“I have your baubles. I put them in my waistcoat while we were in the coach. You were so busy railing at me, you would have dropped them when we got out to walk home.” He stepped toward me.
I could see his bare legs beneath his shirt tails. Such fine legs. Not that they swayed me. I was furious with him. I pulled the pins from my hair and dropped them on the table. My locks flowed down my back and I deliberately reached up to run my hands through them, making my breasts almost fall out of my bodice. He was watching me, his eyes gleaming. He was so easy to excite.
I unlaced my dress. Not for him. No. It was so tight it pained me. I had to stop eating savory stews and lemon tarts. Everything he had bought for me, the clothes that were so pretty, felt too snug. And my hips. Lord Summers was right, they were good for child bearing but that was a kind way of saying they were now wide and well padded, thanks to the good food Jeremiah had made sure I had each day.
“Here is another reason why you don’t want to be turned vampire, Gloriana.” Jeremiah was suddenly close against me. He stroked my hips. “Vampires cannot breed. Lose your mortality and you give up any chance of ever having a babe. Could you live with that decision? You are very young. Are you sure you can decide now that you would be happy never becoming a mother?”
Such a question. It was too weighty for a woman who had desires burning between her thighs. I was too full of wine, too relaxed and he looked too good to me to bother with thinking. I pulled his head down and kissed him, my tongue in his mouth. I sent him a message in my mind that had him lifting my skirt and clearing the table, my empty goblet and the wine bottle crashing to the floor. Hairpins flew everywhere.
Before I could do more than moan, he was on me and in me, taking me hard and fast. Yes! Decisions were for another night. For now, I needed him. Wanted him. And had him. It was enough.
Chapter Sixteen
Fergus had indeed found us fine lodgings. I ignored the fact that they weren’t far from where Marin and Jean-Claude had also lived. It was a series of underground tunnels and was obvious that Jeremiah wasn’t the first to make use of the space. There was a fine fireplace, separate rooms for sleeping and, most wonderful of all, pipes for running water.
My concern was how Maggie would react to living underground and without windows. I needn’t have worried. She was so happy to be away from the theater and in the arms of a good man who appreciated her that she cared not where she slept.
Not that there was much sleeping with those two. Fergus was a new man with Maggie’s adoring gaze following him around the rooms. He strutted, I swear it. Jeremiah was amused and I had all I could do to keep him from teasing the shifter.
Did Maggie know that Jeremiah and Fergus were not mortal? Not yet. But I was sure she was puzzled by our strange sleep schedule and the fact that my lover locked himself away each night near dawn in a room little better than a storeroom. She was easy to distract, though, with shopping trips and gossip about the theater. It seemed she had left at the right time. Horace had been sent away in disgrace after the performance for the king. He had packed up and abandoned her and their room without so much as a by-your-leave. If not for Fergus paying what was owed their landlord, Maggie would have been in terrible trouble.
“I tell you, Gloriana, Fergus is my hero. I know I haven’t known him long, but he has changed my life!” She confided in me while the shifter was gone to fetch our luncheon. “I have never had a man take care of me before. It was always the other way around. Do you know what I mean?”
“Of course.” I glanced at the door to Jeremiah’s room. Though Michael had taken care of me at first, our roles had soon reversed. The actors wanted their women to be at their beck and call, taking care of their rooms, their laundry and, of course, their physical urges. If Michael had been sent from the theater, I had often wondered if he would have expected me to get a job as a server at the local inn to pay for our room while he looked for another acting position. He certainly had never considered doing any physical labor. “Any word on what became of Horace?”
“Becks said he thought Horace had a friend in a traveling show.” She flushed. “You know what kind of friend. Anyway, he certainly didn’t care if I landed in gaol for debts, did he? If he starves, I won’t lose sleep over it.”
“You’re right. He owed you more for the years you gave him than to leave you like that. It is a disgrace!” I hoped I would have warning when Jeremiah decided he no longer loved me. My breath caught at the thought. No, he wouldn’t be that cold, that unfeeling. Would he? I know it would break my heart to lose him. But I had to prepare myself. There was still talk at court of the Scots moving to the Highlands for Yuletide. Was I to go with him? I had not been invited. I knew it was one thing to parade your mistress before the king, far from home. Did you take her into the bosom of your family?
“You look worried. What is on your mind, Gloriana?” Maggie also looked toward Jeremiah’s room. “I have already learned not to ask questions here. But I can’t help but notice that your lover has strange hours.”
“Yes.” I faked a saucy grin. “Mayhap I wear him out when we are together.”
“I don’t doubt you keep him mighty busy.” Maggie picked up some needlework. She was darning socks for Fergus. She seemed happy to keep her sewing habit. “Not that I am paying heed to what you do when I am fully occupied myself.” Her smile was wide, her eyes bright. “Oh, Gloriana, I will never be able to repay you for this chance at making a new start. If you had not brought Fergus to the Globe…”
“You are just what he needed, Maggie, never doubt it. He has been lonely. Seeing Jeremiah and I so happy together made his own single state more painful to bear.” I heard the key in the lock. “Here he is now. I vow I will not stuff myself, no matter what delicious food he brings. I can hardly fit into my clothes as it is.”
“No worries, lovey. I will let out the seams. It is what I did time and time again for Horace. We will certainly not let those pretty clothes your lover has bought you go to waste.” She put aside her mending and greeted Fergus at the door, taking a basket from him. “Oh, my! You won’t be able to resist this, Gloriana. Steak and kidney pie.” She kissed Fergus on the cheek. “How did you know it is my favorite?”
“Did I not tell you, my love? I can read your thoughts.” He had another basket which he set on the table. “I brought sweets as well. Gloriana is partial to them.” He winked at me. “I have reason enough to be grateful to her. She is the one who introduced us.” He pulled Maggie to him and kissed her on the lips. Then he frowned and put his hand to her cheek. “You feel warm. Have you been sitting too close to the fire?”
Maggie laughed. “No, but you put me to the blush, sir. Lay out the food. I must visit the chamber pot.” She hurried out of the room, her hand on her stomach.
Fergus stared after her. “Could she be ill? I heard talk in the inn there are signs of the plague near here. Then I saw them myself. I can’t lose her, Gloriana. Not when I just found her.” He walked toward the room where she’d closed the door. “Has she complained to you? How are you feeling, Gloriana?”
“No complaints. She seems well enough and I am fine. Hale, hearty and very interested in the pie you brought.” I rested my hand on his arm. Fergus was in love. It was good to see the big man so concerned for Maggie. I loved them both. I patted him reassuringly then got busy setting out plates and forks. We would eat together as we had been doing since we arrived here. It had been more than a month since we’d moved in and we had settled into a comfortable routine. I had made the decision to stop bothering Jeremiah about becoming vampire after our fight. After all, he had agreed to have Maggie come stay and I enjoyed having a female companion. I was not about to risk pushing him away with constant nagging.
Not that I had forgotten my need to be turned, just that I had decided to bide my time. I loved Jeremiah and hoped I could find a way to change his mind. The last thing I wanted to do with Maggie in the house was start another fight. Or test his love when he was thinkin
g about leaving London soon.
I was happy, most of the time. Jeremiah and I spent many of our nights together at court. It still amazed me that I had such a handsome man eager for my presence by his side. I knew I was a credit to him. I had learned how to talk to the fine folks there and even had a ruby necklace and earrings that looked wonderful with a new gold silk dress. I topped them with a new cloak trimmed in fur. Such riches!
I appreciated Jeremiah’s generosity but worried. With each new bauble I tried to see my future. Was he giving me jewels so I could have them to sell once he was gone? It didn’t bear thinking about. How would I go on without him? I knew I would gladly dress in rags and throw every jewel in the river if it would guarantee he would stay by my side. Of course I didn’t dare complain. Nor would I beg him to never let me go. What man wanted a woman who turned into a desperate nag?
I sat and ate sparingly, remembering the passionate night before. Jeremiah never seemed to tire of our lovemaking and I thanked the gods for that. Surely he would find it hard to leave me behind when he left for Scotland if for no other reason than the way we fit together when he held me. I knew I would never forget the smell of him on my pillow, the taste of his kisses or the feel of his arms around me. How could he even think of letting go of the special connection we had?
No court tonight. He had been called upon to lead soldiers for the king as unrest continued. This wasn’t the first time Jeremiah and Fergus had left on such a mission. I stayed in, glad for Maggie’s company. We would talk and play card games, safely locked in. I might go to bed when Maggie tired, well before dawn. If I did, I knew Jeremiah would wake me when he came home to make love to me. It was my duty and my pleasure. I sighed when I realized I had cleaned my plate. Oh, I would never fit into my clothes at this rate.
“Gloriana, would you see if Maggie is all right? She has been in the retiring room a while now.” Fergus paced the floor in front of the fireplace. “Her food grows cold.”
“Of course.” I hurried to the small room we’d set aside for the chamber pot and the hip bath. Maggie had marveled at the fact that Jeremiah and I bathed so frequently. But she’d soon learned to enjoy bathing as well. I had heard her with Fergus in the room one afternoon with much laughter and the sound of splashing water. It had made me take to my bed for a nap with a pillow over my head.
“Maggie, are you well?” I hesitated at the door to the small room.
“Come in.” Her voice was weak.
I pushed the door open and saw her sitting on the small stool next to the tub. Her head rested on her knees. “Maggie! Fergus is worried about you. What’s wrong?”
She looked up and I was relieved to see her smiling. “I think--I hope I am with child, Gloriana. That is why I am so sick to my stomach. I have seen it often enough with the women in the theater.” She pressed a wet rag to her pale cheeks. “It is a miracle. I am old. Nine and twenty. But Fergus is lusty. And we…” She flushed. “Well, I have not had my monthly since I’ve been here and it is usually to be counted on, if you know what I mean.”
I didn’t. But I couldn’t tell her that. Since I had waked up on those stones, years ago with no memory, I had not had what the women behind the stage had complained about. Did it mean I had no means of making a child? Was I damaged in some way? I had no time to give it thought. Maggie was off her stool and crying into my shoulder.
“What do you think Fergus will say? Will he cast me out to raise this child on my own?” She sobbed. “I love him. He says he loves me. But what man wants this kind of burden? We are just learning about each other. Oh, I should have been smarter. Asked the others at the Globe how to keep from…” She sniffed and leaned back. “You have not been careless, have you?”
I had no answer to that so I just shook my head. Jeremiah had told me he couldn’t father a child so that was that. But Fergus. Obviously he could. And now he was going to have to tell Maggie the truth. He would certainly not cast her out. He did love her. I saw that in the way he looked at her.
“Come now. Dry your eyes and let’s go tell Fergus the happy news. Are you sure? Could it be an illness? Horace did not look well when we last saw him.” I took her wet cloth and wiped her cheeks.
“He has the pox. Of course he looks poorly. It’s what you get when you lie with the worst sort of…” She shook her head. “I love steak and kidney pie, but the smell just now sent me running to heave up everything I ever ate. If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is.” She ran a hand through her hair. “And my breasts are sore. Swellin’ a bit. Another sign. It’s early days yet, but I’m feelin’...” She grinned. “I just know it’s true.”
“Then I’m happy for you and I’m sure Fergus will be as well.” Did I believe that? I had no idea what kind of family Fergus had in Scotland. He seemed like an honest man. But for all I knew he could have a wife waiting for him there. I was not about to bring that up when she wiped her wet cheeks again and straightened her hair.
“I’d best tell him right away. I hate secrets. It was horrible all those years with Horace. Having his secret hanging over me was…” She shook her head. “Well, no matter what Fergus says about the babe, I am happy. I have always wanted a child. But I was trapped, you see. Horace never touched me, not in that way. And no man would come near me at the theater.” She smoothed down her skirt. Fergus had bought her several new dresses as soon as she’d moved in and she was very proud of them. This one was a dark blue that matched her eyes. “Where else would I have met someone?” She grabbed my arm. “Until you brought me Fergus. My dear, dear friend.” She hugged me and sniffed. “I can never thank you enough.”
“No need to thank me. Just be happy.” I sighed and patted her back, praying Fergus would be as happy with this news as she was. What a shock it would be for her when she found out her dear Fergus was not what he seemed. And the babe. Would it be shape-shifter or mortal? Oh, what a coil. She might hate me when she learned the truth about the father of her child. I took her hand and led her to the table where Fergus sat. He jumped up when he saw us.
“How are you, dearling?” He helped her sit, frowning when she pushed the plate he’d fixed her away. “Don’t you want to eat? Aren’t you hungry?”
“Not right now. Give me a few minutes and I will probably be starving. That’s the way this seems to work.” Maggie patted the bench next to her. “Sit, love. I have something to tell you.”
“I am going outside. Was it a fair day, Fergus?” I grabbed my shawl.
“You are not supposed to go out by yourself, Gloriana.” Fergus looked frustrated. “Jeremiah--”
“I won’t go far. Just a few steps outside the passageway. For some fresh air and a bit of sun. Is the sun out today?” I saw he’d left the key in the lock.
“Yes, the sun is shining, but it’s cold.” He frowned when I turned the key. “Stay close. Promise me.”
“I will. You two need to talk. Come and get me when things are settled.” I smiled and left. It felt good to be alone for a change. I knew Maggie was puzzled that I was always guarded. We explained it away by telling her a lord who liked to hurt women had taken a fancy to me. I doubted Lord Summers would think to take me by force, but there was enough truth to the story that Maggie believed it. She had seen him accost another woman with his cane the night of the play and hadn’t liked his looks.
I walked down the long tunnel to the second door and pushed it open after I took the key from where it hung beside it. Once outside, I paused to take a breath. Fresh air, it almost made me dizzy. I quickly locked the door again and slipped the key into my pocket, hugging my shawl around me. It was cold, but I wanted to walk a bit. The river was nearby, I could smell it, but had no desire to see it. I hated that foul place. I turned instead to a street where I could see tradesmen had set up booths. I was still hungry and had money to buy a treat. Despite my best intentions, I purchased a warm sweet bun and ate it as I strolled along, looking at the things for sale.
I lifted my face to the sun, though there was li
ttle warmth to be had from it. Could I really choose to never see it again? Become a night creature? For a month or more I’d seen little of the day. Winter coming meant there was not much of it, night falling early. Had I missed the daylight? As long as I had Jeremiah each night…
“Mistress Gloriana, how is it you are alone?” The voice near my elbow almost made me drop the last of my bun. I turned, relieved when I saw who stood behind me.
“Bran. Do you live nearby?” I glanced around me. Of course Robert MacDonald wouldn’t be about. It was still an hour or more before sunset.
“Aye. I was the one who told Fergus about the lodgings you now share with Campbell. I hope they suit you.” He had a basket over his arm.
“They are very fine. I hope we aren’t too close to your master.” I liked Robert, but knew Jeremiah was still eager to fight him.
“Closer than either of the men would like. Fergus and I are doing our best to keep them from knowing that.” He selected a meat pie and paid, putting it in his basket. “You really shouldn’t be here by yourself. Where is my cousin?”
“With Maggie. Have you met her?” I started to walk back toward our tunnel at his insistence. “Are you escorting me?”
“Yes. To both questions. There are some troublemakers hereabouts and you would be wise to stay inside these days.” Bran looked around. “You are well-dressed and look like you might carry coin. I have seen women surrounded and robbed here. A pretty one could well disappear into a brothel and never be seen again.”
“Now you are scaring me.” I had to skip to keep up with his long strides. I looked around, finally paying attention to my surroundings. Some of the men did look menacing. I had never been bothered before because I had always had Fergus with me. With his size, he could give anyone a hard look and they scuttled away.
Real Vampires: When Glory Met Jerry Page 23
