“You are sure? This is not a way to keep me out of the fighting? My ma was makin’ a fuss about me comin’ here.” Colin pulled out the sword and made a few feints with it, showing off his efforts at fighting. I wasn’t impressed.
“We need to feed the men. You will be busy with those hounds, searching for deer, hare, who knows what you will find in those woods? Pick someone younger you can name your assistant.” Well, that made the boy’s eyes light up.
“Very well. Benjie will do the job and be glad of it, little coward.” He nodded and grabbed one of the dogs by his collar. “Can’t see him fighting pirates.”
I hoped neither of the young boys from Dollar had to do such a thing. “Make sure you get them clean and every flea off of them. Send me those men and a cleaning crew first.”
I knew Jeremiah would be pleased with my decision. After a string of mishaps, Colin’s parents had despaired of him. Jeremiah had taken him under his wing, glad to have someone with him who had been raised near Castle Campbell and understood about vampires. Colin had proved to be smart and eager to show everyone back home that he could be a hero. So far, we hadn’t had any tests of his fighting skill. I hope when we did, he didn’t do anything rash.
“Let’s go, hounds.” He finally caught the other one and dragged them away. “Bloody nuisances, I say.” He was muttering curses as he hauled them down the stairs.
It took several hours before the room was fit to have Mercy and some of the men haul in our own bedding and our clothes. I could feel that dawn was near. But where was Jeremiah? He knew he couldn’t get caught by the sun.
“There’s a stout lock on the door, mistress, so you will not be disturbed during the day.” Mercy was not happy. She had already let me know her own living quarters were barely habitable and beneath her station as a lady’s maid.
“You’ve done well, Mercy. I will make sure we hire maids aplenty to help you once we’re settled.” I’d demanded a tub be filled so I could wash away the dirt from the night’s work and our journey from Edinburgh.
“Thank you, Mistress Gloriana. I’m afraid those I’ve met so far are a lazy lot. Full of questions as well.” She laid a cloth near the fire to warm. “I know to keep myself to myself. They’ll not find out your secrets from me.” She looked around the room and frowned. “It’s very late. I’m sure the master will be here soon. Shall I send Colin running for him?”
“Jeremiah is a grown man. He wouldn’t like to be fetched like an absent-minded boy.” I let Mercy help me out of my dress then settled into the hip bath. “You may go find your own bed. I will take care of myself.” The warm water felt heavenly. I leaned back and closed my eyes, enjoying the first rest I’d had in hours.
“Yes, I am a grown man. Shall I prove it?” Jeremiah’s deep voice made me look up with a smile.
2
The small copper tub I sat in couldn’t possibly hold two. Jeremiah lifted me out of the water and gave me a lingering kiss before he wrapped me in that cloth warm from the fire. He washed quickly and grabbed a cloth of his own then pulled me close.
“I wish we had more time before the sun rises.” His body against mine stirred me just as it always did. Our wrappings fell to the stone floor.
“Time enough, I think.” I ran my hands over his hard angles and firm muscles. My man had always been a warrior. He’d been in his prime when he’d been turned vampire and would never change.
“Ah, lass, you are right.” His grin made my heart dance as he picked me up and carried me to our bed.
“I heard the castle was a filthy mess when you arrived. I admit, I dreaded what I might find here but you have our bed as cozy as ever.” He lay me down and looked his fill then dropped a kiss on my breast, lingering just where he knew I liked it. He raised his head and smiled. “Well done.”
I grabbed his hair and pushed him to me again, humming with pleasure. “It was no easy task. We are taking a home away from the widow of the former Guardian of the Coast, Jeremiah. It is a disgrace that there seems to be no provision for her.” I pulled his head up to look in his eyes. He knew I’d once been in the same situation and had nearly starved. “Is there anything we can do?”
“I will see about her tomorrow. I really can’t think about another woman right now, my love, when I have you lying under me. Let me feast on you.” He kissed me then, deeply, with a hint of fang that made our blood mingle in my mouth.
I wanted him desperately. Just as I always did. We had a connection that I couldn’t deny. Not only did I love him, but I’d changed everything for him. Deciding to become vampire was a decision I had not made lightly. Now we could be together forever.
Forever? I tried to imagine it and failed. This love making me breathless was still new. But I wondered if time would make us tire of each other. Most men I had known liked variety. That Jeremiah might wish for another made me tighten my grasp on his shoulders. How could I be enough for him?
I offered my vein to my lover. He took me then, the pull at my neck only making the way he made me his even better when he surged inside. I was
