He shook his head. “No. I’ve already given it much thought.
At the party we will announce that you are coming out.”
“But I don’t want—”
“Father, you cannot announce Anne’s coming out at the
same time that you declare an engagement. It wouldn’t be
appropriate.”
Anger flared in Drummond’s eyes. “How else will she find
herself a husband? You can’t expect her to stay here for the rest of her days. That would not be appropriate.”
Anne barely managed to keep her own anger in check. “I
have no intention of staying here. When I choose a husband, I would like it to be when I’m ready. I’m not ready now. And I have no desire for it to be announced this week.”
“Nonsense. You are . . . lovely.” Anne noticed his hesitation. Miss Patience was clearly Drummond’s ideal of beauty.
“And your father has left you not without means. Edward is to
marry a baron’s daughter, and your association with him will be advantageous.”
She braced herself against the ache caused by his words.
“You cannot make me,” she said, no longer caring about
holding her tongue. All she could think about was the agony of having to watch Teach swear his allegiance to Patience publicly.
“Father, it’s too soon,” Teach said, his voice louder.
2 8 1
“Your mother was seventeen when I married her,” Drummond said, shooting his son a silencing glare, before turning once more on Anne. “When do you turn seventeen?”
It took her a moment to answer. “I . . . In two months’ time.”
“There, you see. This is for her own good.”
“And if no one will have me?”
Drummond didn’t meet her gaze when he answered. “Once
I attach a handsome dowry to your head, someone will speak
for you. Tell her, Edward. Tell her she’ll make a fine match.”
Teach looked Anne straight in the eyes as he spoke. “The
man who wins Anne’s heart will recognize in her the answer to
his dreams.”
The color was high on Teach’s cheeks, but his father didn’t
pay attention. He merely waved his fork at Anne after taking a bite of his eggs. “There, you see. Edward believes you will not have a problem.”
Anne felt trapped, caught between the two men who
appeared to hold the happiness of her future in their hands. It was time to take control of her own fate.
An icy calm overcame her, and she sat back. “All right. I’ll go.”
Drummond smiled, clearly pleased, but Teach was motionless.
“But I would like the money my father left me to be transferred to an account with my name.”
A muscle worked in Teach’s jaw, but Drummond nodded. “Of
course. When you turn eighteen—”
Anne was sure they could hear the pounding of her heart.
2 8 2
“No, not when I turn eighteen. I would like the money now.”
“But that’s not possible,” Drummond said.
“Then I request that you make it possible. I will attend
the party. All that I ask in return is that you do this for me.” It wasn’t as if he needed the money. She did.
Drummond studied her, clearly surprised by her boldness.
For the first time since entering the house, Anne was not
afraid of Richard Drummond. She had nothing left to lose. “I’d like to at least know that I can purchase a small cottage somewhere, sir. I have no desire to inconvenience you any further.”
“All right,” Drummond said, after another moment of
silence. “Given your past experience, I can understand why you make such a demand. I will contact my solicitor to have the
funds transferred to an account in your name. You will have
access to it. I will not stand in your way.”
“But, Father—” Teach began, but Drummond held up his
hand.
“No, Edward. The girl is right. It’s the least I can do, to help her on her way.”
Anne gave a small nod, her pent-up breath threatening to
explode. “Thank you, sir. Now, if you will excuse me, I find I’m not as hungry as I first thought,” she said, coming to her feet.
Drummond waved her away. “Yes, you may go.” Teach
looked as if to follow suit, clearly intent on chasing after her, but Drummond wasn’t finished. “I ask that you stay, Edward,”
he said. “We still have things to discuss.”
2 8 3
Anne shot Drummond a grateful look, aware of the blaze burning in Teach’s eyes. Now was a good time to make her escape.
As she closed the door behind her, Anne could still feel the
heat of Teach’s gaze on her back.
Two hours later he found her in the library.
Teach entered, and then used his foot to close the door
behind him. Anne stood abruptly, the book in her hands dropping to the floor. If she’d wished to avoid him, she could have gone into town, or retired to her room, but she had decided it was time to stop running.
“Why did you do it?” he demanded.
Anne thrust out her small chin. “You know why.”
A swallow rippled visibly down his throat, and he ran a
hand through his already disheveled hair. This was a new ver—
sion of Teach, one she’d never seen before. He reminded her
of a caged animal, and it pained her to think she was partly