Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(76)

“Which is precisely why I asked Miss Patience and the

baron to come here. I understand they arrived early.”

“They did.”

“I should have been here to greet them.” His tone implied

it was yet another grievance against Teach. Sitting down,

Drummond pinched the bridge of his nose, a sure sign that

the conversation was over. But Teach wasn’t willing to end it

just yet.

“Father, I don’t want to set a date for the wedding.”

Lowering his hand with exaggerated deliberateness,

Drummond pinned Teach with a glare. “What did you say?”

Teach refused to back down. “I don’t want to set a date for

the wedding. There’s no need to rush.”

“There is also no reason to wait.”

“Yes, there is. I told Miss Patience about the charges.”

“You should have waited for me to return. I had planned to

tell Lord Hervey myself, once your name was cleared.”

“Don’t you think he might change his mind now?”





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“The baron is not in a position to change his mind. He is on the brink of financial ruin.”

“But I just arrived home.”

“Yes, from a year at sea that very nearly cost you your life.

Do you have any idea what I did for you today?” his father

demanded, his voice rising with each word.

“Yes, and I’ve already told you that I’m thankful, I truly am.

But I think it would be best to wait. My feelings for Patience

have changed. She is no longer the girl I wish to spend my life with, and I am quite sure she feels the same about me. If you

forced us to marry, we would both be miserable.”

“That is not your decision to make.”

“How can you say that? It’s my life we’re discussing, not yours.”

“And you have proven that you are incapable of making

good decisions.”

Turning from his father, Teach caught sight of the portrait

hanging above the fireplace, his mother’s kind eyes smiling

down on him. “If mother were alive, she would let me make

them. Why can’t you?”

The air seemed to escape his father’s lungs at the mention

of his wife. “I will not argue with you. Not now. I am too tired for this. We will continue this conversation after I have rested.

I do not wish to be disturbed until supper this evening. Please instruct Margery that I would like my tea to be delivered to my room and left by the door.” He headed in the direction of his

dressing room, his weary footsteps echoing in the chamber.





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Clutching the back of the chair in his hands, Teach barely managed to stifle his shout of aggravation. He knew very well that his father would not discuss it with him further. If

Drummond was to rest until the evening meal, Teach would

have no opportunity to speak with him privately. It was as

if the older Teach became, the more Drummond tightened

the noose.

If only they had a few days, Drummond might have time to

mull over what Teach had said. Then they could speak reason—

ably, just like they had when Teach had convinced his father to let him sail on Andrew Barrett’s ship.

After closing the door to his father’s bedchamber soundly

behind him, Teach headed down the stairs. His heartbeat roared

in his ears as he struggled to understand how he had so completely lost control of his life, and when he would get it back.

Anne, unaware of his presence in the doorway of the library,

sat in a chair with a book in her lap. She stared out at the rain as it continued to fall. A log broke in the fireplace, and part of it fell from the grate, sending a plume of white sparks into the air.

Teach paused, watching her until she turned. Setting the

book aside, she stood and took several quick steps forward.

Teach met her in the center of the room. Before he could say

anything, she smiled.

“I heard. I’m sorry, but I stood outside your father’s door for a moment and listened.” Anne reached for one of his hands, and

her fingers warmed the chill in his. “I heard him say it was over.”





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Teach looked down at their clasped hands. “Yes. It’s over.”

Glancing up, he saw her smile fade.

“What’s wrong? What else did he say?”

Teach’s only reply was grim silence. It was clear she hadn’t

listened for long.

Anne stumbled back a step, her skirts rustling. She gave

a slight shake of her head, her brows furrowed as she looked

about the room. “I should go.”

“Do you wish to retire? I’ll escort you to your—”

“No. I must leave England. At once.”

Pain unfolded in Teach’s chest. “You can’t leave. I won’t

let you.”

“Once I have the three thousand my father left me, you

won’t be able stop me. I will not stand idly by and watch you