Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(70)

ripping at the hanging branches of the willow. Anne held one

hand to her stomach, sick with despair.

Teach was right. She loved him. Anne wasn’t sure how or

when it had happened, but she recognized as much as he did

the strength of her feelings. It could have been the time they’d spent together, reading and discussing Dampier’s book. Teach saw Anne as his equal, and wanted to hear her thoughts and

opinions.

It could be that their visit to his mother’s cottage had stim—

ulated the first stirrings of affection. He’d been so pleased when she’d recognized its simple beauty.

Anne had missed Teach when he’d been away at the Hervey

estate, more than she’d been willing to admit. It was Teach who set her heart racing. When she closed her eyes at night, he filled her dreams, and when she opened them the next morning, he filled her thoughts. All of this should have acted as a warning, but Anne was untested in the art of love.

If Anne or Teach went against his father’s wishes, Richard

Drummond would not hesitate to throw them out. Without a

penny between them, where could they go? What kind of a life

could they lead? Teach was drawn to the sea, like a willow to





2 5 0


water, but as adventurous as Anne was, a ship was no place for a woman for an extended period of time.

She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, in an effort to stop the thoughts swirling through her head. She hoped to be

able to talk Mr. Drummond into giving her the three thousand

pounds her father had left her, more now than ever.

She could not stay here and idly stand by while Teach married

another woman. Nor could she stay in the same city where she

might run into him at some point. She needed to leave England. It was clear that when the Deliverance set sail, Anne had to be on it.

But she would have to wait until the inquiry was resolved,

before she could approach Teach’s father.

Drained of energy, as if her stroll through the garden had

been twice the distance, Anne headed back to the manor. With

a heavy heart she entered the courtyard. Hearing the sound

of an approaching carriage, she turned. After pulling the two

horses to a stop beside the house, the driver jumped down to

open the door. Miss Patience had returned.





2 51


C H A P T E R 2 5

Teach

Lord Hervey directed the coachman regarding the unloading of

their trunks, which signified a rather lengthy stay. The Herveys were early. His father had said they wouldn’t arrive until the next day.

“What is she doing?” Patience snapped, looking over Teach’s

shoulder.

“She lives here,” Teach said, turning to see Anne approaching.

Patience shot him a sharp look, not bothering to hide her

displeasure at his short remark. “Yes, I know that, but why is

she in that cloak? Is that one of mine?”

“No. My father had it made for her.”

“Why?”

“Because she is his goddaughter,” Teach said.

“How can that be? She’s a maid.” Patience did not lower her

voice, and there was no doubt that Anne heard her.





2 5 2


Teach attempted to speak in quieter tones, hating the fact that Patience spoke about Anne as if she weren’t there. Neither he nor his father had told the Herveys of Anne’s true identity.

“She is no longer a maid. There was a misunderstanding.”

“What kind of misunderstanding?”

Anne arrived at their side as Lord Hervey turned back to

them, and greetings were exchanged. The four moved toward

the house, but Anne allowed both Patience and the baron to

separate her from Teach.

“Mr. Drummond was not given an accurate account of

my family’s standing,” Anne said. She looked so calm walking

beside Lord Hervey, as if nothing were amiss. As if the kiss near the willows hadn’t happened.

Teach wondered how she managed it.

“My father misunderstood Anne’s purpose for being sent

here and employed her as one of the maids. Her parents were

friends of his. Once we realized the mistake, it was quickly corrected.”

“Has she no other family?” Patience asked.

“None,” Anne said.

“My father is her guardian.”

“But who are her parents? Surely they aren’t English.”

Anne’s mouth tightened. “My parents have both passed on,

Miss Patience. My father was an English merchant. But I doubt

that you knew him.”

Now inside, they paused at the foot of the grand staircase.





2 5 3


Patience looked as if she wanted to question Anne further, but Lord Hervey spoke first, clearly not interested in Anne’s background. “Where is your father, Edward?” he asked.

“He was called away on business. I’m sorry he isn’t here to

greet you.”

“Yes, well, I suppose I am to blame,” Lord Hervey said.