Miss Patience took another step forward. “Are you unwell?
Perhaps I can think of a way to make you feel better.” She gave
him a sly look, running her fingers up his arm. “If you’d like, we could stay out here and discuss Paradise Lost. William said it’s all about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Since we were so rudely interrupted before, we could make this little spot our very own Eden.”
Anne did not imagine the shudder that ran through Teach.
He took Miss Patience’s wrist and removed it from his shoulder.
“I think it would be best if you went back inside. Your mother
would not like you being out here without a chaperone.”
“Do you think I care?” she asked.
“You should. It’s not prudent for you to be in a man’s presence without an escort.”
Anne rolled her eyes. No one ever worried about her safety when she went to the marketplace all by herself. Was it possible she had more freedom than Miss Patience?
“You weren’t concerned about that yesterday afternoon
when you agreed to meet me in the rose garden,” she said.
7 5
“I know. And I apologize for that.”
“What is there to apologize for? Nothing happened,” she said.
It was impossible for Anne to determine if Teach was disappointed or not. He gave no response.
“You used to enjoy our private conversations, Edward.
What has changed?”
Teach ran a hand through his hair. “Being gone for a year
has . . . changed me, as I’m sure it’s changed you. We should
spend some time reacquainting ourselves—”
“What nonsense is this? Reacquainting ourselves? You used to enjoy our kisses just as much as I did,” Patience purred, leaning closer, her body pressed against the length of his. “We need to discuss our engagement.”
“I’ve only just returned home. Surely there’s no rush.”
She took a step back, her bottom lip jutting forward. “Not
for you, perhaps. While you’ve been off enjoying your adventures, I’ve been forced to remain at home, searching for some
kind of entertainment. Now that you’re back, I no longer need
any distractions.”
He frowned, a small muscle working in his jaw. “Is that all
I am to you? A distraction?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know I care about you. Only
yesterday you were willing to meet me in private. What has
changed? Do you not still find me attractive?”
In answer, Teach’s shoulders hunched forward in a violent
spasm. Anne jumped to her feet, tempted to call out, but there
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was nothing to be done. Teach turned his head too late, spew-ing his portion of the picnic down the front of Miss Patience’s dress.
Anne’s hands flew to her mouth.
Miss Patience froze, a look of horror spreading across her
face. The only sound to escape her lips was a repeated whimper,
like a sick pup, her bottom lip quivering.
Teach was no help, for he continued to retch by her side.
At least he’d had the decency to turn himself slightly, so that
she was no longer in the line of fire. The damage, however, was
done.
The two stood next to each other, each one caught up in
their own misery. It would have been difficult to decide who
appeared more upset at the moment.
Shaking with suppressed laughter, Anne watched as Miss
Patience eventually turned in the direction of the house, slightly bent at the waist. With mincing steps she disappeared through the archway back into the gardens, muttering beneath her
breath the entire time.
Only when the young master dropped to his knees was
Anne brought up short. By now, dry heaves racked his body,
but still he did not stop.
Anne vacillated for a second more before sweeping the
branches out of the way and going to him. Until now the stallion had stood quietly by his side, but he whinnied and approached as Anne bent over his owner.
7 7
Sweat soaked Teach’s brow as well as his shirt. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw her.
Reaching forward, Anne grabbed him under the arms and
attempted to help him up, careful to stay out of range. After
hesitating, he threw a heavy arm over her shoulders, leaning on
her as she directed him back to the house. She picked up the
reins, and the stallion followed behind.
Their advancement was slow. He was at least a head taller
than Anne, and she felt like a child next to him. He certainly
resembled an old man at the moment, not the vibrant young
man he was. By the time they reached the stable, the sun was
low in the sky.
The groom rushed out when he saw them, and Anne
stepped to the side. “Here, Tom, take him to his room,” she
said, for she could not have made it up the stairs under Teach’s weight. The two of them disappeared while Anne took the stallion back to the barn. Once she removed his saddle, she
brushed him down and gave him fresh grain, before returning
to the house.
Mary and Sara rushed by her, each carrying a bucket of
water.
“Mr. Edward is sick,” Mary said over her shoulder.