Blackhearts (Blackhearts, #1)(89)

The rings were decidedly less ornate, but no less beautiful.

Teach’s eyes settled on a gold band, carefully handcrafted, with a braided centerline framed by twisted ropes. Holding it up for inspection, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“This is the one,” he murmured.

The jeweler nodded.





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As much as Teach would have liked to buy her the biggest, fattest ring, this one suited her, much more than the other garish choices. “How long will it take for you to size it?” he asked, handing him a circular thread. He’d used it to measure Anne’s finger.

The jeweler tilted his head to the side. “You may return to

pick it up in two days’ time.”

Teach smiled. “Excellent.” He shook the jeweler’s hand and

headed outside, into the brisk fall afternoon.

At the top of the hour, he met Anne and Elizabeth at the

entrance to the docks, the sharp scent of fish and brine assailing their nostrils.

Teach pulled Anne into an alcove, leaving Elizabeth standing a few feet away. “I missed you,” he whispered. Someone

laughed quietly behind them. Teach looked and saw young

Ruth and a friend pointing and giggling, with Elizabeth nearby.

Teach reached into his pocket and took out two coins. “Here.

Go and bother someone else,” he said to the little girls.

They took off, running down the street.

He threw one to Elizabeth as well. “What’s this for?” she asked.

“For you to leave us,” Teach said.

“But it wouldn’t be proper—” Elizabeth began, but Teach

handed her another coin.

“I just need you to go shopping for a minute or two. Miss

Anne will be quite safe with me.”

“Won’t your father be expecting us for lunch?” Anne asked.

“No. He’s too busy.”





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“He works much too hard.”

“You’re right.” Turning to the maid, Teach waved his hand.

“Elizabeth, go and see if my father needs anything.”

“You’re impossible,” Anne muttered. “Elizabeth isn’t going

anywhere. Now hurry and show me what you want so that we

can return home.”

Sighing, Teach held out his hand, motioning to Elizabeth.

“Hand over the coins.”

Elizabeth clutched them to her chest. “No, sir. I need these.

You gave ’em to me fair an’ square.”

Teach’s mouth dropped open. Anne smiled.

“This is your doing,” Teach said, pointing a finger at Anne.

“I’m not sure if you deserve this.” Withdrawing the pocket

watch, he held it out for Anne to see.

She grabbed for it, but he raised it above her head. “It comes with a price,” he said.

While his attention was focused on Anne, Elizabeth jumped

up and caught the watch in her hands.

Anne laughed. “Thank you, Elizabeth. Who knows what

kind of price he would have demanded of me.”

Recognizing that he was outnumbered, Teach accepted

defeat and turned toward the docks.

The Deliverance bobbed gently in the water before them, the waves lapping noisily against its polished hull. The square-rigged main and topsails were crisp and white, while the bow—

sprit jutted out like a spear from the foredeck.





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Elizabeth stopped in her tracks. “I’m not going on that.”

Teach’s heart lifted. “Fine. You stay here and wait for us.

This won’t take long.”

He couldn’t help his surge of pride as he helped Anne onto

the plank, leading the way as they boarded. Anne didn’t display any of Elizabeth’s fear. He’d asked his father if he could show Anne the ship, and his father had arranged for the crew to be

absent during that time.

The deck gleamed beneath the sunlight. Teach knew that

after a few days at sea, the ship would not resemble its current state, but for now it was spotless. Ropes and barrels lay nearby, waiting to be used.

Anne ran her fingers along the railing, apparently taking in

every detail of the massive ship. They strolled the entire length, ending on the starboard side facing out to sea.

“Do you like it?” Teach asked.

“It’s magnificent,” Anne said. “I’ve never seen a ship this

large before.”

Teach wrinkled his nose. “Trust Father to attempt such an

undertaking.”

“But won’t it make a large target? Think of all the pirates

who will come after this ship, hoping to claim it for their own.”

Teach leaned against the main boom, his arms above his

head. “Father has thought about that. He made sure that

enough cannons are aboard, making a direct assault on the ship difficult.”





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Anne made a face. “Difficult, but not impossible.”

“You need not worry. Father has said he’s hired the most

experienced sailors and soldiers. He pays them well.”