Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(27)

That includes breakfast, dinner, and supper.”

“But surely the others are capable of bringing you your

meals?” she asked incredulously.

“No doubt.”

“If you’d like me to read to you, I can come later—”

“I do want you to read to me, and that is precisely why I

wish for you to bring me my food, no one else,” he said, pulling at the collar of his nightshirt. “Especially not that fool Mary,”

he muttered beneath his breath. “You’re to let me know at once

if you catch her anywhere near Tom, the groom. Is that understood?”

Anne bristled at his words. She opened her mouth as if to

say something, but quickly shut it again.

“What?” Teach asked.





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“Nothing, sir.”

“That’s not true. You were about to say something. Does it

have anything to do with Mary?”

“It’s not my place to say.”

“It is if I’m asking. What do you know about Mary?”

There was a long pause before Anne spoke. He could see

the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Out with it,” he said.

“I have reason to believe that she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with one of your guests.”

Teach’s eyes widened in surprise. A guest? “You do? Why?”

Once more she hesitated.

“Come closer. Now tell me why you suspect that.”

Anne took a few steps forward until she came to stand at

the foot of his bed. Teach was keenly aware that he did not look his best. Sweat glistened on his brow, and he could feel the heat in his cheeks.

“Your father has made it very clear that he doesn’t want any

sort of involvement among the household staff. I’m sure that extends to your guests as well.”

Teach squirmed beneath her steady gaze, remembering his

earlier conduct. “I’m well aware of my father’s rules. You don’t need to remind me,” he said.

Anne reached into her pocket, pulled out a small note, and

handed it to him. “Your friend, the Earl of Lorimar, is not without fault in the matter, sir. See for yourself.”





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“William? You must be mistaken.”

Anne scoffed, obviously not surprised Teach would come to

his friend’s defense. “Yes, William. He has clearly taken advantage of the fact that Mary, as a dependent in your household,

has nowhere else to turn. He would compromise her position

for his own enjoyment,” she said.

Teach’s eyebrows drew together as he read the note.

My darling,

I can scarce tell you how I felt when I first saw you

in this house. I could almost not eat, for my stomach

was truly in knots. You cannot imagine the depth of

my emotions, and I myself am unable to ful y convey

to you how strongly I have come to fe l for you.

Please tell me you fe l the same.

Forever your loving,

Wil iam

Teach’s own stomach was in knots, but for entirely different

reasons. What a pile of rubbish. How many times had he told

William to stop with this nonsense?

“Where did you find this?” he asked Anne.

“I found it while I was cleaning out the fireplace in the earl’s room.”

“And have you asked Mary about this?”





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Anne nodded, folding her hands in front of her. “Yes, sir.

Just before you called me in, sir.”

So that was what the two of them had been bickering about.

“And what did she have to say?”

“She insisted the note wasn’t meant for her, claiming she

cannot read.”

Not many maids could read, but there were ways around it,

especially if she was trying to impress an interested lover. “But you mean to tell me this note was intended for Mary?” Teach said at length. Teach had noticed Mary making eyes at William during the meal.

Anne nodded.

“Then she’s even worse than I thought.”

Anne blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

Teach closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I

caught Mary kissing Tom when I returned from my early morning ride the other day.”

“Again?” Anne asked, before clamping her hands over her

mouth.

Teach snorted. “So this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

Well, William hardly acted the jealous lover, even if the note

was meant for her.” In fact, William had appeared quite amused,

and Teach had been forced to drag him away.

Anne’s face burned with her embarrassment.

Teach did not bother to mask his impatience. “If it wasn’t





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Mary, then I have no idea who the intended recipient was. Perhaps he meant for you to find it.”

Anne grimaced.

Ever observant, Teach frowned. “You do not like William?”

Anne shot him a look, as if cursing his watchful eyes. “It’s