Anne
The library was Anne’s favorite room. The wide windows usually let in long slanting rectangles of light, warming the otherwise cold house. And there were, of course, the books to linger over, innumerable titles containing wonderful details of adventure.
At the moment, however, a stormy sky outside cast ominous shadows over the library’s carpeted floor and obscured Drummond’s expression. Anne hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should follow Teach in, or . . .
“Father—”
“I see that trouble has again darkened our door,” Drummond said, swirling a glass of amber liquid in his hand.
Anne stopped short, exchanging a questioning glance with Teach. Was it possible Drummond knew what she was about to ask him?
Teach continued a few more paces and stopped beside his father’s chair. “Sir?”
“None of this would have happened if you had simply done as I asked,” Drummond said, his mouth hardening as he looked up at his son.
“What’s wrong?’ Teach asked.
Drummond tipped back his head and downed the rest of his drink before he answered. “This will ruin everything. Everything that I’ve worked so hard to accomplish.”
“What?”
“You’ve been charged with piracy.”
Anne’s stomach plummeted, every muscle clenching with fear. Any argument for her own cause fled from her mind, replaced with an image of those five men in the cart. Except, in their place she saw Teach.
“That’s impossible.” Teach’s body tensed.
Drummond stood slowly, as if he’d aged ten years in the short time since Anne had last seen him. The grooves in his face were more pronounced than ever. He thrust a piece of paper at Teach. “See for yourself.”
Teach took the paper and scanned its contents, while Anne moved silently to his side and read over his shoulder.
In support of our sovereign lord the king, upon oath, I present that Edward Drummond, late of Bristol, mariner, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, by force and arms, upon the high seas, and within the jurisdiction of the admiralty of England, did piratically and feloniously set upon, board, break, and enter a certain merchant ship . . .
Teach crumpled up the paper before Anne could read any further. “There is no basis for these allegations,” he ground out, visibly trying to control his anger.
“Who dares accuse him of such things?” Anne asked.
“The constable did not say. There is to be an inquiry. I have arranged for my Bristol solicitor to meet me at his office, and will leave within the hour. I do not expect to return anytime soon.”
“Shall I come with you?” Teach asked.
“No! You’ve done enough. None of this would have happened if you’d simply stayed home and married Miss Patience like I asked.”
“You didn’t ask me, Father. You never ask me anything. You either demand or command.” Teach spoke with a boldness no doubt born out of desperation. Anne recognized the anxiety and frustration on his face, for they mirrored her own. These were serious allegations indeed. If found guilty, Teach would hang. The thought filled her with dread.
“If the baron or Miss Patience find out about these charges, it could mean the end of your engagement. They have sent word that they will arrive in two days’ time to discuss a date for the wedding. I don’t know how to stop them from coming.”
Caught off guard by the news, Anne was unprepared for the sharp stab of jealousy that pierced her. Miss Patience would be returning. She chanced a glance at Teach, to gauge his reaction to his father’s statement about Miss Patience, but his expression was closed.
“Miss Patience is ill,” Teach said.
“She appears to be on the mend,” Drummond snapped.
“I should leave you,” Anne said.
“No, please don’t. I must rely on you to make sure Edward does as I ask this time.”
Teach rubbed the back of his neck. “Father, let me go with you. I’ll speak to the constable and explain to him that those charges cannot possibly be true. I did not commit any crimes.”
“You expect him to believe you?” Drummond demanded.
“Why wouldn’t he?” Teach shot back. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Even though it was not directed at her, Anne felt the full force of Mr. Drummond’s fury, and she wished she’d waited until the morning to try to speak with him.
Drummond opened his mouth once again, but Anne stepped forward, hoping to defuse the situation. “Please, what is to be done?”
“Have you not heard of the men they apprehended earlier, the ones charged and convicted of piracy?” Drummond asked.
Anne nodded, sure she would not forget them for as long as she lived.
“The constable says, since their capture, he’s had at least two new charges of piracy brought before him. It’s the equivalent of a witch hunt.” Drummond turned an accusing finger at Teach. “And if you hadn’t insisted on sailing, I would not be in this predicament.”
“What evidence did they have against those men?” Anne asked.
“They were caught unloading stolen goods from a ship late at night. It’s suspected they’ve been attacking merchants near the continent for the last six months at least.”
“But in the past six months, he was nowhere near these shores,” Anne said. “That should be easy enough to prove.”
“Yes, well, with everyone clamoring for justice to be served, the investigation will proceed, regardless of where he was. As I’ve said, I’m meeting with my solicitor shortly. Edward is not to leave the house until I return.”
“You can’t be serious,” Teach said.
“I am. And this time you will do exactly as I say. I do not want you venturing into the city, for any reason. You are to stay here and wait for Miss Patience’s arrival.”
“And what should I tell her? How long will you be gone?” Teach asked.
“I have not the faintest idea, but I do not expect to return home until the matter is resolved satisfactorily. I will do whatever it takes to see these charges dropped, and will send word with a messenger once I have more information.” With that, Drummond turned on his heel and left the two of them alone.
It was several moments before Anne heard the sound of Drummond’s carriage fading away. Teach remained where he was, staring at the floor, his mouth grim.
Anne wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but wasn’t sure what that should be. Glancing at the door, she almost wished for Margery to appear. But the house was silent, except for the occasional pop of the fire.
“My father thinks I’m the devil incarnate,” Teach said, striding to the hearth. He stabbed the logs with the fire iron. Sparks flew up, illuminating his face with a dangerous light, as the evening outside darkened to dusk.
“You don’t mean that,” she said.
“Don’t I?”
“No. He just wants to see that your name is cleared.”
“Not my name, Anne. His. He’s never cared about my thoughts or my dreams. It’s always been about him and what he wants.”
“He wouldn’t have rushed off in such haste if he didn’t care for you. He’s a powerful man. If anyone can have the charges dropped—”
Teach flung the fire iron against the nearest wall. The wood paneling cracked beneath the force, and the rod clattered to the floor. He rounded on Anne and approached her, his steps purposeful. “If word of this gets out, which it undoubtedly will, then any chance my father had of the aristocracy accepting him will be gone. That is what he cares about. That is why he was so quick to act.”
Had their relationship always been so volatile? Or had it deteriorated since Mrs. Drummond’s death? “He is not as cold as you believe he is. Look at what he’s done for me. He will get you out of this.”
“How?” Teach asked, stopping in front of her. His face was grave.
She threw up her hands, her own fear making her voice sharp. “I don’t know. I don’t know how any of this will turn out, but we have to give your father time.”
“You saw the men today, Anne. Time is not on my side.”
Anne turned and strode toward the fire, her speech trying to keep pace with her agitated thoughts. “Concentrate for a moment. Who would want to see you suffer or possibly hang?”
“I can’t imagine anyone would want to see me hang.”
“Nor can I, but obviously someone does. Now think. Is there anyone you’ve angered recently?”
“Henry Barrett is the only person I can think of.”
“Do you think he knows we spoke with Mr. Cogswell?” Would that even be possible? They’d left the solicitor’s office barely an hour before.
“I doubt it. Henry is angry with me for another reason.”
“Why is he—” As his words sank in, Anne closed her eyes against the prickling along her scalp. Teach had never returned the money. “Why? Why didn’t you give it back to him?”
“And it appears you’re the greater fool for not thinking he would seek revenge. When he left, he said he’d make you pay.”
“Do you really think he’s capable of such a thing? He would accuse me of piracy simply because I didn’t return a few coins?”
Anne noted the heightened color in Teach’s face, and wished she could tell him no. But she wouldn’t put it past Henry to have done just that. “I can’t say for sure, but look at what he did to me,” Anne said. “If it had benefited him to have me gone, I have no doubt he would have sent me away. Permanently.”
Teach’s eyes glinted, his chest expanding with a deep breath. “I’ll butcher him. This time I’ll kill him with my bare hands. If I’m going to hang for a crime, I might as well be bloody guilty of it.”