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

“This is lovely.” I walked over to the window. A fine tapestry had been hung over the window to keep out the cold, but someone had tied it back. “You can see the sea from here!” It was a glimmer in the moonlight.

“Yes. I will not be surprised by the pirates again.” Lady Anne came to stand beside me.

“Have you seen them?” I glanced at the jeweled chain that hung around her neck. She also had a fine gold pin that held the ring with her keys. Pirates would not have left such treasures.

“I see you looking at my chain. I had my jewels well concealed. I was also hidden when they came. Ralph insisted on it.” She took off the ring that held her keys. “Here. These are the keys to the castle. They belong to you now.”

“Please, keep them. I know nothing about running a large dwelling such as this.” I expected disdain from her when I said this. I had gotten plenty of that from Jeremiah’s mother. She knew I’d spent time with an actor at Shakespeare’s Globe theater. Married or not, that was all Mag had needed to know to brand me a slut. Unfortunately, the label slut was accurate. In fact, my marriage had been a lie. Michael had invented it to give me his name and an air of propriety. One night with Jeremiah and I’d fallen into his bed. I’d never admit that to Mother Campbell to prove her right.

“Surely you will learn.” Anne kept trying to put the keys into my hands. “There must be someone you brought with you who can serve as housekeeper. I know my own mother never lifts a hand to run her own castle. She has a worthy servant who manages everything.”

I spared a moment wishing for my friend Maggie’s sturdy presence. She had given birth to her daughter after the new year and sent word she and the babe were doing well. We’d both learned to read and write in the company of Jeremiah and his man Fergus who were men of letters. I was glad she’d wed Fergus, but his family of shape-shifters had not happily welcomed Maggie, a mere mortal. Now they were eyeing the new babe for signs she might become a shape-shifter. Luckily for Maggie, the traits they waited for would not emerge until the lass turned nine or ten. Would I be selfish if I sent for her?

“I have no one now.” I pushed the keys back into her hands. “You would be doing me a service if you would continue managing things until I can send for someone.” I would do it. Send for Maggie and see if she could persuade Fergus to come back to serve Jeremiah. I knew my man would be happy to see the shifter again. They had fought battles together before and been good friends for years. There was no one Jeremiah trusted more than Fergus Turnbull.

“If you are sure.” Lady Anne sighed and gestured for me to sit. She moved a piece of needlework out of the way and took a seat in front of the fire. “I cannot believe you trust me to oversee anything. For the past two years, I have let the work here go. Before that, I spent most nights hiding.” She ran her jeweled chain through her fingers. “Ralph insisted.”

“Hiding from the pirates.” I leaned forward. I really wanted to hear more about the murderous creatures. “Where did you go?”

Lady Anne sighed. “There is a secret room under the stairs that I locked myself inside when the call went out that the pirates’ ships had been sighted. It is small and dark and,” she hugged herself and shivered, “terrifying.”

“It sounds horrible! But safe.” I reached out to touch her skirt.

She covered my hand. “I hate it but there is room for both of us in it.”

Cower in a little room while everyone I loved fought? That was not my nature. I leaned back and shook my head.

“I cannot imagine leaving Mercy, Colin, and all the people who work here to take care of themselves. I would not be so—” I stopped myself before I could say more. I wanted to say I wouldn’t be so selfish or craven. I would fight to help save the people who depended on me. But then I’m a vampire, not a soft, helpless mortal like the delicate Lady Anne.

“Pray forgive me. I realize you were only doing what your husband insisted you do.”

“Yes, he said I would distract him if he had to worry about me during a fight.” Lady Anne plied her handkerchief as her tears fell. “I hated to hide there like I had no use. I wanted to pick up a sword and do something. But what?” She stood and walked to the fire. “I know nothing of swordplay. Ralph refused to teach me. Women are not meant for such things, he said.” She whirled, suddenly angry. “That did not stop that red-haired vixen from using a sword to stab my Ralph through the heart, now did it?”

“The pirate. The people here speak of little else. I’m so sorry.” I led her to a chair. I spotted a decanter and poured her a goblet of what smelled like a very fine brandy. “Here, drink. If you like, I’ll get my bodyguard to teach us both how to wield a sword. Though I’m not sure hiding in your little room isn’t still the best thing for you.”

“If you can be brave enough to stay out and fight then why can’t I?” She drained the goblet then set it on the table.

I couldn’t begin to list all the reasons why a vampire had the advantage over any mortal but especially over one as delicate as the elegant Lady Anne. I picked up her needlework. The tiny stitches were creating a scene of seabirds over the waves. I would never have the patience or the