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

are built differently from men. Round hips and bottom. Most men are flat there.” She turned me and swatted my butt. “Then you come in at the waist. That’s a different problem. I will have to take measurements.”

“Will you do it? For Flo and for me?” I grabbed her arm. “Come to the storeroom. You should see the fabrics Jeremiah and the laird had sent from Edinburgh. Beautiful! I want blue velvet and Flo wants black for these britches. And trimmings. Can you imagine how we will look?”

“Like you are play acting on Master Shakespeare’s stage.” Maggie shook her head. “Jeremiah isn’t going to like this, is he?”

“Let me worry about him.” I dragged her to the storeroom.

We spent a busy hour going through the piles of fabrics. I found one that would look very pretty on Maggie and insisted she take it as payment for making the britches. We agreed that there would be plenty of velvet scraps for baby dresses as well.

“Come now, tell me. What does Jeremiah really think of your wearing britches?” Maggie asked as we carried the fabrics and trim to her rooms.

“I haven’t told him about them. It will be a surprise.” Though I knew he had already complained that my running around like a warrior woman would not be to his taste. Too bad. I couldn’t wait.

“You are bolder than I would be.” Maggie put down the fabric and shook her head. “Jeremiah likes your feminine ways, Glory. Why do you constantly test him? Are you trying to push him away?”

It was a good question. Was I testing him? I’d even threatened to leave here. I sat in a chair while Maggie checked on the baby and then fed her. She sent Mercy to the kitchen for a meal and then sat across from me, the baby at her breast.

“Well?”

“I guess I still can’t believe my luck. Why does this wonderful man love me? Why is he so determined to keep me?” I leaned forward and touched the back of the baby’s neck, so soft, so sweet. “Am I mad?”

“No, I feel the same way at times about my Fergus.” Maggie shifted the baby to her other breast. “How did I get so lucky? I was sure I would never find happiness. I had given up and accepted an empty life. Then Fergus decided to love me. Why? I still don’t know.” She kissed the top of the baby’s head as she patted her back. “God had a hand in it. That’s all I can think. I don’t deserve it, but there must be a plan I don’t understand.”

“I could ask the witch.” I couldn’t believe I had said that.

“No!” Maggie’s eyes widened. She managed to cross herself despite the baby in the way. “Stay away from those witches. Don’t you believe in God, Glory?”

“I don’t know.” I closed my eyes. “Yes, yes, I do. Gods. That comes from somewhere in my lost past life. I know I believe. But I am still confused. I need answers.”

“You may never get them.” Maggie put the baby on her shoulder and stood. “Stop borrowing trouble and give yourself permission to be happy. Can you do that?”

“I can try. Just as soon as I’m sure a pirate won’t come looking for my head.” I got up and let her measure me. That took a while. By the time we parted I was impatient to take my walk down to the beach. I wanted to talk to the captain. Lady Anne didn’t have a father looking out for her interests, so I would do it. What kind of home would this man provide for her? I wanted to know.

“You aren’t planning to visit that witch again, are you?” Valdez walked beside me on the path to the beach. It was a fine night with a half-moon high in the sky. No clouds were blocking the stars or moon so the shadows the trees made were a bit spooky. “I heard you mention her to Maggie.”

“No, I threw it out there to see what she’d say. No surprise that she was horrified.”

“Testing her now.” Valdez kept his hand on his sword. “You should be horrified too. About a pirate coming after you as well. Don’t be flippant about it. I’m watching for one all the time.”

“I appreciate that.” I didn’t carry a sword yet. What was the point when my skirts would likely trip me? I did have two knives, one at my waist and one under those skirts.

“Now we are on our way to bother the men at their work?” Valdez seemed in the mood for conversation.

“Yes. I suppose they are busy, putting away all the supplies they ordered from Edinburgh.” We were close to the beach and it was a hive of activity. Men were loading boxes into rowboats and rowing out to the two ships.

Captain Burnett was directing them. He stood on the beach and sent some boxes out to his ship and others to one of the buildings near the forest. I didn’t see Jeremiah and the laird. Perfect.

“Captain Burnett, good evening.” I strolled up to him like I had no purpose but to find my lover. “Have you seen Jeremiah?”

“Good evening to you, Madame St. Clair.” The captain gave me a slight bow. “He is on his ship. It sustained great damage.”

“Oh, please call me Gloriana. Your betrothed and I have become great friends. I love Lady Anne. I hope you will count me as a friend as well now that you are to be wed.” I held out my hand and he took it.

“Why, thank you, Gloriana. And I am Malcolm. Lady Anne has made me the happiest of men by accepting my suit.” He grinned and looked younger than I’d thought, not more than thirty. He must have the king’s favor to be in charge of the soldiers.

“Where are you currently living, Malcolm?” I glanced at the cluster of buildings near the forest. I knew they had been hastily built when