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

alarm yet. Flo and I had vampire sight and the ship, if it indeed was one, was barely a dot on the horizon. Still, I had a feeling… If no one sounded an alarm soon, I would tell Jeremiah what we’d seen.

I looked again. One dot had turned into three. My stomach pitched.

“If we say anything now, Anne will never get her marito.” Flo gripped my hand in warning. “They are still so far away. They could turn, you know. Go on down the coast.”

“Yes, I know. But we can’t ignore the possible danger.” I glanced over my shoulder. Anne and her mother were waiting by the door. “Let’s hurry this along then tell our men what we have seen.”

“It may be nothing.” Flo waved her fan as she turned away to join the other ladies.

“Or it could be something terrible.” I flipped open my own fan. My face felt hot as the witch’s warning haunted me. Three ships? Who else would be coming here? It had to be the pirates, bent on revenge. The one they really wanted was me. I tried and failed to put on a smile as I followed the women to the chapel.

21

The chapel did look very nice, though it was small and would have been dark if it had not been for the dozens of candles set along the walls. The small altar was placed in front of a single cross made of carved wood. It had been decorated with dozens of spring flowers and leaves. The bishop wore a long white robe, heavily embellished, and a conical hat. I was surprised at how formal he looked. He seemed prepared to preside at one of the grand abbeys in Edinburgh.

“Where did this priest come from?” I whispered to Jeremiah as we waited for the ceremony to start. I was not familiar with the procedure but he whisked Anne and the captain over to an alcove to sign the register as soon as we arrived. It became clear to me that this was an important part of the ceremony.

“Not a priest, a bishop. I don’t like it, but the only man available who could marry the two was staying at the MacDonald castle. He came from there. Look at him. He’s one of the king’s spies, I’m sure.” Jeremiah glowered, not an appropriate look for such a happy occasion. On his other side, Lady Rose was weeping again.

“Why didn’t your man put Clyne on a ship to France, Jeremiah? He caused more mischief tonight and sent Lady Rose a letter.” I passed her a fresh handkerchief.

“There wasn’t one in port. You can tell me what he’s done later. Here comes the bishop.” Jeremiah put on a solemn but approving face. He was standing in for Captain Burnett as his best man. “I cannot believe what I’m seeing.”

A group of men and a lady entered the chapel from a side door. They were also dressed in finery. The men wore kilts similar to Jeremiah’s. But that certainly was not the Campbell plaid I’d come to recognize.

“Is that—?

“Robert MacDonald and his bride.” Jeremiah had his hand on his sword. He’d explained that, as best man, tradition held he be ready to defend the groom from anyone who might interfere with the wedding. Was this what he would use as an excuse to start trouble?

“What could they want here? I doubt they know either Lady Anne or the captain.” I liked Robert and Fiona and was glad she looked so well. When we’d left Edinburgh, she’d been secluded after claiming she’d lost their child. Naturally, it had been a hoax since vampires can’t sire children. Fiona had desperately wanted to marry Robert and had used the ruse to get the king, her very close cousin, to insist upon a wedding. Then King James had sent them to this island with the charge to get along with the Campbells. Jeremiah’s own appointment as Guardian of the Coast had been a reward for losing Fiona as a potential bride.

The reward of a fine title had been the one bright spot in the situation. Living together here? Not an easy task when the Campbells and the MacDonalds were sworn enemies. I heard the laird, who stood behind me, curse when he saw the MacDonald party.

Jeremiah turned to warn his father. “Da, we cannot start trouble. I gave the king my word I’d stop this feud with the MacDonalds.”

“I am head of our clan, son. Or did you forget it?” Angus glared at Jeremiah. “If I want to lop off the bastard’s head and stick it on a pike, I’ll damn well do it.”

Flo gripped his father’s sword arm. “And ruin the wedding? No, you will not. Lady Anne has dreamed of this night. Spoil it and I’ll be done with you.”

“You don’t understand, leannan. One of that clan killed my oldest son.” He glanced at Jeremiah. “And others dear to my heart.”

“I am sorry, mio amore, but this is not the time or place to get your revenge. The son you have left here has asked you to behave. Will you do it?” Flo stared up at him, obviously saying more with her eyes.

“Listen to her, Da. You know how I feel, but I must put my feelings aside and greet MacDonald as a guest. We will have a reckoning someday, I promise you. But not tonight.”

Jeremiah pulled me forward to greet the bishop and his entourage. “Sir, thank you for coming.” He nodded. “MacDonald.” He kissed Fiona’s cheek. “Fiona, it’s good to see you looking so well.”

“Lord Campbell.” The bishop smiled at everyone as if this was a wonderful evening. “I know you are anxious for us to start the marriage ceremony. Shall we proceed, sir?”

“Yes, of course.” The captain held Lady Anne’s hand and eyed the lofty group that stood near the altar. He didn’t know those who had arrived but now had more witnesses than any of us had bargained for. He was clearly