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

I rolled Donovan over. There was that sword in his hand. “It might have. But he could have hurt or killed both of us with this sword. You did the right thing, Fiona. Don’t play that game of ‘if only.’ It will drive you mad.” I pushed her to the stairs. “Why don’t you go up and tell Fergus what happened here?”

“I can’t leave you alone.” She gasped when Valdez suddenly appeared behind me. “Where did you come from?”

“I was in the passageway. Did you really think Bailey told you the truth? There were four more men in that passageway I had to deal with. You can thank me later.” He checked Donovan. “He’s dead all right. That was an excellent shot, Countess. I had just finished off the last man when I saw what happened. Not many marksmen could have hit a man in mid-jump like that.”

Fiona flushed and looked down at her feet. “I thank you, Valdez. I’m surprised you didn’t interfere. It is your duty as Gloriana’s bodyguard.”

“I had her back. She managed well on her own and remembered her training.” He actually smiled at me. “Share this story with your husband and Lord Campbell, though, and I am afraid they will not take it well. Both MacDonald and Jeremiah are fine fighters, but they don’t want their women in the middle of a battle.”

“You are right about that.” Jeremiah appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “Gloriana, I smell blood and death. What have you done?”

Robert MacDonald pushed in behind him. “Fiona, are you all right? Are those pistols in your hands?” He sniffed the air. “Who did you shoot?”

“Robert, you won’t believe it but I, I killed two pirates!” Fiona threw herself into his arms.

“How did you acquit yourself, my love?” Jeremiah stared at the men locked in the cells. “Are those your work?”

I walked up to him, sliding my sword into its scabbard. “It is indeed. My pirates are only wounded. I managed to question the one in the cell on the right.”

“Did you?” He looked over my head at Valdez. “And you stood by while this was going on?”

“No, indeed. There is a pile of bodies down the way, if you want to count them. Gloriana took care of this lot though. Handily.” Valdez met his gaze steadily.

“We won the night, Robert.” Fiona pulled back. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“It certainly is. Though if your cousin the king got word that you’d put yourself in harm’s way like this I might be looking for my head. Campbell as well.” Robert rolled a body over and then looked back at his wife. “Dead center through the heart. A fine shot, my darling.”

“Thank you.” Fiona stared down at the man she’d killed. “I am horrified by it.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You are right. If Jamie got word of this . . ?” She shook her head. “I fear he’d lock me up in an asylum. Four men against the two of us, Glory. I’m the one who made us go forward and take them on. What was I thinking?”

“That we could defend ourselves.” I refused to be ashamed of that. I waited for Jeremiah’s verdict. He was always so protective, treating me like I was helpless to defend myself. I glanced at Valdez and he hid a smile. Oh, yes, that mind reader knew how I chafed at a woman’s role.

I stared at the two dead men, then at the two in the cells. “Jeremiah, I suppose you would have preferred that we join Madame daVinci on the battlements. We could stand uselessly there while the guards made sure no pirate came near us.”

“Hush, my love.” Jeremiah took me in his arms. “I am proud of you. I can think of very few men who could have taken down as many pirates as you and Fiona have done this night. And you even managed to question one of them?”

I leaned against him, savoring the strength I found in his arms. “Yes. He said they were the last four in the castle. Now Valdez said he lied. I should have read his mind. I did learn there is another passage we need to guard.”

“Excellent.” He kissed the top of my head. “I find having a warrior woman of my own is a very fine thing. What say you, MacDonald?”

“For once, we agree, Campbell. Our women have done well. Now dry your tears, Fiona. We are invited to a wedding. Our bishop asked if he could preside and I said we’d attend.” Robert kissed her damp cheek. “But he would be scandalized to see you in that garb. Britches! They certainly show your assets off to the world.” He patted her bottom.

“Robert, behave.” Fiona sighed. “I am devastated. You must understand that.”

“Yes, my dear,” he said with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, “shall we retire to our room so I may comfort you?”

“Certainly. I cannot wait to leave this horrid place and breathe some fresh air.” She wrinkled her nose. “Gloriana?”

“I quit breathing a long time ago.” I held onto Jeremiah. “We will be at the wedding as well. Go on up. I’m sure a servant will show you to your bedchamber. The gentlemen could use a wash too, don’t you think?”

“I do indeed.” She took Robert’s arm. “Now tell me what you think of these britches, sir.”

“I could show you, but we must hurry. We have dawn to consider, you know.” He pinched her bottom then winked at me. “We will see you at the wedding. Don’t wait if we are late.”

“Come, Gloriana. No doubt you are as eager to get away from the scent of death as Fiona is.” Jeremiah drew me up the stairs. “I am not certain I want to bed a woman in britches, but I must say you wear them well.”

“Thank you, Jeremiah.” I stopped him and gave him a kiss, despite the fact that he was filthy with soot from cannon fire. “I’d wanted