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

“I will hold you to that.” The laird clapped Jeremiah on his back. “Let’s check on that ship. We left it in a bad way.”

“Yes, I need to go down there. I told Captain Burnett to make a list of supplies we’ll need for both ships. Your man riding to Edinburgh will have that order as well as what we need for our ladies.” Jeremiah seemed to remember I was there. “Gloriana, what are your plans for the night?”

“I will find something to amuse me.” I kissed his cheek. “Go, take care of your ship. I have Florence and Lady Anne to keep me company. Fergus is here, with Colin. Valdez is trailing me, I’m sure.” I smiled to take the sting out of that. No need to start the argument again.

“Then we’re off.” Jeremiah and the laird walked across the drawbridge and out of sight.

“Poor Patrick. He was a fine young man.” I couldn’t believe he was dead and so cruelly.

“He thought you were a fine lady. He volunteered to guard you, mistress.” Colin grunted when Valdez hit him with an elbow. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that.”

“He knew what he was doing, Gloriana.” Valdez frowned. “Let’s go inside. Your friends are probably looking for you.”

I just stared at the stables. Patrick had been killed there, clearly standing in the way of the ruthless Zarah. The only reason he’d died was because he’d liked me and wanted to keep me safe. Oh, I couldn’t stand the thought of it.

“Gloriana, please. Don’t dwell on it. You cannot bring him back.” Valdez steered me into the castle.

“No, I can’t.” I wiped at a tear. “It’s just so unfair.”

“The longer I live, the more evidence I see that life often is unfair.” He guided me up the stairs. “I hear laughter in the solar. I believe Florence and Lady Anne are amusing themselves there. They will lift your spirits.”

I stopped in front of the doorway. “Am I to just go on as if nothing happened?” I realized the ladies had looked up and were listening. “Sorry to disturb you both. I’ll be in shortly.”

“It is the best you can do, Gloriana. Jeremiah will write his letter. Perhaps you would like to write your own. Tell her what a gentleman Patrick was and that you mourn his loss. It might help comfort his mother.”

“Yes, I will do that. Thank you, Valdez.” I took a breath, added a smile and stepped into the solar. “Now what has you laughing, Lady Anne? Have you set a date for a wedding yet?”

Her face told the tale. Anne was glowing. “Malcolm said he missed me while on that ship. He didn’t want to die in battle and not have told me how he felt.”

“And how does he feel?” I sat next to Flo on the settle and waited.

Anne jumped up. “He loves me! He wants us to be wed as soon as possible.”

“Isn’t that wonderful, amica?” Flo clapped. “We will plan a grand wedding.”

“No, not grand. I’m afraid my stepfather will hear of it and try to stop it.” Anne sat again and picked up her needlework. Her hands were shaking.

“Let him try.” Flo looked ready to fight. “You are a widow and old enough to make your own choices.”

“Flo is right. What does your captain say?” I had the sense that Malcolm Burnett liked things done properly, despite the fact that he had decided to share the pretty widow’s bed before marriage.

“That’s the problem. He thinks he should ask the baron’s permission to wed me.” Anne clutched her needlework. “I warned him the man is impossible to deal with. Mama chose most unwisely. Lord Clyne will demand some kind of bride payment in recompense for letting me go. He sees me as a way to settle his gaming debts.”

“That seems like nonsense but then you might have to deal with him. Is the captain able to pay him?” I didn’t have any idea if a man who commanded men for the king earned a decent wage.

Anne flushed. “Malcolm comes from a fine family. His father is wealthy but my, um, lover,” her face became even redder and I felt sure that was the first time she’d ever said the word aloud, “chose to go his own way, to earn his own monies.” She put a hand to her hot cheek.

Flo and I glanced at each other and hid our fangs behind our own hands. Mmm, that mortal blood behind those blushes.

“His father would give him whatever he asked. I think he hates to ask it of him though.” Anne threw down her sewing and walked to the window. “Malcolm is a proud man.”

“If you truly want him, sell your jewels and give him the money.” Florence fingered her own sparkling bracelet.

“I already offered. He wouldn’t take it. He told me to keep what I had.” Anne whirled and smiled at us. “Is he not just the most remarkable man! I love him so.”

Yes, I could see that. A remarkable and stubborn man. I honestly had no patience with such attitudes. When male pride stood in the way of happiness? Give way! But here we go again—men will be men.

“Let him write to the baron asking for your hand then, Anne. We will go on preparing for your wedding. If he wants to stop the marriage, Baron Clyne will have to come here. He will surely bring your mother. Wouldn’t it be nice to see her? Surely we can deal properly with Clyne when he gets here.” I got up. I was restless and not sure I wasn’t going to see the witch for more potion. Flo glanced at me and stood too. She looked into my eyes and seemed to read my mind if her frown meant what I thought it did.

“I would love to see my mother. She came here right after Ralph died, but then the baron dragged her back to Edinburgh for a party and more gaming. I haven’t