stayed at home, content to read or sew by the fire.
This would be her first real social gathering, and she felt ill equipped to manage it.
Patience grabbed Teach’s arm and attempted once more to
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disengage him from Anne’s side, but Teach held back. “It would be in poor taste to let Anne enter alone. My father is her guardian, and he asked me to look after her tonight.”
“But . . . but,” Patience sputtered. “We are to wed.”
“Your father is waiting,” Teach said.
Patience gave Anne a look of pure venom before joining her
parents.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Anne said, although
inwardly she was pleased. She was quite sure no one had ever
put Patience in her place like that.
“She deserved it. She acts as if we’re already married,” Teach muttered. “Which we never shall be.”
Not daring to think about their secret departure, Anne took
in her surroundings, trying not to gape at the luxurious setting.
The air was heavy with the scent of hothouse flowers. Inside the grand manor, women floated along in their beautiful dresses.
The men all wore breeches and waistcoats, their shirt collars
starched and standing at attention.
At the entrance to the ballroom, their names were
announced. Teach paused, glancing around until he saw the
Duke and Duchess of Cardwell. He advanced, giving Anne a
gentle tug when she held back.
“Come along now,” he said briskly. “Let me introduce you
to our hosts.”
“I wish you wouldn’t,” she replied beneath her breath.
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“Nonsense. It would be rude not to acknowledge their hos-pitality.”
“But what if William has said something to them about me?”
“What could he have said?” Teach asked.
Anne gave a short laugh, surprised by his obstinacy. “That I
used to be a maid in your house.”
“But you’re not anymore.”
She still refused to move. He made it sound so simple.
Looking at the duchess, Anne was intimidated by both her
elegance and her beauty. The older woman wore a gray gown
covered with the most exquisite lace Anne had ever seen. And
her eyes were as hard as the strand of diamonds around her
neck.
“Anne, these people are not any better than you. There’s no
reason to hide,” Teach whispered.
“I’m not hiding,” she hissed. He had no idea what he was
asking.
“Then come with me. Please. I secured your invitation. I’ve
known them for years.”
Taking a deep breath, she accompanied Teach as he strode
forward. She envied his confidence.
It wasn’t long before they stood in front of the impressive pair.
“Mr. Edward, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Thank you so much for your invitation, Your Grace. Allow
me to introduce you to Miss Anne Barrett. Miss Barrett, the
Duke and Duchess of Cardwell.”
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The duke tipped his white-haired head. “And where are you from, Miss Barrett?”
“I was born here in Bristol, Your Grace.” Although it was
the first time she’d ever met a duke, Anne could not help wondering if he always asked his guests where they were from.
The duchess’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
Anne fingered the pearls at her neck nervously, her face
burning beneath the intense scrutiny. Teach had sent the pearls to her room, and Anne had been touched by the gesture.
“She is the daughter of an old family friend, Your Grace,”
Teach said.
“Who are these old friends?” the duchess asked archly.
“I’m afraid they are both deceased, Your Grace,” Teach said,
no doubt sensing Anne’s unease.
Anne was grateful there were other guests waiting to greet the host and hostess, and Teach led her away. They approached the
buffet table, but Anne was too anxious to eat, aware of the many glances that followed her advancement through the room. Nobody said anything, because she was with Edward Drummond, but she
could see the disapproval in several faces, curiosity in others.
Anne had never felt so exposed, and firmly gripped Teach’s
arm. “I wish to leave.”
“Do not let them win, Anne.”
“Win? Do you think this is a game?” she asked, bristling when she saw William approaching. She did not understand how Teach could be his friend.
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“Ah, I see you’ve brought ‘the maid’ for me,” William said, taking Anne’s hand in his and bringing it to his wet mouth.
Anne’s toes curled with disgust. She could not escape his
grasp fast enough, and slid her hand behind her back, wiping
off on her dress the touch of his lips.
She did not imagine the steely gaze Teach gave his friend.
“She is not for you,” he said tightly.
William’s eyebrows rose. “Do I detect a hint of possessive—
ness in your voice? You can’t keep them all for yourself, old
friend. You are as good as married. Leave something for the rest of us.”
Teach stiffened at her side. “I am not yet married, and Anne
is my father’s goddaughter. She is therefore off-limits. Unless you would like to take it up with my father.”