. Moreland, are you well?” Briony asked.
He shook himself and gave the midwife a half smile. “Aye, Captain Costa’s tale was simply so riveting. I can hardly imagine how all o’ you were able to stay calm in the midst o’ such peril. And, Mistress Fairborn, I had no idea you were such a skilled healer.”
The sailors puffed up at the flattery, but Briony turned her attention to the floor, unused to the praise.
Almost instantly, the sailors offered Mr. Moreland and Briony drinks and began to share more stories of their adventures. Briony was careful not to overindulge, and she noted that Captain Costa kept his men from going overboard in their consumption as well. Some of the townsfolk also sat down to listen in and share tales of their own with nary a hateful glance in Briony’s direction. Everyone was caught up in the merry atmosphere of the room.
All in all, it was much more pleasant than Briony had expected, and by the time she and Mr. Moreland took their leave, she was in a wonderful mood. It was the first time Briony had enjoyed herself in the tavern; she tended not to spend much time in places where people congregated since more people meant more hostility directed her way. Usually, she only came there to help Adaira retrieve her drunken father.
But today, people have been friendlier with me than I can ever remember. I’ve even gotten a few smiles, mostly from Mr. Moreland, but still!
“Did you meet my friend, Adaira, when you first arrived?” Briony asked as she and Niall meandered up to the inn.
“Nay, I only met an older fellow who did na seem very friendly.” Mr. Moreland opened the inn door for her, and they entered the foyer.
“You must be one o’ the only ones unlucky enough to have Mr. Stubbins show you to yer room instead o’ his daughter. She’s probably in the kitchen since dinner is usually about an hour from now. I’ll go check so you can meet her, Mr. Moreland.”
“Thank you; I’d love to meet her. Seeing as we’re ‘old friends,’ though, I must insist that you call me Niall,” he said with a wink.
Briony’s heart quickened at the movement, and the room suddenly felt hot. Her mistake earlier had slipped from her mind, but now she wondered if it hadn’t been a mistake at all.Mr. Moreland—or rather, Niall—does na seem to mind.
“Niall, was it?” a sharp, ominous voice asked.
Briony turned toward the male voice, locking in on a deep pair of eyes across the room. Hurt flashed in those green orbs for a split second as they met hers, but then they flitted over to the man beside her and hardened like a block of ice.
Guilt pierced Briony’s chest, though she couldn’t think of why it came.’Tis na like I’ve done anything wrong, save fer putting off making amends with Santiago.
Lucia, who was standing at the hall entrance with her brother, obviously sensed the tension as well. Her hand trembled as she held Santiago’s arm, and her brown eyes, usually so striking, seemed washed out. Still, she made no move to hold Santiago back as he led them over to Briony and Niall.
Briony pieced together a smile and turned to Niall, hoping this exchange would go well. “This is Mr. Santiago Mendes, the one who hurt his leg, and his sister, Lucia Mendes.”
Niall’s eyes, black already, seemed to darken even more as they took in the Portuguese merchant.
Briony gulped, but she continued to pretend everything was normal. “And this is Mr. Niall Moreland, an old…” Her voice petered out as she got caught up in Santiago’s gaze again.
“An old what?” He raised a light eyebrow.
“Friend.” Niall took a step forward, a storm swirling in his eyes.
What’s happening?Briony looked to Santiago desperately, mentally asking him to stop whatever was going on.
He noticed her expression and hesitated in what he’d been about to say. Something warred in his eyes for a moment, something Briony couldn’t fathom, but then the animosity faded from his face.
“It’s an honor to meet any friend ofBriony’s.” Santiago held out his hand to shake.
Briony noticed how Niall’s eyes narrowed when Santiago used her first name and how he didn’t attempt to shake the merchant’s hand. “Soyerthe one Briony helped. I trust that ’twill na be very long before you recover enough to return home.”
Shifting Ties
