Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(86)

in the garden.” A look of disgust filled her eyes. “They deserve 3 0 8

each other. I don’t understand why the two of them don’t just marry.”

“After tonight they will have no choice,” Teach said.

“But why didn’t they simply do that in the first place? Does

Patience truly love him?”

“I believe she may. William makes her laugh. The two of

them have much in common, caring more about parties and

appearance than books or learning. It seems that while I was

gone, their attraction to each other merely increased.”

“Then why didn’t the baron choose William to marry her?

Why you?”

“Because the Duke and Duchess of Cardwell would never

agree to it. On more than one occasion, I overheard them

talking about her. They see Patience for what she really is, a spoiled, manipulative girl. And they wanted more than a baron’s daughter for William.”

“But William is no better,” Anne said bitterly.

“But he is their son. They’ve spoiled him and are too afraid to admit that they were wrong to supply his every whim.” Teach exhaled loudly. “I should have suspected something.”

“William believed charging you with piracy would get Lord

Hervey to change his mind about your match. But it didn’t.”

“No, it didn’t. And knowing Patience as I do, I believe she

was torn. She loves her father and knows how much he needs

my father’s money. That was why she couldn’t break off the

betrothal outright.”





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Anne leaned into him, and Teach closed his eyes, relishing the warmth of her body against his.

“Will they claim the baby is yours?” she asked.

“They might try. That was why they were rushing the

engagement.” Looking back, everything made sense. The note

Anne found had been intended for Patience.

“What will you do now?” she asked.

“Marry you,” was his simple response.

Anne met Teach’s gaze. Her mouth tilted up at the corner, and

a bright glint entered her eyes. “And if I’m not ready to marry?”

“Then I will wait.”

“Is that a proposal?” she asked softly.

Teach grinned. “Perhaps. Will you accept?”

“Perhaps.”

“What would it take to convince you?” he asked.

“It’s not me you have to convince. It’s your father.”

Teach brushed her hair behind her ear. “My father can have

no objections now. You’re Andrew Barrett’s daughter and more

of an equal match for me than Patience ever was.”

Anne appeared unconvinced, but remained silent.

In the shelter of the carriage, Teach held her close, her heart beating against his chest.

“You’re going back there, aren’t you?” Anne asked.

Teach frowned. “I should. I wish I could leave it until

tomorrow, but I’m afraid of what Patience and William will say if they’re given enough time to concoct some other story. The





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best time to catch them in their lies is now, when they haven’t time to regroup. I must go and explain my case.”

The carriage pulled to a stop. Teach jumped out and walked

Anne up to the entrance of the house. “I’m sorry for leaving you so soon.”

“I’ll be fine. You must tell your father what I heard. Come

and find me later.”

“Always,” he said.

Teach waited until Elizabeth appeared and took Anne to

her room before he bounded back down the stairs toward the

carriage. This would not take him long. Word of what had happened had no doubt spread throughout the party.

Teach instructed the driver to return to the Cardwell estate.

By the time he arrived, the last of the guests were entering

their carriages, no doubt disappointed that the grand party had been cut short. The lanterns out front flickered in the wind,

and the green garlands and topiaries looked forlorn instead of festive.

Inside the large house, Teach followed the butler down

the long, deserted hallway. He heard the loud voices before he entered the drawing room. Both the duke and the baron were

crouched over William where he sat in the corner of the settee.

A bloody cloth was pressed to his nose, and his head was tipped back to staunch the flow.

“How is Anne?” Drummond asked, reaching his son’s side

before the others were aware of his presence.





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“Recovering, thank you. What have I missed?”

Before Teach’s father could respond, William’s eyes widened. The duke turned, his face red with rage.

“There you are. Would you care to explain why you attacked

my son in the middle of a party held in your honor?”

Drummond stepped in front of Teach. “As I told you, your

son attacked my goddaughter, Your Grace. I saw it with my

own eyes. Edward was merely protecting her.”