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

He obviously had no worries. I should be the same. Surely, he would defeat the pirates and come home triumphant. Surely.

9

It was storming the next night when Jeremiah and the laird left us. Florence wept and clung to Angus. I was tempted to cling to Jeremiah, but settled for a lingering kiss.

“Perhaps you should postpone this attack. This weather is horrible.” I smoothed down the front of his coat.

“Actually, this is perfect. The pirates will have no idea we’re coming. The ships we have are quite sound. They can handle this weather.” Jeremiah pulled on his hat. “Before you know it, we will be back with word that the bastards are no more.” He threw open the door and strode out into the night.

Colin wrestled the heavy door shut behind them as the wind and rain blew in. “I don’t envy them the trip across the channel. You want to see what’s ahead of them, look out the tower window. Such waves.”

Flo and I hurried up the steps. Once in the tower, it was clear that the gray sea was rough and would be the devil to navigate. We held onto each other.

“I pray that my Angus will be careful. He told me he gets sick on a boat. He will be miserable, tossing about in that thing.” Flo dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.

“Jeremiah has a strong stomach, but it will be hard to get in the rowboat and board the ship without falling into the sea. Look at the beach!” I pointed to where we could see the soldiers scrambling into boats and fighting the waves to row out to the ships. It was a mess and one small boat turned over, sending the men and their weapons overboard. They were quickly rescued by men in another boat, but it made my stomach fly up to my throat. This did not bode well for the journey to come.

“I am going to the village. There’s a woman there who can see the future.” Lady Anne spoke from behind us. “I need to know if Malcolm will come back to me.” She flushed. “After our night together, I cannot lose him.”

“Oh, was it fantastica?” Flo ran to her side. “I want to hear everything!”

“Gloriana was right about how to go on. I served him brandy. Then sat next to him on the settle. He was surprised, but then he smiled at me.” Anne smiled dreamily. “He is so handsome, don’t you think?”

“Yes, he is.” I didn’t need to read her mind to see that Anne had managed to have a wonderful night.

“I didn’t look away shyly like I usually do. Or pick up my needlework.” Anne stared at the floor then looked up and squeezed Flo’s hand. “I lifted my chin and stared right into his eyes as bold as can be. He, he kissed me then.” She flushed then giggled like a schoolgirl. “Oh, my, but his kisses are wonderful.”

I sighed, remembering Jeremiah’s first kiss. There was nothing better than the thrill of finding the one you wanted more than anyone else.

“What happened then?” Flo shook Anne’s hand. “Tell us!”

“I was daring. I stood and glanced at the door to my bedchamber.” Anne smiled. “I’d left it open. There was no missing my point.”

“I am proud of you, Anne!” I drew closer. “How did it go?” Hearing about her romance was a good distraction from what was going on at the harbor.

“It was wonderful. He is so kind, so caring… And passionate!” She actually had tears in her eyes.

Flo squealed, yes, squealed then hugged Anne. “I am so happy for you. There is nothing better than a passionate man. Right, Glory?”

I sighed, remembering my own passionate man and the way he’d thrilled me the first time we’d made love. “Yes, you are right, my friend. And now he, Jeremiah and the laird are in this storm in ships that could well founder before they ever make it to the pirates’ stronghold.” I hated to be gloomy when we were celebrating Anne’s happiness, but I couldn’t stop thinking about a battle in a storm.

“Ah, it is true. We have no time to celebrate Lady Anne’s fare l’amore. We must worry about our men.” Flo ran to the window. “It is even worse now than it was when they left.”

“What about this woman who you say sees the future, my lady? Is she a witch?” I shook my head. “I’ve had some dealings with witches. There are good ones and evil ones. I’d like to see the future, but if she wants a piece of my soul for it, I’m not interested.”

Anne cleared her throat. “I have known Helen for years. She has never asked for anything but coin for her predictions. They do come true.” Her eyes filled. “She saw Ralph’s death. I did not want to believe her, but it happened when she said it would.”

“I am sorry, my lady.” Flo patted her shoulder. “Bad witches, pah!” She spit on the floor and crossed herself. “I am with you, Glory. We have no use for them, but if she really did see the future, I want to know it. I have coins. I say we see what she says.”

Anne wiped her eyes and smiled. “She also said one day I would have a child, but not by Ralph. I didn’t believe her but now?” She pulled her own coin out of her bodice. “It is possible, my new friends. I have slept with a lusty man and I have you to thank for it, Glory.”

“Please, my lady. I believe you had something to do with it.” I smiled when she flushed. “He had to want you to follow you into your bedchamber.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Anne fingered that coin, not meeting our eyes. “I couldn’t believe it. Two times, last night, Malcolm made me see stars! That never happened to me before. Surely I could have conceived.” She finally looked up and hurried to the