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

been visiting her almost nightly. He makes excuses to come to the castle and takes his meals in the great hall. Lady Anne used to eat in her solar but I insisted she keep the captain company in the hall since Jeremiah and I cannot. They have been getting to know each other.” I gently lifted the baby when I saw she was asleep on Maggie’s shoulder. “Let me put her in her cradle.”

Maggie got up to gaze at the baby. “What do the captain and the lady think of the fact that you and Jeremiah never join them for dinner?”

“That we are strange, of course.” I sighed. “You know how difficult it is to keep our secret when we live with mortals. And how impossible it is for any mortal to understand.”

“Yes, vampires and shape-shifters. It is a strange new world that I may never get used to.” She gazed at her daughter. “Anna may become one of them. Fergus tells me when she starts becoming a woman, the change can start for her. If it comes at all.” She sighed. “I don’t know what to wish for her. The Turnbulls are desperate for her to become a shifter.”

“Of course. What do you want?” I put my arm around my friend.

“For her to be happy. I may see these shifters as, well, as freaks of nature.” She flushed. “But it is a wonderful thing for my Fergus. He is proud of what he can do. She will want to please her father and will be terribly disappointed if she is indeed a ‘mere mortal’.” Maggie frowned. “That’s what the Turnbulls call me. Oh, Gloriana, you should see the way her eyes follow her father when he is near her. She already adores him.”

I had no idea who my father was. No memory… I let Maggie go and crossed the room. “I think most little girls must love their fathers. Lady Anne talks of hers so fondly. He let her marry for love.”

“She was lucky. Mine drank then used his fists on anyone he could reach.” Maggie shuddered. “I picked a much better man to marry.” She looked up at me. “I admit the first time Fergus changed in front of me, I, well, I screamed.” Maggie’s face turned red. “It scared me silly.”

“Oh, Maggie, I pulled you into this world. Do you regret it?” I moved closer.

“How could I when I found real love for the first time in my life? I now have the family I always wanted. I will take strange and be glad of it.” She walked around the cradle to hug me. “You will have my love and loyalty as long as I live, Gloriana St. Clair. I am just sorry you will never have one of these precious babes of your own.”

“Yes, well, I made the choice.” I turned away. I couldn’t be bitter. There was no point. “Mercy says you have asked her to look after little Anna while you work. I think that is a fine idea, with her expecting her own babe.”

“You don’t mind? She is your maid, after all.” Maggie began to tidy the room, folding blankets and changing cloths. “I thought it might be good practice for her. Once her babe comes, the two little ones can be kept together while I work.”

“It is a good plan. There is little for Mercy to do here. It is not as if we have fancy balls where I need my hair done up. Still, Florence, Laird Campbell’s mistress, makes me want to look my best. She certainly takes her time each night to dazzle us. The men can’t look away.”

Maggie laughed. “I like her. You needed a vampire female friend. There’s no reason to let yourself do such things as fighting then forget that Lord Jeremiah likes you to look pretty.” She walked me to the door. “I took a look at your wardrobe. Mercy hasn’t been taking care of it like she should. The girl has too much on her mind these days, I think, to be a proper servant.”

“She’s doing enough. And no one is better with my wardrobe than you, Maggie. You know that.” I hugged her again. “Oh, how I’ve missed you. Yes, it’s fun having Florence here, but she is not an old friend, now is she?”

I opened the door. “I would love for us to have a wedding here. I need to seek out Lady Anne to see what she thinks of the good captain.”

But when I found the lady, she was packing.

7

“What’s this? Where are you going?” I stood in the doorway of Lady Anne’s bedchamber. There were several open trunks and clothes were tossed on the bed.

“I am leaving. You have no use for me here. I could see that your Maggie has things well in hand.” Her eyes were red from weeping. “I must thank you for your patience in letting me stay.”

“Lady Anne, I have told you. This is your home for as long as you wish it to be. I enjoy your company.” I moved closer. “Whatever brought on this need to leave so suddenly?”

She just shook her head and dabbed at her eyes with a sodden handkerchief.

“Please. Come sit in front of the fire in your solar.” I took her elbow and led her into the room that was cozy and filled with her fine needlework.

“It should be your solar. You can entertain here. Your new friend Florence can sit with you and share tea in front of the fire of an evening.” Lady Anne collapsed on the settle then jerked one of her pretty pillows from behind her back and tossed it on the floor. “Do you want any of these? Or have you brought your own? I can throw them in the fire if they will be in your way.” She pulled another from the long bench and made as if to aim it at the hearth.

“Stop! Don’t you dare destroy months of