Blackhearts (19 page)

open, but no words escaped. A thousand questions fought for

supremacy, and it took him a moment to gather his thoughts.

Anne stood before him, her hands clenched, and looking

every inch the sixteen-year-old girl that she was.

“Why didn’t you mention it before?” he managed to ask.

“What difference would it have made? My father kept my

identity a secret. Why, I do not know, but I had no wish to

dishonor his memory. Henry knows exactly who I am, and yet

he kicked me out of the only home I’d ever known. Why would

I think a houseful of strangers would treat me any differently?”

“But surely if my father had known . . . Andrew Barrett was

one of his closest friends.”

“What makes you think I would be eager to share my story

with someone residing under this roof? You said yourself, after

your mother’s death their contact was infrequent. Growing

up, I heard the name Drummond once or twice in my father’s

home, but I never dined with guests. My parents were rarely

seen together, and when I spent time with my father, he never

spoke of business acquaintances.”

“I still can’t believe my father didn’t know.”

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“When Henry brought me here, he told me to keep my mouth shut and not to cause any problems, or else he would return me to the workhouse where he’d found me a few weeks after my mother

passed. As I did not wish to return to that lifestyle, I did as he said.”

Teach’s stomach heaved at the thought of Anne spending

time in one of those filthy workhouses. “But surely you could

have found a different position elsewhere.”

“Doing what? I have no references. It took my mother

weeks to find a job as a cook.”

“I’ll speak with my father. Come with me. Now. We’ll go

and tell him who you are.”

Anne retreated up one step, shaking her head. “No. I will

not go with you to the Hervey estate.”

“You must. I’ll find you a room somewhere at an inn. You

can stay there until I speak with my father—”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I have no desire to see Miss Patience again.”

Teach sucked in a quick breath. “So you wish to stay here

with Margery?”

“I prefer to stay here rather than go to a strange inn and sit

in a strange room all day. Or all night. At least here I can go to the city. I can get out.”

“You can do that there. There’s a small village—”

“And I will be more out of place there than I am here. I will

not go with you.”

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Once again Teach was at a loss for words. They stared at each other for several seconds.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so persistent? I will not accompany you. Now

if you’ll excuse me, I wish to change.” Anne turned and headed

up the stairs.

Teach called out after her. “I’ll instruct Margery to leave

you alone. You will no longer perform any chores. Stay in your

room—”

Anne shot him a dark look over her shoulder.

“All right, then simply stay out of Margery’s way. I will tell her who you are and that you are no longer employed as a servant.”

She froze on the top step, one hand clutching the banister.

“Then what am I?” she asked in a voice that was barely audible.

“And where do I belong?” Not waiting for an answer, she picked

up her skirts and fled.

Teach watched her go, tempted to force her to accom-

pany him. But deep down he knew she was right. Knowing his

father’s temperament as he did, Teach understood that it would

be best to confront him alone, and find out how Anne had

come to work in the Drummond household.

Unfortunately for Teach, he wouldn’t reach the Hervey

estate until later that evening. He could not summon any

enthusiasm at the thought of seeing Miss Patience again.

Entering his room, he grabbed a small trunk from his ward-

robe, and then threw several garments inside. Henry Barrett’s

17 3

words raced through his mind.
“I could make your life very
uncomfortable if you’re not careful.”

By the time Teach left his room, his face had settled into

harsh lines. What kind of power did Barrett still hold over

Anne? Or had that been an empty threat? Why had Barrett

brought her there in the first place? He had to benefit from her position in the Drummond household somehow. Otherwise he

would not have bothered taking her from the workhouse. A

caring older brother he was not.

It was obvious that Barrett had lied to Anne, and more than

likely he’d lied to Teach’s father as well. Either way, it didn’t matter. Teach would make Barrett pay. Stealing his purse had

been just the beginning.

174

C H A P T E R 1 6

Teach

The crescent moon hanging low in the sky cast just enough

light to illuminate the Hervey estate as the carriage pulled up

the drive. It was an ornate, rectangular building with ivy wind-

ing along the sides like spidery veins, and only a few rooms were lit from within.

Before when he’d come to visit, Teach had always respected

its grandeur and opulence. It had reminded him of an elderly

duchess who refused to age. Looking at it now for the first

time in more than a year, Teach recognized it for what it was.

A grandstanding showpiece with very little substance behind

the facade.

The carriage pulled to a stop, and he jumped out, not

waiting for the footman to perform his duty. The front door

opened, and an elderly butler held a candle aloft, bowing when

he recognized Teach’s face.

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“Good evening, Mr. Edward.”

Teach nodded. “Abraham. How are you?”

Abraham’s expression was unreadable as he answered, “Fine,

sir. Thank you for asking.”

The butler had been a fixture in the Hervey household for

as long as Teach had known them, and Teach marveled that

the old man still retained his dignity in this unconventional

atmosphere.

“Tell me, has my father retired for the evening?” It was half

past nine. Master Drummond was notorious for going to bed

early. Only Teach knew that once he was in the safety of his

room, his father would often read for hours.

“Yes, sir, as well as Lady Hervey. But Miss Patience and the

Earl of Lorimar are still with Lord Hervey in the drawing room.

Would you care to join them? Miss Patience heard you arrive

and is expecting you.”

Teach wanted nothing more than to see his father, but knew

etiquette required that he make an appearance. “Very well,” he

said, unable to hide the resignation in his voice.

Abraham bowed slightly at the waist and turned, leading

Teach down the hall. Opening the door to the drawing room,

he announced Teach’s arrival. William and Patience stood

up from the divan as Teach strode across the carpet toward

them. The baron sat in a large chair near a window, his head

tipped back and his mouth open, a pronounced snore sound-

ing through the room. Patience’s face flushed a deep red, and

176

her hands fluttered at her side as Teach drew near.

“Edward,” she said. “You’ve come.”

“Miss Patience,” he said, bowing over the hand she

offered him.

William’s eyes were red, and it was clear he’d been drinking.

His voice slurred as he said, “Glad to see you feeling better, old chap. You gave Miss Patience here quite a scare.”

Teach shook his head. “It was nothing serious. I’m sorry I

wasn’t able to join you sooner.”

“That doesn’t matter, now that you’re here. You missed our

fête last night. I tried to tell Mama that we couldn’t possibly

have it, with you being so ill, but Lord Lorimar convinced

me otherwise. We shall have to have another, now that you’ve

arrived.”

“
Lorimar
never was one to miss out on a party,” Teach said, using William’s proper title in front of Patience. In fact, William appeared to still be celebrating.

William made a face, heading across the room for a crystal

decanter filled with amber-colored liquid. “My parents are host-

ing one of their own in the near future. You’re both expected to put in an appearance.”

“Don’t drink everything at once. Leave some for Father,”

Patience said over her shoulder. Settling herself once more on

the divan, she patted the seat beside her. “Well, now that you’re here, we may begin finalizing our arrangements. We’ve decided

which property would be best for us.”

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Teach stiffened at her words and remained standing. “
We
have?”

Patience laughed, but it sounded forced. “Of course you

have final say, but I’m sure you’ll agree with what your father

chose. Now it’s just a matter of deciding the date.”

“Surely it can wait until tomorrow. Teach has only just

arrived,” William said, taking a large sip. He smiled, although

it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Ah, but I’m quite sure that it can’t,” she said. “I’ve waited

long enough, and I don’t intend to wait any longer. If you wish, you may retire for the evening, Lord Lorimar. I shall be quite all right now that Edward is here.”

It grated on Teach’s nerves that she continued to use his

name with such familiarity in front of his friends. He hoped

she wouldn’t be quite so obvious when others were around.

“I’m afraid we shall have to postpone our conversation, Miss

Patience, for I am quite tired and wish to retire now as well.”

The look on her face would have been comical if it hadn’t

been so disturbing. A mix between a scowl and a smile as she

tried to hide her disappointment. “Tomorrow, then,” she said,

exhaling loudly. “Father. Father. It’s time for you to go to bed.”

Lord Hervey gave a start, a loud snort escaping his mouth

as he sat up and looked around, trying to gain his bearings. “Ah.

Edward. Glad to see you here.”

Teach smiled. “Thank you for having me, Lord Hervey.”

Miss Patience took her father’s arm. “Come along now.

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Let’s get you upstairs.” She turned once more to Teach and William. “I will see you both in the morning.” Not waiting

for a response, she swept out of the room, her mouth a thin

line of displeasure.

Once the door had closed behind her, William whistled

softly. “You’re going to have to make it up to her, Teach. You

shall have to pay extra attention to her, or I fear she will not forgive you. She requires a finer hand than yours,” he said, as if the two were discussing a horse.

Teach sighed, unbuttoning his collar. “I know, but I just

didn’t have the strength for it tonight.” He gave his friend an

appraising glance. “You look well. Have you enjoyed yourself?”

William grinned. “Who wouldn’t? While you’ve been lying

in bed convalescing, I’ve been quite entertained by your lovely

fiancée.”

Teach frowned. “Entertained? How?”

“In your absence I have decided to begin Miss Patience’s

study of
Paradise Lost
. I hope you don’t mind.”

Teach wasn’t quite sure how he felt. William was harmless,

and always had been when it came to matters of the heart. As

far as Teach knew, he’d had no serious relationships with any-

one. “On the contrary. I’m delighted to hear you’ve finally taken your studies seriously. Your parents will be happy to know that

their money did not go to waste.”

“If I’d known how enjoyable it could be to describe the dif-

ference between good and evil, I would have tried it long ago.”

17 9

William’s words reminded Teach of Anne. He wished she’d agreed to accompany him. “I’m sure Miss Patience appreciates

your time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to see my father.”

William’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you quite sure

you’ve recovered?” He reached forward, as if to gauge Teach’s

temperature. “When did you ever willingly seek out your

father’s company?”

Teach smacked his hand away. “I have to ask him a few

questions.”

“About what?” William asked.

“Nothing that concerns you. Not directly, that is. But I

might need your help with something later.”

William rubbed his hands together, a gleeful look on his

face. “Oh, what do you propose we do? Are we going to break

into someone’s vault? Or do you prefer something less dramatic,

like stealing their sheep? I’ve missed you this past year, Teach.

My life has been deadly boring without you.”

“I highly doubt that. You are quite capable of creating your

own entertainment,” Teach said, turning his back on his friend

and heading for the door.

“I’m here when you need me,” William called after him.

“Just say the word.”

“I’ll remember that.” Teach appreciated his friend’s loy-

alty, even though he didn’t know what their actions would

entail. Teach himself was unsure. It all depended on his con-

versation with his father. If he found out Henry Barrett was

18 0

indeed responsible for Anne’s position in his father’s household, he would make sure Barrett never stepped foot in his

house again.

Upstairs the hallway was dim as Teach walked in the

direction of the guest wing. He knew exactly in which room

his father slept, for the man was a creature of habit. In fact,

Drummond didn’t like anything over which he had no con-

trol. Teach would have to proceed with caution if he wanted