“Firm but not--Christ!--like you’re squeezing water from the cloth, Gloriana.” He peeled away my fingers and showed me how he liked to be held. “Think of the rhythm we enjoyed before. Do you remember?”
“How could I forget?” I grinned, leaning forward to brush my nipples against his chest. He took the bait, lifting his head to kiss the slope of my breast. I moved my hand, quickening the pace. His groan of pleasure meant I was learning. When he released my hand to find the seam between my legs, I widened my stance.
He explored me with a clever finger, grinning when I squeaked my surprise that he’d found a spot that gave me instant excitement. “You are very lusty, Gloriana. That pleases me.” He lifted me, until he was almost inside. “Ride me, lass. Bring us both pleasure.”
“As you wish.” I grabbed his shoulders and eased down, the novelty of the warm water, the hard man and this ride making me feel like a wanton. When I was fully seated, I looked into Jeremiah’s eyes. He was studying me, as if trying to see into my soul. What would he read there? That I needed to be held? Told that this was not a sin, but a harmless way to see to my future? He pulled me close and kissed my lips, then murmured my name. It made me feel cherished.
Foolish. He hardly knew me. No, he didn’t know me at all. But I took the false feeling and the comfort with it. Then I rode him, taking and giving pleasure until water splashed the stone floor and we both fell sated against each other. He finally rose from the tepid water and carried me to his bed, laying me down and covering me with furs before blowing out the candle.
It may have been hours or minutes later that I heard the rattle of the key in the lock and Fergus talking in a deep voice to Jeremiah. They were arguing. But that didn’t bring me out of the warm cocoon of furs. What did was the smell of roast beef and hot chocolate. I couldn’t lie abed when I was starving. I wrapped the length of plaid around me, still trying to look decent in the shadow of the doorway when I heard Fergus speak.
“You canna keep her here. I know you need blood, but for God’s sake, Jeremiah, this is unwise.”
“She will not betray us. She is staying. You may take her shopping during the day. Buy her clothes and trinkets. Then she and I will spend the night hours together. It is none of your concern.” Jeremiah was obviously not taking orders from his servant.
“How do you know she is not sent here by the MacDonalds? She could be a spy and could very well sneak into your room and kill you while you sleep like the dead.”
“You think I canna see into her mind? What do you take me for, Fergus? I am not so besotted by a fine pair of tits that I forget to be cautious.” Jeremiah lowered his voice and I had to strain to hear him. “Now wait outside. She is stirring. I heard her move around the bedchamber and I’m sure she smelled her dinner.”
“That’s another thing. Am I to be her servant then? Fetch her meals?” There was more grumbling then a door slammed.
“Was that Fergus?” I decided it was best to walk into the main room as if I’d heard nothing. Indeed, some of what they’d said made no sense and my stomach was grumbling again. If Jeremiah thought he could read a woman’s mind, he was beyond foolish. I’d let him believe what he wished if it gave me meals like the one set out on the table in front of the fire. “Something smells delicious.”
“Come, break your fast.” Jeremiah was dressed in pantaloons and a loose white shirt. “Sit and eat.” He waved toward that table set for one.
“Won’t you dine with me?” I sat in the chair he held for me.
“I ate while you slept.” He smiled. “I’m sorry if Fergus woke you. He’s not happy at our arrangement but I do not have to please him. He is supposed to do as I ask in service to my family.”
“He does not act like a servant.” I couldn’t wait and sipped from the steaming cup of chocolate. Oh, I had never tasted anything so sweet and delicious. “This is wonderful.”
“He gets it from a shop nearby. Please ignore his attitude. He has earned the right by his loyalty to speak his mind. But I know he will come around. Give him time.” Jeremiah sat across from me. “Which is what I hope to speak to you about. Will you stay with me for a few days, maybe longer? I have been lonely in London. You have pleased me very much this night, Gloriana.”
“Thank you, Jeremiah, I would like to stay. You have certainly pleased me.” I reached for his hand. What a relief to have a few days without worrying about a place to lay my head at night. I looked around the room before picking up a knife and spearing a piece of beef. “I can help tidy your rooms if that will make Fergus feel better about my staying here. I wouldn’t mind.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t ask you to become a housemaid, Gloriana. We will be fine.” Jeremiah reached across and guided my hand to my mouth. “Eat. I swear I could count your ribs when we lay together.”
“I have been having a difficult time since my husband died.” I chewed the tender beef and swallowed. It was all I could do to keep from hastily stuffing the food into my mouth with both hands. It would shock him and perhaps make him change his mind about keeping me. So I took a breath then daintily speared a second bite. “You are saving my life, coming along when you did. I won’t forget it. I don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
Jeremiah sat back. “Just eat, get your strength and health back. Fergus will take you shopping during the day while I am busy with court business. You can buy some pretty things then I will take you with me to meet some friends tomorrow night. We might even go to court and greet the king. Would you like that?”
“Are you sure? You want to introduce me to King James?” I dropped my knife. Was Jeremiah forgetting who and what I was? Or perhaps in Scotland taking one’s mistress into society didn’t matter. He must not be married. Unless…
“Do you have a wife back home? How will you introduce me?” I had no reason to complain, I just wanted to know my place.
“No wife, no child.” He looked away and I could see there was more to tell that he chose not to share. He nodded and faced me again. “I will introduce you as a special friend. It is no one’s business what we are to each other.” He smiled, his eyes on my shoulder where the plaid had fallen, exposing the curve of my breast. “I will not mind appearing with a beautiful woman on my arm. How we met will not be mentioned. Is that clear?” He lost his smile. “If you want to help me, you will keep your eyes and ears open for any court gossip concerning my family, the clan Campbell or a clan called MacDonald.”
“Of course. I will be happy to help you. Are the MacDonalds the clan that could have attacked you?” I picked up my knife again and began eating in earnest.
“Aye. We have feuded for years. But I doubt they would hire English thugs to do their dirty work for them. So we will listen for threats from other quarters as well. Hatred for a Scot. ’Tis not uncommon but that was a daring attack, next to the Globe. I would think they were common cutpurses except for the quality of their weapons.” Jeremiah got up from the table and walked over to look through some documents.
How I wished I could read. God above, I had no doubt I could find gossip aplenty in notes at court and I’d not be able to tell an important one from a bit of nonsense. It was maddening. Would Jeremiah consider teaching me? It was too soon to ask. But I would strive to make him want to keep me around. It started with putting on flesh. So I cleaned my plate, sopping up beef juices with a hunk of bread then draining my chocolate. I leaned back, my stomach aching at the unaccustomed fullness. And I was drowsy. It was a delightful feeling. After living too long on the edge of starvation, I wanted to thank Jeremiah properly.
I strolled over to where he frowned at a piece of paper. “Hmm. I think I shall go back to bed. Will you join me?” I slid in front of him and ran a hand down his neck to where his shirt lay open.
He turned the paper over so I couldn’t see what was on it. “Are you sure you canna read?”
“I told you so, didn’t I?” I leaned up to kiss him behind his ear and let my plaid fall to the floor. “But I would dearly
love to learn. When you have time, please teach me. But not now. Not when I am feeling so pleasantly full and eager to show you how much I like being here.” I pulled him toward his bedchamber. “Come, Jeremiah.” I looked over my shoulder and laughed. “I believe you have other things to teach me besides reading, do you not?”
He swatted my bottom. “Aye, I believe I do. You have no idea how long I have spent learning how to please a woman, Gloriana. No idea at all.” And with that he drew off his shirt and tossed it aside. In moments he was naked and eager to start my education.
By the time I drifted off to sleep, I had indeed learned something new. The man was a bloody genius at pleasuring a woman. A bloody genius.
Chapter Four
I woke alone. Or so I thought. Until my feet hit something solid. A large black cat stood and stretched then stared at me with malevolent yellow eyes. It hissed before leaping off the bed and hurrying from the room.
“Jeremiah!” I looked around for the plaid I’d taken as my own but it was gone. Instead, that green dress and my chemise were lying on a chair next to the bed. While I wondered if I should just put them on, Fergus walked into the bedchamber, rubbing his dark hair and looking ill-used.
“Jeremiah is gone for the day, mistress. He asked me to take you around to the shops.” He frowned. “Cover yourself.”
As if I hadn’t done that as soon as I saw his sour face. I held the furs to my chin. “I didn’t hear him leave.”
“No. He didna wish to disturb ye. Now get dressed while I go fetch ye something to eat.” He glanced at the dress on the chair. “Where’s your cloak?”
“I don’t have one. Jeremiah let me wear his last night.” I was ashamed I’d brought so little to this arrangement. I could see how disapproving Fergus was as well.
“Jeremiah seems to have taken to you so we’ll buy one while we’re out. Is there something you need from the theater? He did say that’s where he found you,” Fergus said as if I’d been a stray dog his master had brought home.
“No, there’s nothing, though I wouldn’t mind leaving word there that I am fine and with a kind man. A friend might be worried when I didn’t come back after the play.” I looked away from the judgment I was sure to see in his eyes.
“Aye, we can go by there. I’ll be back soon with your food. Be dressed when I see you next. There’s water for a wash, though clearly someone had a fine time in the bath yester eve.” He nodded at a pitcher and bowl on a table, then turned and left. I heard a key turn in the lock after the door closed to the passage outside.
My face burned. We had left the tub out, with water on the floor and wet cloths in front of the fire before we’d gone to bed. I should have gotten up and tidied things. Fergus would never be happy with my place here if I didn’t strive to make less work for him. I climbed out of bed, washed quickly, and donned my clothes. I looked around for the black cat, but didn’t see him. Of course the tub and our mess had been cleared away. A fire was going in the fireplace and I had a few minutes to explore what proved to be several rooms besides the two I’d already seen.
I found the retiring room with the hip bath, a chamber pot and the source of our water—a pipe coming out of the wall. I had seen such things before on a street lined with expensive houses. A spigot turned to fill a pail or bowl. Such luxury! There was a small room next to it with a bed that must belong to Fergus judging by the size of the clothes hanging from pegs in the stone walls. There was another room with a door that proved to be locked. Did Jeremiah keep his own clothes and gold there? I had no interest in stealing, of course, and turned away just as Fergus burst through the outer door carrying a laden basket that smelled like heaven to me.
“Stay away from that door, girl.” He frowned and set the basket on the table where I’d dined the night before. “That is not for you.”
“I was looking for the cat. It slept on my feet.” I stepped over to the basket and lifted the cloth. Fresh rolls and a pot of tea. Berries too. I couldn’t believe I would be treated to such luxuries.
“He hides in nooks and crannies. Don’t worry about him. He’s been fed.” Fergus set out a feast. “Eat. Jeremiah seems to think you were starving at that theater.”
“Near enough.” I sat and let him wait on me. He poured tea into a fine porcelain cup he pulled out of a cupboard then handed to me.
“I didna think of sugar or milk. I can go back.” He frowned as he dug into the basket and pulled out honey. “Here. This might do.”
“You are being very kind. I know you don’t want me here.” I stayed his hand when he started to add the honey to my tea. “This is fine. I thank you.”
“You don’t understand. Jeremiah is too trusting. He told me you saw him attacked by two armed men. There are more who will come after him, who would see him dead.” Fergus studied me, his dark brows furrowed. “I see no harm in you, but there was no guarantee, ye ken, that you are not sent by someone to kill him in his bed. I promised his da I’d see to his safety. I’ve known the lad since he was a boy. I’ll no let some doxy be his downfall here.”
Now I couldn’t look at him. Some doxy. Yes, that was where I stood.
“Lass, look at me. He didna call you that. And I am that sorry if I offended you.” Fergus sat across from me and took a roll out of the basket. “Jeremiah wants what he wants. It will do no good for you and me to be cross with each other. We will be together all day, every day, as long as he fancies you. When I’m not about, you will be locked in here alone for your own safety. I’m sorry but that’s how it will be if you wish to stay here.”
“Locked in? Like I am a prisoner?” I swallowed.
“A precaution. You’ll be marked as having his favor once he takes you to court. The same enemies who want Jeremiah dead could well decide to use you as a lure to set a trap for him. I won’t allow it.” He tore the roll in half.
“Are you trying to send me running, Fergus?” I stared into his unusual eyes, more gold than brown. “You wouldn’t be wrong to call me a doxy. I have fallen on hard times. Made desperate enough to trade my body for a… a meal.” I lifted my chin. “I cannot afford to leave here. I have no place else to go.” Oh, it hurt my pride to say so. But I didn’t look away. “I promise I mean Jeremiah no harm. And will help you if you are here to protect him.”
Fergus grinned. “You do have spirit. And, how, may I ask, will you help me? Do you know how to wield a knife? Shoot?” He laughed. “I know. You will distract the enemy with a look down your bodice.” He shook his head. “A woman has brought down more than one man, I vow. Which is why I was worried when he brought you home, clearly besotted.” He stuffed the roll in his mouth, washing it down with tea. “Eat, lass. We must find you a court dress. Jeremiah intends to take you to meet the king this night.”
“He’s mad.” With that I took the honey and poured a generous dollop into my tea then drank. It warmed me as did Fergus’s smile. Winning him over helped my cause. Because I needed to stay here as long as possible.
Fergus stopped chewing and his eyes narrowed. “Lass, take this one day at a time. Jeremiah has taken a fancy to you for now. Be glad and enjoy his generosity. But have a care. His heart is not yours to take.” He shook his head. “You’ve no idea what pain he has endured in the past. What losses. He will tumble you and enjoy your company. But when we go home to his family’s castle, he’ll give you a fat purse and say farewell. You can plan on it.”
“Did I say anything?” I wondered if I was the one who was mad. First Jeremiah, now Fergus seemed to read my thoughts as easily as if I had said them out loud. It was infuriating. “I just met the man and we had a fine time in his bed. That is all. What happens next is up to him.”
My face burned at such plain speaking so I looked inside the basket and found a crock of butter. I covered the roll with it to keep from meeting Fergus’s keen gaze. It was clear to me that I had no right to claim delicate feelings now that I had given myself so cheaply.
“It does not take a mind reader to see you’ve s
et your sights on him. No mistake about that.” He set a bowl of strawberries on the table and twisted off the stem before he popped one in his mouth. “Survival. I’ve no quarrel with your motive. But have a care. It won’t be him who will be hurt at the end of things. Mark my words.” He pushed back from the table. “Jeremiah says you’ve a cravin’ to learn to read. I can teach you, if your certain you want to work at it. ’Tis not easy.”
“Seriously?” I stopped with a berry halfway to my mouth. “It is my fondest wish.”
“Even before shopping for a pretty dress?” Fergus laughed and pulled out a bag of coins. The jingle and bulk of it meant Jeremiah had been extremely generous.
“A dress is important. I would not shame Jeremiah in front of the king.” I bit into the strawberry, savoring the burst of flavor. I had never tasted anything so sweet! “But I could help him if I could read as well. Don’t you think? I may see things in court. Be able to read a note.” I shook my head. What did I know of such fancy doings?
“I can see you mean it. After shopping we’ll begin.” He sat in front of the fire and pulled out a knife to trim his nails. “Eat your fill, then more than that. Jeremiah is right, you look half-starved and it makes me want to knock someone’s teeth out. How did it happen that you got in such a state?”
So I told him about Michael and my loss of memory as I ate sweet buns with currants, drank more tea with honey and finished the strawberries. My stomach ached from the unaccustomed fullness by the time I pushed back from the table. Why was I being so honest with this man when no one in the theater had earned my trust? I had no idea. But there was something in Fergus’s eyes, the way he listened… I felt like I could tell him the truth and he wouldn’t judge me or call me simpleminded.
“Killed by a falling chamberpot!” Fergus shook his head. “Not a pretty way to die.”
Real Vampires: When Glory Met Jerry Page 4