At the weeping willows on the outside of his father’s property, Anne stopped and dismounted. “Just in case the others
have returned, I do not think it’s wise for them to see us arriving together. I will return the riding habit as soon as possible.”
“You may keep the garments. My only concern is if they see
you in them. They’ll know we were together.” He realized too
late that he hadn’t thought things through.
Anne bit her lip. “Perhaps if you went in first, you could
arrange some kind of distraction? I could slip in through the
kitchen and head upstairs to change.”
If she entered through the back way, there would be too
many opportunities for her to be discovered. Teach shook his
head. “No, I will go in first and return the horses to the stables.
You go through the front door and enter your quarters from
the other side of the house. They’ll be less likely to see you.”
16 5
He paused. “Unless they’ve already determined that you aren’t in your room.”
“No, they aren’t so concerned for my welfare that they
would go and inquire after me.” Striding away, she disappeared
around the corner of the wall.
Teach led the horses in through the garden, searching for
movement near the back of the house. There was no sign of
the groom as Teach entered the barn and unsaddled the horses,
giving them a cursory brushing before heading for the kitchen
door. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him. He’d sent
Anne to the front of the house, and he was stealing in through
the back.
Passing through the kitchen, he was on his way to the stairs
when he first heard the shouting. It was Margery. Even from his
vantage point down the hall, it was clear she was angry.
“Don’t lie to me, girl!” Her words were followed by the dis—
tinct sound of a slap.
Teach rounded the corner, just as Margery raised her arm
again. Anne reached out and caught Margery around the wrist,
clearly unwilling to yield to yet another strike.
“Stop!” Teach thundered, his voice exploding throughout
the entryway.
Both Margery and Anne turned to see him barreling toward
them, his face contorted with rage. “If you strike her again, I
will have you removed from this household. You will not find
another position for as long as you shall live!”
16 6
Anne released Margery’s suddenly limp arm.
Margery’s mouth dropped open, the anger in her eyes
dying like a flame dipped in water. “But, but . . . sir, I caught her sneaking into the house, dressed like that!” She pointed to Anne, still clothed in the riding habit.
Teach studied Anne’s appearance from head to toe, looking for any more signs of ill treatment, but thankfully could
see none. Rounding once more on the old woman, he leaned
forward, speaking through clenched teeth. “It’s a riding habit.”
Margery blinked. “Yes . . . yes, I know, sir.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Is that a crime?”
The housekeeper flushed beneath the obvious scorn in his
voice. “No. Yes. She’s . . . How did she get it?”
An answering fire flared in Anne’s eyes. “I told you, it was
a gift.”
“Where have you been, dressed like that?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Anne snapped.
Margery straightened. “As housekeeper, it’s my business to
know exactly what is going on—”
Teach waved his hand impatiently. “She already said it was
a gift.”
“Yes, but you told me several things have gone missing,
and—”
“You will not say another word,” Teach growled. He’d given
her specific instructions to keep silent about the stealing, but Margery was too upset to notice.
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“If anyone’s taken anything from your father, it would be that one. She’s the by-blow of some foreign gutter wench and a sailor, no doubt raised on the streets.” Margery turned on Anne
once more. “And to think I trusted you. You can’t even follow
directions proper like. I ran into the butcher while I was in
town. He said you haven’t been to buy meat from him since the
young master returned.”
Anne jumped forward. “Because he wanted more payment
than I was prepared to give! If you want his wares so badly, then I suggest you lie with him!”
Margery dove for Anne’s face, her arms outstretched and
her teeth bared. Teach was able to scoop Anne out of the way as
she scrambled to get hold of Margery’s sleeves, the two of them
clawing like cats.
A pounding at the front door brought the argument to a
halt. Teach, for one, was grateful for the reprieve.
Holding on to Anne’s arm, he practically dragged her with
him, keeping a stern eye on the housekeeper. “Margery, you will
pack your bags at once,” Teach said.
“But who will run your father’s house in the meantime?
Her?” Margery shrieked.
Teach hadn’t thought of the particulars. He only knew he
wanted to keep Margery away from Anne. His jaw was clenched
so tight, it ached. “Return to the kitchen. I will discuss your