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

celebrate what I had. Too bad that, although I’d done what I could to solve Anne’s problem, another, much bigger one, stayed on my plate. Were Jeremiah and the laird truly taking ship tomorrow night to roust out the pirates?

That awful dread sat in my stomach as I walked up the stairs to Florence’s room. Without Jeremiah I could very well end up back where I’d started, alone and in trouble. Worse this time because I was a vampire now. There was no changing that fact.

I took a breath and gathered my crazy thoughts. Florence would be able to read them, I didn’t doubt that. A knock and I was allowed entry with a cheerful “Entra!”

Florence had a colorful array of clothing spread on her bed. She smiled as I came in then she waved at the pretty dresses.

“I must decide. What do I wear tomorrow when we send our men into battle?”

“You knew?” I threw up my hands. How could she be so happy about it? Focusing on her wardrobe at a time like this seemed, well, uncaring. “Aren’t you worried they will be hurt or killed?”

“Angus told me all about it.” Florence walked over and put her arm around me. She led me to a chair in front of the fire. “Sit. You think I don’t love Angus? That I hope he will die on the ship? Fall into the sea or something? You are wrong. I play with my dresses to take my mind off of something I cannot change. It is what I do.” She shook her head at the look on my face.

I knew I was showing my feelings to her. So what? If we were to be friends, I wanted to share things with Florence. I hated being helpless. If anything happened to Jeremiah…

“You are determined to want to do something to help your lover. Stop it! He would never take help from you. Don’t you know that? Foolish woman. Oh, if only I could share a nice bottle of vino with you, amica! That would settle you down.”

“Jeremiah is a warrior. On land. What does he know about ships? He says he has fought on them before and been captured!” I didn’t want to sit, but Florence was right, making myself crazy didn’t help anything. She sat across from me.

“He is still here, Gloriana. He says he was captured once, sí, but Jeremiah is still here. He survived. Am I right?” She slapped my knee. “What are you so worried about? We are vampires, we live forever.”

“If no one stakes us!” I couldn’t sit still or calmly pick out a dress to wear for when we sent the men off to do battle. I don’t know why, but it seemed I was a fighter myself. I liked to be involved in whatever was happening.

What was Florence thinking? Was she nothing but a pretty ornament to sit around and decorate a room or open her arms and legs when her man was randy? I saw her staring. Let her read my thoughts. It might end our friendship but I was seething.

“I have lived a long time, Gloriana. I told you that. I have learned a thing or two.” She waved her hand. “Many things, caspisci?” She shook her head and raised a finger. “One. You cannot tell a man what to do.”

“True.” I sat back. I was willing to listen. This was the voice of experience, after all.

“Due, or two as you say. You can make him do what you wish if you are clever.” She got up to select a scarlet dress and held it in front of her. It would set off her dark hair and pale skin to perfection. “Have you learned that lesson yet, amica?”

I thought of the many things I had managed to convince Jeremiah to do, including turning me vampire. “Of course. Shouting and crying does nothing that a seduction won’t do better.” I laughed. “What are you planning? Does that bodice dip as low as I think it does? The soldiers will not be able to look away. The sailors on the ships will likely run aground, steering toward you instead of Ireland.” I could practically see it in my mind.

“It barely holds my breasts. Scandalous!” Florence danced around the room with it in front of her before tossing it onto a chair and digging into her cask full of jewels. “Look at this chain with a pearl as big as my toe! Angus bought it for me before we left Edinburgh.” She held it out to me. “Is it not pretty?”

“Pretty, no, gorgeous! Angus is very generous.” I examined the luminous oval pearl that shimmered in the firelight. “It must be worth a fortune.”

“I am worth a fortune, Gloriana. So are you. Do not forget it.” Flo tossed the gold chain over her head. It settled to nestle perfectly between her generous breasts. “Or let Jeremiah forget it. We will give our men something to remember as they sail off to do battle. The pirates have no idea they are dealing with vampires. They will not have stakes in their hands. Our men can always shift and fly away if things get too bad there. You know that.”

“Yes, I do.” I stood. Time to quit worrying and start doing. Jeremiah would be fine. It would upset him to read my mind and see that I didn’t trust him to take care of himself. “You are good for me, Florence. I am done with my foolish upset.” I brushed my hands together.

“Now how would you like to help me play matchmaker?” I walked to the door.

“It is a good way to take our mind off of our foolish men. I will do it. Are there reluctant lovers we must push together?” Her eyes were alight with mischief.

“I think Lady Anne and Captain Burnett will make a perfect couple, starting tonight.”

She looked down at her dress. While I didn’t worry about my wardrobe most nights, Florence always dressed