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Anne in front of the fire directing one of the maids. “Jeremiah is proud to show his father what he is doing.” I was proud as well. Maggie and Fergus hadn’t arrived yet but Lady Anne had been busy. The great hall was impressive, clean and orderly with a roaring fire in the hearth.

Jeremiah came in behind us and led his father to introduce him to Captain Burnett who lingered at the table. Soon the men were deep in conversation.

“Lady Anne, may I present Madame Florence daVinci, a guest of Laird Campbell, Lord Campbell’s father. They will be staying with us for a while.” I had never been lady of the manor and it was showing. I had found better quarters for Mercy, near mine, but hadn’t explored the castle like I should. It was a large place with four towers, not just the bathing one Jeremiah and I loved so much. Housekeeping had never interested me, but Lady Anne clearly was enjoying putting the place to rights.

She had been a different woman since we’d sent the pirates running. She was even wearing colors now, dresses that were a bit out of date, but pretty enough. They were obviously what she’d worn before her husband had been killed. Now she ripped off her apron, no doubt thinking about which room would be considered proper for the laird. Should we put him with his mistress? Or give her a room of her own? Thank the gods Lady Anne knew exactly how to manage things.

“Guests!” Lady Anne smiled. “It has been so long since we entertained.”

“Um, yes. Madame daVinci, this is Lady Anne McGee, widow of the former Guardian of the Coast. She has kindly stayed on to help run this castle.” I wondered what Lady Anne would think when our guests didn’t attend a banquet or even eat while they were here. They would also be happy to sleep the day away as we did.

Madame daVinci’s court curtsy came out again. “An honor to meet you, my lady. Please go to no trouble for me, capisci? Whatever schedule you have for Lord Jeremiah and his Gloriana will be the same for the laird and me.” She pulled out a silk fan that made Anne and me gasp at its beauty.

“I know this is not a place for balls and such. It will be fine to enjoy the country. We will not stand on ceremony, will we?” She waved the fan toward each of us. “You should both call me Florence. I hope we will be friends, eh?”

“It will be no trouble, I assure you. Welcome.” Lady Anne curtsied. She was obviously noticing Florence’s very expensive clothing and jewels. Our visitor had thrown back her velvet cloak and we could see she wore a dress that would have been perfectly acceptable in King James’ court. It was so pretty, I wished I could have ripped it from her and tried it on. Hah! I would have burst it at the seams.

Envy tugged at me. She was vampire, so this friendly Florence would be forever small, a size that made men want to keep her wrapped in furs and showered with jewels. Foolish of me to be jealous. I had beautiful clothing and Jeremiah gave me whatever I wanted. I should be happy with what I had. Too bad I felt like one of the laird’s lumbering oxen compared to dainty Florence as we tripped up the stairs. A shame that I wore a plain ordinary dress today for my sword practice. Yes, I was a drab lumbering ox.

Lady Anne led Florence up the stairs, actually speaking Italian with her. I was left out of the conversation. Fine. Now I was ignorant too. My steps slowed.

“Oh, we are being unkind. Gloriana, do you speak the language?” Lady Anne stopped on the stairs.

“No, I am afraid not. But I’m sure Florence is happy that you do. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”

“Florence is being kind but my Italian is poor. She is letting me practice but I only remember a few words from a trip to Italy when I was a young girl.” Lady Anne flushed. “I had a wonderful time in Rome. There was even a young man…”

“Ah, a first love I am thinking.” Florence patted Anne’s arm. “Your Italian was fine, my lady, but I need to practice my English, so we must speak only that. If I don’t, I will forget. Angus is not so good with his Italian.” She laughed. “I love him anyway. He is so very vigoroso.” She kissed her fingertips and threw out her hand in what I imagined was a typical gesture for her.

I had no trouble translating that Italian as I followed them up to another tower where there were two vacant bedchambers side by side. Lady Anne threw open the door to one and announced she hoped it would suit Florence. The bedchamber next door would be for the Laird. We had just looked at both of them when two lads appeared at the top of the stairs carrying a large trunk. They were huffing and puffing under the weight.

“Those are my clothes. Careful now.” Florence smiled as they set the trunk at the foot of the bed. “Grazie mille.” She slipped them each a coin.

I decided I liked her. So many ladies took such service for granted.

“This room will be fine. Oh, look, a view of the sea!” Florence walked over to the arrow slit and peered out. “It is magico.”

“Yes, the tower rooms are not as large as some, but they have fine views.” Lady Anne directed the boys to the other room when they returned with another smaller trunk. “That must be the laird’s baggage. I will see that fires are lit in both rooms at once.”

“You are very kind.” Florence watched the lady go. “Now we are alone, Madame Gloriana. I can see that she doesn’t know what we are.”

“No, she doesn’t. Jeremiah and I are careful to keep our secrets

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