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

“You are right. The pirates always came at night. They like a full moon and it was during one of those times that my Ralph…” She turned her face away. “It sounds as if your man will do well here. I hope he kills every one of the bastards.” She straightened her shoulders and led the way into a great hall where we could seat dozens of men for a meal in front of a massive stone fireplace.

At least someone had thought to make a fire. It wasn’t large enough to truly warm the room, but torches were lit and I could see that an effort had been made to keep this part of what was truly a castle, tidy. Some rather fine tapestries hung about on the stone walls to keep out drafts. The rushes on the floor needed changing but it wasn’t nearly as bad as the outside had made me fear.

I was introduced to two large dogs while I continued to try to explain our strange habits without really explaining the life of a vampire. This was not my first encounter with a mortal. Thank the gods Anne was still too surprised by our arrival to ask many questions.

“Our meals are taken care of by my maid. You can tell your Holly not to bother to feed Jeremiah and me. But the soldiers will need provisions. We brought some with us and there’s a cook of a sort with the men. I’ve heard complaints that he has no imagination.”

“Holly knows how to set a fine table. Obviously, she has been taking advantage of my lack of interest.” Anne sighed. “Come, I will show you the master’s bedchamber. It will be the best place for you and your man, once it is aired out.” She stopped in front of a closed door at the top of the stairs. “I have not had the heart to look inside since...” Anne had already told me she occupied the smaller solar.

“I understand.” I reached for the handle and slowly opened the door.

I could see her late husband’s clothes still hanging on pegs. A trunk at the foot of the bed was open as if the master had just left for battle. Several swords and a small shield were inside.

Lady Anne couldn’t speak, merely looked around then bowed her head as if in prayer. Finally, she blew her nose and stepped into the room. “Ralph loved weaponry. He died fighting for the king and now it’s as if he never lived!” She picked up a shirt that had been tossed on the large bed. “Oh! The dogs have been sleeping in here! I swear a flea just bit me.” She threw it down and sobbed. “The dogs did love him so!”

“Of course, they miss him.” I put my arm around her. “As do you.” The large hounds came bounding into the room, sniffing at our skirts. Fleas. That was something that I would not tolerate. The bites couldn’t wake me from my death sleep, but I would certainly feel them once the sun set.

“I am disgraced.” Lady Anne pushed away. “Let me see what I can do. The bedding…”

“I brought my own. Give me some time to clear things away. You are not used to our sleep schedule and must rest. Leave this room to me. Jeremiah and I must be abed here by dawn.”

Lady Anne hugged me. “Thank you for being so understanding, Madam.”

“Oh, call me Gloriana. Please.”

“Well, Gloriana, I am lucky you aren’t tossing me out into the cold.” She jumped when Colin appeared in the doorway with an arm full of wood. “I will leave you to get settled while I find my bed. Good night.” She hurried away, her eyes on the floor.

“A fire in here. Thank you, Colin, for thinking of it. This is obviously where Lord Jeremiah and I will be once the sun rises.”

Colin dropped the wood in front of the large hearth and made quick work of getting a fine blaze going. Once he was satisfied with that, he walked over to the trunk and picked up one of the swords. “Jeremiah will like this. It’s fine work.”

“If he notices it. This keep is a disgrace. And the bed is full of fleas.” I rubbed the ears of the nearest dog. They had taken a liking to me, unfortunately. I scratched my arm. “Will you get a few lads to help you haul out this bedding? We also need someone to scrub this floor. But it will do no good until you wash the dogs.”

“What? You’re putting me to dog washing now?” Colin laughed when one of the dogs jumped on him, almost knocking him down. “I like hounds, but it seems like that’s work for a scullery maid.”

“Lady Anne told me these are fine hunting dogs. Clearly, they are given the run of the castle. I think it a fine idea if Bruno and Buster will be your responsibility now.” I laughed at the look on Colin’s face. “Just think, Colin. The keep will need food. You can use the dogs to help you hunt and provide for the men. Jeremiah is sure to take notice of your worthiness.”

“But I am a warrior, Gloriana. I came to fight pirates, not hunt for food.” He stood stiffly, his hands fisted.

“I am giving you a chance to show you are a responsible man, Colin, not the boy who stole Mistress MacNally’s drawers on washday and waved them from the tower at Castle Campbell.”

Colin’s face turned red. “It was a lark. No reason for everyone to get in such a lather about it.”

“You embarrassed a worthy woman.” I could not let myself smile, though one was tugging at the corner of my lips. The very serious Mistress MacNally wore drawers made of a bright red with lace trimming, more suitable to a Haymarket doxy. No wonder Colin had been tempted to show them to the