Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(49)

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so persistent? I will not accompany you. Now

if you’ll excuse me, I wish to change.” Anne turned and headed

up the stairs.

Teach called out after her. “I’ll instruct Margery to leave

you alone. You will no longer perform any chores. Stay in your

room—”

Anne shot him a dark look over her shoulder.

“All right, then simply stay out of Margery’s way. I will tell her who you are and that you are no longer employed as a servant.”

She froze on the top step, one hand clutching the banister.

“Then what am I?” she asked in a voice that was barely audible.

“And where do I belong?” Not waiting for an answer, she picked

up her skirts and fled.

Teach watched her go, tempted to force her to accompany him. But deep down he knew she was right. Knowing his

father’s temperament as he did, Teach understood that it would

be best to confront him alone, and find out how Anne had

come to work in the Drummond household.

Unfortunately for Teach, he wouldn’t reach the Hervey

estate until later that evening. He could not summon any

enthusiasm at the thought of seeing Miss Patience again.

Entering his room, he grabbed a small trunk from his ward—

robe, and then threw several garments inside. Henry Barrett’s





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words raced through his mind. “I could make your life very uncomfortable if you’re not careful.”

By the time Teach left his room, his face had settled into

harsh lines. What kind of power did Barrett still hold over

Anne? Or had that been an empty threat? Why had Barrett

brought her there in the first place? He had to benefit from her position in the Drummond household somehow. Otherwise he would not have bothered taking her from the workhouse. A

caring older brother he was not.

It was obvious that Barrett had lied to Anne, and more than

likely he’d lied to Teach’s father as well. Either way, it didn’t matter. Teach would make Barrett pay. Stealing his purse had been just the beginning.

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C H A P T E R 1 6

Teach

The crescent moon hanging low in the sky cast just enough

light to illuminate the Hervey estate as the carriage pulled up

the drive. It was an ornate, rectangular building with ivy wind—

ing along the sides like spidery veins, and only a few rooms were lit from within.

Before when he’d come to visit, Teach had always respected

its grandeur and opulence. It had reminded him of an elderly

duchess who refused to age. Looking at it now for the first

time in more than a year, Teach recognized it for what it was.

A grandstanding showpiece with very little substance behind

the facade.

The carriage pulled to a stop, and he jumped out, not

waiting for the footman to perform his duty. The front door

opened, and an elderly butler held a candle aloft, bowing when

he recognized Teach’s face.





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“Good evening, Mr. Edward.”

Teach nodded. “Abraham. How are you?”

Abraham’s expression was unreadable as he answered, “Fine,

sir. Thank you for asking.”

The butler had been a fixture in the Hervey household for

as long as Teach had known them, and Teach marveled that

the old man still retained his dignity in this unconventional

atmosphere.

“Tell me, has my father retired for the evening?” It was half

past nine. Master Drummond was notorious for going to bed

early. Only Teach knew that once he was in the safety of his

room, his father would often read for hours.

“Yes, sir, as well as Lady Hervey. But Miss Patience and the

Earl of Lorimar are still with Lord Hervey in the drawing room.

Would you care to join them? Miss Patience heard you arrive

and is expecting you.”

Teach wanted nothing more than to see his father, but knew

etiquette required that he make an appearance. “Very well,” he

said, unable to hide the resignation in his voice.

Abraham bowed slightly at the waist and turned, leading

Teach down the hall. Opening the door to the drawing room,

he announced Teach’s arrival. William and Patience stood

up from the divan as Teach strode across the carpet toward

them. The baron sat in a large chair near a window, his head

tipped back and his mouth open, a pronounced snore sound—

ing through the room. Patience’s face flushed a deep red, and

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her hands fluttered at her side as Teach drew near.

“Edward,” she said. “You’ve come.”

“Miss Patience,” he said, bowing over the hand she

offered him.

William’s eyes were red, and it was clear he’d been drinking.

His voice slurred as he said, “Glad to see you feeling better, old chap. You gave Miss Patience here quite a scare.”

Teach shook his head. “It was nothing serious. I’m sorry I