Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(16)

because I wanted to speak with him,” Patience said.

“Please, sir. He’s worked here for several years and won’t

work for anyone else,” Ruth said, a single tear sliding down her cheek.

“But when Edward and I are married, he would still be

working for a Drummond.” Patience turned on Teach. “Tell

her. Convince her that her grandfather could make more money

if he came to work for us.”

Teach didn’t appreciate the fact that Patience was already

planning to take one of his father’s staff with her when they

married. And he didn’t like her talking about their upcoming

nuptials so soon. He’d arrived only a few hours ago. “You heard

her. Her grandfather enjoys working here. Now let her go.”

“She merely said he’s worked here for several years,” Patience

insisted.

“But she also said her grandfather won’t work for anyone

else.”

“But my father is a baron.”

There it was, the insidious reference to the aristocracy. Teach





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recognized the disapproval in her voice. He’d heard enough at school to recognize it. William was the only aristocrat who didn’t seem to mind Master Drummond’s low birth.

“Excuse me, sir, but Master Drummond would like to see

you.” The voice came from behind them.

The three turned and saw Anne standing there, a cross look

on her face. Patience released Ruth’s ear, and Ruth ran to Anne’s side, her small hand finding Anne’s.

“How dare you,” Patience said, her eyes narrowing.

Anne ignored her and nodded to Teach. “Your father would

like to see you in the library, sir.”

Frustrated, it was all Teach could do not to yell at the sky.

He swore his father planned his interruptions. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

Anne pursed her lips. “He thought you might say that. He

said you are to come immediately. It is important and has something to do with the Deliverance.” Her message delivered, she turned on her heel and returned to the house, Ruth stuck to her side.

“Are you going to let her talk to you like that?” Patience

demanded, her hands on her hips. “If she were my maid, I’d

have her dismissed at once, with no severance and no recom—

mendation for another situation. Who does she think she is,

the little . . .”

Patience’s voice droned on and on, but Teach paid her no

attention. Anne had been quite discourteous, but he would





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have been more surprised if she’d been civil. She didn’t bother hiding her dislike, and would need to be reprimanded at some point.

But his mind was occupied with more pressing matters.

Like what his father wished to discuss with him. Teach had

often hinted that he would like to captain one of his father’s

ships, but his father had never taken him seriously.

Perhaps he’d had a change of heart.

Teach dismissed himself from Patience and followed after

Anne, vaguely aware of Patience hurrying after him.

“If I didn’t know better, I might begin to think you didn’t

want to spend time with me,” Patience said.

“That’s not true. I’ll come find you later.” Teach felt a twinge of guilt for dismissing Patience so quickly. He would make it up to her, he assured himself, but refused to dwell on the matter. It didn’t take much for Patience to get upset. Then again, it didn’t take much to make her forget her anger.

At the door to the library, Teach paused and took a deep

breath. Lifting his hand, he rapped three times with his knuckles.

“Come in.”

Teach stepped inside the book-filled room, inhaling the

familiar odor of leather and the clean, sharp scent of linseed

oil. The dark wood paneling gleamed in the afternoon sunlight

streaming through the windows. Drummond sat in his favorite

leather armchair decorated with brass studs. In his hands he

held his worn, dog-eared copy of the Bible.





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Ever since Teach had been little, his father had retired to his library at this time in the afternoon to read several chapters and drink his favorite tea. He must have just gotten settled, because the tea tray was noticeably absent.

“You wanted to see me?” Teach said, wishing his voice

hadn’t broken on the last word. At forty-three, his father was

still a formidable figure.

Drummond held up a finger and continued reading. When

he was finished with the last verse, he closed the book and set

it on the table beside him. “Yes. I wanted to ask you to keep an eye out for me.”

“An eye out for what?” Teach asked, puzzled. What did this

have to do with the Deliverance?

“I believe some things in the house have gone missing, and I

would like you to see if you notice any of the staff acting oddly.”

“Acting oddly,” Teach repeated.

“Yes. I’ve checked each of their rooms numerous times, but