They scanned the buildings, trying to decide which to approach first, when they heard raised voices coming from behind one of the outbuildings. Of one accord they headed for the sound.
Nick, Zach, and Harriet rounded the corner and stopped at the sight that greeted them.
Marlow was loudly arguing in English with a tall, thin man who wore the black cassock of a priest and replied in soft tones, while Hornsby repeatedly interjected in Spanish. Ruford looked like he was ready to throttle them all.
“Olá,” Nick called.
The four men stopped and looked at the newcomers. Marlow scowled, Ruford rolled his eyes, and Hornsby pointedly turned his back on them, facing the priest.
“Olá,” the priest replied with a broad smile, happy to interrupt the contentious exchange.
“Father Miguel?” Harriet dared ask, her chest tight.
“Si,” he answered. “I am Father Miguel.”
“The same Father Miguel who used to serve at the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Dolor in Corunna?” Nick added as he dismounted.
Harriet’s heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear the priest’s reply.
The priest tilted his head, letting the sunlight glance off his balding head. “Si, though it has been a while since I had to move on from there.”
“Mi nombre es Langston,” Zach said. “I believe you were entrusted with something left by my brother Adam, Viscount Sheffield?” He gracefully swung down from the saddle.
“And my father, Giles Chase,” Harriet added, and jumped to the ground. Her horse nearly knocked her over, snuffling her for a treat. She quickly fed him a carrot from her pocket.
Hornsby and Marlow gave her a sharp glance. Ruford squinted at her, looking confused.
“It don’t matter none,” Marlow insisted. “I have the maps and the keys. The treasure belongs to me!”
They were drawing attention from workers at the winery, who slowed down to gawk as they crossed the compound carrying out their duties. A cooper came out of the enormous building beside their group, holding a large hammer and a metal hoop. Despite the chill in the air, he’d stripped to his trousers and boots, his muscular torso covered in sweat and smudges of soot. He spoke to the priest in Portuguese and gave a menacing scowl at the assorted newcomers.
The priest apparently reassured him, and he went back inside, where they could see stacks of barrels, wood staves, and a forge.
“Si, I was entrusted with property by Señor Chase and Viscount Sheffield. They were not able to make the journey with you?”
“Their ship went down with all hands,” Zach said.
“I am the current Viscount Sheffield,” Nick added.
Father Miguel made the sign of the cross, closed his eyes, and his lips moved in a silent, brief prayer. “My condolences on your loss,” he said with sincerity. Then he stepped closer to get a better look at Nick and Zach. “I can see the family resemblance,” he said.
Harriet nudged her horse’s nose out of her face and stroked his long, sleek neck. “As their heirs, we’ve come to claim the … property … they left with you. The hidden treasure Father mentioned in his letter.”
Father Miguel walked over to Harriet and offered her horse a pat. “I see your father in you as well, and not just your face.”
Harriet exchanged a puzzled glance with Nick, who shrugged.
The priest smiled. “You’ve come to claim Tesoro Escondido?”
Harriet looked at Nick and silently mouthed, “What?”
“Hidden treasure,” he mouthed back.
“I claim the treasure,” Marlow insisted. “I have both maps and the keys.”
“I claim it,” Hornsby said. He pointed at Zach. “He gambled with his map and lost. It’s mine.”
“Come, come,” the priest said, beckoning. He led them to a rail where they could tie up their horses. Once all six were secured, Father Miguel led them through the stable and to the pasture beyond. Two mules were placidly grazing, as well as one large horse that towered over them, an old stallion with a grey muzzle and dull coat.
