in his throat. Staring at the ground, he tried to think of what his next step would be, but his mind wouldn’t focus.
“Can they have an inquiry if Barrett isn’t here to support
the charges?” John asked, his tone hopeful.
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure if Barrett was the one to
accuse me, but I can’t think of anyone else who would gain
from it.”
“I’ll look into it for you,” John said. “Don’t you worry,
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Teach. We’ll get to the bottom of this, even if I have to break you out of jail myself.”
The tightness in Teach’s chest didn’t ease, despite his friend’s assurances. “Yes, well, hopefully it won’t come to that.”
The two of them were silent, a heavy pall hanging between
them.
Eventually John cleared his throat. “I best head back to the
Deliverance.”
“Would you like to come into the house first?” Teach could
do with a drink.
John shook his head, turning for the door. “I’m not fit for
company. I’ll keep asking around. Like I said, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” He raised his hand in a final farewell before
striding out the door and disappearing from view.
Teach stood alone in the stable for several minutes, reluctant to return to the house. He rubbed the lower half of his
jaw, considering what to do. With Barrett gone, there went any
hope of confronting him, demanding answers.
Taking slow, measured breaths, he looked outside. The rain
had already stopped, as if the sky couldn’t make up its mind.
After several more minutes he headed in the direction of
the gardens.
The wind blew and buffeted, but Teach pressed on through
the manicured lawns, until he reached the trail leading behind
his father’s property into the nearby woods. He drew to a halt at the two weeping willows. As a child he’d loved playing near the
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trees, pretending he was an explorer, discovering new worlds and different cultures.
It was the same place where he had vomited on Miss
Patience, and where Anne had appeared out of nowhere to help
him. He liked to think that had been the start of their friendship, but it had since grown into something stronger.
As if his thoughts had conjured her, he felt her presence at
his side before he saw her. She wore a dark blue cloak that fell to her ankles in long folds, and despite the mud soaking her hem, she looked every inch the queen.
“I’m going into town,” she said.
“Oh?” Although he’d encouraged her to do just that, Teach
couldn’t hide his disappointment. There was something calm—
ing about Anne, and at that moment he craved tranquility.
“Yes, I’m going to find someone to take Mary’s place.” Not
only was she intelligent and beautiful, but she possessed an air of efficiency. Teach had the feeling that when she set her mind to something, there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.
“While you’re at it, do you think you could find a replace—
ment for the groom as well?” Teach asked, only half joking.
His father hadn’t been gone for even a day, and already the
household had fallen apart. “I’d accompany you, but I have
the feeling my father wouldn’t appreciate my efforts.”
“I believe I can find someone to replace the groom. Elizabeth
has several siblings. I’m sure they would be more than willing to work for your father.”
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“Let me ready the carriage for you,” he said.
“There’s no need. I prefer to walk.”
“You’ll do no such thing. It’s about to rain again.”
Anne squared her shoulders. “I assure you, I’ve walked in the
rain before. And the snow. And the ice. I’m perfectly capable of walking to town. I used to do it every day.”
Teach hated the thought of Anne being exposed to all sorts
of elements, both human and otherwise. “I do not doubt that,
but I would prefer it if you took the carriage. And have Sara
accompany you.”
“Elizabeth is coming with me. And she prefers to walk as
well.”
In spite of his annoyance, Teach couldn’t help a faint
smile. She would fight till the last. “I thought we were past
this, Anne.”
“Past what?”
“Arguing.”
“We’re not arguing. I simply came to tell you where I was
going. You’re the one who insists on telling me what to do.”
“Good. Then I’m simply telling you I will see to the carriage.” Teach turned to head back to the stable, but Anne’s next words stopped him.
“I saw John leave. I know he came to bring you some kind
of news. What was it?” There was no mistaking the concern in
her voice.
“He’s gone.”
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Anne lifted her skirts and moved to stand in front of him, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Who is?”
“Your brother.”
Looking away, she was quiet for a moment. “What does
that mean? Will they continue with the inquiry if he’s not here?”
Teach sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t know what any of this
means.”
“We still have to wait to hear from your father.”
Teach rubbed the back of his neck. “You place an awful lot
of faith in his abilities.”
“And you, not nearly enough. Despite what you think, I