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

other men out of his way and they clustered next to the door. I stayed against the table. Poor McFee. I hoped he could talk his way out of this one. I wanted to see those chains removed and the man back on his feet.

“I did not say we failed with the pirates. No, I didn’t, yer lordship. I told him we blasted those pirates to bits. That we were bold, sailing right up to Ireland and strikin’ down their ships at anchor and shootin’ up their castle. Told him about Intrepid, that huge cannon you sent for from Edinburgh.” McFee smiled. “Fella couldn’t believe it.”

“You do like to talk, don’t you, McFee.” Jeremiah stood behind the man. He could have slit his throat from there and that would be the end of it. No, he wouldn’t do it. He didn’t kill just because someone irritated him. And it was clear that McFee did irritate him.

“Aye, sire. Especially when I’ve had a pint or two. Holly has been serving us well at last meal.” He rattled his chains. “I’d hate to miss it, sir.”

Jeremiah actually laughed and walked around to face McFee. “God forbid you miss last meal.” He waved Colin over. “Release him. It’s clear he had no involvement in the plot to kill Gloriana.”

“Thank ye, your lordship.” McFee grabbed Jeremiah’s hand and kissed it. “I will serve you well, I swear it.”

Jeremiah jerked his hand free and wiped it on his jacket. “You will be watched. I will also arrange for a bathing tub to put in the barracks for the men. Be sure to use it before I see you next.”

I almost laughed at the look on McFee’s face. “Aye, sir, yer lordship, sire.” McFee held out his hands so Colin could unlock his chains.

“Be sure to report to me or Colin if that MacDonald spy comes to see you again.” Jeremiah wore his stern look, like he was thinking hard.

“I will, sir. Never fear. I could even drag him in front of you, if need be.” McFee sighed when Colin continued to work on his chains, shaking his hands when the first chain fell. “You could read his bleeding mind. I guess it’s true what they say. That the MacDonalds and the Campbells are always fighting.”

“We are ordered by King James to cease our quarrelling.” Jeremiah picked up that hammer again. This time he slammed it onto the table. “If Robert MacDonald thinks to spy on me, then that may be impossible.”

“Dirty spy. I’ll have a bit of fun showing him how men as work for the Campbells won’t put up with no spying.” McFee was clearly on our side now.

“No, you must pretend to be his friend. I would rather he think we don’t care that he is sniffing about.” Jeremiah put his arm around me. “I will have someone follow him when he leaves, so don’t fail to report as soon as you see him.”

“Aye, yer lordship.” McFee sprang to his feet as soon as the last chain fell to the floor. “I am at your service.” He bowed and almost fell over. “My head. The room is turning around me.” He pressed his hands to his forehead.

“Have Maggie fix you one of her special tonics. It will set you to rights.” I smiled at him. “Thank you for your loyalty to me, Mr. McFee. I’m sorry you didn’t get to bet with that traitor, you would have won.” I dug out a coin. “Here you are. For your trouble.”

“Willum, see that McFee gets to the housekeeper’s quarters for his remedy.” Colin said.

“My winnings!” McFee bit into the coin. “Now that’s all right!” He tucked it away. “A special brew? Not ale, is it?” He gave Valdez a wide berth as he staggered out of the room. “Oh, but the walls keep moving. Got a bit of a headache too. The master has a strong arm, yes, he does. He threw me right into the wall. Don’t cross him, Will.”

Willum murmured something as he gripped his elbow and steered him toward the housekeeper’s room down the hall.

“I’m thinking that the man who tried to kill you worked alone.” Jeremiah walked with me through the castle and out to the courtyard. It was a cool night and I wished for a shawl.

“How did he get here? Could he really come by boat alone all the way from Ireland?” I still worried that another assassin could show up and try to kill me. I wanted to believe the threat was gone, but couldn’t relax.

“There’s one way to find out. He mentioned that he’d been on a ship. If he was a competent sailor, it would be no problem for him to sail a small boat by himself. He’d have left it tied up somewhere or pulled up onto the shore. I’ll send men to look for it. It couldn’t be too far away.”

“If we don’t find it?” I jumped when something landed on my shoulders. I looked behind me and saw that Valdez had brought my shawl and had laid it there.

“Thank you, Valdez.”

“I thought Lord Campbell might be anxious to go check on his ship. I grabbed your shawl in case you planned to go with him or stroll outside.” My bodyguard was solemn.

“It is chilly.” I turned to Jeremiah. “Are you going to the ship? Don’t stay here just for me. I’m well protected, as you can see.”

Jeremiah gave Valdez a searching look. “Gloriana, will you at least stay in the castle grounds until we find out if the man acted alone?”

“I will if you hurry. You know I don’t like to be kept confined.” I looked around. “There are only so many archery contests I can win before the men refuse to play with me.” At least that got a smile from my man.

“I’ll send troops out tonight. Both directions along the coast. If we don’t find an abandoned boat, then that means a ship dropped off your attacker. It’s possible it could