I hurried into the bedchamber and closed the door. Jeremiah seemed to know a good bit about women. Not that it should surprise me. Clearly he was a lusty man with needs. I sighed and set about making sure I wouldn’t shame him in front of the king.
It wasn’t easy, dressing my hair without help. I managed to prop the hand mirror against the pillows and worked the brush through my hair. Finally I had it pinned it into something resembling a fashionable style I’d seen on some of the fancier ladies who’d come into the alley looking for protectors.
Fergus had done well, bringing me many hairpins, some gold netting and a small pot of paint for my lips. I took Jeremiah’s advice and placed a tiny round patch beside my now rosy lips. The Gloriana in the mirror was transformed when she smiled back at me and I knew my lover would be pleased.
“You make me sorry we have to leave now.” Jeremiah had entered so quietly I hadn’t heard him come up behind me. I wanted to see us reflected together but he took the mirror away from me in a firm grip and carefully laid it face down on the table beside the bed. “I see I’ll have to keep my sword close at hand. You are very tempting, Gloriana. You will have your choice of protectors this night.” He slid a hand around my neck where my heart beat fast.
“If you tire of me, I will know where to look then.” I gave him a saucy grin.
“No chance of my letting you go any time soon. I have barely tasted you. I cannot imagine tiring of this.” He pulled me roughly to him and claimed my mouth. I clung to his broad shoulders, just as hungry for him as he was for me.
He ended the kiss too soon with a laugh then moved my patch back beside my mouth from my cheek, where it had slid out of place. “You are a dangerous distraction, lass. I cannot afford to be late to attend the king. Not with my enemies whispering in Jamie’s ear. Fergus told me you saw his cousin today. So you know he attends Robert MacDonald. That cur will no doubt be at court as well.” His smile was strained as he turned to pick up my velvet cape. He settled it over my shoulders then pulled me back against him. “Put more paint on your lips. I kissed it off and it did make you very pretty.”
A flush heated my cheeks as I picked up the pot of paint and dabbed it on again. “Thank you, Jeremiah. I am honored that you are taking me with you. I will do my best not to disgrace you before the king.”
“Hah! The disgrace will be mine if I start a fight with someone trying to steal you away.” He kissed my neck, lingering there to inhale my scent. “Roses. I do like it. Now come.” He took my hand and pulled me toward the door.
“You are certainly looking like the fine lord tonight. I will help you if I can, Jeremiah. No one will steal me from your side.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Tall, strong, and masculine, no matter that he wore what some ignorant folk would call a skirt. His stockings were silk shoved into shoes with diamond buckles. His plaid had the vibrant green and blue that made me think of grass and sky, though there was little enough of that in the London I knew. Some lost memory pushed at my brain but would not come.
“Come now, what’s that frown?” He tugged me closer. “I think you will be the most beautiful woman there. You aren’t afraid, are you?”
“Do you think the king will notice me?” I sighed. “I’ve heard he is a man of letters. Master Shakespeare admires his writings. I know King James will scorn me when he learns I cannot even read.”
“I doubt he’ll do more than acknowledge you if I have the chance to introduce you. Jamie has his favorites and his mind on things other than the women with his courtiers. He has just ended the war with Spain. It is all he can talk about, this treaty of his. It is a great accomplishment.” Jeremiah lightly kissed my lips. “But there will be other men there who may try to take what’s mine. That’s why I will keep my sword at the ready. And to prick MacDonald should he cross my path.” He pulled me out into the passageway.
Fergus, looking fine in a plaid thrown over a velvet jacket said something in that language I didn’t understand.
“Aye, Fergus, I know to mind my manners in front of our king.” Jeremiah gave the man a hard look. “And I certainly would not do anything foolhardy with Gloriana by my side.”
“I thank you for that. I have enough to worry about with court manners and such. At least I learned a proper curtsy watching the actor who plays the women in Master Shakespeare’s plays. I think I can manage that credibly enough.” I smoothed my skirt with trembling hands. I couldn’t imagine how I would act with these nobles. It would be best to watch and listen as Jeremiah had asked me to do. I would be an ornament on his arm, saying little.
“Then you will be fine.” Jeremiah kept me by his side as Fergus locked the door behind us then led the way. We walked down the block until we came to a street where, to my surprise, there was a coach waiting for us. Silly of me not to expect it. Did I think we would walk to court in all our finery?
“There will be a crowd, Gloriana.” Jeremiah and I were alone in the carriage. Fergus had climbed on top with the driver. “Whitehall Palace is vast but there are many who curry favor with the king. I will do my best to stay by your side but may be called away to discuss some matters concerning my clan. If that happens, you should just do as we discussed.”
“I will listen and try to remember anything that might interest you, Jeremiah. Master Shakespeare himself praised my memory.” I hid my shaking hands in the folds of my skirts.
“Excellent. Remember the symbol I showed you when I was attacked in the alley? Look for that. I still have no idea what it meant or why I was ambushed.” He picked up my hand and soothed it, calming me. “I was not lying when I said there will be other men who would be happy to become your protector, Gloriana. I hope you will not be swayed by their flattery.” His eyes were dark and intent.
“And why would I be tempted when I am very well pleased with my situation as it is, sir?” I smiled and leaned toward him. How had I gotten so lucky? I smoothed a line between his dark brows. “Is there something I should know? Some matter that concerns you that I should listen for mention of?” I could see he was worried about the coming meeting.
“You are perceptive. Yes, if the MacDonald heir is there, it will be difficult for me not to kill him on the spot. If you see me reach for my sword, stop me. The king would not approve of our discord in front of his new English friends. Jamie pretends that all the clans are one big happy family, supporting his reign of England and Scotland.” He leaned back against the seat. “Damn MacDonald. Why did he have to come to London now?”
“So you must hold your temper in check, Jeremiah. Even in the theater we heard that the king is all powerful. Upset him and you could wind up in chains or,” I swallowed, “hanged.” I knew nothing about politics but anyone could see that ruining the king’s victory celebration would be seen as unforgivable.
“You’re right. I must not let another man goad me into doing something foolhardy. Especially when that could very well be his intention.” He kept gripping the hilt of his sword though. “That’s why Fergus is with us. He will also be keeping me in check. I have a deep and bitter reason for hating Robert MacDonald. It is not easily discarded in the name of polite behavior.” He turned to look at me in the dim light from the carriage lamp. “But I would be risking you as well if I lost my temper and caused a scene. I would do well to remember that.” He finally released his sword and took my hand. “Stay by my side as much as you can. Feel free to lay a calming hand on me if I seem about to go after the man.”
“What does he look like?” I held on tight. Clearly this was a grudge that meant the world to Jeremiah.
“He’ll be in his damned plaid of course. And he looks like a Northman. Light hair, light eyes. They say his ancestors crossed the North Sea and were marauders, raping and pillaging their way across Scotland. I believe it. They are still a bloodthirsty lot.” He looked like he wanted to bite the head off of something or someone.
I shuddered. “Such hatred is like a festering wound, Jeremiah. I hope that you can rid yourself of this
. Surely whatever is between you will eventually become a distant memory.”
“Never!” Jeremiah stiffened and jerked his hand from mine. His glare made it clear he would hear no argument for reason. “I should never have spoken of this without explaining the cause and I do not feel that I am ready to share something so personal with a woman I barely know.” He looked away. “We are here. Forget it, Gloriana. Put on a smile and see if you can act as well as your late husband could. Pretend we are lovers of long standing. Can you do that?”
I took a breath. Dear God. His outburst had startled me. A temper. Yes, he had one. At least he’d never had cause to turn it against me. He was right. He barely knew me and I barely knew him. It was wise to remember that. I nodded, words stalled in my throat. The coach door opened, the steps lowered. Jeremiah was out first and he extended his hand to me.
“Smile, if you please. You are not going to a funeral.” He had on his own smile, though I could see it was strained.
“Am I not? If you cannot use restraint, I might very well be weeping over your body before the night is over.” I swept down the steps with my hand in his. His hold tightened and I looked up to see him nod.
“Very well, Gloriana. I am going to try, that’s all I can promise. Come.” He escorted me inside, through two rows of guards.
The noise hit me at once. There were richly dressed people everywhere, laughing and talking loudly. The colors were brilliant. But then there were the smells. This was the London I knew from the theater. These people were not as eager to wash as Jeremiah and I were. Still, they did love their perfumes. The air was redolent with them and the odors they were supposed to mask. I was glad I had a lace handkerchief to put to my nose as we made our way inside the massive doorway and Jeremiah handed a servant our cloaks.
There was music as we worked our way into the hall. It was almost impossible to pick out the tune but a quartet valiantly played in an alcove balcony above the crowd. No one was dancing, there were too many people to manage that. The dais at the end of the large space held an elaborate throne occupied by a man who laughed up at the men standing on either side of him. Clearly our king was in good spirits. He held a bejeweled goblet in his hand. But it was nothing compared to the heavy ornamentation around his own neck.
King James was bedecked in glittering gold and emeralds this night. It made me sigh to see such beautiful stones. A fortune was on display. Not just on the king either. Solemn soldiers stood at attention around the room, their hands on their weapons, to make sure no one tried to snatch any of the dazzling jewels. And there were plenty for the taking. I realized that my dress and hair were perfectly fine. What I was missing were the lavish displays of glittering stones the other women wore in their ears, on their hands, and around their necks. Was Jeremiah noticing? Of course not.
He focused on a tall man across the room. This one wore a plaid, somewhat like Jeremiah’s green and blue. But his had red as well as the blue and green of the Campbell plaid. Of course this must be MacDonald, Jeremiah’s hated enemy. The light hair and pale eyes gave him away. I dropped my hand on Jeremiah’s sword arm where I could feel the muscles tense before I glanced at his face. His jaw was tight, as if he had bit hard into a peach pit.
“Jeremiah, shouldn’t you greet the king first?” I wanted to steer him to the other end of the room, away from that man who now stared at us.
“Aye.” He made an abrupt turn, pulling me with him. “I should buy you jewels, Gloriana. It is a way to secure your future. After I leave here and return home, you can sell them. It is better than just handing you coin, don’t you think? Or so I’ve been told.” He glanced down at my hand on his arm. “Relax, my dear. I am not going to disgrace us, yet.”
I was speechless. Reading my mind again? And now he was talking about leaving. And my future without him. So mistresses sold the jewels their protectors gave them after they were abandoned. If this was the way my life was going to be, I wondered if it would be better to just cast myself off a bridge into the Thames. I could already see how some of the women around me looked hard, ill-used and desperate. I did not want to become like them, worried that I’d lose my looks and be unable to find a new man when the one I was with tired of me.
“Gloriana, don’t fash yourself. I am not leaving right away. Did I not tell you I am happy with our arrangement?” He smiled down at me and squeezed my hand. “You please me very well.”
I forced a smile though my stomach twisted as we neared the king and his favorites. The smells were so strong and the air so close, it was little wonder that I felt faint. And then there were all the thoughts swirling through my head. The future, the past or lack of it. I was suddenly directly in front of the king and had the presence of mind to sink into the deep curtsy I’d learned at the theater. Jeremiah introduced me to King James.
“Well now, you’ve found yourself a pretty one, Campbell.” The king gestured and I rose to stand beside Jeremiah. “Where are you from, Gloriana?”
“Here in London, your majesty. My late husband was an actor in Master Shakespeare’s company.” I managed to get that out without stammering but I felt heat in my face.
“Ah, an actor. Did you know we are having a new play here in a week or so? Othello, I believe he called it. Burbage in the lead. Do you know it, Gloriana?” The king kept his hand on the arm of one of his favorites. “Another goblet of wine, if you please. Mine is empty.” The man beside him snapped his fingers.
“Oh, yes. The master is very proud of it. There have been many rehearsals. You will be very pleased, I think, your majesty.” I glanced at Jeremiah. Was I talking too much? Did he wish for me to be quiet?
“Excellent. Campbell, you must bring Mistress Gloriana with you to our production. I will make sure you get good seats up front. Not a comedy, is it?” The king frowned.
“Oh, no! You may well need a handkerchief, your majesty. It is quite dramatic.” I was glad I had watched the players work on the production. It was one of Shakespeare’s most complicated and he’d made them go through it again and again. The performance at Whitehall before the king had been on everyone’s minds. Now I would get to sit in the audience and they could see that I had found a fine protector, known to the king.
I suppose I should be embarrassed. No marriage or ring on my finger. But I wasn’t starving, was I? Jeremiah bowed and I curtsied again. Obviously our audience was over as the king greeted yet another Scot, this one in a different plaid. It seemed there were several variations of colors to show a man’s clan. Jeremiah was obviously happy to see this man as they smiled and nodded in passing, speaking in that language Fergus had used earlier.
“You did well, Gloriana.” Jeremiah smiled down at me.
“Gloriana is her name? Unusual. Very pretty.” A man had come up silently behind us. “Are you going to introduce us?”
“No.” Jeremiah kept his hand around my waist. “Come, Gloriana. Let us see if there are refreshments. Would you like some wine, my dear?”
“Robert MacDonald, at your service.” It was the man with the light blond hair and goatee and pale blue eyes. He moved in front of me and bowed over my hand before Jeremiah could stop him. “The king seemed quite taken with you. Did I hear you say you were married to an actor? Did Campbell kill him for you?”
“What? No! He died in an accident a year ago. Long before I met Jeremiah.” I snatched my hand from the man’s cool grip. “Pray excuse us, sir. We were on our way to the refreshments.”
“I will not be goaded into a scene, MacDonald.” Jeremiah kept his hand around my waist. “Move out of our way.”
“A scene? Here? That would not serve and you know it.” MacDonald smiled. “I heard you were attacked recently. By footpads. Unfortunate. That they failed to kill you.”
“By God!” Jeremiah reached for his sword.
“No!” I threw myself on him, trapping his arm against his body. “You will not let him do this.” I turned to MacDonald. “I don’t know who tried to teach you manners, sir, but obviousl
y they failed in the attempt.” I glanced toward the throne. “Step away or I shall rip my own bodice, cry rape, and point at you. Are you understanding me, sir?” I gripped the front of my pretty red dress to prove my intention.
“My, you chose one with spirit, didn’t you, Campbell?” MacDonald nodded and backed up a few paces. “You win this match, madam, but I am intrigued.” His smile had a glint of teeth that made me shudder. “When Campbell hurries back to his parents’ castle, you will need a man to satisfy you. I can do that better than this whelp. And I am very generous. You would have jewels for your pretty neck.” He lifted his chin, then said something in that strange language that made Jeremiah snarl. Without another word he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd.
“Ignore him. Did you suggest wine?” I took my hand off my bodice and leaned closer to Jeremiah. “You have no idea what I am like after a few glasses of wine.” I whispered a naughty suggestion in his ear. “Would you like that?”
“Minx. What man wouldn’t?” He finally let go of his sword hilt. “You routed the bastard. Would you have really ripped your bodice and cried out in this crowd?”
“Of course. I told you I would help you. I am loyal to those who deserve my loyalty, Jeremiah.” I took his hand and saw a servant balancing goblets on a tray across the room. “Now about that wine…”
He laughed and tugged me toward the servant. “I will make sure you are rewarded for that loyalty, Gloriana. Would you like sapphires? To match your eyes. Yes, a necklace, I think, and matching earrings.” He handed me a brimming goblet. “And drink up. I am looking forward to your promise of entertainment after this hellish evening is over.” His eyes roamed the room. Obviously he was watching for Robert MacDonald.
I might have stopped Jeremiah from fighting the man this time, but their feud was far from over. And what about Robert’s offer to take me on when Jeremiah left? Even I had to admit the man was very handsome indeed. A Viking of sorts. And in that plaid with broad shoulders and a swagger that had women watching him as he made his way through the crowd? He did have a way about him.
Real Vampires: When Glory Met Jerry Page 6