“If you please me, I will have a new wardrobe this year. But I do not throw away a good dress. I have my favorites and don’t mind wearing them again and again.” Flo had read my mind and was trying not to laugh as Jolie hurried her out of her dress. “Are you sure these sleeves aren’t too, um, large?”
“There is no such thing!” Madame Clotilde had picked up Flo’s fan from her work table. “This is une très belle pièce . Where did you get it? I would like to find some of these and sell them to my clients.”
“They are not for sell.” Flo’s voice was muffled as the dress was lowered over her head. When it finally came to rest on her shoulders, she and Jolie began to work her arms into those enormous sleeves. The bodice was cut low as Flo had requested for all her gowns. There was the problem. The weight of the sleeves pulled the dress off her shoulders and exposed her breasts. No matter how Jolie tried to adjust it, there was no solution. Big sleeves, big problem.
“Stupid girl. You made them too heavy.” Clotilde slapped Jolie. The sound was a harsh echo in the room.
Flo turned on the seamstress. “It is your design that is stupid. How could anyone move in these sleeves?” She grabbed the scissors from the table and slashed at the material.
“No! What are you doing?” Clotilde lunged for the scissors. “My beautiful sleeves.”
Flo stared at her, for a moment showing fangs.
“Mon Dieu! What are you?” Clotilde fainted and fell to the floor.
Jolie didn’t faint. In fact, she walked up to Flo, calmly took the scissors and began to cut the sleeves off the dress.
“The beading really is beautiful. What do you think, Madame daVinci?” Jolie smiled. “I did all the work myself. I just love the way the silver compliments the lavender, don’t you?”
“You are not afraid?” Flo stood still while the assistant used what must be very sharp scissors to trim the terrible sleeves off the dress.
“Not of you, madame. I have seen vampires before.” She shrugged. “Working all night, sleeping the day away? Madame Clotilde is too stupid to ask why. I have found a lover here. He let me know how things are. I don’t mind it.” She efficiently threw the huge sleeves away. The dress immediately looked better.
Flo stared at what was left. “This is what I like. I can move and look like a woman now, not like a misshaped freak.”
“Exactly, madame.” Jolie nodded. “I want to enhance your beauty, not cover it up.”
“Ohhh.” Clotilde moaned and sat up. “What happened?”
Flo leaned down and stared into her eyes. “You fell. I think you must have forgotten to eat your supper. You have been working too hard.”
I offered the seamstress my hand. “Go to the great hall. I think I smell last meal being served right now.”
“Wait!” She stopped and stared at the dress on Flo. “What has that lazy slut done to your beautiful dress? I swear I will send her back to Edinburgh first thing in the morning. I’m so sorry, Madame daVinci.” She raised her hand as if to slap Jolie again.
“No.” Flo grabbed her hand. “I like my dress this way. You are the one on your way to Edinburgh tomorrow. Now go eat. You will need your strength for the long drive.”
“You cannot do that. I haven’t finished my work!” Clotilde looked around the workroom at the piles of fabrics. She’d actually done very little.
“You will be paid in the morning. I will see to it.” I took her by the elbow and guided her out of the room before Flo could hit her with her fan. I could see that she’d picked it up and was tapping it on her palm.
“I am never taking a job in the wilds of Scotland again!” Clotilde sniffed. “And you, Jolie, will not work for me or any of the other modistes in France once I spread the word of your insolence.”
“Thank you, madame. I have no desire to be a servant to one such as you ever again.” Jolie threw one of those awful sleeves at her. “I would be very happy if I could make clothes on my own. Clothes that flatter a woman, not flatter the pride of the woman who makes them.”
Clotilde’s face turned red and she sputtered. “You dare! Why I picked you out of the gutter. Gave you lessons until you could sew a straight seam. This is how you repay me?”
“No, madame.” Jolie walked up to her. “This is how I repay you .” She pulled back her arm and delivered a resounding slap to the woman’s cheek. “I have done your work long enough. Made you look good and hidden your love for brandy and long naps in the afternoons.” Jolie turned to Flo. “May I stay here and try to finish the dresses you wanted?”
Flo clapped her hands. “I would love for you to, Jolie.” She waved her fan. “If this beading is any example. I will be happy to wear them to court. When the ladies there see your work, they will be lining up to hire you.” She faced the slack-jawed seamstress. “Why are you still here, Clotilde? Go!” She waved her hand.
“Yes, go.” I eased her out the door and shut it.
I turned to Jolie. “I can’t wait to see what you made for me.” I shuddered when I saw her pick up a monstrosity with enormous lace fans attached. “Tell me those aren’t supposed to be a collar.”
“Yes, madame.” Jolie picked up her scissors again. “But do not worry.” She got busy snipping. “You will like the rest of the bodice. Red and black beading. Pretty, don’t you think?”
What I thought was that we had one more mortal who knew what we were. It was a worry. I knew when too many people shared a secret, it couldn’t stay a secret for long. Flo and I finally left that workroom and walked up the stairs to Lady Anne’s solar and I said as much to her.
That was when I heard the scream.
18
“ N o! Let me go!” A well-dressed woman of middle years was struggling with a man in Lady Anne’s solar. He had a firm grip and was dragging her toward the door.
Flo hit me with her elbow. “That is Lady Rose, Lady Anne’s mother. That must be her husband, Baron Clyne.” She squeaked when Valdez picked her up and moved her out of his way. He charged into the room and pushed between Lady Rose and her husband, shoving the man back so hard Clyne staggered and hit a chair.
“Sir, clearly the lady does not want your hands on her. Lord Campbell does not countenance such rude behavior in his home.” Valdez stared down the baron when he seemed about to make another move toward the sobbing Lady Rose.
“I’ll treat my wife any way I damn well please. Who the hell are you?” The man puffed out his chest and straightened his brocade waistcoat. “Hired help if I’m any judge. Lay your hands on me again and I’ll see you discharged.”
“Lay your hands on the lady again and I’ll see you bleeding on the floor.” Valdez touched his sword. “I cannot worry about my position here when a lady is being threatened.”
“What is going on here?” I stepped forward and put my hand out to Lady Anne. She had managed to get between her mother and the irate baron and looked ready to take him on if necessary. “Sir? Valdez is right. We will not stand for abuse of any woman here, whether she is your wife or not.”
“Is that so?” The man looked me over and licked his lips. It was the kind of filthy survey that made me wish I’d worn a dress with a high collar. I did pull up my shawl then wished I hadn’t shown such a sign of weakness. “Who might you be?”
“I am mistress here, at Lord Campbell’s request. I would advise you to be careful what you say next.” I was not going to back down. I knew his type and had met men like him at court. He thought he was powerful because he’d inherited a title, but he’d gamed away any fortune that had come with it. His florid face and soft body spoke of a fondness for drink and long nights gaming. He treated his women and his servants poorly to make himself feel better about his own failures.
I glanced at Lady Rose. She’d been pretty once and could be again if she stopped crying and cringing away from the baron’s fists, so close to her. She was afraid of him. I couldn’t stand it.
“Gloriana, this is my, my mother, Lady Rose. And her,” Lady Anne swallowed. I cou
ld see how she despised him. “husband, Baron Clyne.”
“I met your mama in the hall.” Flo hurried forward, not about to miss a moment of the drama. She turned to the baron. “She will not go with you. She is staying here, with us!” Then came a bit of rapid Italian complete with a hand gesture that left no doubt as to her opinion of the man.
“Well! I have never seen such a poorly run household. Where is Lord Campbell?” Baron Clyne strode to the window and looked out. “I refuse to deal with a hireling and a group of out-of-control women.”
“Personally, I like my women out of control.” Jeremiah walked into the solar and put his arm around me. “Clyne. Your reputation precedes you.” He bowed toward the sniffling Lady Rose. “Madame. Please feel at ease. No one will force you to go anywhere against your will while you are under my roof.”
“Now see here!” The baron moved toward Jeremiah but Valdez stepped between them. His hand gripped his sword hilt as if he were ready to pull it out and use it. The message was clear.
“Lord Campbell, I presume.” Clyne sketched a bow. “Sir, that is my wife you are sheltering. Surely you understand my wish to see her home.”
“Madame? What say you? Are you ready to go with your husband?” Jeremiah spoke kindly, careful to approach the woman with his hands out by his sides. “You are most welcome here.” He smiled at Lady Anne. “Captain Burnett tells me he and your daughter are to be married tomorrow night in the chapel. I know you will wish to be here for that happy occasion.”
“I would. Truly.” Lady Rose curtsied then extended her hand for Jeremiah to take. “Thank you for your kindness, Lord Campbell. You have been wonderful to my daughter. She has told me how you have given her a home here. That she has found love again.” She glanced at her scowling husband who paced next to the window. “Is her Captain Burnett a kind man?”
“Kind? Is that all you care about, you stupid cow?” Baron Clyne exploded. “Is he in funds? Where’s the settlement? He asked for your daughter’s hand. Can you believe it? As if I’d just give her to him. I sent him my demands. Have I heard from him since then? Not a word.” He moved toward Lady Anne and Valdez stepped in his way. “You’ll not marry that man without ample payment, girl, and that’s final.”
“I do not like your tone, Baron. Your wife deserves better.” Jeremiah’s own tone was as cold as a winter’s night. “As does Lady Anne.”
“What would you know about what my wife deserves?” Clyne’s sneer made me want to slap it off his face. “Or her mewling daughter?”
Jeremiah moved so fast the other women blinked. Flo and I grinned when he grabbed Clyne by his cravat and jerked him off the floor until his feet dangled. The baron’s face turned red, then purple as the cloth tightened.
“Your wife deserves better than a hard-drinking wastrel who has run through her fortune. I have heard about you, Clyne. You talk of payment. What is your price to leave her here and disappear from her life and that of her daughter? Take a ship to France and not come back?”
“Jeremiah.” I touched his shoulder. “I don’t think the baron can answer you until you release him.”
It was true. Clyne was struggling to breathe, trying to pull Jeremiah’s hands from the cravat that was strangling him.
“Are you planning to kill him?” I kept my hand on Jeremiah’s back but wasn’t about to intervene. He was lord of this castle and had every right to defend it and the people in it.
“It’s tempting.” He glanced at Lady Rose. “What do you wish, my lady? That would solve your problems.”
“I, I am a good Christian, Lord Campbell.” Lady Rose took a moment to think about it. “France you say?”
“Is that far enough?” Jeremiah twisted the cravat and Clyne squeaked and managed an imploring look toward his wife as he kicked weakly.
“Yes, spare his worthless life and send him away.” She put her arms around her daughter. “I never want to see him again.” She buried her face in Lady Anne’s shoulder.
“Very well.” Jeremiah dropped Clyne, who gasped and fell into a chair. He leaned over and coughed as if he couldn’t catch his breath. Gradually, the baron straightened but he still had flushed cheeks.
Jeremiah watched him closely. “This is what will happen now, Clyne. I will give you an adequate purse to see you to the nearest port so that you may take ship to France. You will not bother Lady Rose or Lady Anne again. Is that understood?”
“Why should I—" Clyne was jerked up again, this time by his coat, a dark wool that looked expensive but was sadly out of fashion. He was clearly in need of funds. “I am owed something for the girl, am I not?” He had courage to say that in the face of Jeremiah’s glare.
“She is not a girl, Clyne, but the widow of a hero. I will pay you a portion of what was due Lord Ralph for his sacrifice but not a penny more.” Jeremiah shook him for emphasis. “That is on the condition that you take horse now, this minute, and ride for Edinburgh. I will send one of my men with you as escort to make sure you are on the first ship leaving port when you get there.” He threw him away and he landed near the window.
Clyne took a moment to set himself to rights. His face was still florid but he was clearly thinking.
“How is this your business, Campbell?”
“Your wife sought sanctuary under my roof, Clyne. That made it my business.” Jeremiah wasn’t backing down. “Make your decision, sir. If you want any money at all, this is your only option.”
The baron stared at his wife. “Rose, are you truly going to let me leave here? Never to see you again?” He actually seemed upset at the thought. Could he love her?
Lady Rose pulled away from her daughter. I wondered if she was tempted as she studied the man she had married. He had been handsome once, but lines of dissipation had taken a toll. He smoothed his thin hair and stared at her. She shook her head.
“Henry, you have gamed away everything my late husband left me—a tremendous fortune and my beautiful home. When I see you at a gaming table, it’s as if you’ve gone mad. You cannot seem to stop until our coffers are empty! I will not go on this way. You are simply not the man I thought I married.” She wiped her damp cheeks with her handkerchief. “If you love me… Would you promise to never touch a card again?”
“Rose, what’s the harm in a simple game of hazard?” Clyne edged closer, his hand out.
“Bah! You have just answered my question. Be gone! I never want to see you again.” Her chin quivered but she never broke down. “Thank you, Lord Campbell. I don’t know why you are being so kind, but I will never forget this.” Lady Rose kept her dignity as she turned and walked into her daughter’s bedchamber.
“Mama!” Lady Anne obviously wanted to follow her. “Thank you, Lord Campbell, but by letting me stay here you have done more than enough. Clyne should not benefit from my husband’s sacrifice. Ralph was a hero. Clyne certainly is not.” She gave her stepfather a hard look.
“Sir, you courted my mother and made her believe you loved her. Then you proceeded to ignore her while you threw away everything my kind and generous father left her. I cannot wait for you to disappear from our lives. Why you should get a groat more from us is a mystery to me.”
She walked up to Jeremiah. “Escort him to a ship. But do not give him an ample purse, sir. He is not worth it.” She met my gaze. “Gloriana has been a wonderful friend to me. And now you are being the same. I will never forget this.” She hurried into her bedchamber and closed the door.
Clyne started to say something but a quick glance at Jeremiah and he shut his mouth.
“Were you thinking of applying to the king for help with your wife?” Jeremiah’s voice was smooth as he took Clyne’s elbow.
The baron’s startled look made me smile. Mind-reading was always a shock to mortals.
“You cannot just put me on a ship!”
“Yes, I can. I am Guardian of the Coast, appointed by his majesty himself as reward for a special service to him.” Jeremiah walked Clyne to the door where Colin waited alo
ng with two other burly soldiers.
“All it would take is a hint that I caught you spying for the Irish and you would be facing the hangman.”
The baron stumbled and went pale. “You wouldn’t—”
“You have no idea what I would do.” Jeremiah smiled.
I almost expected a hint of fang. He might be tempted but he couldn’t allow himself the pleasure of scaring the baron with that knowledge. “Don’t test me, Clyne.”
In short order Colin had arranged a horse for Clyne and two men to go with him to Edinburgh and the port there. A small purse was put in the baron’s hand and his disappointed look made Flo and me want to cheer. We watched him ride across the drawbridge then turned to each other.
“I think it’s time to plan that wedding.” I took Flo’s elbow. “Jolie should have Anne’s dress ready by now.”
“Wait, amica .” Flo wouldn’t move. “I think I smell… Yes, the captain is coming. What is he going to think about Jeremiah’s arrangements?”
“He has no choice. It is done now.” I really didn’t want to watch their confrontation. The captain would have wanted to pay off Clyne himself even if it would have beggared him. Male pride. I’d seen it ruin many a relationship when I’d been in London. Men who thought they couldn’t afford to support a woman would leave her alone and broken-hearted before they’d let her share the burden of the household. Two people would be miserable because of one man’s pride.
I suppose I had no pride when it came to love. I let Jeremiah support me and was glad he could afford to do so. Did that make me weak? Less than him in our relationship? If it did, I didn’t seem to care. Once you’ve starved, pride seems of little importance. I’d learned that lesson the hard way. I did give Jeremiah all my heart and loyalty. He seemed to appreciate those qualities. Perhaps it was enough for him.
“Gloriana, you are deep in thought.” Flo was on the move now. “We never did get you introduced to Lady Anne’s mother. But I am sure she is not in the mood for company now. Or used to our odd hours.” She glanced back at Valdez, who trailed us, as usual. “Bodyguard, you did well when we saw Lady Rose’s horrible husband threatening her.”
Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates Page 23
