“But I want to go with you,” Teach insisted.
“No. You need to make things right with Miss Patience. I’ve spent enough time under this roof and must return to Bristol at once. In less than three weeks’ time, the Deliverance will set sail, and there is still much to prepare. You will leave the matter of Anne to me.”
Teach glowered at his father, wondering how he could
have ever felt sorry for the man. Teach also wondered how he
could ever convince the man to let him captain a ship, if Teach couldn’t even talk his father into letting him return home. “If it hadn’t been for me, you would not be aware of the situation,”
he pointed out icily.
Drummond’s voice was just as cold. “And do you care to
explain why you were conversing with the kitchen staff about
their status in my household?”
“I’ve noticed Margery dealing rather harshly with Anne and
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was curious as to why. I believe you should get rid of Margery.”
“Could it be you have other reasons for being concerned for
Anne’s welfare?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m engaged to be married,” Teach
snapped.
“Good. And don’t you forget that. Drummonds are honor
bound to keep their promises.”
“It is hardly a crime to speak with subordinates, Father. You
could learn a lesson from Andrew Barrett in that regard. He
took an active interest in his staff.”
“Yes. I’ve seen how active an interest it was,” Drummond
said. “Andrew was a good man, but there is no denying his
questionable judgment at times. Nevertheless, I will do as he
asked and care for the girl.”
“But you still need my help watching the servants because
of the thefts. If you’re too busy, I can—”
“I haven’t noticed anything else missing. Perhaps I was mis—
taken. Anyone would be a fool to steal from me. Now, if you’ll
excuse me, I wish to retire. I’ll return home first thing in the morning.”
Teach reached the door in swift, angry strides. “Good night,
Father. Have a safe journey back,” he snapped, closing the door solidly behind him.
18 8
C H A P T E R 1 7
Anne
Anne clutched the pocket watch in her hand as she entered the
drawing room. Master Drummond rarely asked to have a word
with one of his staff. When he did, the person was typically
dismissed. Anne’s insides flipped uncomfortably as she closed
the door behind her. She wasn’t sure if she was still an employee, which made her even more anxious.
“You wished to see me, sir?” she asked, attempting to keep
her voice level, pressing the pocket watch into her palm.
Master Drummond turned from the window. His sharp
green eyes, so similar to Teach’s, studied her. “Yes, I did. Please, won’t you have a seat?”
Anne’s heart pounded in her chest, but she did as he
requested.
He sat down across from her. “I don’t know exactly where
to begin, as I have apparently made quite a mess of things. But
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I shall attempt to rectify the situation.” Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward and looked Anne squarely in the eyes. “I believe I owe you an apology.”
If Anne hadn’t been sitting, her legs would have given out
beneath her at his words.
Master Drummond continued. “A long time ago your
father asked me to look after his cook and her daughter in the
event that something happened to him. When you came to this
house, I had no idea who you really were. Henry Barrett merely
mentioned that you’d been employed in his father’s household.
If I’d known you were Andrew’s daughter, I would never have
agreed to let you work for me.”
The pocket watch slipped from Anne’s hand and fell to the
floor. Too stunned to move, she watched as Master Drummond
picked it up and examined it, turning it over in his palm.
“I know this watch. I was with your father in London
when he bought it,” he said softly. Popping it open, he read the inscription inside, which said For my Jacqueline, before handing it back to her.
“Thank you.”
Master Drummond sighed. “No. You have nothing to
thank me for. At least not yet.”
Anne remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“Looking at you, I can’t believe I didn’t see it earlier. Andrew never told me he had a daughter with Jacqueline, but I should have guessed as much. He was lonely after his wife died.”
19 0
Anne did not like the insinuation that loneliness was the only reason her father had turned to her mother. “They cared for each other.”
Master Drummond’s gaze did not quite meet hers. It was
clear he was uncomfortable speaking about the relationship
between Anne’s parents.
“Your father sent me a letter, asking me to make sure Jacqueline and her daughter were looked after. He said he’d leave the money in a trust and I was to oversee it.”
Anne’s eyes widened in surprise, for this was the first she’d
heard of such arrangements.
“When Henry brought you here, I asked after Jacqueline