Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(66)

ular. At the door to the house, she cast one last look over her shoulder. Teach spoke quietly to John as the first few drops of rain fell from the pewter sky.





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C H A P T E R 2 3

Teach

Teach waited patiently beside his friend as John took a deep,

shuddering breath. Raindrops fell intermittently, like silent

tears from the sky.

“She doesn’t deserve you,” Teach said.

John didn’t respond. He stared at the empty courtyard that

just moments before had been full of chaos.

Clapping John on the back, Teach guided him toward the

stable, knowing his friend needed some privacy. He was worried

John might still decide to go after Mary. “Come in out of the rain.”

“You knew all along, didn’t you?” John asked, dragging

his feet.

Teach gave him a steady look. “Would you have believed

me if I’d told you?”

After a moment of stony silence, John shook his head.

“Probably not.”





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Teach approached Kaiser’s stall and stroked his neck. The sweet smell of hay combined with the leather tack acted as a balm.

“I’m sorry for my behavior. Your life is on the line, and I

acted like a fool, but when I saw Mary and that . . . I . . .” John’s voice faded, his hands clenching into fists. “I’m sorry.”

Teach tried to imagine how he would feel if Patience’s atten—

tions were otherwise engaged.

Relieved.

Now, if he ever saw Anne with anyone else . . .

Shaking his head to clear the image, Teach turned to his

friend. “You’ll find you’re better off without her.”

John gave him a sad smile. “Mary and I grew up together.

I’ve known her since I was a lad and stole a pie from her father’s bakery. She used to be all kinds of fun. What could make a girl change so much?”

There was no question Mary still liked to have fun, but

Teach kept that observation to himself. “It happens. Some

people change too much, and others don’t change at all. You’ll

see it’s for the best. You’re a good man, John. You’ve weathered far worse, and I daresay you’ll come out ahead in the end.”

Teach almost envied him. At the moment he’d gladly have

traded positions with his friend and been rid of an unwanted

betrothal.

“She didn’t even look back at me,” John muttered.

Teach took a long breath, disliking the thought of John





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wasting another minute pining for Mary. Given time, John would forget her. “I hate to ask, but I’m assuming you’re here because of Barrett.”

“Aye, I am. He’s gone.”

“What?”

John nodded. “It’s true. Word is he sold several of his father’s ships to the Royal African Company, to be turned into slavers.”

Teach was disgusted but not surprised. “When did he leave?”

“Yesterday, aboard a ship set for the West Indies.”

“Did you hear of any evidence he might have against me?”

John lowered his head. “No. Nothing. I was about to have

someone pay him a visit, but I never got the chance. He’s gone.”

Teach cursed, and Kaiser sidled away, snorting nervously.

Leaning forward, Teach attempted to soothe the animal, his

mind replaying John’s words.

Barrett was gone. Barrett was gone.

“I’m sorry, Teach. I truly am.”

Teach almost didn’t hear him, for his heartbeat hammered

in his throat. Staring at the ground, he tried to think of what his next step would be, but his mind wouldn’t focus.

“Can they have an inquiry if Barrett isn’t here to support

the charges?” John asked, his tone hopeful.

“I don’t know. I’m not even sure if Barrett was the one to

accuse me, but I can’t think of anyone else who would gain

from it.”

“I’ll look into it for you,” John said. “Don’t you worry,





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Teach. We’ll get to the bottom of this, even if I have to break you out of jail myself.”

The tightness in Teach’s chest didn’t ease, despite his friend’s assurances. “Yes, well, hopefully it won’t come to that.”

The two of them were silent, a heavy pall hanging between

them.

Eventually John cleared his throat. “I best head back to the

Deliverance.”

“Would you like to come into the house first?” Teach could

do with a drink.

John shook his head, turning for the door. “I’m not fit for

company. I’ll keep asking around. Like I said, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” He raised his hand in a final farewell before

striding out the door and disappearing from view.

Teach stood alone in the stable for several minutes, reluctant to return to the house. He rubbed the lower half of his