Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(20)

“Like what?”

“Like I’m the very devil himself.”

“Thus far you have not proven yourself otherwise,” she

muttered.

“Yes, well, you’re not exactly the innocent, now, are you?”





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Her head shot up at his words. “What do you mean?” Did he know she’d taken another piece of cutlery last night? She hadn’t planned on doing it, especially not after the tea incident with Master Drummond. But after that miserable supper, she knew she could never give up her plans to leave.

“I mean, you are as much at fault for our present situation

as I am. In the market you attacked—”

“That’s not true! You assaulted me—” she began.

“I didn’t wield a pail,” he countered.

“I acted in self-defense.”

“You misunderstood my intentions.”

She laughed out loud at that. “I’m quite sure I did not. I might be untested, but I know enough about men like you. There was no way I would let you take me anywhere to ‘discuss’ anything.”

The young master gave her a long look. “Do I frighten

you?” he asked at length.

Determined not to show him just how much, she shook her

head. “No,” she lied.

“Why not?”

“Because you are not the master of this house. Your father

is, and I serve him.” Though, not for much longer.

He raised one sardonic eyebrow. “And do you like serving

him?”

“It does not matter whether I like it or not,” she replied.

“But you choose to remain here. You could seek a situation

elsewhere, and yet you do not.”





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“There is no guarantee that my next position would be an improvement,” she said.

“What if someone were to do just that?” he asked.

“Do what?”

“Promise you that if you left here, your life would be greatly

improved.”

Anne shifted, uncomfortable with his line of question—

ing. “No one can promise me that, for no one can predict the

future.”

The stallion whinnied in the stall, tired of being ignored.

Teach approached his horse and stroked the neck, like Anne

had done just moments before. “Do you ride?” he asked.

Surprised by the sudden change in topic and by his apparent civility, Anne responded without thinking. “Yes, my father

taught me.”

“Was he a groom?”

Too late, Anne realized her mistake. It was rare indeed for a

maid to know how to ride a horse.

She was saved from answering when William opened a door

farther down the row of stalls. “Teach, there you are, old chap.

I’ve been looking all over for you. When is breakfast—” He

broke off when he saw Anne standing there, a sly grin lighting

his face. “Ah. I’m sorry. Was I interrupting something?”

Teach did a poor job of masking his displeasure. “Forgive

me, William. I needed some exercise and was about to take an

early ride. Would you care to join me?”

71

William dragged his eyes away from Anne. “Before breakfast? You know how I feel about my tea and crumpets in the morning.”

Teach snorted. “How could I forget? Though, instead of

reaching for a cheesecake, I suggest you get out and enjoy the

morning air.”

William reached defensively for his waist and attempted a

laugh. It sounded forced. “You always were an early riser. Now

I understand the appeal.”

“You would have earned better marks in school if you’d

decided to give it a try.”

“Well, I’d like to try now,” William said, casting a meaningful

look in Anne’s direction. “You always beat me to the punch, don’t you, Teach?” There was a hint of bitterness behind his words.

“You may leave us, Anne,” Teach said.

Shuddering, Anne slipped through the door closest to her.

William was a most disagreeable fellow.

And he was Teach’s closest friend. Her mother had often

told her that good clothes did not make an evil man more kind,

and in William’s case it was true.

She needed to remember to keep her thoughts to herself.

Ever since Teach had arrived, she’d been far more outspoken

than her position allowed. Her father had enjoyed her outspokenness and had even encouraged her to express herself openly,

but Anne doubted anyone in this household appreciated it.

Teach and his guests would be gone soon. Only two more





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days here at the Drummond estate, and then they would journey to the countryside, to the Herveys’, where Teach could continue to woo his future bride and his old school chum could annoy their maids for the next fortnight.

Until they left, she planned to keep a civil tongue, avoid

Miss Patience’s feet, and make sure she was never left alone in