Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(84)

“Beneath these trappings I’m still just a simple girl,” she

said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Something in Teach’s expression changed, and his eyes

flicked to her lips.

Anne’s breath hitched in her throat. “You promised—”

“I lied.” Lifting a strand of her hair from her collarbone,

Teach leaned in close.

“Edward, your father has arrived and is looking for you!”

A sharp voice cut through the night air, splitting the two apart as effectively as a knife. The potted plant provided just enough shelter that whoever it was did not see the look of frustration crossing Teach’s face, nor Anne’s look of chagrin.

Teach stepped out, hoping to shield Anne from the curious

onlooker. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

Footsteps headed in the other direction.

“I don’t want to leave you,” he said, adjusting a curl at her

temple.

“I’ll be fine.”

“At least come back inside where it’s warm—”

“Go, Teach. Come and find me after.” In truth, Anne could

not bear the thought of hearing Drummond say that the mar—

riage would still take place, for there was no way she would be able to hide her feelings then.

She slid toward the end of the balcony and escaped down





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into the gardens. Even though the air was brisk, she preferred it to the stuffy interior. She knew it was too cold for anyone else to venture outside as well.

Walking along a path, she followed Teach’s progress through

the window as he returned inside, and watched as he was led to what appeared to be a library beside the ballroom. Drummond

waited for him there, and the two sat down. Teach listened

intently as his father began to speak.

Leaning against a short wall, Anne continued to observe the

conversation, knowing she should return inside, but loath to do so. Her stomach was in knots, and her hands clenched the cold

stone balustrade.

The sound of approaching footsteps along the gravel path

startled her. Instinctively she ducked behind a tree, unwilling to have anyone find her pining after Teach.

Moments later she was glad she had, for William came into

view, illuminated by the full moon. His arms were wrapped

around a figure dressed in an elegant cloak. The pair stopped

beneath the shadow of a nearby tree and embraced. Anne’s

insides protested as she listened to them kiss, quietly professing their love for each other. As usual, William was effusive in his admiration.

The girl’s face was obscured in the shadows, but she

appeared to enjoy William attention.

“Darling,” he said, his thick lips making slurping sounds

against his companion’s unfortunate neck. “How long must I





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endure your continued courtship with that fool? You know we are destined to be together. Please do not torture me and let him raise my child as his own. Call off the wedding.”

“Yes, well, my father didn’t care enough to break off the

engagement. The next time you accuse someone of something,

make sure the charges stand.” It was Miss Patience!

Anne gasped, and immediately placed her hands over her

mouth to prevent another sound from escaping. She froze,

afraid to move.

Patience was pregnant with William’s child! And William

was the one who’d accused Teach of piracy! It hadn’t been Henry after all.

The two lovers were quiet. Had they heard her? Anne’s

pulse raced, wanting to confront them, but an inner voice held her back. She would not do it alone, for she did not trust them.

They were both as crooked as the day was long. She needed to

find Teach first and tell him what she had discovered.

Her heart soared. Surely now Teach would not be forced to

marry Patience. And Anne and Teach would not have to leave

immediately. If at all.

The couple moved on, but Anne waited until the sound of

their footsteps disappeared. Her fingertips and toes were numb, and she slid silently out from her hiding spot. She saw from her vantage point that Teach was still conversing with his father.

Anne had just stepped onto the balcony when a fleshy hand

grabbed her wrist. She shrieked as William leered at her.





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“I thought it was you!” he snarled, dragging her along behind him.

Fighting desperately against his hold as he attempted to

yank her back toward the gardens, Anne looked frantically over her shoulder, trying to catch Teach’s attention. But the balcony was in shadows from the large trees surrounding it. Even in her ivory dress, it would be hard for Teach to see anything while the library was lit from within.

“Let go of me!” Anne yelled, hoping her voice would carry,

but the sound of the orchestra in the ballroom drowned her out.

“I’ll not have you running off to tell Teach about us,” he

said. “You will keep your mouth shut.”

“If you love Patience, why don’t you marry her yourself?”