Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas (The Real Vampires series Book 14)

by Gerry Bartlett

  “Is she afraid to be alone with you?” Jeremiah was up and next to him. “Fi is my friend. “The king is not the only one you should fear if something bad should befall her.”

  “Please. I would never hurt Fiona. Though I am sorely vexed with her.” Robert turned back to the window. “I am watched constantly now. I don’t suppose you’d offer a man a goblet of blood. I’m dying of thirst.” He faced Jeremiah. “Acting the mortal wears on a man. I’m sure you understand.”

  “Aye. A drink. To celebrate.” Jeremiah sat beside me again and put his arm around me. “You are right. I had no desire to be shackled to the duchess. You are welcome to her.” Jeremiah nodded and Valdez whispered to the footman who stood near the door. He hurried away.

  “Thank you. This has been difficult and will continue to be.” Robert sat across from us. “I know we are not friends, Campbell, but we fought together recently. I’ve not forgotten that. What of Devlin? Any word?”

  “I killed him.” Jeremiah didn’t explain.

  “You are sure he is dead? I would not like to have to meet that whoreson again.” Robert stared at me. “Or for Gloriana to meet him.”

  “I put the stake in his heart myself.” Jeremiah said it with some satisfaction. “He will never torture a new vampire again.”

  “Excellent.” Robert sat back and crossed his legs. He wore his kilt and had dressed with care for his wedding.

  I’m sure Fiona had been thrilled as she made him hers. I would have liked to know what he truly thought about this marriage. Of course his mind was closed to me. He smiled as if all was right with his world.

  “What about Fiona? Does she know what you are?” I couldn’t keep the question back another moment.

  “Of course she does, Gloriana. We both heard her in the library. This fool may not admit to being in love but he clearly went too far with the woman and let her see what he was.” Jeremiah stood when a servant entered with three goblets. “Here we are. Shall we drink to what may be the end of life as we know it?”

  “Jeremiah!” I took the goblet he handed me. “What do you mean?”

  He walked over and closed the door, saying something to Valdez first. So this was to be a very private conversation.

  “MacDonald, do you really think your bride can keep our secret? I have known Fiona for years, yet I never let her see my fangs. Clearly you were not so careful in that regard.” Jeremiah stared at Robert who had also come to his feet. They faced off, two men who were more evenly matched than I liked. Both wore dress swords. But they didn’t touch them, just held their goblets firmly.

  “Her blood called to me of course. I took it and then made her forget. As we do.” Robert turned and smiled at me. “I’m sure it was that way when you started with Jeremiah, Gloriana.”

  “We met in private before that embarrassing interlude in front of the entire court. Of course I read Fiona’s mind. She remembered seeing your fangs, giving you her blood. It thrilled her. You didn’t always bother to erase her memories, whoreson!” Now Jeremiah did grip his sword.

  Surprisingly, Robert didn’t reach for his. Did he think he deserved my lover’s ire? Of course he did. He just listened as Jeremiah continued to rave.

  “Now you will have to take her into the bosom of your family. Your family of blood-drinking vampires, MacDonald. You know she will no longer be thrilled, don’t you?” Jeremiah drank deeply. I was surprised he didn’t shove Robert, since he was clearly itching for a fight.

  Robert sniffed the contents of his goblet then drank. He finished the blood down to the last drop then put the empty on the table next to him. Only the fact that we all heard the decisive clank as he set it down sharply hinted at his inner rage.

  “Why do you think I went running to London months ago? Fiona is like a drug to me, making me foolish in my desire for her. Of course I should have erased her memories!” He looked at me. “How long was it before you failed to do so with Gloriana? Days or weeks? I know you are besotted with her. Such strong feelings make a man unwise.” He glanced at Jeremiah’s hand on his sword. “You want to run me through? Go ahead. The pain can be no worse than what I’ll face at my own home castle when my father gets word of this folly.”

  I could see he had made points Jeremiah had to acknowledge were true. Finally my love let go of his sword and sat beside me again.

  “I saw how the affair was going and tried to end it.” Robert laughed bitterly. “You see where that got me. Fi is strong-willed and fiery. She knows what she wants and will not stop until she has it. She certainly took matters in hand last night. I am hers now and there is no going back.” Robert paced in front of the fire.

  “Yes, the way she went about it was not kind. But you are right, we cannot turn back time.” I finished my own drink, glad for the strength it gave me. Jeremiah had scared me with his bold statement. Our lives were over? What did he mean? What could be done about this? Yes, Robert could erase Fiona’s memories now. He should have already done so. Why hadn’t he? I asked him that.

  “You are sitting here, a vampire now, and you don’t know?” Robert stepped closer. “I fell in love with her, damn me. I would look into her eyes, see her ecstasy when I drew on her vein, and I wanted her to remember. She loved that I was vampire. It was exciting. New. I could give her something no man had ever given her. She didn’t want any more children. We had no risk of that when we made love and,” he closed his eyes, “when we—”

  “Spare us the details. I understand. Gloriana certainly understands. But now you are in for it.” Jeremiah slammed down his goblet. “Upset your dear duchess, MacDonald, and Fiona can go running to her cousin, the fucking king of Scotland and England. You didn’t just show her you were vampire, somehow, during your rutting, you let slip that your enemy, that bastard Campbell, was also vampire.” He grabbed Robert by his bejeweled doublet and lifted him a foot off the ground, no easy feat. “Didn’t you?”

  “I’m sorry, Campbell.” He met Jeremiah’s furious glare. “I will make sure she doesn’t remember that part of it, I swear it.” Robert didn’t struggle. He knew he didn’t dare. Jeremiah’s fangs were down and my lover was very close to losing control.

  “As if I believe the word of a MacDonald.” Jeremiah stared into Robert’s eyes for a long moment. “I will be visiting Fiona in her chambers to make sure of this. Soon. She cannot remember anything that could harm my clan or yours. That is the only way any of us can come through this well.” Jeremiah finally released Robert. “If I don’t leave now, I will be late for my meeting with the king. That cannot happen. Many tempers have been stirred by this foolishness of Fiona’s. Control her, MacDonald, or you will regret it.” He walked to the door.

  “Gloriana, Valdez will be with you until this stupid bastard leaves. I’m sure his stay will not be long.” Jeremiah threw open the door, grabbed his cloak and left, slamming the outer door so hard one of the empty goblets fell over and rolled to the floor.

  I took a breath and signaled Valdez to come inside and close the door. “Robert, please sit. How is Fiona doing?” I was glad when he finally took the chair and pulled it closer. Valdez picked up the goblet as an excuse to come closer then took his position behind me, frowning at Robert. I ignored the shifter. It was obvious to me that Robert had more on his mind than bothering with a flirtation. Jeremiah’s jealousy was flattering but sometimes unfounded. I was going to have to do something about that.

  Robert smiled. “My bride is in high gig. She got what she wanted, didn’t she? I had my man find a suitable ring for her finger and stared at her through the wedding earlier as if I was on fire for her. Unfortunately, it was easy to do. Her beauty astounds me.” His smile disappeared before he leaned back. “As soon as the ceremony was concluded, she pretended to swoon and took to her bed, overcome with emotion. I don’t expect her to ‘carry’ the child for much longer.” He looked away. “The king took it well. But I know he is angry. With her. With me.”

  “Fiona told us her plan.” I sighed. “She is a determined
woman.”

  “You can tell she comes from a royal family, very used to getting her way. I will be careful how I handle this, but Campbell is right. I must clear her mind of much of what I told her while lost to my senses.” Robert looked sad as he pulled something from inside his coat.

  “I’m sorry. I hate that skill vampires have to steal our memories. Be kind to her as you do it. When I found out Jeremiah had done that to me… It was difficult to forgive him.” I reached out to pat Robert’s knee. “Would you ever consider making her vampire?”

  Robert straightened with a look of surprise. “Fiona? That would be madness. I cannot imagine…” He shook his head. “But then to watch her grow old when I will not...” He thrust the small box into my hand. “It is early days to even think about that. Here, Fi sent you a present. She liked you and is very fond of Campbell. She is ever generous. That is one of the things I love about her. Yes, I am besotted with my bride and cannot wait to return to our rooms to tell her I saw you and tried to make peace with Campbell. As if that were possible with our history.” He laughed. “Open it. She will want to know if you like her gift.”

  I tore into the package. “Oh, they are beautiful.” Fiona had sent me hair pins covered in glittering diamonds.

  “She noticed you wore plain gold pins in your hair to court. Fi said Jeremiah would never think to gift you with such things and she loves pretty hair decorations.” Robert smiled. “I took the hint. I am on my way to a jeweler before I return to her. She will have something special for her hair this very night—sapphires to match her eyes, I think.”

  “Oh, Robert.” The look on his face! He was very much in love. “I do hope you will be happy.” I walked with him to the door, Valdez at my elbow.

  “So do I. You won’t see my bride and I the rest of the Yuletide season. We will be in our chambers while Fi pretends to lose her child.” He tried to look sad but could not manage it. Finally he shoved Valdez aside and kissed my cheek. “Have you ever seen so many cushions under a skirt? I swear I will put it about that Fi lost twin boys. I will be devastated, crying on the shoulders of all the other heirs attending the king.”

  “You are bad!” I slapped him on the shoulder then waited while he slipped on his cloak. “Please thank Fiona for the lovely hairpins. I hope she will be able to see me in them someday. I will pen a note of thanks to her.”

  “Do that. I would like for you to be friends. We must mend this rift between the two clans. I know Campbell won’t like it, but the king demands it.” Robert stepped outside and took a breath. “I will be spending most of my time in Edinburgh from now on. It will suit Fi much better than my home. Campbell was right about that. My da will be wild when he hears about this marriage. A fine dowry comes with Fiona, but the risk! And of course Da had no say in the matter. I don’t fancy bringing Fiona into his presence for more than one reason. Da is not fond of headstrong women. My ma is one and has made his life a misery.” He laughed. “I should have paid heed, but it seems love has driven me mad. Campbell would certainly agree.” He tipped his hat then went whistling down the hill toward the shops.

  I was sure he would manage to wake a jeweler. Married to a royal connection? Oh, yes, Robert would have a fabulous gift for Fiona in no time.

  There had been revelry every night since the Yule log celebration then each evening Jeremiah surprised me with a gift. There had been a lovely gold and pearl bracelet, then elegant fur-lined gloves. This evening, just before he left for a meeting that included some of the other heirs, he’d handed me a beautiful painted and inlaid wooden box from France. Inside were sheets of rich vellum, pens, and pots of ink. Valdez must have told Jeremiah that I wanted to write to Fiona to thank her for the hair pins. It was a thoughtful gift that pleased me.

  Fergus had started teaching me to read and write in London. I had caught on so quickly that the shifter declared I must have already had the knack and just forgotten it when I hit my head and lost my memory. Indeed, I wrote now as if I had been doing it for years. The townhouse had a fine library and I found myself reading when Jeremiah was away for one of his meetings. At first the words swam and my head would ache, but now it took no effort at all to read and write.

  Well, except writing to a duchess who was lying in bed pretending to lose a baby. I was struggling with my message when there was a timid knock on the sitting room door.

  “Come.” I was glad for an excuse to stop.

  Mercy peeked inside. “Madame Gloriana, I am sorry to disturb you. I probably should leave you alone. But she was most insistent. Perhaps I should wait and ask Master Campbell if I should allow her inside.” Her face was flushed and she twisted her hands in her apron.

  “Who is it, Mercy?” I carefully put the top on the jar of ink and wiped the nib. I would write later. I stood and shook out my plain skirt. We were going to the castle again later but I hadn’t dressed in my finery yet.

  “That witch from Dollar, Madame. Gertrude.” Mercy shivered. “She arrived in a cart with a lad from there. Paid him to bring her. I swear she brought all her kit. Looks a sight, she does.”

  “Gertrude is here?” I couldn’t imagine how hard that journey must have been. Alyse had told me she had hurt Gertrude, tossed her potion at her. “Is she unwell? Surely she is inside and sitting by the fire. Mercy! You did not make her wait outside in the cold.” I could see that was exactly what the maid had done. “Go! Bring her in and make her comfortable in the kitchen. I will be right down.”

  “No, Madame. You cannot come to the kitchen. Nor can Gertrude. The staff will not like it. Let me take her up the back stairs. There is a little room at the end of the hall. No one need know you spoke to her. A witch, Madame!” Mercy was shaking in earnest now. “There are some here in town with strong feelings about such creatures. It wouldn’t do to start talk about you having truck with witches.”

  “I am not…” But I could not dismiss Mercy’s fear. Did I want to risk gossip belowstairs? I’d heard stories myself of dungeons full of suspected witches awaiting trial. The king hated dark magic and ordered anyone suspected of witchcraft hanged.

  “Thank you, Mercy. We will be careful. She may well have a message for me from Lady Campbell.” I could only hope it wasn’t a spell that would make me vanish or grow warts. Surely not. Gertrude swore she only worked good magic. “Get the poor woman out of the cold and make sure there’s a decent fire going in that room. Come get me when she is ready to see me.” I frowned when Mercy didn’t move. “I’m sure Master Jeremiah would approve. The woman has been living in Dollar, with the Campbells’ approval, for many years. Lady Campbell has asked for her help in the past. Surely you know that.”

  Mercy stared at her feet. “Yes, Madame. I will do as you say.” She curtsied then hurried out of the room, but she was mumbling and even crossed herself.

  I wondered what this could be about but had to wait until the maid finally fetched me. Yes, Mag had consulted the witch for her ability to see the future. Had she asked Gertrude if Jeremiah would keep me then not liked the answer? It would be sad if that had gotten the witch sent away from her home.

  “This way, Madame.” Mercy stood in the hall. “If you don’t mind, I will shut the door and go back to the kitchen. My ma always told me to stay well away from witchcraft. I am afraid—”

  “That’s quite all right, Mercy. Go down and polish the boots I wore down to the shops yesterday as if ’tis an ordinary evening. If I need you, I will ring.” I could smell the witch before I opened the door at the end of the hall. Yes, Gertrude was here. She didn’t stink of evil as Devlin and Red Mary had, but she had the scent of something that I couldn’t describe but knew as magic.

  “Madame Gloriana.” Gertrude was wrapped in shawls and looked bent from her travels and whatever Alyse had done to her when she’d escaped. She kept part of her shawl over her face.

  “I am surprised to see you, Gertrude.” I gestured to a pair of chairs in front of the fire. “Please sit. How are you? Alyse told me she harmed you when she e
scaped from your cottage.”

  “Poor girl.” Gertrude sat with a groan. “She was not herself. I knew that. She certainly learned what happens when you have truck with dark magic and evil people.”

  I sat and faced her. “You will be glad to know Master Campbell killed the vampire who ended Alyse. We will have no more trouble from that quarter.”

  Gertrude nodded, twisting her shawl in her fingers. “Yes, I know. I saw it in my bowl. That is not why I’ve come.”

  I leaned forward. “Have you seen something else, Gertrude? Something I need to know?” My stomach was as knotted as the fringe on the witch’s shawl. It must be bad news for the woman to make such a trip when she was obviously ill.

  “I have lived at the pleasure of Laird and Lady Campbell for many years, Madame.” Gertrude rubbed her knees as if they ached. “I was accepted in the village. People came to me for charms and small spells when they were looking for something lost or were afraid of taking sick. I was happy and thought I would end my days in that cottage.”

  “Mercy says you seem to have brought all of your things with you, Gertrude. What has happened? Is some disaster coming to Castle Campbell? War?” My mouth was dry. All those meetings. Had Jeremiah and his “allies” crossed the king and started a rebellion?

  “Nay. Rest easy on that score.” Gertrude began to cough and couldn’t seem to stop.

  I jumped up to pat her back then pulled the bell rope. Mercy finally came to the door. “Bring up tea and something to eat for Gertrude. Hurry now. She has had a long journey.”

  Mercy eyed the witch fearfully, but didn’t dare say a word. She hurried away.

  “You are ill.” I was relieved when Gertrude could finally catch her breath again.

  “A lingering effect from the dark magic Alyse brought with her. I will be fine once I am with my sister and have a chance to mix up a potion. She lives in a glen not far from here and will let me stay with her.” Gertrude coughed again. “I cannot go back to Dollar. Not after what happened there.”