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

“Good evening, mistress.” Colin jumped to his feet and nudged the man next to him until all the men were standing. “Can we get you something to eat?” Then he flushed. He knew I was vampire and didn’t eat mortal food. “I mean…”

“I have already broken my fast but, thank you, Colin. Please, sit, all of you, and finish your evening meal.” I took my place at the head of the table. “I hope the food is to your liking.”

“It’s all fish, mistress,” one of the men grumbled. “Cooked well enough but I am used to a bit of meat on me plate.”

“Colin, perhaps you can take a few men and go hunting soon. If Lord Campbell doesn’t need you for something else.” I studied what had been put in front of them. No surprise that this castle so close to the sea served fish. The Highlanders would have to get used to that. The dish did look and smell tasty.

I wasted a few moments wishing for the days when I could stuff myself with good food and the hot chocolate I loved. Well, I’d chosen love and forever over mortal meals. Not a bad trade, but the delicious smells were a torture. I pretended to sip the ale one of the men poured for me and encouraged them to talk. Most of them were from Edinburgh and didn’t know the truth about their master and mistress.

“Aye, we’ll hunt tomorrow. The cook claims there’s plenty of game to be found hereabouts.” Colin looked down the table. “I’m to be in charge. Mistress Gloriana says so. Master of the Hunt.” He grinned when one of the older men said something in Gaelic. “That’s right, Mick. I may be young but I’m a right good shot with a bow and arrow. Wait and see.”

I listened to the men spar with each other over who would bring down the most pheasant or perhaps a deer and wondered where the women of the castle could be. Lady Anne probably still hid in her solar, fearing we’d cast her out, but there should be maids filling the men’s tankards when they ran dry. I got up and shook out my skirt.

“I will be back in a moment.” I waved the men back to their seats when they stood again then followed my nose to the doorway which led to the kitchens. Some kind of fish stew was on the hob if my sense of smell could be trusted. Not that I had been served that in London. Some forgotten memory struggled to surface.

Several years ago, I’d been found on the stones near the Globe Theater, my memory lost. The only thing I could bring to mind at that time was the name Gloriana. Where had I come from? Did I have a family? It was as if my life had started at that moment. My luck had been in when kindly actor Michael St. Clair had claimed me as his wife. After he’d died, I’d been starving, on the verge of selling myself, when luck had brought me Jeremiah one night. He’d saved me and shown me a side of life I’d never imagined existed.

“Why aren’t my men being served?” I put my hands on my hips, ready to pick up a wooden spoon and lay into one of the slovenly maids sitting at a table in the large kitchen.

“Mistress.” The two jumped to their feet, bumping into each other in their hurry as they assayed curtsies. “We were waiting for the pudding to be ready.”

“It’s been ready and there is ale to be served, ye lazy slugs, so get to it.” The cook wiped her hands on her apron and rounded the table. “I’m that sorry, mistress, but these two are all who would come until the lady herself doled out some coin.”

“Thank you, Holly.” I pulled out the purse I kept at my waist and tossed some coins on the table. Jeremiah had been very generous with me. “Will that pay for some decent help? I don’t want to trouble Lady Anne with this.”

“Aye.” The cook took a coin and bit into it. Her smile lit her face. “I’ll have more maids and a sturdy lad or two here in an hour. Your Mercy took to her bed with a stomach upset. I dosed her but I’m afeared she’s got a bun in the oven if you know what I mean.” She winked.

Oh, gods, I did indeed. Mercy had been dallying with one of the town footmen during our time in Edinburgh. She’d shed some tears when we’d left but the man had claimed he had no desire to join our household or leave Edinburgh when, at her urging, I’d offered him a post. Now it seemed she was going to have his baby.

“Where is her room?” I looked around. The kitchen was clean, organized and I could see Holly knew how to run a kitchen. The first time I’d seen her she had worn a dirty apron but no more. I guess with her mistress locked away, even the cook had lost her will to keep up appearances. Now, she was tidy and stood proudly among her gleaming pots and pans. Holly showed me the way to Mercy’s door.

“How often do the pirates raid the area? Have you seen them?” I couldn’t forget Lady Anne’s husband had died at their hands. Who else had been killed?

“Ah, mistress, they are a plague on us, that they are. Any time there is good moonlight, we must be ready. They row in small boats from their ships and come ashore, screaming like wild things.” Holly shuddered. “They’re led by a woman, if you would believe it. She’s got flaming red hair and wears britches like a man! Carries a sword and doesn’t hesitate to use it. I saw it myself. Cut the arm clean off Jeremy MacAdams.”

“Gods!” I leaned against the wall, my stomach roiling.