Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(60)

“You’ve been charged with piracy.”

Anne’s stomach plummeted, every muscle clenching with

fear. Any argument for her own cause fled from her mind,

replaced with an image of those five men in the cart. Except, in their place she saw Teach.

“That’s impossible.” Teach’s body tensed.

Drummond stood slowly, as if he’d aged ten years in the

short time since Anne had last seen him. The grooves in his face were more pronounced than ever. He thrust a piece of paper at Teach. “See for yourself.”

Teach took the paper and scanned its contents, while Anne

moved silently to his side and read over his shoulder.

In support of our sovereign lord the king, upon oath, I present that Edward Drummond, late of Bristol, mari-ner, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being





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moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, by force and arms, upon the high seas, and within the jurisdic-tion of the admiralty of England, did piratically and feloniously set upon, board, break, and enter a certain merchant ship . . .

Teach crumpled up the paper before Anne could read any

further. “There is no basis for these allegations,” he ground out, visibly trying to control his anger.

“Who dares accuse him of such things?” Anne asked.

“The constable did not say. There is to be an inquiry. I have

arranged for my Bristol solicitor to meet me at his office, and will leave within the hour. I do not expect to return anytime soon.”

“Shall I come with you?” Teach asked.

“No! You’ve done enough. None of this would have happened if you’d simply stayed home and married Miss Patience

like I asked.”

“You didn’t ask me, Father. You never ask me anything. You either demand or command.” Teach spoke with a boldness no doubt born out of desperation. Anne recognized the anxiety

and frustration on his face, for they mirrored her own. These

were serious charges indeed. If found guilty, Teach would hang.

The thought filled her with dread.

“If the baron or Miss Patience find out about these charges,

it could mean the end of your engagement. They have sent

word that they will arrive in two days’ time to discuss a date

for the wedding. I don’t know how to stop them from coming.”





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Caught off guard by the news, Anne was unprepared for the sharp stab of jealousy that pierced her. Miss Patience would be returning. She chanced a glance at Teach, to gauge his reaction to his father’s statement about Miss Patience, but his expression was closed.

“Miss Patience is ill,” Teach said.

“She appears to be on the mend,” Drummond snapped.

“I should leave you,” Anne said.

“No, please don’t. I must rely on you to make sure Edward

does as I ask this time.”

Teach rubbed the back of his neck. “Father, let me go with

you. I’ll speak to the constable and explain to him that those

charges cannot possibly be true. I did not commit any crimes.”

“You expect him to believe you?” Drummond demanded.

“Why wouldn’t he?” Teach shot back. “I’ve done nothing

wrong.”

Even though it was not directed at her, Anne felt the full

force of Mr. Drummond’s fury, and she wished she’d waited

until the morning to try to speak with him.

Drummond opened his mouth once again, but Anne

stepped forward, hoping to defuse the situation. “Please, what

is to be done?”

“Have you not heard of the men they apprehended earlier,

the ones charged and convicted of piracy?” Drummond asked.

Anne nodded, sure she would not forget them for as long

as she lived.





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“The constable says, since their capture, he’s had at least two new charges of piracy brought before him. It’s the equiva-lent of a witch hunt.” Drummond turned an accusing finger at Teach. “And if you hadn’t insisted on sailing, I would not be in this predicament.”

“What evidence did they have against those men?” Anne

asked.

“They were caught unloading stolen goods from a ship late

at night. It’s suspected they’ve been attacking merchants near

the continent for the last six months at least.”

“But in the past six months, he was nowhere near these

shores,” Anne said. “That should be easy enough to prove.”

“Yes, well, with everyone clamoring for justice to be served,

the investigation will proceed, regardless of where he was. As

I’ve said, I’m meeting with my solicitor shortly. Edward is not to leave the house until I return.”

“You can’t be serious,” Teach said.

“I am. And this time you will do exactly as I say. I do not

want you venturing into the city, for any reason. You are to stay here and wait for Miss Patience’s arrival.”

“And what should I tell her? How long will you be gone?”