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

“Who would want me? I bring nothing of worth with me. And,” She stabbed the cloth in her lap with that sharp needle. “I am barren.”

“Wait. Nothing of worth? You are a woman of good family and very pretty when you are not dressed in drab clothing.”

Anne just shook her head. She stabbed the cloth again.

“And barren? How do you know that?” I was staying well away from Anne and that needle. It made me wonder if there were any way to shoot such sharp objects at an enemy. I took a breath and savored the fresh air coming in from the arrow slit. I actually liked it here close to the sea. My solar? Hmm. Anne stared pensively at her lap, automatically making tiny stitches.

“What I know, Gloriana, is that in almost ten years of marriage, I never gave Ralph a child. I never even increased. Not once!” She looked up, her eyes damp. “Men want heirs. The best I could hope for is an elderly widower with children.”

“How old are you, Lady Anne?”

“Eight and twenty. Why?” She stopped stitching.

“You have many good breeding years left to give a man an heir.” I thought about what Maggie had told me about child bearing. “Are you sure you never even had a chance at one, perhaps lost a babe?” I shivered. Anne knew what I meant. Women lost babes all the time. It was heartbreaking but a fact that God sometimes took matters into his own hands and no one knew why.

“No. It was disappointing, but I always have my courses as I should, regular as the moon goes full. I have certainly wept myself dry over that fact many times.” She looked down at her lap. “I prayed until my knees were raw. Then I tried herbs from an old woman in the village. Did some foolish things she told me to try to make it happen…” Tears gleamed in her fine blue eyes. “Ralph and I certainly enjoyed lusty bed sport quite often, but I never conceived.” Anne brushed away a tear that had run down her cheek. “No man with any property or standing will chance an alliance with me.”

“You are wrong.” I leaned forward. “It was clearly Ralph’s fault. Unless he left bastards scattered about the castle or in the villages?”

“No, there was never any talk of such.” Anne flushed. “I knew he was not always faithful. I ignored it. Men will be men. My mother gave me that advice and I heeded it.”

I growled. Oops. Hide those fangs. “Sorry, but men do not have to act like wild dogs. If you marry again, you should expect fidelity. I do from Jeremiah and we are not even wed.” I pulled out a handkerchief and made as if to touch my nose but it was really to hide my mouth and those fangs. Why did women think they should allow men to betray them then accept them back into their beds? I was not going to do it. Jeremiah knew it too. Or he should.

“Do you really think it could have been Ralph’s fault?” Anne threw aside her sewing.

“Jeremiah has told me that some men get injured in battle and then cannot sire children. You say your husband had been a soldier. If he had ever suffered a wound to his private parts, they might have been damaged beyond repair. From the way you describe his habits, bedding you and others regularly with no issue. Well…” I smiled. “Poor Ralph. I believe you were not the problem, he was.”

Ann flushed. “He did have a scar, near his privates. Though they worked well enough.” Her face lit with a smile. “You have no idea what a comfort that would be. Ralph the problem. Blaming myself all these years has been very much a constant source of pain and worry to me.” She got up and strode to the door to look into her bedchamber. “I didn’t mind going to a stranger my mother’s husband picked out, knowing he might never get an heir. Now? This changes things.” She turned to me, her hands on her hips. “I want to choose my own husband, Gloriana. Or not marry at all.”

“Excellent.” I wanted to cheer.

“If you truly don’t mind my staying here, I also want to see the pirate woman defeated, once and for all. Meanwhile, perhaps I can look about and find someone who will love me. Ralph did, in his own way.” She pulled off her ugly cap and touched her hair. “It is nearly time for the evening meal, don’t you think? I should go down and see about it.”

“It surely is.” I had no idea of the schedule, but always let the mortals do what they would do. “I will seek out Florence now to make sure she is comfortable.” I walked toward the door. “I am glad you are staying, Lady Anne. Shall I send Mercy to put away your things?”

“That would be very kind of you. Thank you, Gloriana. I feel so much better now. You are always kind to me. I don’t deserve it.” She hugged me tight then left the room.

I stared after her. Impossible that this highborn lady thought my kindness was undeserved. Didn’t she remember that I was only a mistress? Yes, I dressed like a lady and tried my best to speak like one. Jeremiah always treated me with respect as well. I still considered it a miracle after the way we’d met.

I sighed. I couldn’t forget that I’d been starving in an alley, homeless, only months ago. It was like I was waiting for all of the wonderful things that had come to me since I’d met Jeremiah to vanish in an instant. I would wake up again. No memory, no one to care for me.

I looked around. This worrying had to stop. I was safe. I had a man who loved me and friends. Instead of imagining the worst that could happen, I needed to