He remembered fondly his first few attempts at wooing
Patience. She’d played hard to get in the beginning, but he knew she’d enjoyed the attention. If there was one thing Patience loved, it was being the center of attention.
A knock at the door brought him back to the present.
“Come in,” he said.
Anne poked her head in, a wary look on her face. The girl
was constantly on edge. He had the distinct impression that it
took her a while to trust someone.
She stepped inside, rubbing her hands down her apron. It
was covered with gray ash, and several strands of hair had crept out of her cap.
Teach’s hand itched to touch them. She reminded him of
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an exotic flower growing on the islands of the West Indies and seemed out of place in this cold, sterile environment.
“Sir?” she said.
His eyes met hers. Teach was aware how he must look, with
his jaw covered with stubble, his face flushed. Everything was
as she’d left it a few hours earlier, with the exception of one
window being open, allowing a cool breeze to drift through the
room. The chicken broth steamed in the bowl, filling the air
with its scent. “You’re late,” he said, his voice rough.
She pointed to the tray at his side. “You have your soup,”
she said.
“Yes, but you are the only one I wish to bring me my meals.
That includes breakfast, dinner, and supper.”
“But surely the others are capable of bringing you your
meals?” she asked incredulously.
“No doubt.”
“If you’d like me to read to you, I can come later—”
“I do want you to read to me, and that is precisely why I
wish for you to bring me my food, no one else,” he said, pulling at the collar of his nightshirt. “Especially not that fool Mary,”
he muttered beneath his breath. “You’re to let me know at once
if you catch her anywhere near Tom, the groom. Is that understood?”
Anne bristled at his words. She opened her mouth as if to
say something, but quickly shut it again.
“What?” Teach asked.
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“Nothing, sir.”
“That’s not true. You were about to say something. Does it
have anything to do with Mary?”
“It’s not my place to say.”
“It is if I’m asking. What do you know about Mary?”
There was a long pause before Anne spoke. He could see
the uncertainty in her eyes.
“Out with it,” he said.
“I have reason to believe that she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with one of your guests.”
Teach’s eyes widened in surprise. A guest? “You do? Why?”
Once more she hesitated.
“Come closer. Now tell me why you suspect that.”
Anne took a few steps forward until she came to stand at
the foot of his bed. Teach was keenly aware that he did not look his best. Sweat glistened on his brow, and he could feel the heat in his cheeks.
“Your father has made it very clear that he doesn’t want any
sort of involvement among the household staff. I’m sure that extends to your guests as well.”
Teach squirmed beneath her steady gaze, remembering his
earlier conduct. “I’m well aware of my father’s rules. You don’t need to remind me,” he said.
Anne reached into her pocket, pulled out a small note, and
handed it to him. “Your friend, the Earl of Lorimar, is not without fault in the matter, sir. See for yourself.”
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“William? You must be mistaken.”
Anne scoffed, obviously not surprised Teach would come to
his friend’s defense. “Yes, William. He has clearly taken advantage of the fact that Mary, as a dependent in your household,
has nowhere else to turn. He would compromise her position
for his own enjoyment,” she said.
Teach’s eyebrows drew together as he read the note.
My darling,
I can scarce tell you how I felt when I first saw you
in this house. I could almost not eat, for my stomach
was truly in knots. You cannot imagine the depth of
my emotions, and I myself am unable to ful y convey
to you how strongly I have come to fe l for you.
Please tell me you fe l the same.
Forever your loving,
Wil iam
Teach’s own stomach was in knots, but for entirely different
reasons. What a pile of rubbish. How many times had he told
William to stop with this nonsense?
“Where did you find this?” he asked Anne.
“I found it while I was cleaning out the fireplace in the earl’s room.”
“And have you asked Mary about this?”
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Anne nodded, folding her hands in front of her. “Yes, sir.
Just before you called me in, sir.”
So that was what the two of them had been bickering about.
“And what did she have to say?”
“She insisted the note wasn’t meant for her, claiming she
cannot read.”
Not many maids could read, but there were ways around it,
especially if she was trying to impress an interested lover. “But you mean to tell me this note was intended for Mary?” Teach said at length. Teach had noticed Mary making eyes at William during the meal.
Anne nodded.
“Then she’s even worse than I thought.”