Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(36)

if Master Drummond ever found out about Mary and Tom.

Somehow Mary had managed to keep her liaisons a secret even

from Margery.

As Anne bent over to smooth one corner of the rug, her

foot connected with the bottom of the bedside table, and something dropped with a solid clank. Turning, she discovered a tur-tle-shell spyglass, inlaid with silver and gold, wedged between the table leg and the wall. It was covered in dust. Picking it up, Anne felt her pulse accelerate at the find. From the looks of it, it was quite old, and the metal was tarnished, but Anne still recognized a valuable item when she saw one.

It appeared to have been there for quite some time. When

she bumped the table, it must have dislodged it. She hesitated,

weighing the object in her hands. It obviously meant something





12 7


to Master Drummond. Otherwise it would not have been beside his bed. He kept only his most valued treasures closest to him, which was why the room was practically barren.

But the condition of the spyglass showed that the master

hadn’t thought about it for quite a while. It could have been

hidden there for years without his knowledge.

For Anne, it could very well be the final piece she needed

in order to afford a new life somewhere else. With a quick

look behind her, she slid it into the pocket of her dress, her

fingers slick with perspiration as she told herself he wouldn’t

miss it.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she stood, prepared to

resume her work. Instead she froze when she noticed the large

portrait hanging above the fireplace. It was of the lady of the

house, Teach’s mother, Mrs. Catherine Drummond. Anne had

dusted it countless times before, admiring the burgundy dress

and serene face, but she’d never felt those eyes staring back at her, accusing, as they appeared to be now.

Anne had heard stories from the gardener about Catherine

Drummond. He was the only servant left who had known her,

and he’d said that Mrs. Drummond had always gone out of

her way to help someone in need, showing kindness even when

there’d been no benefit for herself.

If Mrs. Drummond could see Anne now, what would she

say? Would she encourage Anne, and give her money to help

her escape?





12 8


Fingering the spyglass in her pocket, Anne pulled it out once more.

Or would Mrs. Drummond—

“What are you doing?”

Startled, Anne whirled, automatically hiding her hands

behind her back. Mary stood in the doorway, glaring at her.

“I’m working. Which is what you should be doing,” Anne

said, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

Mary’s eyes narrowed. “What are you hiding?”

Anne cursed the guilty flush that rose in her cheeks. “Nothing.”

Mary raised an eyebrow at her. “Nothing? I don’t believe

you. Show me what you have behind your back.”

“It’s nothing. I was simply cleaning. You startled me.”

“I cleaned this room yesterday,” Mary said, looking unconvinced.

“I didn’t know. No one told me it had been done.” Anne

glanced nervously toward the door, unsure how long the girl

had been standing there.

Mary folded her arms over her ample chest. “What would

Margery say if she knew you were polishing things when they

didn’t need it? There’s enough work to go around without doing

everything twice, don’t you think?”

“What would Master Drummond say if he knew you were

dallying with the groom?” Anne shot back, feeling more than a

little defensive. “That is where Sara just found you, wasn’t it?”

Mary’s face flushed a deep red. “No, I was in the pantry.”





12 9


“Alone? Or was Tom with you?”

“That’s none of your business, now, is it?”

“No, but it is Master Drummond’s business.”

There was fear in Mary’s eyes. “You have no proof.”

Anne could not bring herself to feel any pity for the girl.

“Mr. Edward said he caught you with Tom. I believe that’s

proof enough.”

“Did he tell you that? Well, you better watch yourself,”

Mary sneered. “I don’t think Master Drummond would take

too kindly to you spending so much time with his son.”

“Mr. Edward was ill, and both Margery and Master

Drummond know it. I was simply doing my job.”

“What makes you think I wasn’t doing my job?”

“Because I’ve never heard of a maid working side by side

with a groom before. And I’m quite sure Master Drummond

hasn’t either,” Anne said.

With a toss of her head, Mary stomped off, muttering

under her breath.

Exhaling, Anne slipped the spyglass once more into her

pocket, her knees shaking. She would have to watch herself

where Mary was concerned. The girl was trouble.