Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(54)

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Anne did not like the insinuation that loneliness was the only reason her father had turned to her mother. “They cared for each other.”

Master Drummond’s gaze did not quite meet hers. It was

clear he was uncomfortable speaking about the relationship

between Anne’s parents.

“Your father sent me a letter, asking me to make sure Jacqueline and her daughter were looked after. He said he’d leave the money in a trust and I was to oversee it.”

Anne’s eyes widened in surprise, for this was the first she’d

heard of such arrangements.

“When Henry brought you here, I asked after Jacqueline

and her daughter. He said you’d returned to the West Indies.

Clearly that was not the case,” he said.

She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. My mother and I were

removed from the house hours after my father passed away.”

“If only I’d known,” Master Drummond said, sitting back

in his chair, the wrinkles in his distinguished face more pronounced than ever, “I would have taken you in. I would have

done everything for you that your father had asked of me. You

have to believe me when I say that.”

Anne was shocked that the repentant man before her was

the same person who hadn’t said more than ten words to her

since she’d entered his household. At the moment she wasn’t

sure what to believe.

“When Henry first brought you here, he asked if I wouldn’t





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mind giving you a job because he had enough servants. Since I hadn’t been able to fulfill your father’s request concerning Jacqueline, it was the least I could do.”

Anger curled through Anne’s chest like a snake. Henry had

lied to both parties, never suspecting that the truth would come out. “Henry told me you were a friend of his, and threatened to send me away if I caused any problems for you. I didn’t know if you knew my real identity, but I decided it didn’t matter.”

Master Drummond’s mouth turned down at the corners.

“Your father must have suspected that something like this would happen. I have reason to believe that part of Henry’s inheritance required you to be taken care of. And that is why he came to find you at the workhouse. I’ve sent a note to his solicitor.”

“Taken care of how?” Anne asked.

“Knowing your father as I did, I imagine he applied a stip—

ulation that Henry would receive his portion of your father’s

estate only if you lived under my roof. It didn’t matter to Henry how you lived here, so long as he could prove that you were indeed living in this household. I’m afraid we’ve both been ill used by the boy.” Master Drummond steepled his fingers, his

mouth set in a flat line. “But you are not to blame yourself. Once we hear from the solicitor, we will get to the bottom of this.”

Once again Anne was stunned. Teach had clearly done

as he’d said and gone to his father upon reaching the Hervey

estate. She was grateful that Master Drummond would take the

time to set things right.





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“I would like to make amends. You will no longer work in my household. Instead you will take up residence in one of the guest rooms.”

Anne started to protest. “Sir, that won’t be necessary—”

Master Drummond cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“I insist. You will be taken to one of the finest dressmakers in Bristol this week. Your father would want it this way.”

Anne felt a warmth in her chest, knowing that her father

had cared enough for her and her mother to see to it that they

would be looked after.

“What about Henry Barrett? Will you tell him what you’ve

discovered?”

Master Drummond’s mouth grew ugly and flat at the mention of Henry’s name. “I will take care of Barrett,” he said. “He will not bother you again.”

Anne wished she could be as sure as Master Drummond,

but she knew her half brother better than he did. Nevertheless, it was useless worrying about it now. She was still trying to

come to terms with everything that had been said in the past

half hour.

“We will move your things to another room once one can

be readied.”

There weren’t many things to move. Aside from the pocket

watch, Anne had only the few maid’s dresses she’d obtained

when coming to work here. She couldn’t wait to see the looks

on Margery’s and Mary’s faces when they discovered she was





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no longer subject to their every whim. Quite the contrary, they would now take their orders from her.

“I suppose I should start to look for another cook,” Master

Drummond muttered, ever practical.

A sudden thought occurred to Anne. “I beg your pardon,

sir, but the day your son returned, Margery brought in Ruth to

help with all of the cooking. Ruth mentioned she had an older

sister, Elizabeth. If she’s anywhere near as capable as Ruth, you’ll be in fine hands.”