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

myself that question every night.” I hurried to the door. I had yet to kiss Jeremiah since I’d awakened this evening. I could only hope I had regained my familiar taste. Too bad that for some reason I’d overslept. Because I still held some poison inside me? I prayed not. Jeremiah had been gone from our bed when I’d finally opened my eyes. It was a worry. At least I wasn’t tired now, just eager to get on with what promised to be a busy night.

“I hope I’m not making Lady Anne late for her own wedding. Is the chapel decorated?” I was ashamed that I’d never even been inside.

“Holly and the maids have been busy. It looks very fine. They found some spring flowers and leaves and made the altar pretty. There are no seats so the guests will have to stand but the bishop has promised to keep the ceremony short.” Mercy followed me across the hall to the solar.

Colin stood in the hall. “There you are, Mercy. What is that you’re wearing? You look very pretty.” He glanced at me, then grinned and pulled Mercy in for a hug.

“Oh, Colin, just see what I’ve got. This shawl from Mistress Gloriana and a purse from Lord Campbell for both of us. Feel the purse!” Mercy put it into his hand.

“My! Lord Jeremiah shouldn’t have done this. He pays me generous wages as it is.” Colin kept his arm around Mercy. “This is enough to buy our own cottage in Dollar if that is what you want, lovey.”

“Maybe, someday.” She leaned against him. “I am happy here for now. Aren’t you?” She looked up at him.

I cleared my throat. “Run along, both of you. I will see you later. I want to be a witness at your wedding. Be sure to let me know when it is set to start.” I opened the door to the solar.

Lady Anne’s mother was weeping into her handkerchief while Anne herself was trying to console her. Flo stared out the window. She looked beautiful in another of Jolie’s creations. Hers was green to match her eyes. It fit her body perfectly. I had no doubt that Jolie would one day be a famous dressmaker no matter where she decided to ply her trade.

“What’s amiss?” I looked to Lady Anne first, but she nodded toward Flo when her mother leaned against her. “Flo? What happened?”

“That beast Clyne sent Lady Rose a letter. He is claiming a broken heart. That he will kill himself if Rose doesn’t come to him.” Flo threw up her hands. “Why she cares if he lives or dies, I don’t understand.”

“She still loves him.” Lady Anne said from across the room. “I don’t understand it either. He wants her to bring him the last of her jewels. It is his greed again, not love, that moves him, I just know it.” She finally stepped away from her mother. “Mama! Do you really intend to ruin my wedding?”

“What? No!” Lady Rose mopped at her wet cheeks. “But Clyne will do it. Kill himself. He is just that selfish. I will have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life.”

“Ah, so you are not so heartbroken as you are worried you are sinning in some way.” Flo smiled. “This, I understand. The priest has been here, hasn’t he?”

Lady Rose fell into a chair. “Yes. He is right. I belong with my husband. How can I stand by and allow him to commit a mortal sin?”

I’d heard enough. “Lady Rose, the man I met here would never kill himself. He was too arrogant, sure of his worth, to ever leave this earth willingly. Do you agree?” I watched her closely.

“Oh, you are right. Clyne has always thought he was better than everyone around him. Even the king! He has ancient bloodlines and is kin to the Stewarts. A run of bad luck? Someone cheated he’d say. Good luck? Oh, he was the most skilled player who ever picked up a card.” Rose blew her nose. “He will say anything to get his way. I’ve caught him in the most outlandish lies!” She fingered the rope of pearls at her neck. “He’s after the last of my jewels of course. They won’t last a sennight in his hands.”

“Then this threat is one of his lies.” I handed her the shawl that matched her dress. “Lady Anne, are you ready to leave for the chapel? I believe it is time for you to get married.” I picked up the fan I knew Flo had painted for her as another wedding present. “Are you carrying this?”

“Yes, yes I am. It is so pretty.” Lady Anne adjusted her own shawl. She was dressed all in blue, a lovely gown that suited her. Flo and I had insisted she get something made by Jolie while she was here and she’d picked out a style without beading, claiming the captain didn’t like such embellishments.

“Lady Rose? Are you ready to take your daughter to the chapel?” I had to ask the question. Rose kept fingering those pearls. Was she thinking of letting them go to that man?

“Yes, I’m ready.” She wiped her eyes, then gathered a prayer book and a fresh handkerchief. “Clyne will be fine. I will ignore his empty threats. He always manages to come about.”

“I’m sure he will. Jeremiah can send someone to make sure he gets on the next ship as he promised.” I was surprised he hadn’t already done that.

“I cannot care what happens to him.” Lady Rose kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Tonight, we are celebrating Anne’s wedding. Let’s proceed.”

“You both look beautiful.” Flo finally stepped away from the window and gestured for me to come close to her. She leaned in to whisper. “Glory, I see a ship. It is still far away. I hope it doesn’t mean anything.”

I stared out the window. A ship? Were we being attacked? No cannon boomed and the guards in the towers weren’t sounding an