Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(78)

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C H A P T E R 2 8

Anne

The next morning Anne opened the door to the dining room,

only to discover that Mr. Drummond and Teach were both

already seated. Neither of them spoke, which was why she had

assumed the room was empty. The house was silent, except for

the occasional noise coming from the direction of the kitchen.

She stopped, cursing herself for not ordering another tray to

be sent up to her room. So far she’d done a fair job of avoiding the other members of the household, but she knew it couldn’t last forever.

Teach looked up and saw her, his mouth tightening. Ten—

sion thickened the air. She should have gone for a walk in the gardens instead.

“Good morning, Anne,” Drummond said, motioning her

in. “I wished to speak with you. Come, join us.”

Nodding in Drummond’s direction, she walked to the





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buffet and took a plate. Bypassing the poached eggs and the crisp fried bacon, she took only a handful of blackberries and a hot scone, not sure if she could even stomach that much.

She had not slept well, and her insides were tied in knots.

“Bring me some juice, would you?” Drummond asked, his

question intended for her.

Anne bristled at his words, as Teach pushed back his chair.

“Father, she’s no longer a maid. I will get it for you.”

“Nonsense. The other maids are busy. You don’t mind, do

you, Anne?”

He would never have asked Miss Patience to fetch him a glass.

After a moment’s hesitation Anne set her own plate down,

tempted to walk out of the room altogether. But she intended

to ask for the three thousand pounds, and so she remained,

reaching for the pitcher at the same time that Teach did. His

fingers covered hers.

I’m sorry, his gaze seemed to say.

Anne picked up her plate once more as Teach poured the

juice. Once they were seated, she looked at Drummond, her

hands clasped in her lap. “Yes?” she asked, wondering what he

could possibly wish to discuss.

“I would like you to go to the party with Edward tomorrow

night,” Drummond said.

It was the last thing she’d expected to hear. “I had not

intended to attend—”

“Nevertheless, you shall go. You are of age.”





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Alarmed, Anne glanced in Teach’s direction, but his expression was masked. She turned back to Drummond, determined to plead her case. “Please, sir. I prefer to stay home—”

He shook his head. “No. I’ve already given it much thought.

At the party we will announce that you are coming out.”

“But I don’t want—”

“Father, you cannot announce Anne’s coming out at the

same time that you declare an engagement. It wouldn’t be

appropriate.”

Anger flared in Drummond’s eyes. “How else will she find

herself a husband? You can’t expect her to stay here for the rest of her days. That would not be appropriate.”

Anne barely managed to keep her own anger in check. “I

have no intention of staying here. When I choose a husband, I would like it to be when I’m ready. I’m not ready now. And I have no desire for it to be announced this week.”

“Nonsense. You are . . . lovely.” Anne noticed his hesitation. Miss Patience was clearly Drummond’s ideal of beauty.

“And your father has left you not without means. Edward is to

marry a baron’s daughter, and your association with him will be advantageous.”

She braced herself against the ache caused by his words.

“You cannot make me,” she said, no longer caring about

holding her tongue. All she could think about was the agony of having to watch Teach swear his allegiance to Patience publicly.

“Father, it’s too soon,” Teach said, his voice louder.





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“Your mother was seventeen when I married her,” Drummond said, shooting his son a silencing glare, before turning once more on Anne. “When do you turn seventeen?”

It took her a moment to answer. “I . . . In two months’ time.”

“There, you see. This is for her own good.”

“And if no one will have me?”

Drummond didn’t meet her gaze when he answered. “Once

I attach a handsome dowry to your head, someone will speak

for you. Tell her, Edward. Tell her she’ll make a fine match.”

Teach looked Anne straight in the eyes as he spoke. “The

man who wins Anne’s heart will recognize in her the answer to

his dreams.”

The color was high on Teach’s cheeks, but his father didn’t

pay attention. He merely waved his fork at Anne after taking a bite of his eggs. “There, you see. Edward believes you will not have a problem.”

Anne felt trapped, caught between the two men who

appeared to hold the happiness of her future in their hands. It was time to take control of her own fate.