Teach’s jaw clenched. “She’s ill and might be suffering from the same ailment that plagued me. I left her estate late last night and only just returned. I heard that you’d gone into the city.”
So he’d decided to come after her. If he dogged her every move, she’d never be able to return the stolen goods. “As you can see, I’m quite all right.”
“Were you harmed?” he demanded, his eyes raking her from head to toe, taking in her muddy and torn hem. “Who did this to you?”
“I’m fine. Sara and I were separated by the crowd. Someone stepped on my skirts, that’s all.” Anne’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and frustration. “I didn’t know the city would be like this. Otherwise I would not have come.” She almost wished she hadn’t.
“You saw them, then?” Teach asked
“Yes.”
Teach muttered something under his breath. “You shouldn’t be here.”
He was the one who shouldn’t be there. “If you’d like to return to your father’s estate, please don’t let me keep you.”
“I’m not about to leave you here by yourself.”
“You sent Sara home by herself.”
“In the safety of the carriage. With my driver.”
Anne was confused by the different emotions his presence stirred in her—attraction and resentment as well as yearning and exasperation. She’d never felt like this about anyone before she’d met Teach. It was a bit overwhelming. “I’m sure you have more pressing matters than to accompany me.”
“I wouldn’t say they’re more pressing, but they do concern you. I was on my way to see your father’s solicitor. He sent a note this morning. My father was busy, so I came in his stead.”
“What did the solicitor say?” Anne asked.
“Only that he’s had some news about Henry. Would you care to join me?”
“I still have some errands to attend.”
“In that case, I’ll accompany you.”
Anne’s heart dropped. “But the solicitor—”
Teach waved a hand. “He’ll simply have to wait. He didn’t specify a time for the visit. I’ve given my driver instructions to wait for me at Mr. Cogswell’s office, once he’s delivered Sara safely back to the estate. Now, where did you need to go?” Teach asked, preparing to take her by the elbow.
It was all Anne could do not to stamp her foot. Her cage might now be wrapped in silks and lace, but nevertheless she was still trapped by her circumstances. “I will go with you to see Mr. Cogswell.” And come back for the silver another day.
“Are you sure?”
Anne nodded. She could not deny her curiosity about Henry. If her father had left instructions for her to be cared for, then she wanted to know what, exactly, that entailed.
CHAPTER 19
Teach
Teach gave instructions to the carriage driver to take them back to the Drummond estate, before sitting back against the plush velvet upholstery inside.
Anne stared down at the papers in her hands. Mr. Cogswell, Andrew Barrett’s solicitor, had handed them over to her, along with the news that Anne was now an heiress.
“What are you thinking?” Teach asked.
She didn’t appear to hear him.
The moment lengthened uncomfortably. “What are you planning?” Teach asked, unable to remain silent.
“What makes you think I’m planning anything?” she asked, not quite meeting his eyes.
“Because I know you. What do you intend to do with the money?” Teach tried to make his voice light, knowing how inappropriate the question was, but there was a sense of urgency behind his words. He truly did want to know what she was thinking. What she was feeling. The lack of emotion on her face was unusual, especially for someone as passionate as she was.
Andrew Barrett had left her a fortune. Three thousand pounds, to be exact. Mr. Cogswell had apologized for not knowing sooner about Anne’s predicament and had confirmed that Henry Barrett had lied to him as well.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” she said after an interminable moment, “but I would take it . . . and . . . travel—”
“You can’t leave! Where would you go? What would you do?”
“I would take the opportunity to start my own life somewhere, find some of my mother’s people—”
Teach laughed out loud, a hint of desperation in his voice. “But you can’t. You can’t leave. You won’t receive the money until you turn eighteen.”
Anne’s own voice rose. “So you mean to tell me I have no choice but to stay here?”
“Would it be so terrible?”
“For someone who doesn’t feel like I truly belong, yes. What do you see when you look at me?” Anne asked.
A myriad of words flowed through his mind at her question. Strength. Intelligence. Beauty. Compassion. “I see you.”
Anne’s expression softened somewhat. “Because you’ve taken the time to speak with me. And to listen. But most people see only how different I am.”
“It doesn’t mean you have to leave.”
Anne caught her lip between her teeth, but made no response.
Her silence frightened him. “Please, Anne. I know I cannot begin to understand how you must feel. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did. I’m sorry Henry Barrett lied to you. If I could, I would kill him with my own hands if I thought it would make a difference. I still might. But right now my father is in charge of—”
Anne held up her hand. “Yes, and you heard Mr. Cogswell. Your father plans to move my inheritance into his account. His account, not mine! As my guardian, he controls my life as much as he controls yours, except I have even fewer liberties than you.”
“But that’s only until you’re eighteen.”
“Which feels like a lifetime away. I must speak with Master Drummond and see if he will release the money sooner.”
“But your own father wanted you to wait.” I want you to wait.
“I refuse to be a burden to anyone. I simply wish to live my life as I choose, to go where I choose. What is so hard to understand?” Anne asked.
“You were born in this country, Anne. You have no idea what life is truly like anywhere else. I’ve been to the islands and have seen the way people live. It’s a hard existence. You can’t go alone. It’s far too dangerous.”
“I want to at least be given the chance.”
The air in the carriage seemed to shrink, charged with oppressed tension. It reminded Teach of an uneasy calm before a storm.
Anne’s breathing wasn’t quite steady, her agitation obvious. “I do not mean to sound ungrateful, but I’m tired of others directing my life. I’m ready to take charge of it and see where my choices lead me.”
Teach sat back, his unease sharpening into something else. He could not argue with Anne, for he was all too familiar with her hopes. How often had he longed to tell his father the exact same thing?
But Teach knew Drummond, better than anyone else, and as much as Teach understood Anne’s feelings, he sincerely hoped that his father would be able to change her mind.
CHAPTER 20
Anne
The library was Anne’s favorite room. The wide windows usually let in long slanting rectangles of light, warming the otherwise cold house. And there were, of course, the books to linger over, innumerable titles containing wonderful details of adventure.
At the moment, however, a stormy sky outside cast ominous shadows over the library’s carpeted floor and obscured Drummond’s expression. Anne hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should follow Teach in, or . . .
“Father—”
“I see that trouble has again darkened our door,” Drummond said, swirling a glass of amber liquid in his hand.
Anne stopped short, exchanging a questioning glance with Teach. Was it possible Drummond knew what she was about t
o ask him?
Teach continued a few more paces and stopped beside his father’s chair. “Sir?”
“None of this would have happened if you had simply done as I asked,” Drummond said, his mouth hardening as he looked up at his son.
“What’s wrong?’ Teach asked.
Drummond tipped back his head and downed the rest of his drink before he answered. “This will ruin everything. Everything that I’ve worked so hard to accomplish.”
“What?”
“You’ve been charged with piracy.”
Anne’s stomach plummeted, every muscle clenching with fear. Any argument for her own cause fled from her mind, replaced with an image of those five men in the cart. Except, in their place she saw Teach.
“That’s impossible.” Teach’s body tensed.
Drummond stood slowly, as if he’d aged ten years in the short time since Anne had last seen him. The grooves in his face were more pronounced than ever. He thrust a piece of paper at Teach. “See for yourself.”
Teach took the paper and scanned its contents, while Anne moved silently to his side and read over his shoulder.
In support of our sovereign lord the king, upon oath, I present that Edward Drummond, late of Bristol, mariner, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, by force and arms, upon the high seas, and within the jurisdiction of the admiralty of England, did piratically and feloniously set upon, board, break, and enter a certain merchant ship . . .
Teach crumpled up the paper before Anne could read any further. “There is no basis for these allegations,” he ground out, visibly trying to control his anger.
“Who dares accuse him of such things?” Anne asked.
“The constable did not say. There is to be an inquiry. I have arranged for my Bristol solicitor to meet me at his office, and will leave within the hour. I do not expect to return anytime soon.”
“Shall I come with you?” Teach asked.
“No! You’ve done enough. None of this would have happened if you’d simply stayed home and married Miss Patience like I asked.”
“You didn’t ask me, Father. You never ask me anything. You either demand or command.” Teach spoke with a boldness no doubt born out of desperation. Anne recognized the anxiety and frustration on his face, for they mirrored her own. These were serious allegations indeed. If found guilty, Teach would hang. The thought filled her with dread.
“If the baron or Miss Patience find out about these charges, it could mean the end of your engagement. They have sent word that they will arrive in two days’ time to discuss a date for the wedding. I don’t know how to stop them from coming.”
Caught off guard by the news, Anne was unprepared for the sharp stab of jealousy that pierced her. Miss Patience would be returning. She chanced a glance at Teach, to gauge his reaction to his father’s statement about Miss Patience, but his expression was closed.
“Miss Patience is ill,” Teach said.
“She appears to be on the mend,” Drummond snapped.
“I should leave you,” Anne said.
“No, please don’t. I must rely on you to make sure Edward does as I ask this time.”
Teach rubbed the back of his neck. “Father, let me go with you. I’ll speak to the constable and explain to him that those charges cannot possibly be true. I did not commit any crimes.”
“You expect him to believe you?” Drummond demanded.
“Why wouldn’t he?” Teach shot back. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Even though it was not directed at her, Anne felt the full force of Mr. Drummond’s fury, and she wished she’d waited until the morning to try to speak with him.
Drummond opened his mouth once again, but Anne stepped forward, hoping to defuse the situation. “Please, what is to be done?”
“Have you not heard of the men they apprehended earlier, the ones charged and convicted of piracy?” Drummond asked.
Anne nodded, sure she would not forget them for as long as she lived.
“The constable says, since their capture, he’s had at least two new charges of piracy brought before him. It’s the equivalent of a witch hunt.” Drummond turned an accusing finger at Teach. “And if you hadn’t insisted on sailing, I would not be in this predicament.”
“What evidence did they have against those men?” Anne asked.
“They were caught unloading stolen goods from a ship late at night. It’s suspected they’ve been attacking merchants near the continent for the last six months at least.”
“But in the past six months, he was nowhere near these shores,” Anne said. “That should be easy enough to prove.”
“Yes, well, with everyone clamoring for justice to be served, the investigation will proceed, regardless of where he was. As I’ve said, I’m meeting with my solicitor shortly. Edward is not to leave the house until I return.”
“You can’t be serious,” Teach said.
“I am. And this time you will do exactly as I say. I do not want you venturing into the city, for any reason. You are to stay here and wait for Miss Patience’s arrival.”
“And what should I tell her? How long will you be gone?” Teach asked.
“I have not the faintest idea, but I do not expect to return home until the matter is resolved satisfactorily. I will do whatever it takes to see these charges dropped, and will send word with a messenger once I have more information.” With that, Drummond turned on his heel and left the two of them alone.
It was several moments before Anne heard the sound of Drummond’s carriage fading away. Teach remained where he was, staring at the floor, his mouth grim.
Anne wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but wasn’t sure what that should be. Glancing at the door, she almost wished for Margery to appear. But the house was silent, except for the occasional pop of the fire.
“My father thinks I’m the devil incarnate,” Teach said, striding to the hearth. He stabbed the logs with the fire iron. Sparks flew up, illuminating his face with a dangerous light, as the evening outside darkened to dusk.
“You don’t mean that,” she said.
“Don’t I?”
“No. He just wants to see that your name is cleared.”
“Not my name, Anne. His. He’s never cared about my thoughts or my dreams. It’s always been about him and what he wants.”
“He wouldn’t have rushed off in such haste if he didn’t care for you. He’s a powerful man. If anyone can have the charges dropped—”
Teach flung the fire iron against the nearest wall. The wood paneling cracked beneath the force, and the rod clattered to the floor. He rounded on Anne and approached her, his steps purposeful. “If word of this gets out, which it undoubtedly will, then any chance my father had of the aristocracy accepting him will be gone. That is what he cares about. That is why he was so quick to act.”
Had their relationship always been so volatile? Or had it deteriorated since Mrs. Drummond’s death? “He is not as cold as you believe he is. Look at what he’s done for me. He will get you out of this.”
“How?” Teach asked, stopping in front of her. His face was grave.
She threw up her hands, her own fear making her voice sharp. “I don’t know. I don’t know how any of this will turn out, but we have to give your father time.”
“You saw the men today, Anne. Time is not on my side.”
Anne turned and strode toward the fire, her speech trying to keep pace with her agitated thoughts. “Concentrate for a moment. Who would want to see you suffer or possibly hang?”
“I can’t imagine anyone would want to see me hang.”
“Nor can I, but obviously someone does. Now think. Is there anyone you’ve angered recently?”
“Henry Barrett is the only person I can think of.”
“
Do you think he knows we spoke with Mr. Cogswell?” Would that even be possible? They’d left the solicitor’s office barely an hour before.
“I doubt it. Henry is angry with me for another reason.”
“Why is he—” As his words sank in, Anne closed her eyes against the prickling along her scalp. Teach had never returned the money. “Why? Why didn’t you give it back to him?”
“Because he’s a fool!”
“And it appears you’re the greater fool for not thinking he would seek revenge. When he left, he said he’d make you pay.”
“Do you really think he’s capable of such a thing? He would accuse me of piracy simply because I didn’t return a few coins?”
Anne noted the heightened color in Teach’s face, and wished she could tell him no. But she wouldn’t put it past Henry to have done just that. “I can’t say for sure, but look at what he did to me,” Anne said. “If it had benefited him to have me gone, I have no doubt he would have sent me away. Permanently.”
Teach’s eyes glinted, his chest expanding with a deep breath. “I’ll butcher him. This time I’ll kill him with my bare hands. If I’m going to hang for a crime, I might as well be bloody guilty of it.”
CHAPTER 21
Teach
Teach’s mouth was dry, and he strode to the sideboard to pour himself a drink. He noticed the trembling of his own fingers as he gripped the decanter. Despite Anne’s and his father’s assurances, he was unsure how the investigation would end.
Studying her over the top of his glass, Teach noticed that her face was ashen, and she fingered the watch in her hand, a sure sign of her anxiety.
“Killing him won’t solve anything,” she said. “And you said yourself you do not want another man to suffer by your hand.”
“That was before I knew that Henry Barrett planned for me to suffer.”
“Don’t do anything rash.”
“He should pay for what he did to you.”
“Yes, but not by you. If you go after him now, it will be as good as admitting your guilt. We need to let your father know about Henry. Perhaps he can—”
Blackhearts Page 16