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

woman will not be tame. You cannot trust a word she says.” He quickly filled Valdez in on what had happened in Helen’s hut. Flo listened wide-eyed.

“You were touched, beaten by an evil spirit?” She crossed herself. Then she sniffed my hair. “Pah, you even have the stench of that sinful soul on you. Go and wash your hair, take a long soak. Get it off of you, every bit of it!” She stepped back and crossed herself again.

Valdez looked almost amused. Except he was still angry. “You deceived me. You knew you were forbidden to see that witch and yet off you went. Thank God for Fergus.” He waved the man away. “He has duties here he neglected in order to take care of you. You are my responsibility.” He looked through the gate. “Here comes Jeremiah and Laird Campbell. Once again, your lover should fire me.”

“I can’t meet him smelling like this. I’m going inside to the bathing tower. I promise to tell him what happened. Later.” I ran into the castle, waving good-bye to Flo. I knew Valdez would follow me and that would delay his confession to Jeremiah. I gave quick instructions to Mercy for a bath in the tower then stopped in my bedchamber for a robe.

“You had better confess all. I will give you until tomorrow night. Meanwhile, Fergus and I will be checking men with ‘M’ in their names.” Valdez followed me up the stairs to the tower. “The list is endless. The witch was not helpful when all was said and done, was she?”

“Don’t start complaining now, Valdez. I had to try. Surely you see that.” I moved out of the way as a parade of maids and lads brought up buckets of water to fill the large tub in the tower room. The fire was stoked and Mercy brought a kettle to put on the hob.

“It’s already warm, mistress.” She exclaimed over my hair. “Let me brush out the tangles.” She pushed me down on the stool and began working with the brush.

“Did I hear Valdez say you have been to see the witch in the village?” She shuddered and touched her stomach. “This is not the first time you’ve had dealings with such as that. I want to serve you but I can’t risk any harm coming to my babe.”

“I’m done with the witch, Mercy. I came very close to evil this night and it scared me.” I took the brush from her. “Go. I still reek of what seemed to come out of Hell itself, according to Flo. That’s why I’m bathing. I don’t want you or your babe near it.” I realized she was already halfway to the door. “Your time would be best served by helping Lady Anne prepare for her wedding tomorrow.”

Mercy nodded. “Thank you, mistress. I know it may be foolish superstition to some, but I don’t want to expose my child to such evil.” She flushed. “Colin and I, well, we are coming to an understanding. He says he will raise the child as his own, if you can believe it. He claims to love me and I certainly love him.” She gripped the door handle. “He is so wonderful!”

“Oh, Mercy, I am glad for you. I think a lot of Colin. I believe he will be a fine husband for you and a good father for the babe.” I realized tears had come to my eyes. I was thrilled this decent girl was finding a happy solution to her problem.

“I think so too, mistress. I have known him all my life. His family and my family live near each other. If we do decide to return to Dollar, it will be a wonderful life for my little one.” She stroked her bulging stomach. “I am so happy.”

“If you wish to marry, Mercy, the priest will be here tomorrow.” I glanced at Valdez. “If you are afraid to ask Colin if he is willing to say his vows, perhaps Valdez can see what he thinks about it.”

“Mistress Gloriana! You have no idea what that would mean to me.” Mercy’s smile was radiant. “If I come home married someday, my ma would be able to hold her head high, not be shamed by what I’ve done.”

“I’ll talk to the man. I know he thinks highly of you, Mistress Mercy.” Valdez walked to the door. “I’ll be outside now. Wedding talk must wait for daylight, you understand that.” The two were talking as the door closed on them.

I carefully worked the tangles from my hair then poured the steaming water into the tub. I swirled it around with the long-handled paddle left there for the purpose then tested it with my finger. Would I ever feel clean again? I scrubbed myself with my favorite rose soap everywhere the evil had touched me then dipped my head under the water to rinse.

Finally, I felt clean. It was heavenly. Hmm. Heaven. Did I believe in it? I must if I could withstand the evil that had pounded me. I studied the bruises on my arms and legs. I knew they would heal with a night’s sleep, but they were evidence that I hadn’t imagined that malignant spirit that had punished me and tried to kill me.

The door creaked open and I slumped down in the water, covering myself with my hands. Could it come here? Surely, I was safe with Valdez at the door. The man who frowned at me when he walked inside made me wonder if I’d finally gone too far. He wasn’t evil but dangerous none the less when he noticed the marks on my arms.

20

“You just don’t care how much you worry me, do you?” Jeremiah stood next to the door. “Don’t look at me with those big blue eyes. I won’t be cozened.”

“I had to find out who poisoned that arrow, Jeremiah. You knew I wasn’t going to meekly obey you and just forget about it.” I stood and