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

“I will not be ‘sent’ anywhere, sir.” Florence linked her arm with mine. “Shall we stroll the courtyard, Gloriana? I wish to hear the story of how you shot the pirate queen. Your maid Mercy was full of the tale, but I would like to hear it from your own lips, my dear.” She flicked a glance at Valdez. “Are we safe in the courtyard or must you follow us, Valdez?”

“Oh, I will follow you. Gloriana can get into trouble even within the castle.” Valdez waved a hand toward the door to the courtyard as if giving us permission to precede him.

I longed to deny his claim. Unfortunately, I knew he was right. Trouble would never be far away these nights, especially if the pirate queen had vowed to kill me.

6

“You have many fine fighting men here.” Florence pulled me toward a noisy gathering in a corner of the courtyard.

Colin was in charge of the men there. Most of them had come with Jeremiah from Castle Campbell. He was really enjoying his new leadership role and had organized a small tournament. The men who weren’t on guard duty were taking turns fighting with swords. They were the blunt type Valdez had used to train me and Lady Anne.

We stood and watched for a while. Hard hits tossed men onto the sidelines so others could take their places. There was much jeering, then cheering as a big man who came from Dollar bested most of the fighters in turn.

“Brian, you have one more challenger. If you win, you will be champion of the night.” Colin was clearly excited. “Come on up, Dennis.”

“What do I win if I finish off this blockhead?” The burly man who strode up to take his place in front of Brian spoke English like he came from London. I wondered how he’d landed among the Scots.

“Do you need a prize?” Florence stepped closer. “I have a gold coin for the winner.” She pulled one out of the purse at her waist. “I like to see two strong men in combattimento. But put away those silly swords. Can you fight how you call it, hand to hand?” She grinned when each man threw off his shirt. Brian pounded his chest and stalked around like a rooster, bragging he’d take down this one like he had the others.

“Not likely.” Dennis got in his face and they exchanged insults. Oh, yes, the gold coin had worked to make the fight more interesting.

“Florence, what are you doing?” I whispered to her.

“Are you not happy to see two forte men showing off their bodies? I am.” She stepped back when Colin got busy drawing a big circle and making up rules. “You will see. They will have a fine time and so will we, watching them.”

Colin was ready. At his signal, the men threw themselves at each other. I had to admit I didn’t mind seeing their slick muscular shoulders heaving as they strained and shoved against each other. The crowd was clearly in favor of Brian, cheering when he managed to throw off Dennis. But the other man quickly regained his feet. They seemed evenly matched. Soon they were rolling in the dirt, their grunts drowned out by calls from the crowd as bets were laid.

When Dennis landed a punch that made Brian’s nose bleed, Flo and I grabbed each other. It was all I could do not to moan with thirst.

“So robusto.” Flo leaned closer and pointed to Brian, who stood catching his breath and wiping away the blood before diving at Dennis again. “Just smell, Gloriana. His blood would be deliziosa, I think. Have you tried it?”

“I haven’t but now I’m wishing I had.” I was very aware of Valdez at my elbow. I had my pick of healthy men here but had thought to select a woman to quench my thirst. Loyalty to Jeremiah? Did I think he was careful to drink only from other men? Hah! I couldn’t imagine him putting his fangs in one of these hearty souls. He preferred to drink from women. I realized I gripped my skirt as I thought about some of the maids who I’d caught eyeing my man while they worked. I bit back a snarl and fought to keep my fangs out of sight.

“We have a winner! Well done, Brian MacTavish!” Colin held up Brian’s hand while Dennis lay dazed in the center of the ring.

I’d been so busy imagining problems where none existed, I’d missed the final takedown. Now Florence marched up to Brian and handed him the gold coin before she kissed his damp cheek. He flushed a deep red. Oh, temptation. I knew Florence was fighting her own fangs just then. Luckily the moon had gone behind a cloud and the torches weren’t bright enough to make it obvious that she had lost the battle. She put a handkerchief to her mouth as she laughed and hooked her arm through Brian’s in a victory parade around the circle.

“You and your new friend need to stick to needlework.” Valdez grabbed my elbow as if to pull me away from the fighting arena. “You are making fools of yourselves.”

I jerked my arm loose. “You forget your place. Again. Do I have to complain to Jeremiah?” I walked up to Florence and Brian. “Come, I am in the mood to take a walk outside the castle walls.”

I turned to Brian. “Shall we ask our champion to come with us?” I smiled at him. “What do you say, Brian? Will you and Patrick,” I pointed to another man I recognized from Dollar who would understand about vampires, “come with us for a stroll in the moonlight? We will need extra guards and who better than tonight’s winner?”

“Aye, we’d be honored, Mistress Gloriana. Right, Patrick?” Brian picked up his shirt and pulled it over his head. He grabbed the man Patrick and whispered to him.

“Mistress, we will guard you, of