responsible for it.
“How can you stand there so calmly?” he asked, his voice
rough.
If he only knew. Her head ached. She’d spent the past two hours trying to convince herself that leaving was the best for everyone concerned, even Teach, although he couldn’t see it at the moment.
Now that her funds were secured, she hoped to find a place
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where she belonged. She would see firsthand the places her mother had told her about in the West Indies. It was both excit-ing and terrifying at the same time.
But without Teach at her side, her plans felt somehow empty
and hollow, as if she would leave a piece of herself behind.
“My father and Lord Hervey have gone to toast my father’s
acceptance into the aristocracy. Strangely enough, they didn’t ask me to join them.”
“I know.” She’d heard them leave.
“And my future bride has gone to pick up her dress for
William’s ball this weekend.” There was no disguising the bitterness in his voice.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Are you?”
“Of course. I don’t wish to see you suffer. I like to think of you as my friend.”
Teach moved forward, and then was standing so close to
Anne, she could feel his body heat, even though they were not
touching. “We’re more than just friends. You know that.”
She shook her head, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I’m afraid
we shall never be more than friends as long as I’m frightened.”
“You once told me I didn’t frighten you.”
“Perhaps it’s not you I’m afraid of.”
Teach reached out and caressed her cheek with his finger.
“Please,” she whispered, her breath catching in her throat.
“Whether you acknowledge it or not, Anne, we belong
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together. We could be on opposite sides of the world, but you would still be mine, as I am yours.”
Anne closed her eyes. Deep down she knew he was right.
Fighting for composure, she moved toward the desk and began
gathering the papers scattered across its surface. They were her father’s, the ones Mr. Cogswell had given her.
Teach bent and retrieved the book from the floor, then
came to stand by her side. “You’re not the only one who can
run away, you know. If you truly wish to leave England, I will accompany you. It’s far too dangerous to travel by yourself.”
Clutching the papers in her hands, she glared at him. “You
think I’m running away?”
“Aye, I do. You’re afraid to trust someone. But you have
the means to be independent, and I have no desire to hold you
back. If you truly wish to find your mother’s family, I will help you search for them.”
Struggling against the pull of his words, Anne looked once
more at the desk and the papers on it. Everything he said was
true. It would be hazardous for her to travel alone. Even if
she secured a lady’s maid, they would be on a ship for several months. The uncertainty of the weather alone was enough to
give her pause.
And once she reached her destination, who knew what
kind of circumstances she would find herself in? Even if Mr.
Cogswell was in a position to help her, he didn’t have time to send a message to any contact before she left. It would be a
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relief to know she didn’t have to undertake this daunting task alone.
But the most important reason for her to agree with him
was that she could not think of anyone else she’d rather have
by her side.
“Let me come with you,” he said, his voice soft. Urgent.
“Please.”
Anne sighed. “All right,” she said, looking up. “If that is
what you truly wish.”
Teach’s eyes glowed with triumph, and he slid his arms
around her. He bent his head to kiss her, but she stopped him, her fingers on his lips.
“But we will wait until after the ball to leave. I do not want your father to go back on his word. Once my money is secure,
then we will go.”
“Agreed.”
“And you will not kiss me until that time.”
Teach drew back, his eyes wide. “What?”
Anne pushed at his chest. “Technically, you are still
betrothed to another.”
“Yes, but—”
“Those are my conditions.” She felt a small sense of victory
at the flash of irritation in Teach’s eyes, glad that she was able to unsettle him as well.
“All right. We will wait until after the ball tomorrow night.
But I will secure our passage on a ship.”
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“Shouldn’t we wait until the Deliverance sets sail?”
“Why?”
Guilt caused her voice to be sharp. “Because you are your
father’s only son. It’s bad enough that you’re leaving him. I
would hate for our departure to ruin his moment of glory.”
“The Deliverance sets sail in twelve days, Anne. I have no intention of waiting that long.”
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C H A P T E R 2 9
Anne