“Our meals are taken care of by my maid. You can tell your Holly not to bother to feed Jeremiah and me. But the soldiers will need provisions. We brought some with us and there’s a cook of a sort with the men. I’ve heard complaints that he has no imagination.”
“Holly knows how to set a fine table. Obviously, she has been taking advantage of my lack of interest.” Anne sighed. “Come, I will show you the master’s bedchamber. It will be the best place for you and your man, once it is aired out.” She stopped in front of a closed door at the top of the stairs. “I have not had the heart to look inside since...” Anne had already told me she occupied the smaller solar.
“I understand.” I reached for the handle and slowly opened the door.
I could see her late husband’s clothes still hanging on pegs. A trunk at the foot of the bed was open as if the master had just left for battle. Several swords and a small shield were inside.
Lady Anne couldn’t speak, merely looked around then bowed her head as if in prayer. Finally, she blew her nose and stepped into the room. “Ralph loved weaponry. He died fighting for the king and now it’s as if he never lived!” She picked up a shirt that had been tossed on the large bed. “Oh! The dogs have been sleeping in here! I swear a flea just bit me.” She threw it down and sobbed. “The dogs did love him so!”
“Of course, they miss him.” I put my arm around her. “As do you.” The large hounds came bounding into the room, sniffing at our skirts. Fleas. That was something that I would not tolerate. The bites couldn’t wake me from my death sleep, but I would certainly feel them once the sun set.
“I am disgraced.” Lady Anne pushed away. “Let me see what I can do. The bedding…”
“I brought my own. Give me some time to clear things away. You are not used to our sleep schedule and must rest. Leave this room to me. Jeremiah and I must be abed here by dawn.”
Lady Anne hugged me. “Thank you for being so understanding, Madam.”
“Oh, call me Gloriana. Please.”
“Well, Gloriana, I am lucky you aren’t tossing me out into the cold.” She jumped when Colin appeared in the doorway with an arm full of wood. “I will leave you to get settled while I find my bed. Good night.” She hurried away, her eyes on the floor.
“A fire in here. Thank you, Colin, for thinking of it. This is obviously where Lord Jeremiah and I will be once the sun rises.”
Colin dropped the wood in front of the large hearth and made quick work of getting a fine blaze going. Once he was satisfied with that, he walked over to the trunk and picked up one of the swords. “Jeremiah will like this. It’s fine work.”
“If he notices it. This keep is a disgrace. And the bed is full of fleas.” I rubbed the ears of the nearest dog. They had taken a liking to me, unfortunately. I scratched my arm. “Will you get a few lads to help you haul out this bedding? We also need someone to scrub this floor. But it will do no good until you wash the dogs.”
“What? You’re putting me to dog washing now?” Colin laughed when one of the dogs jumped on him, almost knocking him down. “I like hounds, but it seems like that’s work for a scullery maid.”
“Lady Anne told me these are fine hunting dogs. Clearly, they are given the run of the castle. I think it a fine idea if Bruno and Buster will be your responsibility now.” I laughed at the look on Colin’s face. “Just think, Colin. The keep will need food. You can use the dogs to help you hunt and provide for the men. Jeremiah is sure to take notice of your worthiness.”
“But I am a warrior, Gloriana. I came to fight pirates, not hunt for food.” He stood stiffly, his hands fisted.
“I am giving you a chance to show you are a responsible man, Colin, not the boy who stole Mistress MacNally’s drawers on washday and waved them from the tower at Castle Campbell.”
Colin’s face turned red. “It was a lark. No reason for everyone to get in such a lather about it.”
“You embarrassed a worthy woman.” I could not let myself smile, though one was tugging at the corner of my lips. The very serious Mistress MacNally wore drawers made of a bright red with lace trimming, more suitable to a Haymarket doxy. No wonder Colin had been tempted to show them to the world. It was the same goodwife who always lectured the restless boy on his failure to come to church.
“You are sure? This is not a way to keep me out of the fighting? My ma was makin’ a fuss about me comin’ here.” Colin pulled out the sword and made a few feints with it, showing off his efforts at fighting. I wasn’t impressed.
“We need to feed the men. You will be busy with those hounds, searching for deer, hare, who knows what you will find in those woods? Pick someone younger you can name your assistant.” Well, that made the boy’s eyes light up.
“Very well. Benjie will do the job and be glad of it, little coward.” He nodded and grabbed one of the dogs by his collar. “Can’t see him fighting pirates.”
I hoped neither of the young boys from Dollar had to do such a thing. “Make sure you get them clean and every flea off of them. Send me those men and a cleaning crew first.”
I knew Jeremiah would be pleased with my decision. After a string of mishaps, Colin’s parents had despaired of him. Jeremiah had taken him under his wing, glad to have someone with him who had been raised near Castle Campbell and understood about vampires. Colin had proved to be smart and eager to show everyone back home that he could be a hero. So far, we hadn’t had any tests of his fighting skill. I hope when we did, he didn’t do anything rash.
“Let’s go, hounds.” He finally caught the other one and dragged them away. “Bloody nuisances, I say.” He was muttering curses as he hauled them down the stairs.
It took several hours before the room was fit to have Mercy and some of the men haul in our own bedding and our clothes. I could feel that dawn was near. But where was Jeremiah? He knew he couldn’t get caught by the sun.
“There’s a stout lock on the door, mistress, so you will not be disturbed during the day.” Mercy was not happy. She had already let me know her own living quarters were barely habitable and beneath her station as a lady’s maid.
“You’ve done well, Mercy. I will make sure we hire maids aplenty to help you once we’re settled.” I’d demanded a tub be filled so I could wash away the dirt from the night’s work and our journey from Edinburgh.
“Thank you, Mistress Gloriana. I’m afraid those I’ve met so far are a lazy lot. Full of questions as well.” She laid a cloth near the fire to warm. “I know to keep myself to myself. They’ll not find out your secrets from me.” She looked around the room and frowned. “It’s very late. I’m sure the master will be here soon. Shall I send Colin running for him?”
“Jeremiah is a grown man. He wouldn’t like to be fetched like an absent-minded boy.” I let Mercy help me out of my dress then settled into the hip bath. “You may go find your own bed. I will take care of myself.” The warm water felt heavenly. I leaned back and closed my eyes, enjoying the first rest I’d had in hours.
“Yes, I am a grown man. Shall I prove it?” Jeremiah’s deep voice made me look up with a smile.
2
T he small copper tub I sat in couldn’t possibly hold two. Jeremiah lifted me out of the water and gave me a lingering kiss before he wrapped me in that cloth warm from the fire. He washed quickly and grabbed a cloth of his own then pulled me close.
“I wish we had more time before the sun rises.” His body against mine stirred me just as it always did. Our wrappings fell to the stone floor.
“Time enough, I think.” I ran my hands over his hard angles and firm muscles. My man had always been a warrior. He’d been in his prime when he’d been turned vampire and would never change.
“Ah, lass, you are right.” His grin made my heart dance as he picked me up and carried me to our bed.
“I heard the castle was a filthy mess when you arrived. I admit, I dreaded what I might find here but you have our bed as cozy as ever.” He lay me down and looked his fill then dropped a kiss on my
breast, lingering just where he knew I liked it. He raised his head and smiled. “Well done.”
I grabbed his hair and pushed him to me again, humming with pleasure. “It was no easy task. We are taking a home away from the widow of the former Guardian of the Coast, Jeremiah. It is a disgrace that there seems to be no provision for her.” I pulled his head up to look in his eyes. He knew I’d once been in the same situation and had nearly starved. “Is there anything we can do?”
“I will see about her tomorrow. I really can’t think about another woman right now, my love, when I have you lying under me. Let me feast on you.” He kissed me then, deeply, with a hint of fang that made our blood mingle in my mouth.
I wanted him desperately. Just as I always did. We had a connection that I couldn’t deny. Not only did I love him, but I’d changed everything for him. Deciding to become vampire was a decision I had not made lightly. Now we could be together forever.
Forever? I tried to imagine it and failed. This love making me breathless was still new. But I wondered if time would make us tire of each other. Most men I had known liked variety. That Jeremiah might wish for another made me tighten my grasp on his shoulders. How could I be enough for him?
I offered my vein to my lover. He took me then, the pull at my neck only making the way he made me his even better when he surged inside. I was soon calling his name. Oh, I almost hated that he could drive me mad so easily. Why was I in his thrall? I’d never had the answer to that. Instead, I let go. I took my pleasure then pushed him onto his back so I could drink my own fill at his vein. It was the way we enjoyed each other. Jeremiah was not a selfish lover. I thanked the gods for that. When we both were sated and sunrise pulled us toward our death sleep, I dragged the covers to my chin.
“Did you lock the door?” I had to ask. We were in a strange place surrounded by mortals who had no idea what we were. I was new enough to my vampire state that falling into that death sleep still made me wonder if I’d ever wake up again. We were so open to attack when we died at sunrise and there were pirates . . .
“Aye. I put Valdez at the door to guard us.” Jeremiah tucked the fur robe we’d brought with us around me. “You are safe, my love. I will always do my best to keep you that way. Do not worry about the pirates. There is not enough moonlight yet to tempt them, so they say.”
“Good. We must be on our guard. The people here are full of tales of their daring. And they are led by a woman, Jeremiah!” I sat up and stared at him. “She is ruthless.”
“So I heard. The villagers were eager to talk of how the last Guardian was killed by her.” He pulled me close again, soothing me with a hand through my hair. “I know you are not afraid, my own fearless woman.”
“I don’t like to see you in danger, Jeremiah.” I sighed against his chest. “We have had to face too many dangers since we met. Too many enemies are eager to test your immortality.” I thanked the gods my love had been up to the challenge.
“The last enemy was no match for you, my love.” Jeremiah chuckled.
I could tell he was not taking this seriously and I pinched his hard shoulder. “Do not laugh about this. Lady Anne is crying herself to sleep every night. I’ve been widowed once. We may not be married, but I would still be left alone in the world if something happened to you, my lord. You think I would not grieve?”
Jeremiah rolled me under him. “I love you for your concern, Gloriana. Remember, Lord Ralph was not a vampire, now was he, with our skills? This red-haired witch who dares raid Scottish lands will not last long once I meet her.”
“You are arrogant. We don’t know what the woman is. She may be a witch for all we know. Some witches have powers that scare me.” I kissed his chin, rough with evening beard. “Fine. I will try to put the pirates out of my mind, but they are why we are here. Yes, they have come at night before, but what if they decide to change their ways and attack during the day? If they broke in while we were sleeping…”
“We are well guarded. To make sure, I have talked to the villagers. I am convinced the pirates have a spy among them. Word will reach the Irish woman that we brought many men and three ships to fight them. The pirates would be foolish to raid during the day when our cannons will have clear shots at them. Their only chance for success is at night when we passed the word that the guards will be few and most of the men will be asleep. The captain of the king’s troops is still not happy with our strange sleeping schedule but he finally saw reason.” Jeremiah chuckled. “Of course, we will be more than ready for a nighttime attack.”
“You are clever, Jeremiah. I am sure the captain will realize there is no greater warrior than you.” I smiled against his chest.
“He has not seen me fight. We will get along well enough once we are in a battle together.” He stretched and pulled me closer. “I noticed the courtyard is already looking better but the captain decided he doesn’t want his men trapped inside where the drawbridge is old and the moat a stinking mess. He will keep the horses here, but had his men cleaning out stalls first. Then he plans to build shelters for the troop’s sleeping quarters outside.” Jeremiah yawned. “I like that Captain Burnett is so careful.”
“He must show you respect, Jeremiah. Oh, excuse me, Lord Campbell.” I snuggled up next to him. “I do like the sound of that.”
“Titles are cheap. The king hands them out like ha’pennies to urchins.” Jeremiah’s arms went around me. “If I can rid Scotland of the pirates, now that will be something to be proud of.”
“Yes, indeed.” I couldn’t fight the pull of the dawn another moment. Jeremiah’s arm went slack and I knew he had fallen into his death sleep. Pirates. The word was enough to make me shudder, except I couldn’t move at all.
Jeremiah was out the door as soon as the sun set. I did not dare delay him. I knew he took his new role seriously and wanted to learn more about the pirate attacks. It had been months since the beginning of the new year and his appointment. The people had suffered without protection while we’d been delayed in Edinburgh. Plans had to be made, men sent for and supplies gathered before we could even set out for the island. Now snow was melting and we could see signs of spring.
Even though I would have liked to have lingered in our cozy bedchamber, I sent Valdez off to sleep then made my way downstairs. I wanted to see what I could do to make this castle into our home. The rest of the men who had been assigned to guard me sat at one of the long tables in the great hall lingering over platters of food.
“Good evening, mistress.” Colin jumped to his feet and nudged the man next to him until all the men were standing. “Can we get you something to eat?” Then he flushed. He knew I was vampire and didn’t eat mortal food. “I mean…”
“I have already broken my fast but, thank you, Colin. Please, sit, all of you, and finish your evening meal.” I took my place at the head of the table. “I hope the food is to your liking.”
“It’s all fish, mistress,” one of the men grumbled. “Cooked well enough but I am used to a bit of meat on me plate.”
“Colin, perhaps you can take a few men and go hunting soon. If Lord Campbell doesn’t need you for something else.” I studied what had been put in front of them. No surprise that this castle so close to the sea served fish. The Highlanders would have to get used to that. The dish did look and smell tasty.
I wasted a few moments wishing for the days when I could stuff myself with good food and the hot chocolate I loved. Well, I’d chosen love and forever over mortal meals. Not a bad trade, but the delicious smells were a torture. I pretended to sip the ale one of the men poured for me and encouraged them to talk. Most of them were from Edinburgh and didn’t know the truth about their master and mistress.
“Aye, we’ll hunt tomorrow. The cook claims there’s plenty of game to be found hereabouts.” Colin looked down the table. “I’m to be in charge. Mistress Gloriana says so. Master of the Hunt.” He grinned when one of the older men said something in Gaelic. “That’s right, Mick. I may be young but I’m a right good
shot with a bow and arrow. Wait and see.”
I listened to the men spar with each other over who would bring down the most pheasant or perhaps a deer and wondered where the women of the castle could be. Lady Anne probably still hid in her solar, fearing we’d cast her out, but there should be maids filling the men’s tankards when they ran dry. I got up and shook out my skirt.
“I will be back in a moment.” I waved the men back to their seats when they stood again then followed my nose to the doorway which led to the kitchens. Some kind of fish stew was on the hob if my sense of smell could be trusted. Not that I had been served that in London. Some forgotten memory struggled to surface.
Several years ago, I’d been found on the stones near the Globe Theater, my memory lost. The only thing I could bring to mind at that time was the name Gloriana. Where had I come from? Did I have a family? It was as if my life had started at that moment. My luck had been in when kindly actor Michael St. Clair had claimed me as his wife. After he’d died, I’d been starving, on the verge of selling myself, when luck had brought me Jeremiah one night. He’d saved me and shown me a side of life I’d never imagined existed.
“Why aren’t my men being served?” I put my hands on my hips, ready to pick up a wooden spoon and lay into one of the slovenly maids sitting at a table in the large kitchen.
“Mistress.” The two jumped to their feet, bumping into each other in their hurry as they assayed curtsies. “We were waiting for the pudding to be ready.”
“It’s been ready and there is ale to be served, ye lazy slugs, so get to it.” The cook wiped her hands on her apron and rounded the table. “I’m that sorry, mistress, but these two are all who would come until the lady herself doled out some coin.”
“Thank you, Holly.” I pulled out the purse I kept at my waist and tossed some coins on the table. Jeremiah had been very generous with me. “Will that pay for some decent help? I don’t want to trouble Lady Anne with this.”
Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates Page 2