Blackhearts (24 page)

could use both.

Margery’s mouth turned down, but she merely said, “Yes, sir.”

As much as he would have liked to stay behind and make

sure Margery obeyed his orders, Teach didn’t have the time. He

needed to find his friend John, and find him quick. Despite

what Anne believed, Teach had no intention of tracking down

Henry Barrett and killing him.

Yet.

By this time tomorrow Teach wanted to know what kind

of proof Barrett had to support his charges of piracy. It was a

lie, all of it, but somehow Henry had managed to convince the

constable. Teach had to find a way to dismiss any evidence and

prove that Henry was a liar.

Instead of riding Kaiser, he decided to take an older carriage

from the stables, one that hadn’t been used recently. As much as Teach hated to admit it, his father was right. It would be better if he wasn’t recognized or seen about town.

Wearing the floppy hat John had given him, as well as the

old coat, Teach set out, thankful for the disguise.

By the time he arrived at the
Deliverance
, it was dark and a thick fog had rolled in, cloaking the docks in a sheltering mist.

Teach didn’t wait to search for a plank to board. He took a run-

ning jump and leapt onto the deck.

John appeared almost immediately, no doubt drawn by the

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sound of Teach landing and by the subtle rocking of the ship. In John’s hand was the telltale glitter of his knife, which he lowered to his side when he saw Teach. “Well, lookee here. The
Deliverance
won’t be ready for another fortnight. Bored of the good life already, are you?”

Teach grimaced, shaking John’s hand as John thumped him

on the back. “I need to talk to you.”

John’s face grew serious, his eyes narrowing. “What is it?”

Teach led him away from the rail and down the murky

stairs to the captain’s cabin. The sweet musky scent of fresh

pine and wood tar filled the air. The room itself was sparsely

furnished with a desk, chair, and a single berth, and large win-

dows lined one wall.

Closing the door, Teach turned and faced his friend. “I need

you to take care of something for me,” he said, his voice soft.

“Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”

It was a relief to know Teach could count on John. “I’ve

been accused of piracy.”

“What?” John burst out.

Teach held up a hand, wary of the silent docks in the dis-

tance. “Quiet. I just found out today. The constable delivered

the charges to my father.”

“But that’s a bloody lie.”

“I need you to keep an ear out. It might have been Henry

Barrett. If it was, I need you to discover what kind of evidence he has.”

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John spat on the ground over his shoulder. “I remember Barrett. Nowhere near as honorable as his father. Pity it wasn’t him who died.”

“Yes, well, if we don’t get him to withdraw the charges, I

might be next.”

“I’m sure me and the rest of the crew would be only too

happy to vouch for you.”

Teach gave a weak smile. “I wish it were that simple. Others

have been accused, but I’m not sure who they are or if the same

person brought the evidence against all of us. I need you to find out for me.”

“Right. It’ll take me a bit to see what I can scare up. If you

can stay with the ship, I’ll be back in a spell.”

“Of course,” Teach said. “But you must return before dawn.”

John clasped Teach’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry none. We’ll

get to the bottom of this.” With a friendly nod, John opened

the door and disappeared up the stairs.

Teach had been right to come here. If there was news to be

learned, his friend would be able to gather it, for he was a pop-ular figure and well-liked by all who knew him.

It only now occurred to Teach that he’d never once thought

to go to William. William had returned to Bristol with Teach,

and the duke was an influential man in Parliament.

But somehow Teach knew William would be of no use to him.

Teach couldn’t help wondering how the meeting between his

father and his solicitor was going. Anne was right. Drummond

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was a powerful man in the city. If he was able to disprove Henry’s allegations, Teach would deal with Henry personally later.

For the next three hours Teach kept vigil at the top of the

stairs, hidden in the shadows of the deck. The water lapped

against the hull of the ship, comforting Teach with its familiar cadence. Despite his father’s disapproval, Teach would never be

sorry for the time he’d spent at sea.

If he were to hang . . .

Teach pushed those thoughts aside, his eyes drawn to a sud-

den movement on the docks.

John had returned.

After sliding a board into place, John was on deck within a

matter of minutes. The two of them retreated once more to the

captain’s cabin.

“And?” Teach demanded.

“Whoever accused you isn’t the same one who accused

those other men. They was caught red-handed. Someone just

threw your name in for good measure.”

The muscles in Teach’s arms and back tightened. “Was it

Barrett?”

John rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t know for sure.

Nobody’s heard of any evidence against you, not like with those

others. I’ve got someone watching Barrett’s house, to see what

he does and where he goes. You best get home, Teach. There’s

nothing more to be done tonight.”

Frustration warred with fatigue, and Teach drew his hand

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wearily through his hair. “Bring word to my house, but don’t go to the front door. Come through the back, like you’re visiting

Mary.”

“I haven’t seen Mary in days.”

“You can’t tell anyone about this, John. Especially not

Mary. You must take this secret with you to the grave, do you

understand?”

John nodded. “Don’t worry. I owe you my life, Teach. I’d

sooner sell my own mother than disappoint you.”

Having John as a friend was like having a big, vicious dog

as your loyal pet. Satisfied, Teach shook John’s hand and took

his leave.

By the time Teach reached his father’s house, the building was

mostly dark, with only a few candles illuminating the interior.

After taking the stairs two at a time, he removed his coat

and floppy hat and threw them across his bed. His father’s door

down the hallway was open, the interior of his room black. As

promised, he had not returned.

Teach picked up a book from the night table and headed

to Anne’s room. He stopped outside the door and listened to

her footsteps as she paced the floor. Teach was surprised by the pounding of his heart. He hadn’t been this anxious since his

father had sent him away to school for the first time. He knocked softly and waited.

Beneath the door he saw Anne’s shadow cross, before she

opened it partway, somewhat hidden from his view. She wore

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a nightdress and a velvet robe, her damp hair hanging over one shoulder. He experienced the usual shock of awareness whenever he saw her. She’d never looked more beautiful.

Her breathing was faster than normal, but she said nothing.

There was a strange glow in her eyes, like compassion or sorrow.

He could not be sure.

“I told you I would return,” he said.

Anne nodded. “Did you . . . Did you discover anything?”

“No, not yet. But I have a friend working on it.” Teach

cleared his throat and held out Dampier’s book, unwilling to

discuss the charges any further. “I wanted to bring you this,” he said, hoping his voice sounded steadier than he felt. “I thought it might help you fall asleep faster.”

Opening the door farther, she reached out and took it from

him, her soft fingertips touching his. He didn’t let go immedi-

ately, wishing she would invite him into her room.

She did not.

“Thank you. I’ve been wondering what happens next.” She

made no move to close the door. A pulse beat at her collarbone,

and he longed to run his finger along her smooth skin.

Teach took a step forward, the book still connecting them.

“I could tell you what happens next,” he said, his voice low.

Anne swallowed. Her blue eyes shone in the candlelight, and

Teach could not have turned away if he’d tried.

“Does he die?”

“He does not. At least not for many years.”

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“Is there any more sadness?” she asked.

He reached out and brushed her cheek with his thumb.

“No,” he whispered.

“Does he return to the sea?”

They both knew they were no longer discussing the book.

“That remains to be seen. There might be something that could

tempt him to stay.”

A shadow passed over Anne’s features, and she withdrew

her hand. Teach was surprised by the strength of his disappoint-

ment.

“I’ve heard your father say that temptation is of the devil,”

she said.

“Contrary to what my father believes, I do not think all

enticements are wicked.”

Anne gave him a sad smile, making her look older than

her sixteen years. “A wise man is not the one who knows the

difference between good and evil, but the one who chooses the

least evil.”

Before Teach could form a retort, she closed the door softly.

He braced himself against the frame until the light from her

candle was snuffed out.

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C H A P T E R 2 2

Anne

Wandering through the house the next morning, Anne found

Teach in his father’s library. He sat at the desk, tracing the wood grain with his thumbnail, but stood as she entered.

There was no sign of Drummond.

“What do you plan to do today?” Teach asked, leaning

against the corner of the desk.

“I thought I might go back to the city.” It had taken her a

while to fall asleep, even after Teach had brought her the book.

She’d been too distraught over the charges against him. If Drum-

mond didn’t find some way to have them dropped . . . Anne

didn’t even want to think about what might happen. No, she

had to continue to believe in Drummond’s abilities, for herself

as well as for Teach.

For the first time in her life, she liked to think she had

a friend. She admired Teach’s intelligence and his drive. She

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envied his confidence and his ability to listen to others.

Of course, she also couldn’t deny her attraction to him. Last

night, when he’d given her the book, she’d been very aware of

him as a man. And more than once she’d caught a certain gleam

in his eyes, one that betrayed a deeper emotion than simple

friendship.

In order to put some distance between them, she had

decided to return to the city for the day. Every time she saw a

glistening candlestick or spoon, it weighed on her. It was one

thing to steal from Richard Drummond, a cold, heartless mas-

ter, but it was something else to steal from the man who had

opened up his home to her.

She also hoped to hear more about the charges against Teach.

“You should go. There’s no reason for both of us to suffer.

You are free to leave as you choose,” Teach said.

Anne walked toward the desk, her skirts rustling. She knew

she should leave, but his voice alarmed her. She’d never heard him so despondent. “In a few days you shall be free to leave as well.”

A wry smile touched his lips. “If only I had as much faith in

my father as you do, Anne.” His voice was soft and tender, the

sound of her name a caress.

“He obviously has faith in you. Otherwise he would never

have agreed to let you spend the year at sea.”

“He agreed to let me go only because I threatened to join

the navy.”

“You didn’t,” she gasped.

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“Oh, but I did. Not that I would have followed through with it, but my father didn’t know that. I’d sooner stay on land than be part of the Royal Navy.”

Anne had heard rumors about life aboard naval vessels. “Is

it as bad as they say?”

Teach nodded, his mouth turned down. “They’ll take any-

one, willing or not, and will use royal press gangs if necessary.

On a naval ship, they rarely stock enough food and water. The

only thing possibly worse is life aboard a merchant ship.”

“Not my father’s ships,” Anne said. “I saw the way he kept

them.”

“No, not your father’s ships. Andrew Barrett was the excep-

tion.”

She noticed he didn’t say anything in defense of Drummond’s

fleet. “I’m sure your father’s aren’t terrible either.”

“How many of my father’s ships have you seen?” Teach

asked, his eyes narrowed.

Anne flushed. “None. But how bad could they truly be?”

“It depends on the captain. Anyone foolish enough to speak

out on a merchant ship will most likely be punished. The same

on any naval vessel. But if the crew of a pirate ship doesn’t like their captain, they won’t hesitate to select a new one.”

“I felt pity for those men I saw yesterday, for the waste and

ruin of their lives. It almost sounds as if you respect them.”

He leaned back, crossing his long legs in front of him. “I

don’t respect them, but neither can I judge them too harshly.

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If I were put in the same situation, I’m not so sure I would act differently.”

“You would not become a pirate,” Anne said, shaking her