I followed her, intrigued. Was Robert putting us in a donkey cart? Was that why he’d suggested this? But I stopped at the corner where the alley met the street. It was early evening and there were plenty of people about. They stared at the conveyance like I did. It was quite a sight. The caravan, as I think they called it, might have been taken straight from a gypsy camp. The long box-like wagon was painted in bright colors and had a seat for the driver on the front, doors and a seat in the back. I didn’t doubt that it could make someone a cozy home if need be.
“What do you think, Gloriana?” Robert wore a dark cape but swept off his hat and bowed. “Your Maggie thinks it is beneath your dignity.”
“I think it is quite pretty.” That was the truth. The painting was well done and I liked the colorful flowers decorating the sides. It was as if a garden had blossomed despite the cold weather. I noticed the horses wore bells on their red leather harnesses.
“If we are trying to let the brigands know we are coming, you’ve done a good job of it.” Jeremiah stepped out of the back of the caravan. “Though the inside is quite comfortable, I must say.”
“Bran and I won’t drive this wagon.” Fergus waved his hand at it. “Look you. It will seem as if we are Romany. You know they are forbidden here. Jeremiah, do you think you will be able to save us if the king’s men take us for one of them while you are dead to the world during the day?”
“He’s right, MacDonald. Gypsies may be allowed in Scotland, but they are forbidden on this side of the border. King James is sending any gypsy arrested to the colonies.” Jeremiah frowned.
“No!” Maggie dropped her basket. “We cannot take the chance!”
“You’re right, Maggie. This will not do.” Jeremiah handed her basket to Fergus.
“What if we paint the wagon and take off the bells?” I hated to lose the flowers, they were so pretty, but I had heard tales of gypsies being hanged during Queen Elizabeth’s time. “Then it would seem to be a tinker’s wagon. There would be no harm in that.”
“Gloriana’s right.” Robert turned to Bran. “You and your cousin find some dull color of paint and take care of it. I will get plain leathers for the horses. What say you, Campbell?”
Jeremiah looked over the wagon. “Yes, it will serve. Do it quickly. The sooner we leave, the better.” He wrapped his arm around me. “I must go to court and say my farewells. Why don’t you look inside the wagon and see if it will suit you. Help Maggie sort out our things to your liking. We leave as soon as the paint dries.” He kissed my cheek.
“I am sure it will be fine.” I looked at the night sky. It was clear and that was a blessing. Rain would have delayed painting and our departure. It was odd that Jeremiah was in such a hurry but he must have his reasons. I watched him go then realized Robert was still standing next to the horses.
“I owe you an apology, Gloriana.” He walked closer.
“For?” I smiled at him. He looked dashing in dark traveling clothes.
“I bought the caravan because I thought the flowers would please you. Foolish of me. I completely forgot the danger of going about the countryside in a gypsy caravan. Now I know why it was so cheap! That’s what I get for thinking about your comfort and my purse before anything else.” He took my hand and kissed my palm. “Forgive me?”
I knew flirting when I saw it. And he’d had the nerve to drag a fang across my skin. Cheeky devil! I pulled my hand away and tucked it behind me.
“The flowers did please me. The danger? I’m shocked that you would be so foolish. I cannot so easily forgive such a lapse in judgement, Robert. You could have endangered both me and Maggie. I’m sure the rest of you would be well able to take care of yourselves, but I have not yet learned how to shift and fly away or as you so bluntly said, ‘rip out a throat’.”
“I will work hard to regain your esteem, Gloriana. Count on that. Now I must see about new harnesses for the livestock.” He winked then hurried away.
I stared after him. It was only when Maggie came out with a basket of my linens that I turned to the tasks at hand. We climbed into the wagon and looked about. It would be a cozy resting place for three of us at a time. Maggie chattered about how she and Fergus would lie together with Bran no doubt on his cousin’s other side. I had visions of Jeremiah between Robert and me. But of course we’d be dead as soon as the sun came up so there would be no tossing and turning and wondering…
“I hope the ride is smooth. My stomach has been at sixes and sevens. It will be a long trip, I fear, if I cannot keep my food down.” Maggie patted the gentle swell of her stomach. “I’ve felt the babe kicking lately. It’s a lusty thing. Oh!” She grabbed my hand. “Feel.”
I couldn’t snatch my hand away and so felt the movement. Tears filled my eyes. Yes, she had a lusty little one growing in there, becoming a person. Would it be shifter or a mortal like she was? We had no idea. What I did know was that I would never have a babe of my own. I had made that choice when I became vampire. It was something I’d tossed away as easily as I’d given up my mortality and my love of hot chocolate and good bread. Oh, what had I been thinking?
Well, the fact of the matter was I’d not been thinking at all. I’d been in love and Jeremiah Campbell had consumed all my thoughts. I had wanted him with every fiber of my being. I still felt that way and I hoped to God that he was worth the sacrifice. The babe kicked again and I forced a laugh. I gave Maggie a hug and let her think I felt nothing but joy for her. No, I would never allow myself to tell her that my heart ached with jealousy. I wanted to hold my own babe, a little piece of Jeremiah. I needed to let that dream go. I had the real Jeremiah to hold onto, forever. That would have to be enough.
3
We left London as soon as Jeremiah returned from the king’s court. The caravan was now a muddy brown, the paint drying as the horses pulled it through the streets. Maggie and I had hung a few kettles and pans around the doorway at the back of the caravan where there was a bench open to the air. The ride was bumpy and the night air cold. Maggie huddled in her cloak, a pan in her lap. She refused to lie down inside, claiming she needed the air on her face to settle her stomach. Of course London air was no high treat. The mixture of horse dung and chamber pots made my own stomach rebel. Maggie and I were a fine pair as we swayed with the wagonm each of us holding a kerchief to our nose.
“Gloriana, I never knew this town was so big! How long do you think it will take us to get to the open road?”
I patted Maggie’s knee. “I have no idea.” She didn’t know I woke up with no memory the night my Michael had found me unconscious and being robbed in an alley. “I have never been out of London before.” That I remembered.
Jeremiah rode up next to us. “A few more hours and we’ll be clear of the worst of it.” He frowned at me. “Gloriana, you look unwell. Is the wagon’s movement bothering you? Should I have bought a horse for you?”
“I have certainly felt better. Give me time. I’m sure I’ll get used to this motion. I know I feel better than Maggie does.” I waved my kerchief at my friend. “Buying a horse for me would be a waste of your coin. I cannot ride, Jeremiah.” A lady would certainly be an excellent horsewoman. This was one more reason why my lover should have cast me aside instead of bringing me along with him to his home in a fine castle. I looked away, sure I’d see his disappointment.
“What’s this? Not afraid of horses, are you?” Of course Robert had heard and was right there to make a statement.
“No, I just never learned to ride.” I studied the pot in my lap. The wooden seat was unyielding and a sudden bump in the road had my stomach rebelling again. Would they just leave this alone? I didn’t want them around if I did begin retching.
“I will teach you, Gloriana. First chance I get, I will buy you a gentle mare.” Robert always had to goad Jeremiah. “Obviously Campbell has neglected you.”
“I will take care of purchasing a horse for Gloriana, if she wants one. What say you, my love?” Jeremiah kept pace with the wagon, though it
made his horse restless.
I did feel unnerved, very afraid of horses when they danced with their hooves close to me. But I wasn’t about to admit that. If he truly meant it, I had to learn to ride. I wanted to be worthy of Jeremiah and able to do everything a proper lady could do. I smiled up at him, imagining myself on a horse. I’d have an elegant riding costume, of course, and a dashing hat with a feather.
“Yes, I would like to learn.” I bumped against Maggie when we drove over yet another rut. “Thank you, Jeremiah. A gentle horse. Robert is right about that.”
“It will be done. This trip is a good time to begin. With luck and good weather, by the time we reach Scotland, you will be a bruising rider.” Jeremiah pulled on his reins. “Now this big fellow needs to go ahead or you’ll take fright of him. We’ll be stopping at an inn as soon as we leave the city. For Maggie and the shifters to refresh themselves.” He nodded then took off.
“If he doesn’t teach you properly, I will see to it.” Robert stayed close. He rode a tall black horse but it walked sedately. “Campbell is impatient. I can take my time.” He winked. “With everything I do.”
“If you wish for us to continue travelling together, you will stop baiting Jeremiah and teasing me.” I had no smile for Robert. “I’ve told you more than once that he is all I want or need. Now please humor me and ride elsewhere. It will make this journey more than tiresome if you two are always quarrelling. Poking the bear will certainly not endear you to me.” I gave my chin a haughty lift as I’d noticed fine ladies were wont to do. To my consternation, Robert burst into hearty laughter.
“Poking the bear. Aye. That is exactly how it feels. I must say, Campbell is just that clumsy in his attempts to keep you to himself.” He pulled off his hat and sketched a bow from the saddle. “As you wish, my charmer. It wasn’t my desire to make you cross. I am sure that with time you will see for yourself which of us would be the better protector—an oaf who swipes with his paw at any man who comes near you?” He chuckled as he replaced his hat. “Or a man who knows how to treat a lady with care and passion.” With that he galloped away into the night.
“Be wary of that one, Gloriana.” Maggie swayed against me. “I’ve seen his like at the theater. Bold as brass and spouting fancy words when trying to get under a woman’s skirts. But once he’s had his way?” She snorted. “Not the kind to stick for long. Many a gel has cried on my shoulder once her handsome rake moved on to a new conquest, despite his pretty promises when he was wooing her. Never doubt it.”
“I’m sure you are right, Maggie.” She didn’t know the half of it. Robert also wooed me for my tasty blood. Right now Robert was surely on his way to find some hapless soul to quench his thirst. Yes, I’d seen his fangs in the light from the lantern hanging above my head. He’d catch up with us when he was done, sated and ready to fall down with us at dawn. The idea of lying next to him then made me shiver. Jeremiah had already expressed his opinion of our sleeping arrangements, but we had no choice. We’d die together, the three vampires, while the shifters and Maggie guarded us through the day as we moved on toward Scotland. Tomorrow night would be different, with the shifters finally able to sleep while we travelled.
We were playing the part of tinkers, except that both Robert and Jeremiah rode fine horses. They disguised them as best they could by throwing rough blankets over their flanks. But I was warned by Fergus that any judge of horseflesh would know at a glance that their steeds were not ordinary hacks. At least all the men were well armed. If brigands did take notice of our hidden wealth, they would soon find that we were not helpless.
Finally it seemed we had reached the outskirts of London and the air was fresher. Maggie sighed and touched my hand.
“I think I’ll lie down in the wagon for a bit. Packing and gathering all that was needed for our journey wore me out, Gloriana.” She turned and crawled inside, pushing past the heavy draperies Fergus and Bran had nailed across the opening. It would shield us from sunlight during the day. There was a hook and I fastened the cloth back so Maggie could get air as we kept going.
“Yes, try to sleep.” I felt guilty that she had done most of the work while I had been dead during the day. Maggie wasn’t my servant, she was my friend. Yet she now claimed Fergus as her “husband” and he was paid to serve Jeremiah. Did that make her part of the Campbell retinue? She seemed to think so. I was no fine lady and had never had a maidservant before, but Maggie had stepped into that role for me. She took care of my clothes and even helped me into my bath. I didn’t like it since I sometimes felt as if I was as good as paid myself, accepting food, lodging and beautiful clothes from Jeremiah in return for my favors.
The thought made my cheeks burn and my shoulders slump. Just because Jeremiah claimed to love me, did that make me better than a woman selling herself in an alley? Whore. That’s what some would call me. Dread sat ill in my stomach. Would Jeremiah’s parents label me so? How could they not?
I gripped my seat as the wagon jolted along the rutted road. I pushed aside my self-pity when I suddenly felt uneasy. Someone was out there in the dark. I knew it. I could feel eyes on me, watching. Where? The noise of the horses pulling the wagon made it hard to tell if we were followed but I concentrated all my vampire senses, trying to discover what I could. I had so much to learn! Jeremiah still rode in front of the caravan and Robert had yet to return. I heard Bran and Fergus talking in their native tongue where they sat up front, taking turns driving the caravan.
I inhaled, searching for a familiar scent. This was one vampire trick Jeremiah had insisted I work hard to master. Finally I found a hint of something in the air all vampires carried —the chill that spoke of death, Jeremiah called it. I hated that I must carry a similar scent to a well-trained vampire nose. It was not an odor I recognized—not Robert or my lover.
Alert, I knew what I must do. I hated to wake Maggie but I had no choice. Using the pan in my lap, I hit another one dangling near my head again and again. The loud clangs made the horses pulling the wagon jump in their traces. A swearing Fergus quickly got them under control.
“Lass, what is it?” He yelled back to me.
“We’re being followed.” I heard hoof beats—Jeremiah coming to my aid. The clash of metal on metal had done what I’d hoped. “Stop the wagon!”
“Gloriana, what is it?” Jeremiah pulled up at the back of the caravan as soon as Fergus stopped it. “Are you ill? In trouble?”
I looked around. I didn’t want to shout it even though I hoped we were alone. We’d truly left the city behind now and there were open fields and hedges along the road. The trees cast shadows and there were many places where brigands could hide. What if I was wrong? I was only just learning to use this sense.
“Take a breath, Jeremiah. I think I smell…”
He looked around and I heard him inhale. “By God! I know that scent. You were wise to call me.” He pulled his sword. “Where is MacDonald?”
“He rode off. To find his supper, I believe. It’s not him. I would recognize—” I gasped when Jeremiah reached for me, leaning down to grasp my hand.
“Get on the horse. Stand and I’ll pull you up behind me. Quickly now.” He turned to Fergus who had come running. “Keep going but have a gun near at hand. Arm Bran as well. I won’t leave the wagon unless forced to draw them off.”
“Who is it, Jeremiah?” Fergus had a pistol in his waistband but now pulled a musket from the back of the wagon.
“Devlin, if I’m not mistaken. You know what he’s like. And what he’s capable of doing.” Jeremiah looked grim.
“Aye.” Fergus looked into the wagon. He paled, clearly shaken. “My poor lass is fast asleep. Not even the racket Gloriana made stirred her. ’Tis better that way. If that bastard gets past us…”
“He won’t. Now tell Bran to drive while you keep watch. We should stay on the move. The inn is close. Maggie is safer inside and dawn isn’t that far away. That will be her best protection. Gloriana’s as well.” Jeremiah pulled me up and behind hi
m with a strength that startled me. “There, love. Are you comfortable? Hold on to my waist. I wouldna have you fall.” His Scottish accent was stronger with his concern.
“Nor would I.” The ground looked very far away. I adjusted my skirts over my legs. I had worn my cloak and kept it on when he’d grabbed me. I raised the hood and wrapped it tight before I pressed against Jeremiah, my arms around his waist. I could feel at least two knives in his coat and a pistol at his waist. Powder and shot dangled in a bag from the saddle horn. For a man who was used to fighting with his fangs, this was a startling amount of weapons. Even more startling was the way the horse jumped when Jeremiah urged him forward as soon as the wagon lurched into motion. I tightened my grip on my man, reassured by his solid presence but terrified by the sudden movement and the distance to the ground.
Jeremiah kept pace with the caravan, looking around us as we rode. “I will keep you safe. It won’t be long until dawn. Just as I told Fergus.”
“Who is this Devlin? I smelled…” I leaned in. I’d learned early on to never to say the word louder than a whisper. “vampire.”
“Aye, he is that. Very ancient, very dangerous. I cannot imagine why he is on this road with us. Unless he heard that I made a new vampire. Rumor has it that he enjoys breaking them in.” His voice was clipped but I heard the raw anger in it.
“Breaking them in?” My stomach lurched. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“You would like the feeling of it even less.” He had put his sword away and now moved both reins into one hand so as to cover mine pressed against his taut stomach. “Never fear, Gloriana, I will not let him have you. New vampires rarely survive Devlin’s methods. He must know that you are mine. I am your sire, sworn to protect you no matter what it takes.” He said this into the night surrounding us.
Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas (The Real Vampires series Book 14) Page 3
