Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates by Bartlett, Gerry (red white royal blue TXT) 📕

throat. “I hope you will not be cross with me, son. I did not come alone but brought along a lady I esteem highly.”

“Lady?” Jeremiah frowned. “Da, did you bring along your mistress?” He shook his head. “Yes, I am angry with Ma, but to ask me to entertain your mistress seems unwise. You know Ma will hear of it.”

“I’m sure she already has. I made no secret of my special companion while I was in Edinburgh. Your mother lost my respect when she treated Gloriana so shabbily.” The laird stared at his son. “Jeremiah, you are a man of the world. Treat my lady kindly or I will go right back to Edinburgh this very night.”

“What do I care for Ma’s good opinion? Bring her on.” Jeremiah reached for me and pulled me closer. “Da, Gloriana is not my wife, but I expect you to treat her with great respect as well.”

I could only gape at both of them. What kind of family flaunted their mistresses? I’d already seen it when Jeremiah had insisted I go with him to Castle Campbell. Now his father was making a show of taking his own mistress everywhere. At least Jeremiah didn’t have a wife at home, embarrassed by his actions. What did Mag think of this? I really couldn’t care after what she’d done to me.

“Dear Gloriana.” The laird bowed and kissed my hand. “I should have said it immediately. I apologize for my wife’s behavior. I have never shared her opinion of you. I am glad my son has found a woman he loves.” He cleared his throat and dropped my hand.

“Now I certainly mean no disrespect to you or my son by bringing my mistress here. I hope you will like her and treat her as a friend. I should think you both would agree my wife never bothered to be kind to you, Gloriana, and has done far worse than merely disrespect you.” He paused while he let that sink in.

“You are right. Laird Campbell. I am pleased you decided to visit us.” I smiled. I knew the laird to be a kind man who had accepted me at first glance. Now I knew why. He’d found happiness with his own mistress. I could not blame him. Mag was a cold woman. Angus Campbell deserved someone who would be kind to him. I hoped he had chosen well.

“My sweetheart is a fine woman, a widow such as yourself, Gloriana. She has stolen my heart. Give her a chance and I believe she will steal yours.” He glanced back. “Here she comes now.” He gave his son a warning look.

“Da, I know better than to judge you on this matter.” Jeremiah squeezed my hand. “As she said, Gloriana and I are happy to see you and whomever you bring with you.”

I was dying of curiosity. The laird with a mistress. Oh, yes, I would be kind to her, whoever she was, and make her my friend, if only to spite Jeremiah’s mother.

The woman who emerged from the carriage threw back her black velvet hood and smiled. She was short and curvy, barely reaching the laird’s shoulder. She had masses of dark hair. Her bright green eyes glimmered with excitement.

“Florence, my love, may I make you known to my son, Lord Jeremiah Campbell, and his lady, Madame Gloriana St. Clair?” The laird took her hand and pulled her forward. “This is Madame Florence daVinci. We met in Italy some years ago and she was kind enough to fly to Edinburgh to meet me last week.”

The woman made a deep curtsy, as if we were royalty. I couldn’t resist, I matched it, then laughed. “Please, treat us as family. Welcome.” I held out my hand and the woman took it.

She had flown. My vampire senses had already told me what Florence was. Leave it to the laird to find a vampire mistress who could shape-shift and fly a long distance, I was sure, just to meet him. I was impressed already.

“Oh, you are too kind.” She smiled and looked up at the laird with stars in her eyes. “Angus, your son is as bello as his father, am I right?”

“If you say so, my love.” Angus put his arm around her tiny waist. “Shall we go in?” He was looking around, assessing the holding his son had acquired. Thank the gods the drawbridge had been fixed and the courtyard was tidy. Men were practicing their sword craft in one corner of the yard while the delicious smells of cooking filled the air. The moat was still fresh and the evening meal had just ended. The workers who were in sight were dressed neatly and doffed their caps before going about their business.

“The king was generous, I see. You did well, son.” Angus stopped to admire the stables while making sure his horse was put away properly and to his liking.

Jeremiah walked beside his father, describing the number of men sent with him and the problems he had faced so far. I continued on to the castle steps.

“Madame daVinci, I am sure you are tired from your journey. Come inside and I will see about rooms for you and the laird.” I had no idea where we could put them. I could only hope Lady Anne was still in the great hall after the evening meal. It had been too easy to leave the running of the castle to her while I played at shooting my arrows and learning to wield a sword.

“I told Angus he should have sent word we were coming. But, no, he wanted a surprise.” The woman touched my sleeve. “I hope you are not unhappy we are here. Angus told me what that Magdalena did to you. Pah! You must hate the Campbells!” Her eyes were bright and I caught just a glimpse of fang.

“Just the one Campbell. Angus is most welcome. I am glad for company, if you must know.” I was relieved when I spotted Lady