Blackhearts (31 page)

elegance and her beauty. The older woman wore a gray gown

covered with the most exquisite lace Anne had ever seen. And

her eyes were as hard as the strand of diamonds around her

neck.

“Anne, these people are not any better than you. There’s no

reason to hide,” Teach whispered.

“I’m not hiding,” she hissed. He had no idea what he was

asking.

“Then come with me. Please. I secured your invitation. I’ve

known them for years.”

Taking a deep breath, she accompanied Teach as he strode

forward. She envied his confidence.

It wasn’t long before they stood in front of the impressive pair.

“Mr. Edward, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Thank you so much for your invitation, Your Grace. Allow

me to introduce you to Miss Anne Barrett. Miss Barrett, the

Duke and Duchess of Cardwell.”

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The duke tipped his white-haired head. “And where are you from, Miss Barrett?”

“I was born here in Bristol, Your Grace.” Although it was

the first time she’d ever met a duke, Anne could not help won-

dering if he always asked his guests where they were from.

The duchess’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”

Anne fingered the pearls at her neck nervously, her face

burning beneath the intense scrutiny. Teach had sent the pearls

to her room, and Anne had been touched by the gesture.

“She is the daughter of an old family friend, Your Grace,”

Teach said.

“Who are these old friends?” the duchess asked archly.

“I’m afraid they are both deceased, Your Grace,” Teach said,

no doubt sensing Anne’s unease.

Anne was grateful there were other guests waiting to greet the

host and hostess, and Teach led her away. They approached the

buffet table, but Anne was too anxious to eat, aware of the many glances that followed her advancement through the room. Nobody

said anything, because she was with Edward Drummond, but she

could see the disapproval in several faces, curiosity in others.

Anne had never felt so exposed, and firmly gripped Teach’s

arm. “I wish to leave.”

“Do not let them win, Anne.”

“
Win?
Do you think this is a game?” she asked, bristling when she saw William approaching. She did not understand

how Teach could be his friend.

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“Ah, I see you’ve brought ‘the maid’ for me,” William said, taking Anne’s hand in his and bringing it to his wet mouth.

Anne’s toes curled with disgust. She could not escape his

grasp fast enough, and slid her hand behind her back, wiping

off on her dress the touch of his lips.

She did not imagine the steely gaze Teach gave his friend.

“She is not for you,” he said tightly.

William’s eyebrows rose. “Do I detect a hint of possessive-

ness in your voice? You can’t keep them all for yourself, old

friend. You are as good as married. Leave something for the rest of us.”

Teach stiffened at her side. “I am not yet married, and Anne

is my father’s goddaughter. She is therefore off-limits. Unless

you would like to take it up with my father.”

William faked a laugh, but Anne could see the resentment

in his eyes. “Always so superior, aren’t you, Teach? And yet I am to be a duke and you are simply a merchant. When will you

learn to relax a little?”

“When I am sure you mean Anne no harm, Lord Lorimar,”

Teach said coldly.

Anne was surprised at the animosity between the two

friends. She and Teach were William’s guests, after all, and yet Teach had just insulted his host.

He led her away and joined a small group of people with

varying titles. They were courteous, and she didn’t notice any

censure in their expressions as Teach introduced her. It was

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obvious he felt at ease among them, and Anne felt herself relax somewhat.

It didn’t take long for Teach to be caught up in a conversa-

tion about the end of the Nine Years War and the treaty between

France and the grand alliance of England, Spain, and the Holy

Roman Empire. The treaty had brought no real resolution to

the deeper issue of the balance of power between the warring

nations, but at least the fighting had stopped.

Anne listened as they debated what kind of an impact such

an event would have on the shipping industry. Of the individ-

uals present, Teach appeared to be the most knowledgeable on

the topic. “I cannot predict the future,” he said tersely.

Anne hid a smile, for she had said the same thing to him.

“But I foresee some troubling times ahead,” he continued.

“Why is that?” one man asked.

“With the war over, think of the soldiers and sailors who

will no longer be employed. What will they do now that they

are no longer fighting for a united cause? You cannot tell me

they will be content to return to the fields or attempt to learn a new trade.”

“What do you think they will do, Edward?”

“They will take to the seas, doing what they do best,”

Teach said.

“Do you mean they’ll become privateers?”

Teach looked at each man carefully. “Either that—or

pirates.”

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“Are you concerned about your father’s new ship? Once the
Deliverance
sets sail, every pirate on the seas will be after it.”

Anne broke away from the group as their discussion con-

tinued, keeping to the side of the room so as to avoid the dance floor. A manservant walked by, and she accepted the goblet he

offered, savoring her first taste of champagne as she observed

the small clusters of landed gentry and wealthy merchants, each

intent on their own conversations.

A few men attempted to approach her, but Anne quickly

learned that if she turned away, pretending interest in a nearby group, they lost their nerve and left her in peace. Her father had taught her many things, but how to dance was not one of them.

The last thing she wanted was to embarrass the Drummonds.

One set of French doors was opened to the balcony, allowing

the brisk October air to blow through the crowded hall. Anne

slid outside and found an unoccupied bench hidden behind a

potted plant. Closing her eyes, she ignored the muted voices

coming from the interior of the house, wondering if it was too

early in the evening to return to the Drummond household.

The moon overhead was full, giving light to the manicured

gardens and casting long shadows across the lawn.

Anne watched the graceful figures dancing inside, their

movements smooth and flowing. She wished she could join in

the festivities, but knew she would stand out like the interloper she was.

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“Your Majesty,” a familiar voice muttered into her ear.

Anne jumped up, nearly dropping the goblet in her hand,

and glanced over her shoulder. Teach stood beside her, a sly grin on his face.

“Why do you insist on frightening me?” she demanded,

irritated at his smirk.

“Why do you insist on being alone?” he countered, folding

his arms across his chest. “Do you not know a solitary woman

wandering through the garden unaccompanied will quickly

develop a reputation?”

Anne blushed at her own ignorance. “No one was con-

cerned for my welfare when I was a maid and walked to the

market alone.”

Her words found their mark, and Teach winced.

“Besides, it was too crowded in there,” she said.

He glanced behind them before raising his eyebrows at her.

“What did you expect at a ball?”

Anne smoothed her gown, her fingers reaching automat-

ically for the gold watch in her pocket. She’d had a pocket

sewn into every dress. “I certainly would never have agreed

to come if I’d known it would be like this,” she said. “I don’t

belong here.”

“Of course you do. There are visitors inside from around

the world.”

“You don’t understand. You grew up this way. I did not.”

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“You forget, I’m just the son of a merchant.”

“Yes, who is invited to balls hosted by a duke.”

Teach made an impatient sound in his throat. “I would

much rather spend my time with you than with any of them.

Come back inside with me.”

“I don’t know how to dance,” she said.

“I’ll teach you.”

She glared at him. “Do you wish to make a fool of me?”

“No, I simply wish to dance with you. Nothing more.

Nothing less. Just a simple dance.”

Looking down, she nodded slowly. “I’m sorry,” she whis-

pered. “It’s just . . . I . . .” Her voice trailed off, finding it difficult to put her feelings into words. No matter where she went, she felt out of sorts.

She was unable to prevent the tears shimmering in her blue

eyes, and Teach muttered something under his breath. “Why

are you always so sad?” he asked.

Noting the tenderness in his features, it was difficult to

speak around the lump in her throat. “I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. When we are married, I shall make you smile,

every day for the rest of your life.”

She pulled away, wiping her damp cheeks. “Do not speak

of such things.”

“Why not? I only speak the truth.”

“Yes, but I asked you not to.”

He gazed at her from head to toe. “No, you asked me not

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to kiss you. Can I help it if I want to tell the world how I feel about you? You’re my queen.”

“Beneath these trappings I’m still just a simple girl,” she

said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Something in Teach’s expression changed, and his eyes

flicked to her lips.

Anne’s breath hitched in her throat. “You promised—”

“I lied.” Lifting a strand of her hair from her collarbone,

Teach leaned in close.

“Edward, your father has arrived and is looking for you!”

A sharp voice cut through the night air, splitting the two apart as effectively as a knife. The potted plant provided just enough shelter that whoever it was did not see the look of frustration

crossing Teach’s face, nor Anne’s look of chagrin.

Teach stepped out, hoping to shield Anne from the curious

onlooker. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

Footsteps headed in the other direction.

“I don’t want to leave you,” he said, adjusting a curl at her

temple.

“I’ll be fine.”

“At least come back inside where it’s warm—”

“Go, Teach. Come and find me after.” In truth, Anne could

not bear the thought of hearing Drummond say that the mar-

riage would still take place, for there was no way she would be

able to hide her feelings then.

She slid toward the end of the balcony and escaped down

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into the gardens. Even though the air was brisk, she preferred it to the stuffy interior. She knew it was too cold for anyone else to venture outside as well.

Walking along a path, she followed Teach’s progress through

the window as he returned inside, and watched as he was led to

what appeared to be a library beside the ballroom. Drummond

waited for him there, and the two sat down. Teach listened

intently as his father began to speak.

Leaning against a short wall, Anne continued to observe the

conversation, knowing she should return inside, but loath to do

so. Her stomach was in knots, and her hands clenched the cold

stone balustrade.

The sound of approaching footsteps along the gravel path

startled her. Instinctively she ducked behind a tree, unwilling to have anyone find her pining after Teach.

Moments later she was glad she had, for William came into

view, illuminated by the full moon. His arms were wrapped

around a figure dressed in an elegant cloak. The pair stopped

beneath the shadow of a nearby tree and embraced. Anne’s

insides protested as she listened to them kiss, quietly professing their love for each other. As usual, William was effusive in his admiration.

The girl’s face was obscured in the shadows, but she

appeared to enjoy William attention.

“Darling,” he said, his thick lips making slurping sounds

against his companion’s unfortunate neck. “How long must I

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endure your continued courtship with that fool? You know we are destined to be together. Please do not torture me and let

him raise my child as his own. Call off the wedding.”

“Yes, well, my father didn’t care enough to break off the

engagement. The next time you accuse someone of something,

make sure the charges stand.” It was Miss Patience!

Anne gasped, and immediately placed her hands over her

mouth to prevent another sound from escaping. She froze,

afraid to move.

Patience was pregnant with William’s child! And William

was the one who’d accused Teach of piracy! It hadn’t been Henry

after all.

The two lovers were quiet. Had they heard her? Anne’s

pulse raced, wanting to confront them, but an inner voice held

her back. She would not do it alone, for she did not trust them.

They were both as crooked as the day was long. She needed to

find Teach first and tell him what she had discovered.

Her heart soared. Surely now Teach would not be forced to

marry Patience. And Anne and Teach would not have to leave

immediately. If at all.

The couple moved on, but Anne waited until the sound of

their footsteps disappeared. Her fingertips and toes were numb,

and she slid silently out from her hiding spot. She saw from her vantage point that Teach was still conversing with his father.